Hired to help society widow Rachel Bruner foil bothersome Feds, Nero Wolfe and his able assistant Archie get in over their heads with highly trained G-men who are adept at bugs, tails, and threats. Reissue. NYT.
The Doorbell Rang (Nero Wolfe Mysteries)
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Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com Review
Rex Stout's Nero Wolfe books are all great fun, full of wonderful food and the arcane details of hobbies as diverse as orchid growing and Balkan history. But in this outing, things suddenly become much more serious when Wolfe and his sidekick Archie Goodwin face the malevolent forces of J. Edgar Hoover and his FBI minions. Luckily, Stout's heart and his writing style are more than equal to the challenge.
From Library Journal
Nero Wolfe is sleuthing as usual in these three mysteries. In the Best Families deals with Mrs. Rackam, an aging millionaire who approaches Wolfe to investigate why her young and penniless husband suddenly and mysteriously has large sums of money. Wolfe's inquiry leads him to a confrontation with Arnold Zeck; later a letter bomb causes Wolfe to resign from detective work and go into hiding, leaving his assistant, Archie Goodwin, to solve the case. Has Wolfe's career ended in humiliation? Only time will tell. Michael Pritchard's clear and strong reading helps support the tale. Rachel Bruner, a wealthy society widow, turns to Wolfe in The Doorbell Rang. She writes him a check for $100,000 and asks him to stop the FBI from spying on her and her family. She will pay more if he is successful. He takes the case, and soon Wolfe and Archie are confronting FBI agents, murder, and threats as they search for answers. Champagne for One challenges Wolfe's knowledge of gourmet food and of sleuthing. Did society girl Faith Usher commit suicide via cyanide in her champagne, or was she murdered? Archie was there, and he suspects foul play. Saul Rubinek provides pleasant readings of both stories and helps keep the atmosphere charged. Although abridged, The Doorbell Rang/Champagne for One provides more entertainment than In the Best Families and is recommended.ADenise A. Garofalo, Mid-Hudson Lib. Syst., Poughkeepsie, NY
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Another great "Archie Goodwin Story",
By
This review is from: The Doorbell Rang (Nero Wolfe Mysteries) (Mass Market Paperback)
This may not be the best Wolfe story to start with, because it is one of the later and greater of Stout's novels. However, if you do read this and like it, you won't be disappointed with any others in the series. Interestingly, Stout was 48 when his first Wolfe novel was published and he continued writing them until he was almost 90. This book has it all, from the usual cast of characters, Wolfe and Archie in the old brownstone, Saul, Orrie, and Fred, the freelancers hired to help on the case, Inspector Cramer, and the plot features an interesting twist on Wolfe's orchid hobby...well hobby doesn't describe 10,000 orchids in his rooftop greenhouse. You know there's a lot of commerce involved in keeping that collection going, but I'd better not say anymore about that. Wolfe is visited by a potential client with a problem that could be too hot to handle. You see, she has sent out copies of a book, "The FBI Nobody Knows" to influential people, newspaper editors, etc. Now she thinks the G-men are following her, tapping her phone and maybe worse. Most PI's wouldn't handle this case, even if the client was Cleopatra or Helen of Troy. But, a check for $100,000 has a...powerful appeal to Wolfe(it was a lot of money in the 60's when the book was written). Has Nero Wolfe finally bitten off more than he can chew when the FBI comes calling? Read this book. I consider it a classic, of both humor and of subtle political commentary. I give this book five of the biggest, brightest stars in the heavens.
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Stout at His Best,
By "anonymous1234567" (San Francisco, California United States) - See all my reviews
This review is from: The Doorbell Rang (Nero Wolfe Mysteries) (Mass Market Paperback)
Rex Stout has always been one of the best mystery writers. The Doorbell Rang is one of his best. It sprints along and gets you caught up in the story. Nero Wolfe takes a case to stop the FBI themselves from harrassing a rich woman. On the way, he encounters a murderer, lying women, lying men, and a pair of FBI agents who he uses in one of the most creative ways I have ever read. What makes this book so great is that it's different from most Nero Wolfe books. In this one, the main case is not a murder. The enemy is a huge and powefrul organization. Throughout the book, special precautions are taken by Wolfe and Archie, his wisecracking assistant, because they both know that the FBI isn't above bugging. The way they fulfill their clients wishes is wonderful, but of course I won't tell you how they do it. And the very end made me laugh out loud in the middle of a crowded bus. Just wait for it and you'll see what I mean. Stout is also a great writer and the Doorbell Rang is full of snappy writing and Wolfe in all his eloquence. It is a great book and it is really fun to read.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
One of Stout's Best,
By Richard Salva "Host: 'LincolnReincarnation.co... (San Jose, CA USA) - See all my reviews (VINE VOICE) (REAL NAME)
This review is from: The Doorbell Rang (Nero Wolfe Mysteries) (Mass Market Paperback)
This is one of Rex Stout's best Nero Wofe novels. In my opinion, Stout improved with age, and this is one of the last titles in the series. The dynamics of the relationship between Nero Wolfe and his assistant, Archie Goodwin, are as usual, priceless. But what makes this book for me are the unexpected and highly enjoyable goodwill overtures between Wolfe, Goodwin, and police homicide Inspector Cramer. Even though Cramer's suspicions return in force at the end of the book, it's still fun to see him on Wolfe's side for once. And I think our "favorite fatty" detective's ability in this book to put one over on the FBI is a feel-good read for anyone who has had difficulty with people in positions of authority-especially when that authority is autocratic and mismanaged.
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