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maplessence's review against another edition
3.0
3.5★
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.
chlkvnck's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
judyward's review against another edition
4.0
Published in 1936, this is the third of the Nero Wolfe novels by Rex Stout and already the relationships existing among the characters living under Nero Wolfe's roof are evident. The passive-aggressive, snarky relationship that binds Nero Wolfe and his assistant, Archie Goodwin, makes me smile on the bluest of days. In this outing, a former client wants to hire Wolfe to prove that Clara Fox, one of his employees, is innocent of stealing $30,000. Later that same day, Clara Fox arrives wanting to hire Wolfe for an entirely different reason. Before it's over, Wolfe solves both mysteries without setting foot out of his Brownstone or deviating from his strictly set daily schedule. I love these books.
2readornot2read's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
donkeykong64's review against another edition
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.5
Another new detective for me, and I immediately became a fan of Nero Wolfe and his fat body, beer drinking, and orchid tending. Considerably less British than what I’ve read in the genre, it feels distinctly American with its hard boiled writing style and crackling dialogue. Dug it, even though the central mystery isn’t the most compelling it’s conclusion was still a delight to see unravel.
lilirose's review against another edition
lighthearted
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? No
3.0
I gialli di Nero Wolfe sono leggeri, anzi leggerissimi.
Al bando tormenti interiori, scene d'azione rocambolesche o rompicapo cervellotici: chi si approccia a questa serie lo fa per godersi una lettura brillante e spensierata e per lasciarsi deliziare dalle eccentricità del mastodontico detective e dallo spirito sornione del suo assistente Archie Goodwin.
Questo terzo volume non fa eccezione e vi ritroviamo tutti gli elementi più tipici della saga, da quelli accattivanti di cui ho già parlato fino ai limiti evidenti, perché è ovvio che sull'altare della leggerezza qualcosa deve venir sacrificato: di solito è la trama gialla, che anche in questo caso è piuttosto deboluccia; è più interessante il contorno della portata principale (e trattandosi di Nero Wolfe la metafora culinaria ci sta a pennello).
C'è poco altro da dire anche perché ormai arrivata al quarto romanzo ho capito che sono tutti prodotti in serie, con una formula vincente da cui si distaccano raramente. Non il mio tipo di mystery preferito (di solito apprezzo enigmi più sostanziosi con dei bei colpi di scena) ma indubbiamente piacevole.
Al bando tormenti interiori, scene d'azione rocambolesche o rompicapo cervellotici: chi si approccia a questa serie lo fa per godersi una lettura brillante e spensierata e per lasciarsi deliziare dalle eccentricità del mastodontico detective e dallo spirito sornione del suo assistente Archie Goodwin.
Questo terzo volume non fa eccezione e vi ritroviamo tutti gli elementi più tipici della saga, da quelli accattivanti di cui ho già parlato fino ai limiti evidenti, perché è ovvio che sull'altare della leggerezza qualcosa deve venir sacrificato: di solito è la trama gialla, che anche in questo caso è piuttosto deboluccia; è più interessante il contorno della portata principale (e trattandosi di Nero Wolfe la metafora culinaria ci sta a pennello).
C'è poco altro da dire anche perché ormai arrivata al quarto romanzo ho capito che sono tutti prodotti in serie, con una formula vincente da cui si distaccano raramente. Non il mio tipo di mystery preferito (di solito apprezzo enigmi più sostanziosi con dei bei colpi di scena) ma indubbiamente piacevole.
marieselders's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.75
jercox's review against another edition
4.0
This one had a little more of a modern detective story feel to me - pretty good all the way through, I liked it.
rouver's review against another edition
3.0
It's been a while since I've picked up a Nero Wolf book...I was hoping to read them in chronological order, but sadly the library didn't have them all. Now I find myself trying to find books the library has available for kindle. Imagine my happy surprise that the ones they didn't physically have, they have on kindle!
Stout writes a good mystery story...and I find myself wanting to see if Netflix carries the PBS episodes of the books I've now read. While not a fast-paced read, I still like them.
Stout writes a good mystery story...and I find myself wanting to see if Netflix carries the PBS episodes of the books I've now read. While not a fast-paced read, I still like them.