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Nero Wolfe #21
Prisoner's Base
Hours after Priscilla Eads pleads with him to take her case, detective Nero Wolfe is shocked to find out that she was murdered, and soon he is investigating her fortune-hunting husband and greedy business associates.
30 pages, Audio Cassette
First published October 24, 1952
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869 people want to read
About the author
Rex Stout
832 books1,030 followersRex Todhunter Stout (1886–1975) was an American crime writer, best known as the creator of the larger-than-life fictional detective Nero Wolfe, described by reviewer Will Cuppy as "that Falstaff of detectives." Wolfe's assistant Archie Goodwin recorded the cases of the detective genius from 1934 (Fer-de-Lance) to 1975 (A Family Affair).
The Nero Wolfe corpus was nominated Best Mystery Series of the Century at Bouchercon 2000, the world's largest mystery convention, and Rex Stout was nominated Best Mystery Writer of the Century.
The Nero Wolfe corpus was nominated Best Mystery Series of the Century at Bouchercon 2000, the world's largest mystery convention, and Rex Stout was nominated Best Mystery Writer of the Century.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 213 reviews
February 20, 2019
A woman who unsuccessfully seeks Nero Wolfe's services is later found murdered. Archie feels responsible, and temporarily leave's Wolfe's employ to solve the case.
Another good entry in the series.
July 21, 2018
"Rex Stout is the most rereadable author in the history of the genre."
Introduction by William L. DeAndrea 1992
I know that I enjoy rereading Nero Wolfe stories and over the years I have done have done just that. According to Goodreads Rex Stout wrote 47 Nero Wolfe books. While I have reread many there are some that I have missed and I think Prisoner's Base is one of those. Reading a Nero Wolfe book for the first time is always a joy.
A woman makes an appearance at Wolfe's brownstone on West 35th Street in New York City. She times her appearance so that she knows Wolfe will be tending his orchids (between 4PM and 6PM) and she can talk with Archie Goodwin, Wolfe's confidential assistant, first. She doesn't tell Archie her name and she doesn't want to hire Wolfe. She is looking for a place to stay. Room and board. Normally she wouldn't even have been admitted but Wolfe and Archie have had another disagreement and Archie installs her in the guest room. Needless to say Wolfe is not pleased and refuses to allow her to stay. He is not running a hotel. Hours later she is murdered.
Her name was Priscilla Eads and she was the heiress to a multi-million dollar cotton-towel business. With a greedy board of directors and a fortune-hunting South American ex-husband there are no shortage of suspects. Feeling guilty over her death Archie takes a leave of absence to solve her murder himself. He even teams up with the police department to work on the case!
Of course Nero Wolfe becomes involved. Priscilla Eads was murdered after Wolfe turned her out of his house, Archie has taken a leave of absence, and the police had taken Wolfe from his house to the police department for questioning. None of this is acceptable and he intends to solve the murder. Wolfe has a new client. Wait until you find out who it is.
This was a slight departure from the usual story in that Archie has taken a leave of absence and works with the police but fear not as the ending features the usual gathering of suspects in Wolfe's office where he will reveal the identity of the murderer. Wolfe is a genius and no murderer can outwit him when he puts his mind to solving the crime.
There was no real surprise here like I often find when reading Agatha Christie. One of the real enjoyments is the relationship between Wolfe and Archie, life at Wolfe's brownstone on West 35th Street, and of course how Wolfe leaves Inspector Cramer red faced.
Introduction by William L. DeAndrea 1992
I know that I enjoy rereading Nero Wolfe stories and over the years I have done have done just that. According to Goodreads Rex Stout wrote 47 Nero Wolfe books. While I have reread many there are some that I have missed and I think Prisoner's Base is one of those. Reading a Nero Wolfe book for the first time is always a joy.
