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Rex Stout's Nero Wolfe Mysteries #3
The Bloodied Ivy
Nero Wolfe and Archie Goodwin go back to college to investigate a campus death in this first paperback edition of the acclaimed hardcover that earned Goldsborough praise from critics and Nero fans alike for his faithful, fun-filled re-creation of the stout sleuth.
189 pages, Paperback
First published July 1, 1988
About the author
Robert Goldsborough
66 books225 followersRobert Goldsborough is an American author of mystery novels. He was born in 1937 and grew up in the Chicago area. Although he worked for 45 years for the Chicago Tribune and Advertising Age, he first came to prominence in the 1980s with the publication, with the approval of the estate of Rex Stout, of his Nero Wolfe mystery Murder in E Minor. Written privately for his mother back in 1978, shortly after the death of Stout, creator of the Wolfe stories, the novel received a Nero Award.
Six other Nero Wolfe books followed from Goldsborough, all favorably received. However, more recently he has turned his attention to creating books with his own characters, beginning with Three Strikes You're Dead, a novel set in pre-war Chicago, and starring Steve Malek, a reporter for the Tribune.
Series:
* Nero Wolfe Novels by Robert Goldsborough
* Snap Malek Mystery
Six other Nero Wolfe books followed from Goldsborough, all favorably received. However, more recently he has turned his attention to creating books with his own characters, beginning with Three Strikes You're Dead, a novel set in pre-war Chicago, and starring Steve Malek, a reporter for the Tribune.
Series:
* Nero Wolfe Novels by Robert Goldsborough
* Snap Malek Mystery
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 91 reviews
April 17, 2024
I really like natural black licorice candy. There is a lot of licorice candy out there, some using other ingredients that taste like licorice and others using "artificial" licorice flavor. But there is plenty of real licorice out there for almost the same cost, so why not buy it?
If you like Rex Stout's Nero Wolfe, you have plenty of stories (novels, novellas, short pieces) to read in the over 40 years that Stout cranked them out. If you are interested in Nero Wolfe, this isn't the place to start. Begin with Fer-de-Lance or The League of Frighted Men or the shorter stories of Trouble in Triplicate.
It's not that Goldsborough does a bad job. All the trademark riffs on Archie and Nero are in The Bloodied Ivy. Plenty of touchstones with: orchids, food, Fritz's fussiness, Cramer's ill-humor, Lon's Gazette, Saul's perfection. But, it's not the real thing. Stout rarely wrote to give his audience the power to solve the mystery and neither does Goldsborough. Here, the mystery is less than it should be. And, Nero is more complimentary to Archie than usual.
If you like Elvis Presley's songs, and The King isn't around to sing, maybe an impersonator will do.
If you like Rex Stout's Nero Wolfe, you have plenty of stories (novels, novellas, short pieces) to read in the over 40 years that Stout cranked them out. If you are interested in Nero Wolfe, this isn't the place to start. Begin with Fer-de-Lance or The League of Frighted Men or the shorter stories of Trouble in Triplicate.
It's not that Goldsborough does a bad job. All the trademark riffs on Archie and Nero are in The Bloodied Ivy. Plenty of touchstones with: orchids, food, Fritz's fussiness, Cramer's ill-humor, Lon's Gazette, Saul's perfection. But, it's not the real thing. Stout rarely wrote to give his audience the power to solve the mystery and neither does Goldsborough. Here, the mystery is less than it should be. And, Nero is more complimentary to Archie than usual.
If you like Elvis Presley's songs, and The King isn't around to sing, maybe an impersonator will do.
December 21, 2014
Another very readable pastiche of Nero Wolfe, where all the familiar motifs are trotted out - Wolfe's quirks, Archie's wisecracks and Cramer's forever-to-be-unsmoked cigar. But the close is a whimper. It fails. It lacks that - gotcha! - twist that was Rex Stout's signature. The story is a cop out. Quite literally. (You'll understand why, if you read the story.) Why couldn't the murderer have turned out to be the university cat? It fits. (Read the story.) And Rex Stout would have made it work..
