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3.84 AVERAGE
3.84 AVERAGE
funny
lighthearted
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
Another brilliant mystery from the incomparable Rex Stout. There were plenty of the usual twists and turns in the plot, and intellectual sparring in the conversations between Wolfe and others. Archie Goodwin's first person narrative was equally enteraining. I'm looking forward to reading book 4!
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Interesting to compare the early Wolfe stories with the later ones. Cramer and Stebbins evolved quite a bit over the years. All the elements are here. Good story. Great wisecracks from Archie. Vocabulary building utterances from Wolfe.
The Rubber Band is another intricately woven plot that introduces a couple of new characters.
As usual, the Wolfe household is in a state, but for a change our protagonists are already working on a case while another interesting case falls into their laps. From money stolen from a desk to a last minute rescue of a man heading to the noose to a beautiful new client whose charms work wonders… this case has it all. But what can a fifty year old lynching case have to do with the present? And will Nero be able to handle all the police interference?
This time Nero has more people he can get to do all the legwork for him. As such Archie is in the Brownstone for most parts and it makes for a different kind of entertainment. Archie and Nero’s relationship is the cause of half the humour in the books. I love their dynamics and their banter and as usual they are up to it again. Also, there’s a particular situation in this book where the police search Nero’s house, and without giving any spoilers, it was a brilliant moment on the book.
This is a slow burn sort of a book. It takes a while for the actual plot to take off, but there is plenty in the meantime to keep the reader engaged. The plot in this one is complex and there are quite a few red herrings left along the way for the readers. I almost missed out on the whodunit myself.
All in all, another entertaining book in a series that is yet to disappoint me.
As usual, the Wolfe household is in a state, but for a change our protagonists are already working on a case while another interesting case falls into their laps. From money stolen from a desk to a last minute rescue of a man heading to the noose to a beautiful new client whose charms work wonders… this case has it all. But what can a fifty year old lynching case have to do with the present? And will Nero be able to handle all the police interference?
This time Nero has more people he can get to do all the legwork for him. As such Archie is in the Brownstone for most parts and it makes for a different kind of entertainment. Archie and Nero’s relationship is the cause of half the humour in the books. I love their dynamics and their banter and as usual they are up to it again. Also, there’s a particular situation in this book where the police search Nero’s house, and without giving any spoilers, it was a brilliant moment on the book.
This is a slow burn sort of a book. It takes a while for the actual plot to take off, but there is plenty in the meantime to keep the reader engaged. The plot in this one is complex and there are quite a few red herrings left along the way for the readers. I almost missed out on the whodunit myself.
All in all, another entertaining book in a series that is yet to disappoint me.
It's been a while since I've had this much fun reading a book. My first Nero Wolfe novel will certainly not be my last.
One of the more memorable plots, as evidenced by the fact that I remembered basically all of it from nine years ago (the rest of the Wolfe books I'm rereading have been a bit hazier for me). It still holds up because of the characters involved. And it's always fun when Wolfe & co. have a houseguest! I also love Horrocks, and his uncle.