A woman makes an appearance at Wolfe's brownstone on West 35th Street in New York City. She times her appearance so that she knows Wolfe will be tending his orchids (between 4PM and 6PM) and she can talk with Archie Goodwin, Wolfe's confidential assistant, first. She doesn't tell Archie her name and she doesn't want to hire Wolfe. She is looking for a place to stay. Room and board. Normally she wouldn't even have been admitted but Wolfe and Archie have had another disagreement and Archie installs her in the guest room. Needless to say Wolfe is not pleased and refuses to allow her to stay. He is not running a hotel. Hours later she is murdered.
Her name was Priscilla Eads and she was the heiress to a multi-million dollar cotton-towel business. With a greedy board of directors and a fortune-hunting South American ex-husband there are no shortage of suspects. Feeling guilty over her death Archie takes a leave of absence to solve her murder himself. He even teams up with the police department to work on the case!
Of course Nero Wolfe becomes involved. Priscilla Eads was murdered after Wolfe turned her out of his house, Archie has taken a leave of absence, and the police had taken Wolfe from his house to the police department for questioning. None of this is acceptable and he intends to solve the murder. Wolfe has a new client. Wait until you find out who it is.
This was a slight departure from the usual story in that Archie has taken a leave of absence and works with the police but fear not as the ending features the usual gathering of suspects in Wolfe's office where he will reveal the identity of the murderer. Wolfe is a genius and no murderer can outwit him when he puts his mind to solving the crime.
There was no real surprise here like I often find when reading Agatha Christie. One of the real enjoyments is the relationship between Wolfe and Archie, life at Wolfe's brownstone on West 35th Street, and of course how Wolfe leaves Inspector Cramer red faced.
February 7, 2017
A nice business as usual Nero Wolfe mystery with Archie stepping to the front of the stage. Nice twist in the plot although the attitudes toward women were rather backward.
December 27, 2015
Description: Hours after Priscilla Eads pleads with him to take her case, Nero Wolfe is shocked to find out that she was murdered, and soon he is investigating her fortune-hunting husband and greedy business associates.
January 24, 2023
This was a great mystery and a bit outside the standard formula. Nero Wolfe is my favorite detective followed by Sherlock Holmes as a distant second.
March 22, 2017
It's hard to give a Nero Wolfe novel anything less than four stars. But this came fairly close.
The mystery, as in many of the Wolfe novels, was pretty good, but the solution was a wee bit underwhelming.
I enjoyed the cast of characters, but there was a lot of development to zero end. 90% of it was red herrings, and the key was a bit of unseen fummerry.
Still, a good read, and some lovely Stout writing. 3.5 rounded up.
The mystery, as in many of the Wolfe novels, was pretty good, but the solution was a wee bit underwhelming.
I enjoyed the cast of characters, but there was a lot of development to zero end. 90% of it was red herrings, and the key was a bit of unseen fummerry.
Still, a good read, and some lovely Stout writing. 3.5 rounded up.
November 16, 2019
The atmosphere is tense at Nero Wolf house when a stranger arrives she tell Archie she wants to stay until June 30th. Archie execs the money and places in the 3rd floor room. However Wolf's says no and sends her on her way. Shortly after Wolf receives a request to locate a heiress alive by June 30th. Wolf doesn't tell that the girl is in his house and promo to tell him the next if became the case. The next morning Archie learns the heiress and her maid were both murder. Archie feels responsible for the deaths and takes off on his own. Wolf is brought police headquarters and in a moment tell everyone that Archie his client. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK AND SERIES.
October 29, 2008
This was my first Nero Wolfe book. I wasn't so crazy about the story overall, but I did get a big ol' kick out of Archie and Nero and their relationship. I think I'm going to have to start at the beginning of the series in order to get a better appreciation of it.
December 22, 2019
This is one of the better full stories. I read this a while back so I'm trying to remember all the details other than liking it.
This particular story shows the romantic nature of both Nero and Archie. Not in the romance sense of the word but the usage that means: marked by the imaginative or emotional appeal of what is heroic, adventurous, remote, mysterious, or idealized. Thank you Mirriam Webster.