November 16, 2023
2.75/5
A weaker entry in this even pastiche series.
A weaker entry in this even pastiche series.
January 17, 2012
You know, considering I generally hate anyone who tries to glom onto a great author's characters for their own pecuniary advancement, I'm willing to give Goldsborough credit for this one--he did a heck of a job.
Of course, as much as I love some of the original Nero Wolfe mysteries, I know Rex Stout himself didn't always maintain the high calibre of wit for which he's so rightfully famous. ("I felt like a long morning at the alphabet piano, no I didn't.") Goldborough's wit isn't up there with the best of Stout, but it's not below the level of Stout's middle-ground, either. And his characterizations of Goodwin & Wolfe are perfect.
I also think it's a good thing if a mystery writer can convince us the murder's impossible to solve from the get-go, as in, in this case, because it wasn't really a murder. Was it? Nice touch, Robert.
Of course, there is no bloodied ivy, just some branches snapped in a nasty tone of voice.
But who ever pays attention to the titles of pulp mysteries, anyway?
Of course, as much as I love some of the original Nero Wolfe mysteries, I know Rex Stout himself didn't always maintain the high calibre of wit for which he's so rightfully famous. ("I felt like a long morning at the alphabet piano, no I didn't.") Goldborough's wit isn't up there with the best of Stout, but it's not below the level of Stout's middle-ground, either. And his characterizations of Goodwin & Wolfe are perfect.
I also think it's a good thing if a mystery writer can convince us the murder's impossible to solve from the get-go, as in, in this case, because it wasn't really a murder. Was it? Nice touch, Robert.
Of course, there is no bloodied ivy, just some branches snapped in a nasty tone of voice.
But who ever pays attention to the titles of pulp mysteries, anyway?
June 28, 2022
Goldsborough certainly understands the relationship between Wolfe and Archie quite well. This time he uses it to have Archie finagle Wolfe into an investigation of a death that may not even be murder. In fact, the reader is eighty percent through with the novel before the first clear evidence that a crime has been committed is even uncovered.
The plot revolves around a thoroughly unlikeable college professor who seems to have gone out of his way to pick fights with people. When he falls into a ravine on campus, the police quickly call it an accident and wash their hands of the case. But the professor’s best friend can’t let it go, and even though he can’t think of anyone who would actually try to kill his old friend, he hires Wolfe to figure out who murdered him.
Not that anything is that easy—but then if it was simple, the book wouldn’t be worth reading.
I especially liked the end of this one, maybe because I was right.
If you liked this review, you can find more at www.gilbertstack.com/reviews.
The plot revolves around a thoroughly unlikeable college professor who seems to have gone out of his way to pick fights with people. When he falls into a ravine on campus, the police quickly call it an accident and wash their hands of the case. But the professor’s best friend can’t let it go, and even though he can’t think of anyone who would actually try to kill his old friend, he hires Wolfe to figure out who murdered him.
Not that anything is that easy—but then if it was simple, the book wouldn’t be worth reading.
I especially liked the end of this one, maybe because I was right.
If you liked this review, you can find more at www.gilbertstack.com/reviews.
July 11, 2020
This is the third Nero Wolfe story by Robert Goldsborough. This one is better than the second one but I had my concerns during the first half of the book. The story tightens up though at about the half way point and has a satisfying ending.
He seems to have Archies voice quite well. Neros voice is not too bad, although I have moments of 'Nero doesn't do or say that!" as I read. Fritz seems like a caricature of the Rex Stout character. This story has only a limited appearance of Inspector Cramer and Sargent Stebbins and in that brief appearance they sounded normal.
My one real complaint is that when Nero organizes one of his famous revelations of the murderer meetings in his office Nero doesn't hide in the kitchen until all the guests are there. Stout made a point of mentioning that he loves to make a splashy entrance several times but in this one Nero just sits in his desk as people come in.
