Collection
Series
Publication
Bantam (1995), Paperback, 224 pages
Description
Eleven years ago, wealthy Nebraska businessman James Herald gave his only son, Paul, a very raw deal. Now he wants Nero Wolfe to track Paul down so that he can make amends. But what if the young man doesn't want to be found ... and what if he's the same P.H. who's currently on trial for cold-blooded murder? Its a case that will draw the great detective and his dedicated sidekick, Archie Goodwin, into a sticky web of deceit one that will tax their resources to the utmost, and even cost them one of their own.
Language
Original language
English
User reviews
LibraryThing member MrsLee
I like this story. It's characters stick with me.
LibraryThing member teckelvik
I read Nero Wolfe novels for Archie, with occasional glimpses of everyone else. I never remember the plot or any other characters, but I enjoy them for being well written and smart.
In this one, Nero tracks down a missing person, which involves solving a series of murders. He's annoyed that he has
In this one, Nero tracks down a missing person, which involves solving a series of murders. He's annoyed that he has
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to work. But he sends orchids to a woman he doesn't know, at Archie's behest. What more do you need? Show Less
LibraryThing member MusicMom41
I spent another pleasant evening with Archie and Co. chasing after information for Wolfe, one step ahead of the police and managing to keep the client in line. An interesting case that started out as a missing person case that turns into a murder case in a uniquely clever way. It’s relaxing to
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spend time with “old friends.” Show Less
LibraryThing member sonofcarc
One reason I like this is that it contains the only sympathetically portrayed lawyer character I can remember in any of Stout's books. Except of course for Nat Parker, Wolfe's own lawyer.
LibraryThing member antiquary
Ths may well be the first copy of this story that I read, before getting my own paperback (see other copy). I read this copy from the Wood Count Public Library 9bowling Green, Ohio) and later bought it when it was sold off
LibraryThing member antiquary
I think this was one of the earliest Wolfe novels I read, along with The Golden Spiders. A wealthy Nebraska businessman hires Wolfe to find his son, whom he had thrown out on suspicion of theft (now proven unjustified) years before. Wolfe finds the son living in New York has just been convicted of
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murdering the husband of the woman he loves, but his lawyer believes he was framed. Wolfe, knowing te man's father would be much happier to find an innocent son, sets out to clear him. Show Less
LibraryThing member TomDonaghey
Might As Well Be Dead (1956) (Nero Wolfe #27) by Rex Stout. Wolfe is hired by a man out of the midwest to find his estranged son. Seems there had been a mistake a dozen years before, now revealed as a robbery by someone else, and the father wishes to make amends. Wolfe takes the missing persons
As he can’t quite tell the repentant father this news, Wolfe makes the decision to have the verdict overturned by finding the true killer.
The book is much more subtle that what I have just described, but it is a great one. Wily, twisty and turny, alibis have to be destroyed, the murdered man’s work as a “consultant” pawed through and the truth to be uncovered. Trouble is, no one can quite say just what the dead man did for sure nor explain away what was found in the safety deposit box.
Well plotted with the signature banter between Archie and Nero, with the complete complement of Wolfe’s pack of detectives, and a rising death toll, Might As Well Be Dead ranks as one of Stout’s best.
And, if you are going to be shut in during the Covid-19 outbreak, who better to stay inside with than that self-imposed hermit, Nero Wolfe?
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case after the police’s failure to locate the young man. Within a few days Wolfe finds him, only it seems he is on trial for murder.As he can’t quite tell the repentant father this news, Wolfe makes the decision to have the verdict overturned by finding the true killer.
The book is much more subtle that what I have just described, but it is a great one. Wily, twisty and turny, alibis have to be destroyed, the murdered man’s work as a “consultant” pawed through and the truth to be uncovered. Trouble is, no one can quite say just what the dead man did for sure nor explain away what was found in the safety deposit box.
Well plotted with the signature banter between Archie and Nero, with the complete complement of Wolfe’s pack of detectives, and a rising death toll, Might As Well Be Dead ranks as one of Stout’s best.
And, if you are going to be shut in during the Covid-19 outbreak, who better to stay inside with than that self-imposed hermit, Nero Wolfe?
Show Less