2024 the best families review
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The aging millionairess has a problem: where is her young playboy husband getting all his money? To help find the answer, Archie infiltrates a party at her palatial estate. But her late-night murder ruins the festive mood . . . and a letter bomb from a powerful crime boss makes Nero Wolfe do the unthinkable—run for his life. Suddenly Archie finds himself on his own, trying to find a killer without the help of his old mentor. For to all appearances, Wolfe has vanished. The career of the world’s most famous detective has ended in cowardice and disgrace . . . or has it?
Introduction by Patricia Sprinkle
“It is always a treat to read a Nero Wolfe mystery. The man has entered our folklore.”—The New York Times Book Review
A grand master of the form, Rex Stout is one of America’s greatest mystery writers, and his literary creation Nero Wolfe is one of the greatest fictional detectives of all time. Together, Stout and Wolfe have entertained—and puzzled—millions of mystery fans around the world. Now, with his perambulatory man-about-town, Archie Goodwin, the arrogant, gourmandizing, sedentary sleuth is back in the original seventy-three cases of crime and detection written by the inimitable master himself, Rex Stout.
ASIN : B003V4BPVK
Publisher : Bantam (July 9, 2010)
Publication date : July 9, 2010
Language : English
File size : 2725 KB
Text-to-Speech : Enabled
Screen Reader : Supported
Enhanced typesetting : Enabled
X-Ray : Enabled
Word Wise : Enabled
Print length : 272 pages
Page numbers source ISBN : 0553277766
Reviewer: Nanny
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: The best one!
Review: Stout is a masterful writer. Archie and Wolfe are remarkable characters. Humor, mystery, conflict and suspense are all met expectations of this series. But to have Wolfe actually forgo food and lose weight to solve a case: totally unexpected and entertaining read!
Reviewer: Donald F. Kaminski
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Great Read
Review: Apparently, this was the last Nero Wolfe book published by Rex Stout before his death even though another was found within his estate material and subsequently published (there are over 70 out there). I've always enjoyed the Wolfe stories as narrated by his assistant Archie Goodwin. They are written in the first person and well done. The humor, which is extensive throughout, is based in the lingo and nuances of the 40s and 50s, and so, young readers might not get some of the inferences made. Nonetheless, reading about a fat man, who is a genius at crime analysis and who raises orchids for stress relief is unique for the mystery and suspense genre. If the reader wants a relaxing and entertaining read, there are few better than Rex Stout, especially since he was so prolific a writer. If the reader can't envision the characters, the television series did a swell job of reproducing stories and laying out Wolfe's office and brownstone, although the series abruptly ended when the actor playing Wolfe died.
Reviewer: DF
Rating: 4.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Remarkable as always. But at the same time, highly unusual.
Review: What is special about this particular Rex Stout book is that:(i) Nero Wolfe looses more than a hundred pounds and spend many months away from his house; (ii) he doesnât deal with Archie Goodwin at all and does not give him any instructions except at the end.
Reviewer: Gloria Oliver
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Nero Wolfe has gone into hiding!
Review: 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 areâno 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.
Reviewer: EComp
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: A Surprise and a Brilliant Solution
Review: âTheyâ said it couldnât be done but they really underestimated Nero and Archie. I was as shocked as Archie when after months of being gone, a stranger showed up with Nero Wolfeâs eyes. And this stranger had a plan, a plan that would clear up the murder that he felt obligated to resolve and, most importantly, would remove the threat of arch enemy Mr Zeck, for good. Bravo Nero. Bravo Archie. Bravo Rex Stout!
Reviewer: Joseph Boone
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Fitting end to Arnold Zeck trilogy
Review: In the Best Families is somewhat unusual among the Nero Wolfe novels for several reasons. Most of the Wolfe novels stand largely on their own but this is the final chapter of a trilogy featuring the villainy of Arnold Zeck. Zeck is a criminal mastermind vaguely similar to Professor Moriarty from the Sherlock Holmes stories and is a suitable menace for Nero and his trusty assistant, Archie Goodwin. While it is not absolute essential to read the other two novels (And Be a Villain (Crime Line) (Crime Line) and The Second Confession (The Rex Stout Library: a Nero Wolfe Mystery) ), I would recommend doing so. Events in The Second Confession, in particular are frequently referenced in this book so read that one at a minimum.The story begins with a case that is no more or less unusual than most others that Wolfe tackles. A millionairess hires the boys to find out where her playboy husband is getting his spending money. Shortly after taking the case, a letter bomb appears at the house as a warning from Zeck to stop poking into the matter. This prompts Wolfe to do something truly extraordinary. He leaves his treasured home and disappears without a word to Goodwin about his intentions or location. This provides an interesting look into Archie's world as we see what he would do when left on his own. The story is highly compelling and builds to a satisfying climax. The only potential negative is that the trademark humor is played down considerably in this book as it is much more intense than most Rex Stout novels. I enjoyed this novel immensely but those looking for lots of typical snappy patter from Archie should look elsewhere.In the Best Families is a top-notch effort from Rex Stout. It breaks the mold of a typical Nero Wolfe novel on many fronts but does so to excellent effect. I wouldn't want every book in the series to be like this one but it made a great change of pace. I would recommend it for anyone except a hard-core fan of the humorous novels who doesn't want to see anything else.
Reviewer: Lois Fisher
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Best of Archie and Wolfe!
Review: Wonderful Nero Wolfe book. Chock full of the usual weird characters, not to mention Arnold Zeck (favorite villain). Zeck threatens Wolfe and those around him, tear gas in the kitchen, and murder. Then Wolfe disappears. This all happens early on, so no spoilers! The Hunt for Rotund Wolfe is hilarious; the mystery complex, and Archie on his own at his snarky best. Recommended for all Rex Stout fans.One caveat -- the book I received had dreadful binding. Glue poured out of, and this was a new book. So just be careful about that.
Reviewer: T. Donald
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: This one is particularly gripping... It has Arnold Zeck who is just about a Bond villain in his weird omnipotence, and lots of Archie Goodwin doing his thing. It's a most memorable tale, but it stands rereading. This one is from 1950, when Rex Stout was in fine form.
Reviewer: Richard Muthumani
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: I just love this author.
Reviewer: Ted C. Jimmo
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: One of Stout's best, with one of his best plots. Good for many re-reads
Reviewer: Paolo Tebaldi
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: Nero made something I would never think he would.Sounds like a greeting.A little sad but Always great!!By by Nero
Reviewer: Aashish Diwakar
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: Itâs Rex Stout / Nero Wolfe / Archie Goodwin. No need for elaboration.
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Customers find the book great, entertaining, and a delight. They also appreciate the interesting plot twists, saying the story is highly compelling. Readers praise the writing quality as great, marvelous, and enjoyable. They say the characters are wonderful and well-developed.
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