He seems to have Archies voice quite well. Neros voice is not too bad, although I have moments of 'Nero doesn't do or say that!" as I read. Fritz seems like a caricature of the Rex Stout character. This story has only a limited appearance of Inspector Cramer and Sargent Stebbins and in that brief appearance they sounded normal.
My one real complaint is that when Nero organizes one of his famous revelations of the murderer meetings in his office Nero doesn't hide in the kitchen until all the guests are there. Stout made a point of mentioning that he loves to make a splashy entrance several times but in this one Nero just sits in his desk as people come in.
June 27, 2022
I’ve enjoyed most of the Nero Wolfe books as I did this one. Keeps you guessing.
November 6, 2018
Verenpunainen muratti on kohtuullisen tuoretta Nero Wolfea – vuodelta 1988. On melkoisen häiritsevää, ettei kääntäjä ole mukauttanut mittayksikköjä suomenkielisiä lukijoita varten. Naulat, mailit, tuumat ja jalat vain vilistävät lukijan silmissä. Teoksen nimen ja juonen yhteys (Bloodied ivy) jäi hämärän peittoon. Robert Goldsborough jäljittelee taiturimaisesti alkuperäisen tekijän tyyliä – itse tarina ei kuitenkaan yllä aivan samalle tasolle. Kolme tähteä.
August 12, 2023
This is the third book in the Goldsborough Nero Wolfe series.
I listened to the audiobook and story involved a suspected suicide of a renowned but contentious conservative Professor on the faculty. An acolyte colleague believed it was murder and Archie accepted the premise with a reluctant Nero Wolf enduring Archie’s interest.
Worth the read/listen if you like the Nero Wolfe genre.
I listened to the audiobook and story involved a suspected suicide of a renowned but contentious conservative Professor on the faculty. An acolyte colleague believed it was murder and Archie accepted the premise with a reluctant Nero Wolf enduring Archie’s interest.
Worth the read/listen if you like the Nero Wolfe genre.
March 17, 2024
A pretty good facsimile of Rex Stout with a diverting mystery. I should have guessed this one, though.
September 13, 2017
I'm really enjoying Goldsborough's continuation of Rex Stout's Nero Wolfe series. This one was published in 1988, and Archie has finally acquired a computer--intended to manage Wolfe's orchid germination records, it also helps turn up a clue. In this entry, Archie takes on a case involving the death of a college professor, and Wolfe actually leaves the brownstone. With an introduction by Rex Stout's daughter.
July 27, 2022
A typical Nero Wolfe story. In this one, Mr. Wolfe is forced to leave the brownstone to get Archie out of trouble. All the way through I was trying to figure out who the murderer was and of course, it was not who I thought it probably was. Production quality of this one was a bit off based on an assortment of typesetting errors but not so many that it put me off this one.
October 5, 2021
This book I will always remember for two words: Vanna White. She is mentioned as a reference.
My whole problem with this book, though it's somewhat enjoyable, is that it is taking place in the 1980s. During this time Archie is supposedly a ladies man who can get girls who are in their twenties. And Wolfe is somehow the same as as he always have been. We now have Archie using computers and wolf complaining about President Reagan.
This makes absolutely no sense.
Because these books started in the 1930s, 50 years earlier, Archie should be pushing 70 minimum and Wolfe should be dead. Even Crammer is still alive and well, himself 50 years after we met him. So it takes a little bit of squinting to read this novel, though the novel is written in complete Rex Stout format and enjoyable.
My whole problem with this book, though it's somewhat enjoyable, is that it is taking place in the 1980s. During this time Archie is supposedly a ladies man who can get girls who are in their twenties. And Wolfe is somehow the same as as he always have been. We now have Archie using computers and wolf complaining about President Reagan.
This makes absolutely no sense.