In this case Archie becomes personally involved because of a perceived mistake on his part. A strategy that was meant to get Nero to work on a new case backfired resulting in a murder. Archie romantically charges out determined to solve the mystery Nero or no Nero.
Nero shows his romanticism after Archies attempt becomes mired in legalities and muddled by all the police that became involved in the case. This leads him to dramatically announce that while he had no client in this case he does now! Archie is his client!
The puzzle plays out from there. This is an excellently plotted and paced mystery and very enjoyable.
This particular story shows the romantic nature of both Nero and Archie. Not in the romance sense of the word but the usage that means: marked by the imaginative or emotional appeal of what is heroic, adventurous, remote, mysterious, or idealized. Thank you Mirriam Webster.
In this case Archie becomes personally involved because of a perceived mistake on his part. A strategy that was meant to get Nero to work on a new case backfired resulting in a murder. Archie romantically charges out determined to solve the mystery Nero or no Nero.
Nero shows his romanticism after Archies attempt becomes mired in legalities and muddled by all the police that became involved in the case. This leads him to dramatically announce that while he had no client in this case he does now! Archie is his client!
The puzzle plays out from there. This is an excellently plotted and paced mystery and very enjoyable.
October 22, 2012
Under normal circumstances, a woman showing up on Wolfe's door looking for a place to stay would be unceremoniously bounced. But if the woman shows up when Wolfe and Archie are in the middle of a standoff, she may end up being escorted inside so Archie can use her to antagonize his employer. The situation is complicated when someone else tries to hire Wolfe to find a missing heiress (the same young lady who just so happens to be upstairs in the South Room). Wolfe's self esteem won't let him accept a fee for finding something that he already has, so he ejects the young woman and gives her a twelve-hour head start before he'll come looking for her. Within three hours, the young woman is dead. Archie feels pretty rotten about the whole situation (having essentially sent the woman to her doom), and vows to catch the murderer, even if means working with--or even for--the police. Which leads to a rather unusual situation: Wolfe takes the case, with Archie as his client.
The resolution of this particular mystery involves an assortment of towel-making execs, an attractive stylist of dubious talent, a comely (if slightly nutty and not terribly brave) widow, a handsome young South American, a young Hercules (Archie's description), and a slimy lawyer. There are, of course, an assortment of more familiar faces as well--freelance detective Saul Panzer, chef Fritz Brenner, Inspector Cramer, and Sergent Stebbins.
Archie's passion for this particular mystery lends a certain pathos to the story--which is by no means a universal characteristic of Stout's work. Many of Wolfe's jobs are just jobs; this one is personal. Not only does Archie feel responsible for the death of the young heiress; before long another attractive young woman is killed under circumstances that once again lead him to assume at least some responsibility for the untimely demise--particularly since Archie had a certain amount of respect and even fondness for both the young women in question. Archie tends to be fairly flip and irreverent about pretty much everything, including murder, so it's nice to see him actually connect with the story on an emotional level.
Also, Wolfe gets hauled downtown by none other than Archie's nemesis, Lieutenant Rowcliff, with the expected results--namely, Wolfe loses his temper and fur flies.
The story here is actually pretty good, and the resolution of the mystery is neat and fairly creative. When Wolfe's investigation is not progressing rapidly enough for Archie's taste, Archie's obsession with finding the murderer leads him to offer his services to the police. This, in turn, allows him to be absent from the office and out of the loop with regard to Wolfe's own efforts. The end result is a reveal that is a surprise to the police and to Archie (who usually helps do the revealing).
Prichard's narration isn't strong enough to be an added bonus, but he does a decent enough job to make the audiobook a legitimate alternative for those so inclined.
