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jdcorley's review
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
The last book in the Zeck trilogy, it makes a turn into the more rip roaring pulp hard boiled adventure than was normal for Wolfe. The unexpected nature of the adventure is a delight. Sure as hell it's better than anything Doyle wrote about Moriarty.
stapilus's review against another edition
4.0
The question with the Wolfe books: Is this one distinctive in some major way? Only but so many really were; this is one of them, when Wolfe disappears for an extended period.
michael5000's review against another edition
2.0
Perhaps the dopiest of the very amiable Wolfe books.
gloriaoliver's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Nero Wolfe has gone into hiding!
It's a battle of the fittest as Nero is forced to take steps to deal with Mr. X when their paths cross again. What started out as a simple investigation turned into Archie's worst nightmare when Nero Wolfe runs off in the middle of the night. Not only does Archie not have the faintest idea where Nero is hiding or what his plans are—no one will believe him! Not the police, not his friends, or even his closest allies.
A silent war that will decide who gets to survive is on!
Built up slowly over several books, we now get the face-off of the century between two grand intellects. A twisted and wonderful tale.
It's a battle of the fittest as Nero is forced to take steps to deal with Mr. X when their paths cross again. What started out as a simple investigation turned into Archie's worst nightmare when Nero Wolfe runs off in the middle of the night. Not only does Archie not have the faintest idea where Nero is hiding or what his plans are—no one will believe him! Not the police, not his friends, or even his closest allies.
A silent war that will decide who gets to survive is on!
Built up slowly over several books, we now get the face-off of the century between two grand intellects. A twisted and wonderful tale.
alice_horoshev's review
challenging
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
4.5
_viscosity_'s review against another edition
4.0
You have to love it when Wolfe spends three or four paragraphs excoriating someone for murdering a dog!
jercox's review against another edition
4.0
Fun and not your typical Nero Wolfe in many ways. This one includes Mr. X, always interesting.
hotsake's review against another edition
5.0
This one both follows the mold of the standard Wolfe mysteries and completely breaks them and manages to be my favorite story of the entire series.
me2brett's review against another edition
4.0
This is the third in an unofficial trilogy of Rex Stout Novels - The Second Confession, And Be A Villain, and In the Best Families. All three feature, to some extent, a man named Zeck. I enjoyed all three of these books, and this one especially. It is one of the few Stout novels I can think of where, if you pay attention, you can probably figure out whodunnit before Wolfe tells you. It also features Archie in a different light from the usual fare.
Stout's novels are some of the few I don't feel compelled to read in order, but in this case it makes sense to do so. Don't read this unless you've read the other two.
Stout's novels are some of the few I don't feel compelled to read in order, but in this case it makes sense to do so. Don't read this unless you've read the other two.