Customer Reviews

Silver Spire

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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.

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.

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!!