A review by thebeardedpoet
The Golden Spiders by Linda Barnes, Rex Stout

4.0

So far every Nero Wolfe novel is well worth reading. This one just does not rank in among my favorites. That's probably because Wolfe has less dialogue in this one. And the solving of the case relies substantially upon the leg-work of Goodwin, Cather, Durkin, and Panzer--not so much on Wolfe's armchair sleuthing. Sure, Wolfe is the one who pulls it all together, but ultimately with only one factual piece of evidence. Otherwise the case is entirely built upon a series of suppositions. As that may be, Christi and I enjoyed ride. The two most memorable moments were 1. Cramer's extensive interrogation of a blackmailer in Wolfe's office while Wolfe sits back silently with his eyes closed & 2. Archie's report of Cramer's side of a phone conversation with Wolfe, during which Cramer's face turns several shades of red, and after hanging up, Cramer calls him "That fat sonofabitch."