The Rubber Band [Paperback]

Rex Stout (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 1979

In all his years of detecting, the unflappable Nero Wolfe has never encountered an investigation as damnably messy as this one. For what began as a clean case of larceny quickly sank into a quagmire of blackmail and broken promises, international scandal and cold-blooded murder.

Now Wolfe and his assistant, Archie Goodwin must bridge eras and oceans to find the link between a Wild West lynching and a respected British peer. Only then can they save Wolfe's beautiful young client -- and a hotly disputed stake of a cool million dollars.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"The Rubber Band by Rex Stout is a complete and unabridged mystery starring Nero Wolfe and his faithful sidekick, Archie Goodwin. Wolfe, who died in 1975 at age 89, wrote stories that hold up remarkably well. In this, which involves the American West and the British nobility, we have Wolfe's tongue-in-cheek exercise program developed to comply with his physician's edict that he must lose weight: dart throwing. Michael Prichard, who has pretty much become the voice of Archie Goodwin, reads. Recently, he was named by Smart Money magazine as one of audio's "Top 10 Golden Voices." -- The Arizona Daily Star

"It is always a treat to [hear] a Nero Wolfe mystery. The man has entered our folklore." -- The New York Times Book Review

"Nero Wolfe, the fat detective of Rex Stout's novels, towers over his rivals...he is an exceptional character creation." -- The New Yorker

"Rex Stout...raised detective fiction to the level of art. He gave us genius of at least two kinds, and a strong realist voice that was shot through with hope." -- Walter Mosley --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From the Publisher

6 1.5-hour cassettes --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback
• Publisher: Jove (April 1, 1979)
• ISBN-10: 0515048674
• ISBN-13: 978-0515048674
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #8,413,535 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars No. 2, December 23, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: The Rubber Band (Hardcover)

An early Wolfe, very strong plot and fun read. If not quite up to the next 10 or so efforts it is smoother than Fer-de-Lance and Stout begins to humanize Wolfe's character. I think Inspector Cramer makes his first appearance,too.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Nero Wolfe is always a good read, September 9, 2004

By 

darci lane (San Antonio, TX) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Rubber Band (Nero Wolfe Mysteries) (Paperback)

This is one of his first. I've read them all, several times each. Even tho this is not his best, Rex Stout still writes far better than most writers today. His books are very funny and the plots entertaining. Closest I've come to finding his successor is Deadly Diamonds, by Pamela Troutman.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Entertainment round-trip, Denver to So. Dakota, September 26, 2009

By 

Judith Paley (Denver, CO) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Rubber Band (Nero Wolfe Mysteries) (Audio Cassette)

The older the better on these Rex Stout mysteries, and the elegant turn of phrase just can't be beat. Nero Wolfe apologizing to a lady caller tells her that it's "bulk not boorishness" that keeps him seated as she enters the room. His assistant Archie directs a visitor to a place where he can park "the back of his lap," a concept that stops the gentleman dead in his tracks.

The narrator is great, the plot engaging, and, as opposed to his later more convoluted stories, there's just enough information to make your own stab at solving the case. A great yarn!