Robert Goldsborough is known best
for continuing the Nero Wolfe series originated by Rex Stout. In Archie
Meets Nero Wolfe, the author has created a prequel to the famous series
using hints from Rex Stout’s work.
The work reads as well as if Stout
had written it himself.
Archie Goodwin arrives in New York
from Ohio, hoping for excitement or at least for a job. He is hired as night watchman on the
dock. When two thieves shoot at
him he returns fire, killing both.
Called “trigger-happy” and fired by the company he helped to protect,
Archie shows up in the office of honest PI, Del Bascom. The sleuth, allows
Archie to take on a case that the detective considers impossible to solve. Archie uses his brains and shoe leather
to track down a husband who tried to disappear.
On a case where Wolfe needed
someone willing to go into New York and investigate, he hires characters known
to readers from the novels. Wolfe also hires Del Bascom who invites Archie
along. As the case progresses, Archie
proves to be cool, dependable and honest.
I enjoyed reading about Archie
acting without Nero Wolfe. It is clear why Wolfe decided to hire him.
Kudos to Robert Goldsborough
My father was a big Rex Stout fan, but I think one of the attractions was the interplay between Nero Wolfe and Archie Goodwin.
ReplyDeleteJust as when I think of Spenser I think of Hawk, I think of Stout's two characters together.
Separating them allows for different aspects to the characters personality to become apparant, which it appears Goldsborough has done.
Thanks for the review, Warren.
Not my subgenre, Warren. But your review makes me want to stretch my reading to include it. Thanks for the review.
ReplyDeleteI think you're right, Jim. Can you imagine Sherlock Holmes without Dr. Watson?
ReplyDeleteThanks for the support, EB.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the support, EB.
ReplyDeleteI've never read those mysteries, either, but maybe I'll look for one at a used book store and try them.
ReplyDeleteWhile I won't go so far as to say it read as if Rex Stout had written it, I did think it was well done and was dismayed at the nit-picking reviews I saw at Amazon. I did a review for our bookblog as well. Nice period setting, too. If you haven't read the originals, by all means give them a try!
ReplyDeleteJeanne