Scan barcode
lkubed's review against another edition
3.0
Nero Wolfe stories are always fun to read; smart, intriguing, interesting - keep you guessing until the end.
leslierholm's review against another edition
4.0
Many readers had serious problems with this 46th of Rex Stout's Nero Wolfe mysteries. I didn't have the same problems. The killer was believable to me, unlike those other readers, but I did feel that the motivation wasn't built up throughout the book. Rather it was sprung on me at the end, almost as an afterthought. And Archie saying (more than once) that he supposes I knew who the killer was from an early stage is ridiculous. The end was as much of a surprise to me as it was to him.
So for the lack of development of motivation and back story - and not for the identity of the killer - only 3 stars on this one for me.
EDIT ON RE-READ
As I've gone back through more of my Nero Wolfe's, I rescind my surprise. Archie was right (as usual) and I should have known.
So for the lack of development of motivation and back story - and not for the identity of the killer - only 3 stars on this one for me.
EDIT ON RE-READ
As I've gone back through more of my Nero Wolfe's, I rescind my surprise. Archie was right (as usual) and I should have known.
hotsake's review
adventurous
emotional
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? It's complicated
4.0
Not the best or most fun of the series but it does feel like a fitting end to the series.
rouver's review against another edition
4.0
This is Stout's last book before he died. Someone known to Wolfe & his associates has done the unthinkable & betrayed their trust. It's a very well done book & feels like Stout knew this would be the last Nero Wolfe book.
bev_reads_mysteries's review
4.0
A Family Affair is Rex Stout's last entry into the Nero Wolfe and Archie Goodwin mystery series. A word of warning...if you haven't read the other Stout books, you should save this one for last. Most of the stories it really doesn't matter what order you read them in. This one it does. There are several events that will absolutely change how you read the previous novels and perceive some of the characters in them if this book is read out of order. Given the final scenes, you might even think that Stout had a premonition that it would be his final novel.
This book starts...and ends...with a bang. Literally. The beginning finds Archie Goodwin approached by one of the brownstone's occupants' favorite waiters late one evening. Wolfe is already in bed, but the waiter from Rusterman's Restaurant insists that he must talk to the great detective because someone is going to kill. Archie refuses to wake Wolfe, but offers the man a bed and the protection of the house for the night. Shortly after Archie installs the waiter in one of the spare bedrooms, the brownstone is rocked by an explosion....the man has been killed by a bomb planted in his coat pocket. Wolfe is outraged that someone has dared commit a murder under his roof and takes up the investigation without a client--other than himself. But this isn't business. It's personal--a family affair.
In true Wolfe form, he refuses to share any but the most basic knowledge with Inspector Cramer and the D. A.'s office. There will be two more murders and Wolfe and his entire detective force will be arrested for withholding information, before the solution is revealed. And, in a rare event, Archie reveals the culprit to us--there is no final gathering of the suspects and a wrap-up scene in the office.
This is a fitting, if unusual ending to the Stout-written novels. All the regular characters are brought in and there are many of the expected mannerisms and standard Wolfe phrases. The twist and the shock that come at the end are...well...shocking. I certainly didn't see it coming. And I should have. As should Archie--long before he did. Nicely done. Four stars.
This book starts...and ends...with a bang. Literally. The beginning finds Archie Goodwin approached by one of the brownstone's occupants' favorite waiters late one evening. Wolfe is already in bed, but the waiter from Rusterman's Restaurant insists that he must talk to the great detective because someone is going to kill. Archie refuses to wake Wolfe, but offers the man a bed and the protection of the house for the night. Shortly after Archie installs the waiter in one of the spare bedrooms, the brownstone is rocked by an explosion....the man has been killed by a bomb planted in his coat pocket. Wolfe is outraged that someone has dared commit a murder under his roof and takes up the investigation without a client--other than himself. But this isn't business. It's personal--a family affair.
In true Wolfe form, he refuses to share any but the most basic knowledge with Inspector Cramer and the D. A.'s office. There will be two more murders and Wolfe and his entire detective force will be arrested for withholding information, before the solution is revealed. And, in a rare event, Archie reveals the culprit to us--there is no final gathering of the suspects and a wrap-up scene in the office.
This is a fitting, if unusual ending to the Stout-written novels. All the regular characters are brought in and there are many of the expected mannerisms and standard Wolfe phrases. The twist and the shock that come at the end are...well...shocking. I certainly didn't see it coming. And I should have. As should Archie--long before he did. Nicely done. Four stars.
ssejig's review
5.0
Oh, Rex Stout. Oh heckfire. What a good, but unexpected ending to this story.
I really had no clue that the books made it into the 1970s. The characters talk about Watergate quite freely.
A favorite waiter of Wolfe's comes to the house late one night (early one morning, really) and, after Archie shows him up to a spare bedroom, is killed by a bomb. Of course, Wolfe takes this personally.
I talk about the killer in the spoiler so, really, really don't open it unless you've read the book.
Orrie? I always thought Orrie was full of himself and I didn't particularly like him but I never thought he was the killer. Which is probably why it took the other characters so long. What an awesome story, to take a long-time "good-guy" and make him the murderer. Whew
I really had no clue that the books made it into the 1970s. The characters talk about Watergate quite freely.
A favorite waiter of Wolfe's comes to the house late one night (early one morning, really) and, after Archie shows him up to a spare bedroom, is killed by a bomb. Of course, Wolfe takes this personally.
I talk about the killer in the spoiler so, really, really don't open it unless you've read the book.
Spoiler
Orrie? I always thought Orrie was full of himself and I didn't particularly like him but I never thought he was the killer. Which is probably why it took the other characters so long. What an awesome story, to take a long-time "good-guy" and make him the murderer. Whew
tculp's review
5.0
The last Nero Wolfe mystery, and a really good one. But you won’t appreciate it unless you’ve read many others.
michaelromeo's review
2.0
I run hot and cold on Rex Stout's books. This one left me chilled. There are some times when I just find Nero Wolfe hard to take and this is one of those times.
irrlicht's review
4.0
I am a HUGE fan of Rex Stout’s Nero Wolfe books and that one was totally a must-read! (Though it was really hard to GET it, because apparently it’s ages old and nobody ever bothered to re-print it.)
***SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER***
Still. As a die-hard Nero Wolfe fan, of course I just HAD to read the book in which Orrie Cather – trusted investigator and friend of Nero Wolfe and Archie Goodwin – became a murderer.
And it was really a great read! Even though I knew who the killer was right from the start.
Unbelievable that Orrie could do a thing like that and think he’d get away with it! But well... I guess, out of the “Three Musketeers” (+ Archie) he was the least likable one and... yeah. It was a good way to get him out of the picture.
Nice. I can only recommend it.
***SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER***
Still. As a die-hard Nero Wolfe fan, of course I just HAD to read the book in which Orrie Cather – trusted investigator and friend of Nero Wolfe and Archie Goodwin – became a murderer.
And it was really a great read! Even though I knew who the killer was right from the start.
Unbelievable that Orrie could do a thing like that and think he’d get away with it! But well... I guess, out of the “Three Musketeers” (+ Archie) he was the least likable one and... yeah. It was a good way to get him out of the picture.
Nice. I can only recommend it.