Series
Publication
Crimeline (1992), Edition: Reprint, 224 pages
Original publication date
1952-10-24
Collections
Genres
Subjects
Description
Three women have been strangled - and Archie feels responsible. One of the women was expecting a big birthday present, an $8 million inheritance; she just had to live until June 30 to receive it. Unfortunately, she didn't make the date. First published in 1952, "Prisoner's base" sees Archie's boss, detective Nero Wolfe, bring together all the pieces to solve the puzzle.
User reviews
LibraryThing member wildbill
This is number 20 or about one-third of the way into the Nero Wolfe series. I enjoyed this book very much because of the personal involvement of Archie and Wolfe in the story. The book opens with Priscilla Eads showing up at Wolfe's house with a suitcase and hatbox saying she is going to be staying
Archie realizes that if he had not put her in the cab when he did she would not have been killed when she was and takes on the responsibility of finding her murderer. Wolfe decides to take on Archie as his client.
Priscilla Eads was going to become the owner of a large corporation at the end of her week at Wolfe's house. A double murder involving a prominent rich young woman prompts a massive police investigation which Archie joins. Wolfe, without consulting Archie, dips into the emergency fund to hire an investigator.
All I can say without being a spoiler is that the murder of the second victim is even more personal to Archie.
Because of her death the wealth which would have gone to Priscilla Eads will go to the top employees of Softdown corporation. The machinations of that part of the story introduce the reader to some truly unpleasant people. They participate in a meeting about her killing and several of them make some statements that are truly bizarre and though not relevant to who killed Ms. Eads are an interesting comment on the possibilities of the human personality. Ms. Eads feminist ideas are an interesting addition to the plans she had for Softdown.
Of course Wolfe knew who it was all along. In a grand finale with everyone present Wolfe names the murderer and he is apprehended. I thought this book was more about Archie Goodwin and Nero Wolfe than Priscilla Eads and the other women murdered. They both showed character and compassion in their response to the murder of people that were a small part of their lives.
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there for a week. Archie accepts her $350.00 knowing that Wolfe will more than likely invite her to leave. After dinner he does and Archie puts her in a taxi after returning her money. Two hours later she is found strangled and her maid is found to have been killed earlier in the evening.Archie realizes that if he had not put her in the cab when he did she would not have been killed when she was and takes on the responsibility of finding her murderer. Wolfe decides to take on Archie as his client.
Priscilla Eads was going to become the owner of a large corporation at the end of her week at Wolfe's house. A double murder involving a prominent rich young woman prompts a massive police investigation which Archie joins. Wolfe, without consulting Archie, dips into the emergency fund to hire an investigator.
All I can say without being a spoiler is that the murder of the second victim is even more personal to Archie.
Because of her death the wealth which would have gone to Priscilla Eads will go to the top employees of Softdown corporation. The machinations of that part of the story introduce the reader to some truly unpleasant people. They participate in a meeting about her killing and several of them make some statements that are truly bizarre and though not relevant to who killed Ms. Eads are an interesting comment on the possibilities of the human personality. Ms. Eads feminist ideas are an interesting addition to the plans she had for Softdown.
Of course Wolfe knew who it was all along. In a grand finale with everyone present Wolfe names the murderer and he is apprehended. I thought this book was more about Archie Goodwin and Nero Wolfe than Priscilla Eads and the other women murdered. They both showed character and compassion in their response to the murder of people that were a small part of their lives.
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LibraryThing member MrsLee
For some reason, I found this one of the saddest Wolfe novels.
LibraryThing member Camethyste
Excellent! Very well written, amusing story with solid characters. I didn't figure out "who dunnit" til the end, which is very unusual! I'm glad I took the time to read it.
LibraryThing member Demiguise
An excellent story from start to finish. I knew who the culprit was, being a keen fan of the now-defunct A&E series, but the book was so much more detailed and engrossing that I fell into the story and didn't want it to end. In fact, when I first finished it, I moped around the house for a few days
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before starting all over again, just to rejoin the wonderful world inhabited by Wolfe, Fritz, and the always dashing Mr. Goodwin. Show Less
LibraryThing member MusicMom41
Nero Wolfe novels are “comfort” reads for me. When I’m tired or just can’t figure out what I’m in the mood to read it has become my habit just to grab the next NW and settle down for a pleasant evening “with friends” without having to think too much. I enjoy the characters and the
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puzzles and I’m about even with Stout at figuring out the answer before Wolfe does. This is one where I didn’t. Stout played fair but the hints were not made as obvious as they sometimes are. This one has an unusual twist in that the person who becomes the client is a surprise. We also get to see a little of the “human” side of Wolfe’s lawyer, Nathaniel Parker. Recommended for fans of “classic” mysteries Show Less
LibraryThing member sonofcarc
One of Stout's best. As always there are plot holes (the murderer couldn't possibly have achieved his goal), but who cares when Archie is on form.
LibraryThing member addunn3
Archie becomes the client in an unusual case that involves the contested transfer of a company. Archie takes responsibility for the murder of a potential client and goes on his own to solve the case. NW is forced to take him on as a client.
LibraryThing member antiquary
A young heiress asks Wolfe to let her stay in his house for a week unitl she inherits control of a major corporation. Then her guardian (not nowing she is there) asks Wolfe to find her. Wolfe tells her to match his offer or leave. She leaves and is murdered shortly afterward. A friend hires Wolfe
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to investigate and then it murdered under conditions that remind Archie Goodwin of the old game prisoner's base. I like both victims so I do not enjoy this story as much as most. Wolfe stories Show Less
LibraryThing member rosalita
This has long been one of my favorite books in the Nero Wolfe/Archie Goodwin series, though for a long time I wouldn't re-read it because of A Thing that happens. A few years ago I decided that was silly and re-read it. The Thing is still very ... Thing-y, but in my (ahem) maturity I really
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appreciate the way author Rex Stout handles the situation and the fallout from it in ways that serve the story without striking even a single false note with our beloved characters. So it went back on the re-read list, and I re-read it recently. It's still awfully good, in every sense of the phrase. Show Less
LibraryThing member leslie.98
This 21st (?) entry in the Nero Wolfe series was interesting because Archie ended up as Wolfe's client! . The plot was good; I ended up suspecting several characters and though the culprit was one of those, I can't claim to have figured it out myself.
Michael Pritchard does a good narration.
Michael Pritchard does a good narration.
LibraryThing member jguidry
I enjoyed this episode in the Nero Wolfe series. Wolfe and Archie were both at their best with their banter. Some of the plot was a little convoluted, but that made it fun. Definitely an interesting cast of characters. The ending did seem to come out of nowhere, but I didn't mind. The writing was a
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product of it's time at points, particularly with regards to women. Show Less
Language
Original language
English
ISBN
9780553242690
Physical description
224 p.; 4.2 inches
Pages
224