Fade to Black

Nero Wolfe and his legman Archie Goodwin are drawn into a fictionalized "cola wars" battle, as one maker of cherry soda accuses another of stealing its advertising campaign ideas. The plot thickens when one of the admen turns up dead. I always enjoy spending time with Archie but Goldsborough isn't Rex Stout, the genius who birthed these characters, and his dialogue is always just a bit off and grating to my ears. Still, it's better than nothing. And considering the last Stout novel was published in 1975, it's mildly amusing to read about how life in the brownstone is altered (or not, as the case may be) by modern technology. Not really recommended for anyone except extreme Wolfe/Archie fans who have read all the originals and need more, show more even if it's lesser. show less

This is a Nero Wolfe book not written by Rex Stout who created the characters but who died in 1975. The author moved Wolfe, Archie Goodwin & all the others into the 1990s which I found jarring. The book opens with Archie at a super bowl party. The book & mystery was ok, but Wolfe should have stayed in his own time period.

Listened to this book during a week of cycling and it is well-suited for this activity. Plot is strait forward and it is easy to keep the characters sorted out.

Not the same as a Stout book.

New Nero Wolfe - Book 5