Look, I need to rant for a second. I picked this up because my thesis advisor scheduled another "progress meeting" (read: intervention) and I needed something completely brainless to decompress. Forty hours of Sanderson-level world-building this is not. And you know what? Sometimes that's exactly what you need.
Dishonorable Intentions is book thirty-eight in the Stone Barrington series. Thirty-eight. That's not a typo. Stuart Woods was cranking these out like a fantasy author drops short stories between main series entries. And honestly? After listening to this while stress-cleaning my apartment at 2 AM (thesis avoidance has many forms), I get why people keep coming back.
The Literary Equivalent of a Luxury Hotel Bathrobe
Stone Barrington lives in a world where problems are solved by knowing the right people, flying private jets, and having excellent taste in wine. The plot here involves Stone's new romantic interest bringing some ex-boyfriend drama that escalates into a cat-and-mouse chase across Bel-Air, Europe, and Santa Fe. It's predictable in the way a D&D session with a first-time DM is predictable—you know the beats, but there's comfort in that.
The thing is, Woods isn't trying to subvert expectations or build a complex magic system (obviously). He's writing wish-fulfillment fiction for people who want to imagine what it's like when your biggest problem is a jealous European aristocrat and your solution involves calling your CIA contacts. The brand-name dropping is relentless—we're talking specific wines, specific jets, specific everything. If you've ever wanted to feel like you're eavesdropping on how the other half lives, this scratches that itch.
But here's my complaint: there's no progression. No leveling up. Stone Barrington in book one is basically Stone Barrington in book thirty-eight. He doesn't grow, doesn't struggle, doesn't earn his victories. My LitRPG-loving brain kept waiting for some kind of character development arc, some skill acquisition, some... anything. Nope. He's just competent and wealthy and charming from page one.
Tony Roberts Knows Exactly What This Is
Tony Roberts as narrator is doing something interesting here. He's not trying to make this into prestige audio drama. He strikes exactly the right note—smooth, confident, just the right amount of sardonic edge for Stone's dialogue. It's like he read the assignment and said "got it, we're making audio comfort food."
His comedic timing is solid, and he handles the dramatic beats without overselling them. When the tension ratchets up (and it does, even if you can see the resolution coming from three chapters away), Roberts keeps things moving without making it feel silly. He's not doing distinct voices for every character the way Steven Pacey would—this isn't that kind of book—but he modulates enough that you're never confused about who's speaking.
At just under eight hours, it's a quick listen. I got through it in two cleaning sessions and one very long walk where I was definitely not avoiding my thesis.
Who's Going to Roll a Nat 20 With This
If you're looking for intricate plotting or morally complex characters, you're in the wrong tavern. This is for people who want:
- A reliable comfort listen that won't demand much
- Escapist fantasy of the "rich people doing rich people things" variety
- Something to keep your brain occupied during chores or commutes
- A break from heavy, emotionally demanding reads
Skip this if you need your fiction to challenge you, if brand-name dropping makes you roll your eyes, or if you can't handle a protagonist who's basically never in real danger. Also skip if you're sensitive to sexual content—there's a fair amount of boudoir activity, though nothing graphic enough to be awkward if someone walks in.
Rolling for Initiative on My Final Verdict
My D&D group would not love this. There's no magic system to analyze, no world-building to obsess over, no lore to argue about at 1 AM. But sometimes I don't want to think about magic systems. Sometimes I just want to listen to a handsome lawyer outsmart a jealous villain while jet-setting across continents. Though if I'm being honest, when I need something with actual stakes and mythology that makes me think, I go back to American Gods: The Tenth Anniversary Edition.
Is it literature? No. Is it satisfying in the way a bag of chips is satisfying when you're hungry and don't want to cook? Absolutely. Stuart Woods knew his audience, and this delivers exactly what it promises—no more, no less.
I finished it, I was entertained, and I still haven't made progress on my thesis. Dr. Patel would not approve of this review.