The resolution of this particular mystery involves an assortment of towel-making execs, an attractive stylist of dubious talent, a comely (if slightly nutty and not terribly brave) widow, a handsome young South American, a young Hercules (Archie's description), and a slimy lawyer. There are, of course, an assortment of more familiar faces as well--freelance detective Saul Panzer, chef Fritz Brenner, Inspector Cramer, and Sergent Stebbins.
Archie's passion for this particular mystery lends a certain pathos to the story--which is by no means a universal characteristic of Stout's work. Many of Wolfe's jobs are just jobs; this one is personal. Not only does Archie feel responsible for the death of the young heiress; before long another attractive young woman is killed under circumstances that once again lead him to assume at least some responsibility for the untimely demise--particularly since Archie had a certain amount of respect and even fondness for both the young women in question. Archie tends to be fairly flip and irreverent about pretty much everything, including murder, so it's nice to see him actually connect with the story on an emotional level.
Also, Wolfe gets hauled downtown by none other than Archie's nemesis, Lieutenant Rowcliff, with the expected results--namely, Wolfe loses his temper and fur flies.
The story here is actually pretty good, and the resolution of the mystery is neat and fairly creative. When Wolfe's investigation is not progressing rapidly enough for Archie's taste, Archie's obsession with finding the murderer leads him to offer his services to the police. This, in turn, allows him to be absent from the office and out of the loop with regard to Wolfe's own efforts. The end result is a reveal that is a surprise to the police and to Archie (who usually helps do the revealing).
Prichard's narration isn't strong enough to be an added bonus, but he does a decent enough job to make the audiobook a legitimate alternative for those so inclined.
August 10, 2019
I know that I bang on and on about the characters Nero Wolfe and Archie Goodwin, but Stout displayed such genius in his portrayal of them. The reader cannot imagine Wolfe doing anything other than sitting in the brownstone house and gathering malefactors to him there to be denounced for their evil deeds, rather like a particularly large hungry spider gathering insects into its web.
Archie, on the other hand, is an Everyman character. Very intelligent, but not a genius, and street smart with it, the reader can visualize Archie making a living in many different fields. In this book, we get to see Archie in an alternative career as a police officer.
It all starts when a pert young woman rings the doorbell and announces to Archie that she wants to stay in the south room on the second floor until after June 30. Wolfe refuses to play along and orders Archie to escort her out. He does; she returns to her apartment and is promptly strangled. Archie therefore feels responsible; this responsibility is doubled later when another young woman is murdered.
Unable to wait while Wolfe drinks beer and plays with his orchids, Archie goes to his favorite city employee, Sgt. Purley Stebbins, and offers his services for the duration. While it is entertaining for the reader, naturally Archie and his fellow public servants make no headway in solving the murders (3 in total), and of course they all end up back at the brownstone for the denouement, as usual.
Archie, on the other hand, is an Everyman character. Very intelligent, but not a genius, and street smart with it, the reader can visualize Archie making a living in many different fields. In this book, we get to see Archie in an alternative career as a police officer.
It all starts when a pert young woman rings the doorbell and announces to Archie that she wants to stay in the south room on the second floor until after June 30. Wolfe refuses to play along and orders Archie to escort her out. He does; she returns to her apartment and is promptly strangled. Archie therefore feels responsible; this responsibility is doubled later when another young woman is murdered.
Unable to wait while Wolfe drinks beer and plays with his orchids, Archie goes to his favorite city employee, Sgt. Purley Stebbins, and offers his services for the duration. While it is entertaining for the reader, naturally Archie and his fellow public servants make no headway in solving the murders (3 in total), and of course they all end up back at the brownstone for the denouement, as usual.
October 10, 2018
This 21st (?) entry in the Nero Wolfe series was interesting because . 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.
May 18, 2023
This is now one of my favorite Nero Wolfe mysteries! It absolutely delighted me. Perfect pacing, especially marvelous dialog, awesome new characters, and a slam-bang finish. I very, very much enjoyed it.
