In the Best Families

Rating:
Summary: The Best Nero Wolfe
Review: I have listened to quite a few Nero Wolfe books, so I expected I knew the pattern when I put on the tape to listen to this one earlier this week. I was in for a big surprise. Not only did this book not follow the same pattern as the other books, but it actually shocked me to see that Nero Wolfe had decided to disappear and sell his Brownstone house.

This book was perhaps the best Nero Wolfe book I have listened to yet, as it kept me guessing and eagerly listening to learn what would happen yet. The irony, of course, is that once again, the solution to the mystery lay right in front of us, so obvious, yet I never once considered it. It takes excellent writing skills to make this happen!

Rating:
Summary: The Best Nero Wolfe
Review: I have listened to quite a few Nero Wolfe books, so I expected I knew the pattern when I put on the tape to listen to this one earlier this week. I was in for a big surprise. Not only did this book not follow the same pattern as the other books, but it actually shocked me to see that Nero Wolfe had decided to disappear and sell his Brownstone house.

This book was perhaps the best Nero Wolfe book I have listened to yet, as it kept me guessing and eagerly listening to learn what would happen yet. The irony, of course, is that once again, the solution to the mystery lay right in front of us, so obvious, yet I never once considered it. It takes excellent writing skills to make this happen!

Rating:
Summary: It's A Dog's Life
Review: In McBride's summary of the whole of Nero Wolfe's career, there is a listing of murder victims by method of killing. In this novel, one of the murder victims is a dog.

I guess McBride debated on whether to list an animal killing along with human victims. Once you read this wonderful book, though, you'll understand, and probably agree with McBride's assessment.

Since the plot is described elsewhere I won't rehash it. However, if you are an animal lover, this, among all of Stout's work, will be your book for sure...your desire for justice will put you right alongside a man describe as a bloodhound.

That description was applied by a woman intending to insult him, but Wolfe took it as a complement. And one well deserved, I must add.

Satisfactory.

Rating:
Summary: The Final Problem
Review: It's amazing how comfortable you can become with the never-changing routine of the occupants of Nero Wolfe's brownstone. Theodore tends the orchids, Fritz cooks, Archie does the investigative legwork, and Wolfe never leaves the brownstone. Visitors come and go, and Wolfe interrogates them, manipulates them, and occasionally exposes one of them as a murderer. Wolfe's universe existed almost unchanged through seventy three stories. In one of them, however, the entire structure of Wolfe's, Theodore's, Archie's, and Fritz's world was completely destroyed. "In the Best of Families" is that story.

A homely heiress asks Wolfe to check up on her husband. Arnold Zeck warns Wolfe off the case. Wolfe refuses. His home is bombed, the heiress is killed, and Wolfe disappears without a trace. Theodore takes a job in the country, Fritz goes to work in a restaurant, and Archie opens up his own detective agency. We have some clues as to what Wolfe might be up to from comments he made in "And be a Villain" and "The Second Confession," the first two Arnold Zeck stories. This much is certain: Wolfe must utterly destroy Arnold Zeck or forever remain in hiding.

Rating:
Summary: Wolfe -vs- Zeck: The Final Chapter
Review: It's amazing how comfortable you can become with the never-changing routine of the occupants of Nero Wolfe's brownstone. Theodore tends the orchids, Fritz cooks, Archie does the investigative legwork, and Wolfe never leaves the brownstone. Visitors come and go, and Wolfe interrogates them, manipulates them, and occasionally exposes one of them as a murderer. Wolfe's universe existed almost unchanged through seventy three stories. In one of them, however, the entire structure of Wolfe's, Theodore's, Archie's, and Fritz's world was completely destroyed. "In the Best of Families" is that story.

A homely heiress asks Wolfe to check up on her husband. Arnold Zeck warns Wolfe off the case. Wolfe refuses. His home is bombed, the heiress is killed, and Wolfe disappears without a trace. Theodore takes a job in the country, Fritz goes to work in a restaurant, and Archie opens up his own detective agency. We have some clues as to what Wolfe might be up to from comments he made in "And be a Villain" and "The Second Confession," the first two Arnold Zeck stories. This much is certain: Wolfe must utterly destroy Arnold Zeck or forever remain in hiding.

Rating:
Summary: The Final Problem
Review: It's quite hard to write convincingly about a genius. Rex Stout did it better than anyone, including Agatha Christie or Conan Doyle. The Sherlock Holmes tales too often rely on microscopic examinations or encyclopedic knowledge rather than interesting logical deductions. Poirot and Marple appear too seldom in their books, and their analyses are frustratingly delayed until the very end. Nero Wolfe's genius is on display throughout his stories, and this book is no exception.

Just compare the similar Sherlock Holmes story, "The Final Problem", where Holmes destroys Moriarty's criminal enterprise. No details are given - just vague quips: "I have woven my net round him", "at last he made a trip", and "if a detailed account of that silent contest could be written it would take its place as the most brilliant bit of thrust-and-parry work in the history of detection". Yes, too bad Conan Doyle never actually wrote such an account! The reason is simple: It was beyond him.

Rex Stout was up to the challenge. This novel, with the main part of the story consisting of Wolfe's defeat of Arnold Zeck, describes the affair in detail. The final confrontation is both masterful and believable.

The action elements of this novel may disturb those used to the standard formula, but it's a welcome break, and a treat to read.

Rating:
Summary: Wolfe at Reichenbach Falls
Review: The climax of the Zeck trilogy, I found this unlikely and unconvincing. It's purely an adventure, with a weak mystery sub-plot. Not to be compared with the best Wolfes.

Rating:
Summary: A must read!!
Review: This is one of my favorite Nero Wolfe/Archie Goodwin mysteries. My only comment is to read Fer-de-Lance, The Silent Speaker and some other Nero Wolfe mysteries before delving into this novel. You will enjoy it more!

Rating:
Summary: Wolfe v. Zeck
Review: Wolfe finally confronts Arnold Zeck, the supervillain who's been dogging him for several books. In addition to Archie and Wolfe taking on their nemesis, this book contains two of the most significant moments in the Corpus: the strafing of the plant rooms, and Lily Rowan's brief encounter with "Pete." Highly recommended.