Because these books started in the 1930s, 50 years earlier, Archie should be pushing 70 minimum and Wolfe should be dead. Even Crammer is still alive and well, himself 50 years after we met him. So it takes a little bit of squinting to read this novel, though the novel is written in complete Rex Stout format and enjoyable.
February 16, 2018
Not quite Rex Stout, but certainly good enough... I will read Goldsborough's other Nero Wolfe novels.
September 14, 2023
Good read, with a weak ending.
August 22, 2023
This is the first one of Robert Goldsborough's continuation of the Nero Wolfe mysteries that I have read. Goldsborough does a good job capturing Archie and Wolfe's voices. The style is very similar to Rex Stout's. Those two things are difficult for an author to pull off, so kudos to him for that.
My primary problem with the book is the same one I have with the later Stout-written Wolfe books, only more acute. It's jarring to have Wolfe, Archie, Fritz, etc., remain exactly the same even as time marches on. I don't mean the lack of character development - I mean that they are exactly the same age! I know this was something Stout himself did, but I find it hard to suspend disbelief that Archie is still a dashing man about town even in the books written in the 60s. It is even more difficult with this book set in the 80s. Archie and Wolfe seem out of place in 1980s America, and I had to keep reminding myself that they are apparently immortal. I know Arthur Conan Doyle did something similar with Sherlock Holmes, but a) the Holmes stories take place over about three decades, not five!; and b) Holmes's asceticism seems more timeless than Archie's womanizing and Wolfe's gourmandism.
My secondary problem with the book is that the mystery ends with a whimper. The first 3/4 of the book is dedicated to determining whether there is a murder at all, and then the solution is too quick and pat. It really feels like, "Oh, is that all?" (Which is echoed by a number of the characters!)
Overall, I salute Goldsborough for his work here. I'm not sure if he can capture the feel of the 1930s and 40s as well as he can the 1980s, but I wish he would give it a shot. I think Wolfe and Archie belong in their original setting.
My primary problem with the book is the same one I have with the later Stout-written Wolfe books, only more acute. It's jarring to have Wolfe, Archie, Fritz, etc., remain exactly the same even as time marches on. I don't mean the lack of character development - I mean that they are exactly the same age! I know this was something Stout himself did, but I find it hard to suspend disbelief that Archie is still a dashing man about town even in the books written in the 60s. It is even more difficult with this book set in the 80s. Archie and Wolfe seem out of place in 1980s America, and I had to keep reminding myself that they are apparently immortal. I know Arthur Conan Doyle did something similar with Sherlock Holmes, but a) the Holmes stories take place over about three decades, not five!; and b) Holmes's asceticism seems more timeless than Archie's womanizing and Wolfe's gourmandism.
My secondary problem with the book is that the mystery ends with a whimper. The first 3/4 of the book is dedicated to determining whether there is a murder at all, and then the solution is too quick and pat. It really feels like, "Oh, is that all?" (Which is echoed by a number of the characters!)
Overall, I salute Goldsborough for his work here. I'm not sure if he can capture the feel of the 1930s and 40s as well as he can the 1980s, but I wish he would give it a shot. I think Wolfe and Archie belong in their original setting.
June 18, 2022
I've read many of Mr. Goldsborough's Nero Wolfe mysteries, and he never fails to delight. He is the most worthy torchbearer of that luminary, and all of his tales have been worthy of note at every level. This one, which I somehow missed in my perusal of the series, brings the duo into more modern times. Published in 1988, the story includes Archie entering germination records into a "personal computer" (remember when that was the "correct" term for the beasties?). Looking through the decedent's "floppy disks" (oh, the nostalgia!) gives Archie, thereby Wolfe, the necessary clues to stitch the whole thing together.
