"Stone, you're the only person I know who can make a simple favor turn into a national security issue."
Somewhere around the two-hour mark, that line hit and I actually laughed out loud. Ranger looked at me like I'd lost it. But that's Stuart Woods for you - the man knew exactly what he was doing with Stone Barrington, and after 40-something books in this series, the formula still works.
Let me cut to the chase: Below the Belt is comfort food for thriller fans. Not the kind that changes your life, but the kind you reach for when you want something reliable during a long drive to Houston.
The Mission Brief
Here's the deal. Stone's in Santa Fe - nice digs, attractive company, the usual Barrington setup - when duty calls. An old friend needs help containing what could become a political firestorm. There's a rising-star politician at the center of it all, the kind of guy who's either going to end up in the White House or in handcuffs. Maybe both.
Woods keeps things moving at a solid clip. Eight hours and change, no dead spots that made me want to skip ahead. The political intrigue angle is... look, it's not exactly Tom Clancy-level depth here. Some of the scenarios feel a bit dated, like Woods was working from headlines that had already passed their expiration date. But I've seen enough real-world political maneuvering to know that truth is usually stranger than fiction anyway.
The action sequences are competent. Not spectacular, but competent. Woods was a no-nonsense storyteller - you get in, you get the job done, you get out. No wasted words. I can respect that.
Tony Roberts Delivers the Goods
Now here's where this audiobook earns its stripes. Tony Roberts has been voicing Stone Barrington for years, and the man has it down cold. There's a breezy confidence to his delivery that matches Stone's character perfectly - this is a guy who's seen it all and still manages to stay charming while navigating whatever mess lands in his lap.
Roberts doesn't do anything flashy. No dramatic pauses that feel manufactured, no over-the-top character voices that pull you out of the story. Just clean, professional narration with enough warmth to keep you engaged through the slower political maneuvering sections. (And there are a few of those.)
I listened at 1.25x - my standard - and it worked perfectly. Roberts' pacing is already pretty brisk, so bumping it up just tightened things nicely without losing any clarity.
SITREP
Okay, cards on the table. This isn't going to win any literary awards. The plot has some holes you could drive a Humvee through if you're paying close attention. Some of the political machinations require you to suspend disbelief a bit more than I'd like.
But here's the thing - I didn't pick this up expecting The Things They Carried. I had similar expectations going into Any Means Necessary - solid thriller mechanics, nothing more. I picked it up because I had six hours of Texas highway ahead of me and I wanted something that would keep me alert without requiring my full tactical attention.
Mission accomplished.
Who Should Listen (And Who Should Skip)
If you're already a Stone Barrington fan, you know exactly what you're getting. Tony Roberts' narration makes it worth the audio format over reading it yourself. If you're new to the series... honestly, maybe start earlier? There's a lot of character history and recurring players that'll make more sense with context. Skip this one if you need airtight plots or deep political analysis - that's not the mission here.
The violence is present but not graphic - more thriller-standard than anything that'll keep you up at night. Some bedroom scenes that Woods handles with his usual discretion. Nothing that made Ranger's ears perk up.
For commutes, road trips, or any situation where you want entertainment that doesn't demand 100% focus - this delivers. It's professional, it's polished, and Roberts makes the whole thing go down easy.
Ranger approved. I did too.
