The White Mountain

Rex Stout's Nero Wolfe Mysteries #18

by Robert Goldsborough

An epicurean mystery featuring the iconic sleuth and his sidekick from the author who "brings Nero Wolfe, late of Rex Stout, gloriously back to life" (Chicago magazine).
 
A dark cloud has fallen over Nero Wolfe's New York brownstone. For days, house chef Fritz Brenner has worn a worried expression, caused by the news from back home in Switzerland that his beloved cousin is missing. When a hired detective on the ground is unable to turn up any leads, Fritz takes it upon himself to return to Geneva and launch his own investigation. However, when Fritz himself goes missing, it's up to Wolfe and his faithful assistant Archie Goodwin to travel to Geneva and save the day.
 
Despite the disruptions of international travel, which are particularly intense for an enormous private detective who rarely, if ever, leaves his 59th Street home, the trip goes relatively smoothly—that is, until they reach their destination and Archie's puzzling inquest begins. He soon uncovers a tangled case that straddles the French-Swiss border in the shadow of Mont Blanc, and an underground network that will stop at nothing—not even murder—to preserve its secrets.
 
Praise for Robert Goldsborough's Nero Wolfe Mysteries
 
"Goldsborough has all of the late writer's stylistic mannerisms down pat." —The New York Times
 
"Fans of that fat genius, Nero Wolfe, and his indomitable sidekick, Archie Goodwin, will be gratified by this stylish revival." —Publishers Weekly
 
"Goldsborough does a masterly job with the Wolfe legacy." —Booklist
 

178 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 2, 2025

About the author

Robert Goldsborough is an American author of mystery novels. He was born in 1937 and grew up in the Chicago area. Although he worked for 45 years for the Chicago Tribune and Advertising Age, he first came to prominence in the 1980s with the publication, with the approval of the estate of Rex Stout, of his Nero Wolfe mystery Murder in E Minor. Written privately for his mother back in 1978, shortly after the death of Stout, creator of the Wolfe stories, the novel received a Nero Award.

Six other Nero Wolfe books followed from Goldsborough, all favorably received. However, more recently he has turned his attention to creating books with his own characters, beginning with Three Strikes You're Dead, a novel set in pre-war Chicago, and starring Steve Malek, a reporter for the Tribune.

Series:
* Nero Wolfe Novels by Robert Goldsborough
* Snap Malek Mystery

Reviews

[Brad Ost · Rating 1 out of 5]

Another Disappointment

When these books get down to 2.99 I go ahead and buy it I am so desperate for a Goodwin/Wolfe fix. But always with Goldsborough it is a bitter disappointment. Perhaps he writes good mysteries of his own invention but these Wolfe imitations are awful. Too much dialogue between Wolfe and Archie, too many unnecessary adjectives and synonyms. When Archie is playing cards it’s really the pasteboards?? This latest attempt is seemingly just filler. While stout was not great on plots at least the relationship between Archie and Wolfe riveted our attention. This was more travelogue than mystery and the denouement was weak. I’m sure Mr Goldsborough is a wonderful person but he should never have been Stout’s successor. Ace Atkinson replacing Robert Parker was perfect. This is rarely even adequate. Does the Stout estate not even read this material?

[Abibliofob · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have been a small fan of Nero Wolfe since the early eighties, now I have become a big fan. I match his 1/7th of a ton. Rex Stout created some great characters when he came up with this New York based detective. I have always liked the language and humor and was pleasantly surprised when I saw that Robert Goldsborough took up the challenge to continue the series. The first was an atempt to modernise somewhat but he was soon back in the right groove. The White Mountain is the latest and 18th of his. I can tell you it's really good. Wolfe is not a fan of movement and if I recollect correctly this is only the second time he leaves the US for Europe. If you haven't read any of these adventures I recommend that you go back and start with Fer de lance the first book about this peculiar detective.

[Tim Blackburn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Comfort Food for the Brain

I sincerely appreciate Mr Goldsborough continuing the Nero Wolfe adventures for the past 39 years. I love his skill in constructing new Nero Wolfe mysteries and eagerly await each new release. This adventure, written in 2025, finds our dynamic duo (Nero Wolfe and Archie Goodwin) embroiled in a thorny mystery originating in Geneva but spilling over the French border. Fritz Brenner disappearing in Geneva forced Nero Wolfe to actually fly overseas and ride in cars not driven by Archie!! A fun mystery that created a strong sense of nostalgia for me. I read my first Nero Wolfe mystery in 1978 and Mr Goldsborough's works are pure joy for me!!

