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hotsake's review against another edition
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
One of the Lesser Nero Wolfe stories. This didn't have any of the dialogue or twists that I love about the series but it still had the great cast of regulars.
alice_horoshev's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
4.25
jdcorley's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
This book embodies charm - the client is charming, Wolfe and Goodwin are charming, a set of deranged suspects are charming (in their own way), and the whole Wolfe extended universe puts their head in, even the B-list hops up on stage to take a turn. A lot of people say that there's no real difference between the Wolfe novels, and that's true to an extent, there's no worldbuilding in the Nero Wolfe series. But there is a certain warmth to this book that is lacking in other Wolfe outings. It's a pure pleasure even if you spot what it seems Wolfe is too stubborn to spot earlier than he does, which is shockingly possible.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder
Minor: Abandonment
littlelightgirl's review
4.0
3.5 stars
Not the best detective novel, but man, I do love me some overdramatic detectives. Will definitely check out the other books in this series!
Not the best detective novel, but man, I do love me some overdramatic detectives. Will definitely check out the other books in this series!
meeners's review
3.0
nero wolfe's misogyny is just barely tolerable because it's clear his opinions do not coincide with the author's own . . . but again, only just barely. i want to zap myself into these books, hunt wolfe down, and then psychoanalyze the hell out of him. i think it'd be fun (oral fixation much?????), although i don't think wolfe would agree. well, here's a newsflash for you, mr. wolfe: women don't like you, either!
with that said, i did have a fun time reading this. best lines:
"She sipped a Bloody Mary as if she could take it or leave it." (p. 41)
" . . . I had no worries behind me, since it was Saul who was checking on Anne Tenzer. If necessary he could find out where and when she ate lunch on January 17, whether anybody remembered or not, without getting anybody curious or stirring up any dust. That may sound far-fetched, and it is, but he is unquestionably a seventh son or something." (p. 45)
"'You have the nerve of a one-legged man at an ass-kicking convention,' he said." (p. 121)
with that said, i did have a fun time reading this. best lines:
"She sipped a Bloody Mary as if she could take it or leave it." (p. 41)
" . . . I had no worries behind me, since it was Saul who was checking on Anne Tenzer. If necessary he could find out where and when she ate lunch on January 17, whether anybody remembered or not, without getting anybody curious or stirring up any dust. That may sound far-fetched, and it is, but he is unquestionably a seventh son or something." (p. 45)
"'You have the nerve of a one-legged man at an ass-kicking convention,' he said." (p. 121)
sarahnz's review
4.0
I've read plenty of Nero and Archie short story homages, and I love them, but it's such an absolute pleasure to go back to the originals. So damn good.
thefourthvine's review
4.0
The mystery in this one is not one of Stout's best -- very solvable, even for the teenager I was when I first read this, and with a motive that is mostly a series of question marks. But the mysteries aren't really the point with Stout, and this book, on a character level, is nothing but fun.
Wolfe is forced to LEAVE HIS HOUSE for reasons of business. He's also forced to work both for a woman and on a woman; naturally, this is a great challenge to his composure. Archie encounters a button fiend. And there's a lot of great Archie moments and a nearly-acceptable level of Saul, including an excellent bit of Saul information.
This is not one of the very best Wolfe books, but it is one I reread pretty regularly.
Wolfe is forced to LEAVE HIS HOUSE for reasons of business. He's also forced to work both for a woman and on a woman; naturally, this is a great challenge to his composure. Archie encounters a button fiend. And there's a lot of great Archie moments and a nearly-acceptable level of Saul, including an excellent bit of Saul information.
This is not one of the very best Wolfe books, but it is one I reread pretty regularly.
gengelcox's review
3.0
I was surprised to find that I had been given this book four years ago. Time does fly, it seems, because I find it hard to believe that I’ve been working my way through the Wolfe books for over four years. But it’s true. I am nearing the end, however, and Stout isn’t failing yet. While I’m slightly disappointed to discover that every Wolfe novel revolves around not just a mystery, but a murder, I can also understand that this was Stout’s formula for the Wolfe stories and to wish it different would be like wishing that Wodehouse had written westerns. Stout continues to be increasingly frank regarding sex in these books–I wonder if the books written in the 70s will go even further. I doubt it. Too much more change in this area and it wouldn’t be the same formula.
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