Customer Reviews

A Family Affair: Nero Wolfe Mystery (Mystery Masters)

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

We read the entire (and considerable) collection of Nero Wolfe stories nearly forty years ago, some contemporaneous with their original publication. "Family Affair", released in 1975, turned out to be Rex Stout's last novel, even though his estate paid Robert Goldsborough to do a credible job of writing seven more entries in the Wolfe series. Stout was in his early 80's as of this writing, but his plot and vocabulary were as excellent as ever, with quite a surprising twist and sense of justice at the close of the story. During our recent re-read, we were a little surprised to see political commentary about Watergate and (then President) Nixon - obviously the author was upset at the scandalous turn of events, and uses Wolfe's dialogue to register his severe chagrin.

This book reminds us of several things. One - it's amazing how much fun, mystery, and suspense some of the classic writers of fifty years ago could pack into a 150-200 page volume. Few words were wasted, and no filler or irrelevant subplots were deployed to compile the 400-700 page tomes we so often get today. Two - it occurs to us, that characters were revealed ever so slowly over the course of multiple stories. So one can't just pick up this novel and even begin to understand the complexities of our genius detective and his affable sidekick; it takes reading several entries in the set to really get to know these guys in a way that eventually seals their place in our hearts and minds as "best friends!" Lastly, there is a certain predictability we come to enjoy - not from guessing the outcome (difficult!) but rather just enjoying the eccentricities and habits of the familiar people and places: Wolfe's bottle caps, his globe, Cramer's cigars, the old brownstone, etc.

In the story, a waiter is bombed to death (!) in Wolfe's guest bedroom, causing both he and Archie a sense of outrage so strong they commit to finding the killer on their own with no client in sight. They soon deduce the police will never figure it out, and somewhat uncharacteristically refuse completely to cooperate with the police. Wolfe leaves the house (amazing!) to speed along the investigation, and even spends a night in jail - incredible! While these seeming inconsistencies irk some of Stout's fans, we found them acceptable in terms of the unusual nature of this plot, which we don't intend to spoil an iota with further commentary.

We found ourselves as pleased as ever with Wolfe and Stout. We were partially moved by nostalgia, but that had nothing to do with the sheer enjoyment and entertainment value found in this fine conclusion to the tales of one of the greatest detectives in modern fiction.

I didn't see in this book that characters were out of character or that the plot or whatnot had problems. Archie is his usual capable smartass self, and Wolfe's diction and grammar remain laser-precise (to use a metaphor he would scorn). The difference from the other novels is that this one has a somber note, and it sounded from Stout's deep disappointment with Watergate. (Wolfe fans know of his respect for words: "somber" goes back to a near-identical French word that means "grave.") Stout was thinking about issues of patriotism and betrayal when he penned this novel, and it shows. It should. Nixon was given control of the ship of state, and while steering it he indulged in wrecklessness and flummery.

Wolfe does break some of his cherished rules; but can't we allow him to in Archie's last report of his doings? And he breaks them because the case is "a family affair." His self-esteem, as large as his fabled seventh of a ton, has been tweaked. A murder has happened in his own home--and, twice as indigestible, the victim is mighty Nero's own waiter at Rusterman's. He requires satisfaction and will halt his planetary momentum at nothing--not even jail time--to get it.

Being a male chauvinist lookalike, as Saul Panzer would have it (and not just a lookalike, unfortunately), Archie's machismo could never allow him to comment at length on how he felt about where the investigation led. His lapses say it for him. A question implicit in what he and Wolfe discover is: how does one come to terms with finding betrayal where one expected sincerity? It can be an anguishing question, and the stylish solution devised by "the family" leaves behind it both a mystery solved but a lesson learned about the need to be critical of those who claim to uphold the law of the land.

Why do people say that Stout's age was showing when he wrote this book? To me, it's just as clever as any of the previous Wolfe tomes, and it has a surprising, killer ending. Very courageous of Stout to plot it like he did. An excellent book.

