Obsession

August 28, 2023
The breezy sixth Teddy Fay thriller from Woods and Battles (following 2021’s Jackpot) sees the former CIA operative and master of disguise switching between his true identity and those of Academy Award–winning actor Mark Weldon and film producer Billy Barnett, both holdovers from old cases. While Teddy works both in front of and behind the camera on the latest action thriller from director Peter Barrington (son of Teddy’s friend Stone Barrington, who holds down his own Woods series and appears here), the opportunity arises for Ben Bachetti, head of the studio producing Peter’s movies, to partner with a company helmed by Croatian tech billionaire Carl Novak. Just before Carl and Ben meet, Carl’s wife Rebecca disappears. A short time later, Carl receives messages indicating that his wife’s kidnapping is payback for an old grievance. With film production hanging in the balance, Stone enlists Teddy to help find Rebecca; amid that investigation, an obsessive fan fixated on one of the film’s stars makes his way to the set and threatens production further. Though this is familiar territory for Teddy, Woods and Battles provide reliable thrills and a smoother ride than in the previous installment. Series fans will celebrate this return to form. Agent: Anne Sibbald, Janklow & Nesbit Assoc.