July 13, 2020
Very good entry in the series, and it holds up beautifully. Wolfe and Archie never disappoint, and in this case their behaviors both with each other and the suspects/police are particularly fun to read. A murder is committed for which Archie feels responsible and he takes off on his own. Before it ends, he feels as though he caused a second death, Wolfe takes him on as a client and there is a classic bring-them-all-together in Wolfe's office. Only this is the deluxe version: not just the suspects, but Cramer and Purley, the entire DA's office, Nat Parker and Saul Panzer. If you haven't read any of the Wolfe books, this isn't the place to start. But if you do anyway, it will still be a great mystery.
Highly recommend.
Highly recommend.
May 30, 2023
I think my favorite thing about these mysteries is the relationship between Archie and Wolfe. Once you get to know them a bit, the dialogue is priceless. I laugh out loud often while reading.
July 17, 2020
Prior to reading this book, I saw its adaptation in the A&E TV series, "A Nero Wolfe Mystery," and, as always, I was impressed by how closely it stayed true to the original text.
When young cotton-towel heiress Priscilla Eads attempts to find sanctuary in Wolfe's home, she is firmly rebuffed. When she is ejected from Wolfe's brownstone, Inspector Cramer appears at Wolfe's front door the next morning informing the duo of she and her longtime maid were each found strangled to death.
While Wolfe appears unmoved, his legman Archie Goodwin is greatly affected by the woman's death and takes off on his own to find the murderer, eager to confront those connected to the victim, including a greedy board of directors, Eads' fortune-hunting ex-husband, the dead maid's embittered husband, and a reclusive, widowed childhood friend who also owns stock in Eads' company.
Touched by Archie's determination while also incensed by the precipitous actions of Archie's perennial nemesis, Lieutenant Rowcliff, Wolfe surprises everyone by taking on Archie as his client in the case.
I loved how the book opens with our two main characters in the midst of a feud over a tactless comment by Wolfe, which sets everything in motion. The story moves at a brisk pace and doesn't get too bogged down in talking heads, while showing different facets of Wolfe and Archie and their relationship. While I was moved by Archie's feeling of responsibility for Eads' death, the scenes between him and the widow Sarah Jaffe just about broke my heart. I did question his unsuccessful stratagem inspired by the childhood game of "prisoner's base" for a character's fate, but even Archie second-guesses those actions. I give the book four stars.
My favorite word in this novel: "nincompoopery."
#prisonersbase #mystery #whodunnit #nerowolfe #archiegoodwin #rexstout
When young cotton-towel heiress Priscilla Eads attempts to find sanctuary in Wolfe's home, she is firmly rebuffed. When she is ejected from Wolfe's brownstone, Inspector Cramer appears at Wolfe's front door the next morning informing the duo of she and her longtime maid were each found strangled to death.
While Wolfe appears unmoved, his legman Archie Goodwin is greatly affected by the woman's death and takes off on his own to find the murderer, eager to confront those connected to the victim, including a greedy board of directors, Eads' fortune-hunting ex-husband, the dead maid's embittered husband, and a reclusive, widowed childhood friend who also owns stock in Eads' company.
Touched by Archie's determination while also incensed by the precipitous actions of Archie's perennial nemesis, Lieutenant Rowcliff, Wolfe surprises everyone by taking on Archie as his client in the case.
I loved how the book opens with our two main characters in the midst of a feud over a tactless comment by Wolfe, which sets everything in motion. The story moves at a brisk pace and doesn't get too bogged down in talking heads, while showing different facets of Wolfe and Archie and their relationship. While I was moved by Archie's feeling of responsibility for Eads' death, the scenes between him and the widow Sarah Jaffe just about broke my heart. I did question his unsuccessful stratagem inspired by the childhood game of "prisoner's base" for a character's fate, but even Archie second-guesses those actions. I give the book four stars.
My favorite word in this novel: "nincompoopery."