[Delia Binder · Rating 5 out of 5]

goldsboro is increasingly improving his Rex Stout imitation

In the early going, Robert Goldsborough's impersonation of Rex Stout was competent, if not spot on. As he is go on writing more Nero Wolfe pastiches, he has gotten better at getting narrator Archie Goodwin's voice down, though he's added a few touches of his own in the form of expanding Archie's "Friend With Benefits" Lily Rowan's character and Archie's own background.

This story, in which Nero Wolfe and Archie Goodwin travel to Switzerland to rescue wolves cook/Housekeeper Fritz Brenner, along with his missing cousin, stands among Goldsborough's best, partially because it shows Wolfe outside his normal NYC stomping grounds, and Archie once again having to adapt in a country where he doesn't speak the language. I was a bit surprised at the ease of which Archie carried his gun around, and even more surprised to see Wolfe packing heat(!), but the story wisely has Archie just as shocked as we are... and inclined to mock Wolfe's unusual behavior as an action hero! It's clear that Archie at least partially does this to annoy Wolfe out of his own sense of shock, though I wish that Nero Wolfe had said, even in passing, that he was far more experienced in combat than Archie gave him credit for.

[Bmj2k · Rating 2 out of 5]

This not a Nero Wolfe book.

Nero seems to have been replaced by a very complacent and relaxed duplicate.
Normally, Nero Wolfe traveling around the globe in airplanes, riding in numerous cars driven by strangers, eating food prepared by strangers, and trekking outdoors and conducting a commando raid on a cabin would be accompanied by innumerable complaints, outbursts of pfui!, and discomfort heaped upon indignation.

Not in this book.

Nero never complains. The furniture is generally adequate. The air travel is satisfactory. The car rides are quiet. The food is palatable. A Nero Wolfe book where the main character is content in the face of hardship is not a Nero Wolfe book. There is not even one reference to the bank balance despite the case being very expensive with no client to bill. Nero is footing the entire adventure voluntarily, his own idea.

Wolfe is generally accommodating and polite, barely giving Archie a hard time over anything. For a case where Nero fires a gun and possibly kills a man, this book is surprisingly sedate and calm.

[Pat Plummer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Adventure!!

I received the notice of the publication of the white mountain this morning and had indulged myself all day with it. It is a terrific adventure story, showing sides of Fritz and wolf that have never been seen before. It is great to see the great detective growingin his skills, and seeing Fritz as a much more human character.

I have been reading the series since I was in high school in 1959, and have read many numerous numerous times. Always I’m glad to return to my favorites.

[Amy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Leaving aside the numerous errors in the Kindle edition of the book, the writing in general was flat and repetitive. Either his advancing years have caught up with Goldsborough (he is 88), or the book was written by someone else under his name. Goldsborough’s previous Nero Wolfe books were more than equal to the task of following in the path of the late Rex Stout, but this book lacks any sparkle or snap.

[Adam Bernard · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nero Wolfe in a very un-Wolfian story

I’ve read the author’s Nero Wolfe books previously, and this continues to show a pretty decent characterization of both Nero and Archie, but the story itself seemed like it was written by a completely different author. Very little mystery, very little suspense, only a hint of humor, and rather uninteresting characters.

[Pat · Rating 3 out of 5]

many errors.

Some of which seem poor English…would where were should have been. Not really typographical errors it seems.
Otherwise a fair imitation of Rex Stout’s perfect series.

[Barry Klayman · Rating 5 out of 5]

The plot is a little simplistic, the crime underlying the action not explained that well, but reading a Wolfe-Goodwin story is like visiting with old friends. Goldsborough has the characters and their interaction down pat. A pleasure to see them in action.

[Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

enjoyable and fast paced read.

I very much enjoyed the story line and had a hard time putting it down when I had to. I must admit that the characters and their speech was a bit off from the previous books.
Nevertheless, thanks for a good read!

[Charles Gory · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another Nero Wolfe gem

Fun read. Nice to see Fritz get some development. Golsborough has expanded the corpus in a meaningful way that Wolfe fans will enjoy.

[Gene · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another enjoyable entry in the Nero Wolfe saga.

[Hugh Heinsohn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great fun. Goldsborough does a wonderful job of capturing Stout’s voice.

[Thad Allen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A different Wolfe book. Nero Wolfe not only leaves the brownstone but travels to Geneva.