The mystery is a satisfying one, and the use of the modern gadgets does make it sensible to unearth the necessary information. It also leads one to wonder just how old these two are, after all they've been through. My primary reason for disliking bringing these two into the present (or, at least, that bit of modernity) is that it put the author in the predicament of using one device (the PC) and forgetting another. Being used to the Wolfe of his original days, Goldsborough's Archie asked the client to mail a copy of the decedent's will rather than sending a fax -- a machine ubiquitous in offices at that time, and available to the client easily enough, since he was a faculty member of a university.
A good entry into a series that has far better entries, but worth reading for all that.
The mystery is a satisfying one, and the use of the modern gadgets does make it sensible to unearth the necessary information. It also leads one to wonder just how old these two are, after all they've been through. My primary reason for disliking bringing these two into the present (or, at least, that bit of modernity) is that it put the author in the predicament of using one device (the PC) and forgetting another. Being used to the Wolfe of his original days, Goldsborough's Archie asked the client to mail a copy of the decedent's will rather than sending a fax -- a machine ubiquitous in offices at that time, and available to the client easily enough, since he was a faculty member of a university.
A good entry into a series that has far better entries, but worth reading for all that.
July 29, 2023
This is the 4th book by Goldsborough who is continuing the Nero Wolfe series after Rex Stout's death. I find the same issues in this book as in the others. Goldsborough tries and to some extent finds the right voices, but there's so much less murder investigation and more unnecessary verbiage that it always pulls me out of the story. And yes, this is a (once again) reluctant Wolfe. In 2 of the 4 I've read (not in any order), Archie has become not just snappily clever-witted but downright mean, imo. Yes, this is a later decade and he and Wolfe have been together for decades, but somehow Archie's out-and-out cynicism bothers me as it never did in the Stout books. I'm still reading because I love the main characters. There's always repetition in a series which has to inform new readers about this and that, but Stout really did work at things like describing Wolfe's size. I've now read several times in these 4 books about the 1/7th of a ton, and about Wolfe nodding his head 1/8th of an inch. I'm sure Goldsborough works at these books but it always comes back to this and other series from other authors continuing a dead writer's books that the kind of telling-details and word choices that Stout was famous for are not there.
March 19, 2024
The deceased — A polysyllabic conservative pundit, modeled on William F. Buckley. The sort of chap who anchors himself into an academic community, and then annoys everyone with the political and romantic controversies he makes. But he has worshipful acolytes, both male and female.
The Setting — A wannabe Ivy League school, somewhere in upstate New York, circa 1988. Also included, Nero’s brownstone in New York, and Archie’s jail cell in the town that contains the wannabe Ivy League school. The 80s atmosphere is lightly sketched, it’s most apparent when Archie is forced to dig into Reagan era conservative politics. The food eaten is as always wonderful.
The suspects — The folks who populate every mystery set in academia. Angry people with tenure. Bureaucrats. Slick college presidents. Hot women professors and students And a liberal philanthropist.
The mystery — Frankly, quite weak. The solution stank as well.
The verdict — There seemed too much of an effort to shoe horn every Nero Wolfe trope into this one. Archie threatens to resign. Nero has to leave the brownstone. Inspector Cramer charges into the story though he does not belong there. This is what you might get if ChatGPT was asked to write a Nero Wolfe story.
The Setting — A wannabe Ivy League school, somewhere in upstate New York, circa 1988. Also included, Nero’s brownstone in New York, and Archie’s jail cell in the town that contains the wannabe Ivy League school. The 80s atmosphere is lightly sketched, it’s most apparent when Archie is forced to dig into Reagan era conservative politics. The food eaten is as always wonderful.
The suspects — The folks who populate every mystery set in academia. Angry people with tenure. Bureaucrats. Slick college presidents. Hot women professors and students And a liberal philanthropist.
The mystery — Frankly, quite weak. The solution stank as well.
The verdict — There seemed too much of an effort to shoe horn every Nero Wolfe trope into this one. Archie threatens to resign. Nero has to leave the brownstone. Inspector Cramer charges into the story though he does not belong there. This is what you might get if ChatGPT was asked to write a Nero Wolfe story.