#prisonersbase #mystery #whodunnit #nerowolfe #archiegoodwin #rexstout
April 22, 2025
A solid addition to the series, though it didn't have the usual amount of interactions between Wolfe and Goodwin. A woman wanted to hide out at the Wolfe estate, and Goodwin used her a bit to tweak Wolfe. Of course, she was asked to leave after a while. However, she was killed, and Goodwin took it personally. He even threatened to quit when Wolfe wouldn't get involved. After a while, Wolfe gets involved in a way where Goodwin is the client.
Recommended, it's a fun read, but the main reason to read these are the interactions between Goodwin and Wolfe. And since Goodwin is on his own a lot during this one, those interactions are fewer. Of course, it still has the big reveal with Wolfe doing his normal theatrics, which is fun.
Recommended, it's a fun read, but the main reason to read these are the interactions between Goodwin and Wolfe. And since Goodwin is on his own a lot during this one, those interactions are fewer. Of course, it still has the big reveal with Wolfe doing his normal theatrics, which is fun.
July 25, 2022
Me: I shouldn't reread this before bed because I know it features my number one fear of someone breaking into my apartment while I'm not there, hiding in a closet, and then attacking me when I return.
Also me: reads this book before bed
Me, immediately after: can't sleep
Me: shocked Pikachu face
Also me: reads this book before bed
Me, immediately after: can't sleep
Me: shocked Pikachu face
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 1, 2025
A fun mystery, more violent than typical, great until a slightly rushed end, and then became merely “good.“
July 12, 2015
I always enjoy reading the Nero Wolfe books. This one was satisfying, but I wouldn't rank it up there as one of the best. For one thing, it's fairly heavy on Archie and light on Wolfe, and I've realized that the interactions between them is one of the most enjoyable parts of the books for me -- there isn't so much of that here. The title of this book and the cover art don't really have much to do with the plot.
Plot Comments:
The middle of this book has an exciting part that, while I had a pretty good idea of how it would turn out, kept me turning the pages to find out. I normally enjoy Nero Wolfes for the character interactions and seeing how everything fits into place, but the "action" scene was a nice change of pace. However, I felt as though a lot of the sections detailing Archie's work with the police could have been trimmed; we didn't really learn anything important and it dragged. Like most Nero Wolfe novels I've read, the solution of the crime doesn't come down to the tiny details of the crime scene, but more about motive and the psychology of the killer. I wasn't totally satisfied with how it was resolved. The business aspects of the novel also seemed kind of unrealistic, but maybe that was part of the point regarding the possible motives of the board of directors.
The endings of these books are usually pretty abrupt after the denouement but there's often at least a paragraph or so of wrap-up. This one just ended right then and there.
**IMPORTANT NOTE! It has come to my attention (reading the Wikipedia article for the book) that: "Random House discovered in 2011 that most of the Bantam paperback editions of Prisoner's Base lack the final chapter (17), which is 1.5 pages in length in the hardcover editions. The Wolfe Pack, the Nero Wolfe literary society, took the liberty of providing the final chapter in PDF format on its website." Here it is: http://www.nerowolfe.org/pdf/corpus/B...
That's the sort of conclusion I was looking for. So the fault this time is on the publisher, not Stout.
Character Comments:
Sarah Jaffee is an interesting character. I didn't actually like Priscilla Eads at all, especially with her backstory, but Sarah was interesting -- not sympathetic exactly, but understandable, and she undergoes some character development after meeting with Archie.
Plot Comments:
The middle of this book has an exciting part that, while I had a pretty good idea of how it would turn out, kept me turning the pages to find out. I normally enjoy Nero Wolfes for the character interactions and seeing how everything fits into place, but the "action" scene was a nice change of pace. However, I felt as though a lot of the sections detailing Archie's work with the police could have been trimmed; we didn't really learn anything important and it dragged. Like most Nero Wolfe novels I've read, the solution of the crime doesn't come down to the tiny details of the crime scene, but more about motive and the psychology of the killer. I wasn't totally satisfied with how it was resolved. The business aspects of the novel also seemed kind of unrealistic, but maybe that was part of the point regarding the possible motives of the board of directors.
