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darcerenity's review against another edition
2.0
I love Nero and Archie and would happily re-read any book in the series, but this is one of my least favorites. I simply dislike the premise and find it too far-fetched and the villain annoyingly ridiculous. But the tricks they play on Cramer and company in this one are entertaining.
dllh's review against another edition
3.0
This one got a little annoyingly jumbled toward the end, but the more of these I read, the more I'm enjoying Archie and Wolfe as characters.
swarmofbees's review against another edition
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
alice_horoshev's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
5.0
One of the best Nero Wolfe stories ever written đ
pjonsson's review against another edition
4.0
Another good book in the Nero Wolfe series. I am sure that these books, given their fame and age, have already been reviewed so many times that every word have been analyzed so there is probably not much I can say about this one.
It is good, well written crime mystery. One may or may not like Nero Wolfe with his somewhat abrasive character. It is probably not a character for the easily offended woke mob but then the text itself is probably too complicated and difficult for that group of individuals.
I very much like him although I have to say that, after only having watched the 1981 TV-Show I was surprised when I started to read the real deal as to how badly Nero Wolfe really bullies poor Archie. Actually, sometimes Nero Wolfe can be really petty and vindicative and his insults are in a class by themselves. He compensates for this with his intellect and his mastery in solving mysteries, specifically crime mysteries.
One thing the character of Nero Wolfe shares with another favorite detective of mine, Hercule Poirot, is his habit of gathering everyone towards the end and reveal all their secrets before finally revealing the perpetrator of the crime in questions. Here his verbal, almost abusive, manners comes well in hand.
Although Nero Wolfe also shares some of Hercule Poirotâs eccentricities, especially his love of food, they are also much different. I dare say that Nero Wolfe is a somewhat American version of Hercule Poirot and when it comes to food it seems to be quantity more than quality. I cannot see Hercule Poirot gorging himself on beer the way Nero Wolfe does for instance. I really gave up on counting how many times Nero Wolfe ârang for a beerâ.
Anyway, overall this is a very good crime mystery book. I avoid reading these books in front of the TV, something I do with most other books. Not because it is a difficult book to read despite its somewhat old-fashioned language or the fact that the writing is not exactly for the kind of people that flunked their English classes, but because, in order to follow the story and mystery solving I really need to pay good attention to the dialogue and the details.
I am not convinced about the famous rubber band in this book though. I do doubt it would actually have worked. But then, with the phone systems at the time these books were written⌠maybe.
It is good, well written crime mystery. One may or may not like Nero Wolfe with his somewhat abrasive character. It is probably not a character for the easily offended woke mob but then the text itself is probably too complicated and difficult for that group of individuals.
I very much like him although I have to say that, after only having watched the 1981 TV-Show I was surprised when I started to read the real deal as to how badly Nero Wolfe really bullies poor Archie. Actually, sometimes Nero Wolfe can be really petty and vindicative and his insults are in a class by themselves. He compensates for this with his intellect and his mastery in solving mysteries, specifically crime mysteries.
One thing the character of Nero Wolfe shares with another favorite detective of mine, Hercule Poirot, is his habit of gathering everyone towards the end and reveal all their secrets before finally revealing the perpetrator of the crime in questions. Here his verbal, almost abusive, manners comes well in hand.
Although Nero Wolfe also shares some of Hercule Poirotâs eccentricities, especially his love of food, they are also much different. I dare say that Nero Wolfe is a somewhat American version of Hercule Poirot and when it comes to food it seems to be quantity more than quality. I cannot see Hercule Poirot gorging himself on beer the way Nero Wolfe does for instance. I really gave up on counting how many times Nero Wolfe ârang for a beerâ.
Anyway, overall this is a very good crime mystery book. I avoid reading these books in front of the TV, something I do with most other books. Not because it is a difficult book to read despite its somewhat old-fashioned language or the fact that the writing is not exactly for the kind of people that flunked their English classes, but because, in order to follow the story and mystery solving I really need to pay good attention to the dialogue and the details.
I am not convinced about the famous rubber band in this book though. I do doubt it would actually have worked. But then, with the phone systems at the time these books were written⌠maybe.
maplessence's review against another edition
3.0
3.5â
I started with high expectations for this book, as the first chapter was absolutely hilarious!
& the revelation of the chief villain genuinely surprised me, but it was just too talky talky. Of course this is always a characteristic of this series, since the morbidly obese Wolfe never leaves the house, but this time Archie doesn't move around much as Wolfe decides to have other minions do the leg work. & a tad too many characters.
Still an enjoyable romp.
I started with high expectations for this book, as the first chapter was absolutely hilarious!
Wolfe still paid no attention to me. As a matter of fact, I didn't expect him to, since he was busy taking exercise. He had recently got the impression he weighed too much- which was about the same as if the Atlantic Ocean had decided it was too wet...
& the revelation of the chief villain genuinely surprised me, but it was just too talky talky. Of course this is always a characteristic of this series, since the morbidly obese Wolfe never leaves the house, but this time Archie doesn't move around much as Wolfe decides to have other minions do the leg work. & a tad too many characters.
Still an enjoyable romp.