Silver Spire [Mass Market Paperback]

Robert Goldsborough (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 1, 1993

When a series of threatening notes, with passages lifted from the Bible, are placed in the collection plate on six consecutive Sundays, world-famous televangelist Reverend Barnabas Bay calls on Nero Wolfe to find the culprit. Reprint.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

The West 35th Street regulars return in Goldsborough's ( Fade to Black ) latest Nero Wolfe/Archie Goodwin escapade, the sixth in his continuation of the late Rex Stout's series. The duo are drawn into a murder in the cathedral when Lloyd Morgan, business manager for televangelist Rev. Barnabas Bay of the Tabernacle of the Silver Spire on Staten Island, asks for help in dealing with the Scripture-quoting hate notes found among the Sunday offerings. Considering Bay a "clerical mountebank," Wolfe passes the case to freelance PI Fred Durkin, who is soon charged with the murder of the church's second-in-command, Royal Meade. Wolfe and Goodwin suspect the actual murderer is another member of the organization's inner Circle of Faith: Lloyd, Bay's loyal wife, the paranoid educational director, a bitter minister, even Bay himself. At a final confrontation, Wolfe unmasks the killer by interpreting additional Bible quotes. Wolfe's chef, Fritz Brenner, NYPD homicide detective Lionel Cramer and fully realized minor characters flesh out this brisk and beguiling page-turner. Mystery Guild alternate.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From AudioFile

When not satisfying his gourmet palate, Super Sleuth Nero Wolfe is solving a case of murder in the Silver Spire, a Staten Island ministry. This whodunit is not one of twists and turns of plot, but one of good, well-rounded characters. For the most part, reader Michael Murphy gives a good performance. Initially, it is sometimes difficult to distinguish among characters' voices. Some good jazz is interjected at the chapter breaks. Despite minor flaws, this is an enjoyable performance of a good mystery. G.A.D. (c)AudioFile, Portland, Maine --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback
• Publisher: Crimeline (December 1, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0553563874
• ISBN-13: 978-0553563870
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 3.9 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 0.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #329,086 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Nero Wolfe goes to Church, October 5, 2000

By 

J. Carroll "Jack" (Island Heights,NJ) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Silver Spire (Mass Market Paperback)

Fred Durkin is arrested after a murder is committed in the Silver Spire, a church modeled after the Crystal Cathedral. Durkin was there due to Wolfe's refusal to handle a case involving threats to the leader of the Spire's congregation. Now due to Archie's guilt and Wolfe's sense of loyalty to one of his occasional operatives, he takes on the Spire's Circle of Faith to identify the murderer. This one is docked a star for having Wolfe leave the office for the weakest of reasons and confronting the suspects in the church offices. I would have preferred giving Durkin a little more to do considering it was his life on the line.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Wolfe takes a trip, June 28, 2010

By 

Jeanne Tassotto (Trapped in the Midwest) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Silver Spire (Mass Market Paperback)

Once again Nero Wolfe is attempting to avoid the necessity of replenishing the bank account. It's anemic balance is troubling Archie and threatening to distract Fritz from his cooking. Horrors! The problem seemed nearly solved when the doorbell rang and Archie discovered a client standing on the stoop of the brownstone. Too bad the client breached protocol by not phoning for an appointment first but his arrival could just be the answer to his (and Fritz's prayers). When Archie found out though that the potential client represented a well known televangelist who ran a megachurch on Staten Island his hopes began to fade. Wolfe had little respect for the more flamboyant members of the clergy who seemed as concerned with the state of the collection plates as they were with the state of their congregation's souls. Despite the dismal size of the bank account and the interesting problem that was presented Wolfe did turn down the job, referring it to sometime employee Fred Durkin instead. Archie thought the matter was closed until a few days later a murder took place in the church and Durkin was charged with the crime. Soon Archie was dispatched to Staten Island to ferret out the true culprit.

The problem with every series is that no matter how prolific the author loyal fans know that at some point they will turn the final page of the last book of the series. And then what? Re-read old favorites? Look for something new? Sometimes another author will take on the series and attempt to carry it on but that is a chancy proposition at best, full of pitfalls. Should the beloved characters be kept the same and be doomed to rehashing former exploits? Should they be updated at the risk losing their original charm? Many authors have taken on this difficult task but few have been successful. Happily Goldsborough is one of the few that have managed to capture most at least, of the essence of the original series.

Goldsborough has chosen to follow Stout's practice of keeping his stories set in the present day. Instead of pounding out file cards on a typewriter Archie keeps the orchid records on a computer and Wolfe watches the televangelists sermon on the TV rather than than listening on the radio. It seems a bit odd to hear the 'hard boiled' dialog used by Archie describing the action in this modern setting but it only takes a little suspension of belief for the reader to once again enjoy another trip to the brownstone with all the familiar characters.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Bravo!!, August 12, 2008

By 

critters - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Silver Spire (Mass Market Paperback)

I was skeptical about the idea of somebody else continuing the Nero Wolfe series, but I've been quite impressed! Mr. Goldsborough manages to update the series a bit, including such tidbits as personal computers and Quarter Pounders, while still maintaining the fun and flavor of the originals. Having seen other series updated with dismal results (the "Hardy Boys" come to mind) makes this particularly welcome. Thanks Mr. Goldsborough!!