The endings of these books are usually pretty abrupt after the denouement but there's often at least a paragraph or so of wrap-up. This one just ended right then and there.
**IMPORTANT NOTE! It has come to my attention (reading the Wikipedia article for the book) that: "Random House discovered in 2011 that most of the Bantam paperback editions of Prisoner's Base lack the final chapter (17), which is 1.5 pages in length in the hardcover editions. The Wolfe Pack, the Nero Wolfe literary society, took the liberty of providing the final chapter in PDF format on its website." Here it is: http://www.nerowolfe.org/pdf/corpus/B...
That's the sort of conclusion I was looking for. So the fault this time is on the publisher, not Stout.
Character Comments:
Sarah Jaffee is an interesting character. I didn't actually like Priscilla Eads at all, especially with her backstory, but Sarah was interesting -- not sympathetic exactly, but understandable, and she undergoes some character development after meeting with Archie.
December 30, 2014
A casa di Nero Wolfe, questa volta, “Sulla soglia c’era un essere umano di sesso femminile, di vent’anni o poco più, provvisto di due occhi fuori ordinanza, di un bel personale sano, di una valigia di pelle meravigliosamente lustra e di una cappelliera.”
È una donna, in elegante abito color pesca, che resta misteriosa per poco e riesce a destare in Wolfe la sua proverbiale avversità per il genere femminile. Ovviamente, di tutt’altro avviso è Archie Goodwin, che ne resta all’istante sedotto, non solo dall’avvenenza, ma anche dal carattere deciso. Infatti, la donna misteriosa, che si rivela essere Priscilla Eads, ha le idee chiare su cosa pretende dagli inquilini della casa di arenaria sulla Trentacinquesima Ovest. Conosce a menadito la casa e sa in quale stanza alloggerà per una settimana. In lei è tutto mistero e seduzione, peccato che non vada a genio a Wolfe, che la mette alla porta e, quindi, il cuore infranto di Archie Goodwin può solo sognare la tenerezza di quel sentimento, che avrebbe potuto essere.
Perché Priscilla Eads voleva alloggiare in casa Wolfe e non in un albergo? Forse ha sentito parlare della cucina di Fritz Brenner, il cuoco svizzero francofono, di cui l’investigatore privato Nero Wolfe si pregia di essere il padrone? O forse è perché, se lei fosse rimasta, Archie Goodwin avrebbe avuto vita facile e sarebbe stato ricambiato dalla gentil donzella?
Non lo sapremo mai, perché qualcuno trama contro di lei. Infatti, prima viene trovata morta la sua domestica, poi la stessa Priscilla.
Per il misogino Nero Wolfe, le donne acquistano importanza solo da morte, poiché lui è un investigatore specializzato in omicidi.
Tra fantastiche orchidee, la verità viene alla luce, un petalo dopo l’altro, un indizio dopo l’altro, perché niente è impossibile per Nero Wolfe.
http://youtu.be/-npu1xG4pd0
October 24, 2020
Updating after listening to the Audible audiobook read by Michael Prichard. All of the things I enjoyed about reading the story are just as good when the book is read aloud. Archie is the soul of this story and his anger really comes through. I definitely recommend this edition.
Having seen the Timothy Hutton series' episode of this story, I was looking forward to seeing how it holds up against the book itself. I wasn't disappointed, but I actually liked the book better than the show. Even though the show was well realized, the book provides so much more detail and nuance due to the lack of time limits. There's also the fact that the book is at least 75% Archie Goodwin since the case belongs to him. We rarely get to see him being as active in a case as he is here. His frustration and anger are better realized in the book, and I could still read it in Hutton's voice in order to get the most out of it. Being familiar with the story, I got to anticipate the various plot twists, which added a bit of suspense. It was a very "satisfactory" experience and I would recommend this book without hesitation.