April 6, 2020
Awkward timing. Here I am, at home, unable to have class with my students or have lunch with my colleagues, and I read a book about Archie hanging out with college professors teaching classes and having lunch together. Oh, well.
I'm tempted to give it 2 stars, since there's not much story here, and Cramer and Stebbins appear for no good reason, and the resolution sort of feels like Goldsborough admitting "I had an idea for a story but didn't know how to develop it, so 1-2-3 presto, it's solved." (The central "it's not suicide it must be murder" clue feels painfully farfetched.) Plus, you get the feeling RG is picking books for Wolfe to read not for the reader's edification but for political commentary's sake, which is an increasing hallmark of RG's Wolfe series. And the references to Archie's computer, Walkmans, and other '80s items make it too aware of its time. And RG has turned the stalwart Fritz into a worrywart, which is disappointing.
But still. It's Archie and Wolfe together again. And it does have some good moments and badinage (though RG's Wolfe seems a bit more ... playful? with Archie's diatribes, but maybe that's not a bad thing). So, it's not all bad.
I'm tempted to give it 2 stars, since there's not much story here, and Cramer and Stebbins appear for no good reason, and the resolution sort of feels like Goldsborough admitting "I had an idea for a story but didn't know how to develop it, so 1-2-3 presto, it's solved." (The central "it's not suicide it must be murder" clue feels painfully farfetched.) Plus, you get the feeling RG is picking books for Wolfe to read not for the reader's edification but for political commentary's sake, which is an increasing hallmark of RG's Wolfe series. And the references to Archie's computer, Walkmans, and other '80s items make it too aware of its time. And RG has turned the stalwart Fritz into a worrywart, which is disappointing.
But still. It's Archie and Wolfe together again. And it does have some good moments and badinage (though RG's Wolfe seems a bit more ... playful? with Archie's diatribes, but maybe that's not a bad thing). So, it's not all bad.
December 1, 2020
This author, Robert Goldsborough, has continued the Nero Wolfe mystery series originated by Rex Stout. In keeping with the wonderful original series, these stories are character driven mysteries. There is little in the way of violence, tension or suspense. Instead, it is a thinking man’s game of investigation and follow the clues to the conclusion. And Private Investigator Nero Wolfe is very much a thinking man and a unique and intriguing character with several eccentricities. His faithful assistance Archie Goodwin is an even more likeable and lively character. His slick style and engaging repartee with Wolfe are always fun. To me, these stories are like getting together with old, favorite friends and catching up on their latest case. My minor criticism is that the suspects could have been better developed to cast more uncertainty as to who ends up being the guilty party. But it was all very good. So, just put on some comfortable clothes and curl up in your favorite reading chair and enjoy renewing your friendship with Nero and Archie.
April 7, 2021
Temporarily addicted to these mysteries featuring the grumpy spoiled Nero Wolfe and the brash, ever positive Archie Goodwin who is really the star of all the stories. So far they have made for excellent easy entertainment, but this one not really up to par.
It began well with questions about death of a college professor, supposedly by a tragic accident. But his close friend, also a professor, is convinced that there has been foul play, unfortunately without a shred off evidence.
Archie visits the college campus to meet and question various other academic suspects or associates. But they and their motives were stereotypical and even a face-off with the local police felt contrived. That resulted in unheard of and amusing action on Wolfe's part, which was a good distraction, but the finale was a disappointment.
3 stars mainly for the excellent narrator of my audible version, L J Ganser, who manages to differentiate his tone, accent or speech pattern for listeners to distinguish clearly between so many varied characters.
It began well with questions about death of a college professor, supposedly by a tragic accident. But his close friend, also a professor, is convinced that there has been foul play, unfortunately without a shred off evidence.
