Don Pendleton's The executioner featuring Mack Bolan

Stuart Woods (born Stuart Chevalier Lee; January 9, 1938 – July 22, 2022) was an American novelist, known best for his first novel Chiefs and his series of novels featuring protagonist Stone Barrington. Woods was a Georgia native, entered the advertising business after college graduation and lived in England and Ireland for almost a decade. He became an accomplished and competitive sailor. His interest in this pastime and his need for financing it provided the incentive to write for publication. Woods’ initial literary efforts focused on sailing and expanded to include reviews of numerous British restaurants, inns and hotels.