Having seen the Timothy Hutton series' episode of this story, I was looking forward to seeing how it holds up against the book itself. I wasn't disappointed, but I actually liked the book better than the show. Even though the show was well realized, the book provides so much more detail and nuance due to the lack of time limits. There's also the fact that the book is at least 75% Archie Goodwin since the case belongs to him. We rarely get to see him being as active in a case as he is here. His frustration and anger are better realized in the book, and I could still read it in Hutton's voice in order to get the most out of it. Being familiar with the story, I got to anticipate the various plot twists, which added a bit of suspense. It was a very "satisfactory" experience and I would recommend this book without hesitation.
October 1, 2015
An uninvited "guest" appears on Nero Wolfe's doorstep. Archie knows that Wolfe will not accept a female in his home, especially one who won't give him her name. Later, a man comes by to contract Godwin and Wolfe to find his ward before June 30th. The same date that the young woman locked in Wolfe's 3rd floor room had stated as the date she wanted to stay through. When Archie sees the picture of the missing woman, Pre Eads, he knows it's the young woman he had interviewed earlier. When her guardian leaves, Nero sends for the Eads woman and throws her out.
A few hours later, Pre Eads is found strangled on her living room floor. Her maid had been strangled in the same manner a few hours earlier to get Ead's key. Archie feels responsible and finds himself a Nero Wolfe client. Who wanted Pre dead? And why is the date June 30th so important?
Classic Rex Stout. Fun and humorous read.
A few hours later, Pre Eads is found strangled on her living room floor. Her maid had been strangled in the same manner a few hours earlier to get Ead's key. Archie feels responsible and finds himself a Nero Wolfe client. Who wanted Pre dead? And why is the date June 30th so important?
Classic Rex Stout. Fun and humorous read.
July 11, 2018
I've not read as many of these Nero Wolfe whodunnits to give me a feel for the series and how it progresses.
This one, as usual (?) with more action by assistant Archie Goodwin than by the wilfully house-bound Wolfe, is a good, solid, crime novel involving dames, inheritance, deaths, and a smallish circles of suspects, likely beneficiaries from a murder. Smart and amusing. Likeable recurring characters, and a good twist at the end. Solid, but certainly 4* at best.
The GR blurb:
'Hours after Priscilla Eads pleads with him to take her case, Nero Wolfe is shocked to find out that she was murdered, and soon he is investigating her fortune-hunting husband and greedy business.'
This one, as usual (?) with more action by assistant Archie Goodwin than by the wilfully house-bound Wolfe, is a good, solid, crime novel involving dames, inheritance, deaths, and a smallish circles of suspects, likely beneficiaries from a murder. Smart and amusing. Likeable recurring characters, and a good twist at the end. Solid, but certainly 4* at best.
The GR blurb:
'Hours after Priscilla Eads pleads with him to take her case, Nero Wolfe is shocked to find out that she was murdered, and soon he is investigating her fortune-hunting husband and greedy business.'
January 23, 2022
An heiress-to-be is murdered before she can inherit, and there are many who would profit by her demise. I'm never able to figure out who the murderer is in these books, but they're always interesting. I especially like the gathering of the suspects in Wolfe's office while he quizzes them.
December 4, 2019
Most Nero Wolfe mysteries are "light." Yes, there's been a murder, but it's off-stage or we don't know the character well enough to care. That's not the case with Prisoner's Base. Archie Goodwin cares and so do we. This is one of my favorite Nero Wolfe novels.
June 5, 2010
See my review of "Full House" for comments
January 31, 2013
Archie's heart wins out and Nero Wolfe takes him on as a client to find a murderer who claimed a young lady's life. A touching story and lots of great characters.
February 9, 2024
Increased rating from 4 to 5 as I read this book after a gap of 7 years and found it as enthralling .
June 16, 2015
Stellar!
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