A FAMILY AFFAIR is a bittersweet finish to Stout's wonderful series. One of Rusterman's waiters is killed in Wolfe's home and the resulting investigation heads down a path that lies very close to Wolfe and Archie. All the extended cast make an appearance; Cramer and Stebbins, Lily Rowan and even Theodore Horstman, Wolfe's orchid man, all have a moment in this farewell. The killer is revealed relatively early in this one as it leads to dark ending; an ending befitting the grim circumstances of this case. This is not the best of Stout's Wolfe mysteries but it certainly is a memorable one.
The closing lines bring the series to an appropriate end:
Wolfe said, "Will you bring brandy, Archie? And two glasses. If Fritz is up, bring him and three glasses. We'll try to get some sleep." after forty years of wonderful adventures and possibly the most re-readable mysteries ever, they deserve it.

Written at the end of Rex Stout's career, this book simply does not hold up when compared to Stout's earlier work. While Nero Wolfe and Archie are still quite likeable, the plot is somewhat convoluted and doesn't provide a satisfying conclusion. Nero Wolfe has been on some memorable adventures; this just isn't one of them. This book is worth reading for a true Rex Stout fan, but I wouldn't recommend it to a newcomer or a casual fan. There are just too many superior options.

I'm reviewing the BOOK -- not the CD or cassette. I loved it. Absolutely loved it. This one I couldn't wait to finish. It's my 7th, and probably my last, Nero Wolfe book, but what a great way to end. What I loved most was the surprise ending -- a surprise for me, certainly. Also, Wolfe and Archie were more real to me, and I wonder if perhaps that's because I've read many before this one. Well, the ending was a surprise for me, and that's pretty much what I look for in a mystery. The characters? I like a well-developed main character and interesting recurring minor characters, but I really don't give a hoot about those who get killed, etc. For me mysteries are puzzles, mental games, and I feel that Stout came through on this one.

I'm not hooked on Nero Wolfe and don't expect to read more Nero Wolfe books, but I might look at the movies that Amazon (and others) have to offer.

Rex Stout's A FAMILY AFFAIR enjoys veteran actor/audio narrator Michael Prichard's compelling voice as a new Nero Wolfe mystery evolves. Here a waiter's death in Nero's own home involves him in a murder disguised as a personal attack. A FAMILY AFFAIR is the last novel published before Stout's death and provides what might be the best of all.

You've already learned that this was Rex Stout's last book. We take Nero and Archie from Prohibition (in Fer-de-lance) to personal computers, and neither of them ages a day.

O tempora, o mores, though. Rex felt that he had to shock us with a plot twist which is telegraphed fairly early (even before this book!) but which still causes chagrin in the faithful reader.

But the real payoff comes in the subtle, quiet ending. A substantial break in protocl marks the end of Archie and Nero (at least on Rex Stout's watch). Rex Stout, libertarian, independent thinker and great American, lets them bow out gracefully and more than a little sadly. And Michael Prichard gives a lovely, restrained reading that makes it even more memorable.

Is it a great story? No, not especially, but it's a wonderful way to say good bye.

First, the good thing: The mystery in this book is quite good with an unexpected twist at the end.

Next, the bad things: While the mystery is good, that's not really the focus in a Nero Wolfe novel. Stout's murders and solutions never quite compare to Agatha Christie's or Ngaio Marsh's, but their characters never quite compare to Nero Wolfe and Archie Goodwin. In fact, those two are the mainstays of Stout's literary genius, but all mainstays must come to an end, and they do in this, Stout's final novel.

Granted, he was quite old when he wrote this, but the mystery holds up well. The characters, however--the part Stout should have been able to do even if half-senile--, do not. Archie is much, much more serious and barely even resembles his usual wise-cracking self. Wolfe is more tolerant in general, but when he is being his usual "odd" genius-self, it goes beyond "odd" to just plain bizarre.

The continuity of several things in the series is also disrupted. They discuss the murder at meals, Wolfe leaves the plant rooms early to meet with a caller who does not have an appointment, and the helpers, Saul, Fred, and Orrie, are also just not right.

For the mystery, this book isn't bad, but as far as characterization and continuity are concerned, it's no good. If you're a die-hard Stout fan, you need to read this book, but don't make it your first Nero Wolfe endeavor. Try "Fer-de-Lance" or "Some Buried Caesar." You'll be much happier.

The last book written by Stout and of course the last of Nero by the originator. The author was in his late 80's and it shows, but if you love Nero you have to read it.