Archie visits the college campus to meet and question various other academic suspects or associates. But they and their motives were stereotypical and even a face-off with the local police felt contrived. That resulted in unheard of and amusing action on Wolfe's part, which was a good distraction, but the finale was a disappointment.
3 stars mainly for the excellent narrator of my audible version, L J Ganser, who manages to differentiate his tone, accent or speech pattern for listeners to distinguish clearly between so many varied characters.
February 1, 2018
Robert Goldsborough has done a credible job of carrying on for Rex Stout with the Nero Wolfe series. I've read all of them. Rex Stout's characterizations of Archie Goodwin and Nero Wolfe created a reality I was saddened to leave once I had devoured more than 40 books of the series. As many others, I came to know them as admired friends. Goldsborough misses the mark sometimes with sloppy plotting and dialog inconsistent with Wolfe's erudition and I forgive him these shortcomings. In this particular effort, however, I was disappointed when he portrayed Archie as lascivious and inconstant to his long time lady friend, Lily Rowan. I doubt Stout would have approved either.
November 4, 2023
In the process of re-reading the Robert Goldsborough continuation of the Nero Wolfe novels, I finished The Bloodied Ivy which is the 3rd Wolfe novel that Mr. Goldsborough authored. I originally read it shortly after publication in 1988. Yes, I still have the same thrill and appreciation for Mr. Goldsborough to faithfully pen several mystery novels that continue the legacy of Nero Wolfe. However, in these early novels, Mr. Goldsborough had not perfected the art yet. This mystery feels highly formula-istic in the murder and the cast of characters. Yes, it was fun to read but rest assured that Mr. Goldsborough perfects the craft in later installments.
January 29, 2021
I'm always wary when a writer takes over an establish series as Robert Goldsborough has done with Rex Stout's Nero Wolfe.
Unfortunately, I found this book to be a weak story with a so-so ending.
Nero is hired by a colleague of a deceased college professor because the colleague believes that the professor was killed. The best part of the story was to see Nero out of the confines of his brownstone sitting in a small town police station because Archie has been arrested.
As I said, it wasn't that great a story and the ending was OK.
Unfortunately, I found this book to be a weak story with a so-so ending.
Nero is hired by a colleague of a deceased college professor because the colleague believes that the professor was killed. The best part of the story was to see Nero out of the confines of his brownstone sitting in a small town police station because Archie has been arrested.
As I said, it wasn't that great a story and the ending was OK.
September 25, 2017
A good Wolfe tale by Goldsborough, but Archie's descriptions seemed just slightly off. Ah well, even a medium Nero Wolfe tale is better than most other so-called detectives in print today.
If you like the author, are a Wolfe completist, or just like a good mystery, you'll enjoy this one.
Read it!
If you like the author, are a Wolfe completist, or just like a good mystery, you'll enjoy this one.
Read it!
September 27, 2018
Goldsborough's losing his grip on the right tone and voice for Stout and the characters. I think his first attempt was better handled. Here he has Wolfe throwing around "satisfactory" much too often, Archie is gratuitously, aggressively snippy and mean, and the syntax and diction are off for both of them, too.
May 17, 2020
The Robert Goldsborough continuations of the Nero Wolfe Mysteries are in general very readable. This probably wasn't one of the stronger entries. The mysterious death of a conservative and controversial professor leads Archie Goodwin to venture onto campus. Nero Wolfe even leaves the brownstone in this outing.
June 28, 2021
I definitely enjoyed the book and think Robert Goldsborough is continuing Nero Wolfe’s and Archie’s character very good. I only think he his a little overdoing it with the use of some abstruse words, just as if he wants to show off that he knows these words. But I’m still glad for being able to enjoy Rex Stout’s style.
March 21, 2022
Keeping Archie and Wolfe at their fixed ages into the 80s was a consistent choice with how Stout managed the passage of time. However, for the first third of the book Archie's treatment and terminology of women rings much more obnoxious in 1980 than 1930, and the old world manners and drinking are getting a bit out of place.
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