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Rex Stout's Nero Wolfe Mysteries #11
Stop the Presses!
Nero Wolfe and Archie Goodwin are tasked with protecting the most hated columnist in New York City
There are few people Nero Wolfe respects, and Lon Cohen of the New York Gazette is one of them. So when Cohen asks for a favor, the famously brilliant—and notoriously lazy—detective is inclined to listen. According to Cohen, someone wants to kill the Gazette’s gossip columnist, Cameron Clay. Death threats are a regular hazard for Clay, who’s hurled insults and accusations at every bold-faced name in the five boroughs. But the latest threats have carried a more sinister tone.
The columnist has narrowed his potential killers down to five people: an egomaniacal developer, a disgraced cop, a corrupt councilman, a sleazy lawyer, and his ex-wife. But when Clay turns up dead, the cops deem it a suicide. The bigwigs at the Gazette don’t agree, so they retain Wolfe and his indefatigable assistant, Archie Goodwin, to figure out which of the suspects had the mettle to pull the trigger.
There are few people Nero Wolfe respects, and Lon Cohen of the New York Gazette is one of them. So when Cohen asks for a favor, the famously brilliant—and notoriously lazy—detective is inclined to listen. According to Cohen, someone wants to kill the Gazette’s gossip columnist, Cameron Clay. Death threats are a regular hazard for Clay, who’s hurled insults and accusations at every bold-faced name in the five boroughs. But the latest threats have carried a more sinister tone.
The columnist has narrowed his potential killers down to five people: an egomaniacal developer, a disgraced cop, a corrupt councilman, a sleazy lawyer, and his ex-wife. But when Clay turns up dead, the cops deem it a suicide. The bigwigs at the Gazette don’t agree, so they retain Wolfe and his indefatigable assistant, Archie Goodwin, to figure out which of the suspects had the mettle to pull the trigger.
346 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 8, 2016
496 people are currently reading
460 people want to read
About the author
Robert Goldsborough
45 books249 followersRobert 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
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
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 109 reviews
March 8, 2022
Rex Stout's "Nero Wolfe" books - set in the middle years of the 20th century - are among my favorite light mysteries. Wolfe is an eccentric, obese private detective who lives in a brownstone in New York City; almost never leaves his house; spends four hours a day tending his orchids; has a chef who prepares delicious gourmet meals; loves beer; and employs Archie Goodwin as his assistant, legman, and gadfly.
Nero Wolfe
Archie Goodwin
Stout's last Nero Wolfe book was published over 40 years ago, so - when I saw this 2016 pastiche by Robert Goldsborough available as an audiobook on Hoopla - I decided to give it a try.
The plot: It's the 1970s and Cameron Clay - who writes the "Stop the Presses" gossip column for the New York Gazette - has been getting death threats. This isn't surprising since Clay makes it his mission to insult and embarrass New York's better known citizens - and to expose what he thinks are illegal and immoral acts.
"Stop the Presses" is the most popular feature in The Gazette, so Lon Cohen - the paper's editor - asks Nero Wolfe if he would speak to Clay, assess the level of danger, and make appropriate suggestions. Wolfe gets Saul Panzer - the best free-lance operative in New York - to provide an in-depth profile of Clay, after which Wolfe agrees to see the journalist.
When Clay shows up at Wolfe's house - looking and sounding ill - he explains that he's been getting menacing phone calls, but can't identify the speaker from the muffled voice. The columnist does, however, provide a list of five 'suspects' who wish him dead:
- Mike Tobin - a cop who lost his job and went to prison after Clay tagged him for beating up suspects.
- Kerwin Andrews - a builder and developer who lost a big project after Clay revealed his shoddy construction methods.
- Millard Beardsley - A Harlem city councilman whom Clay has accused of taking bribes and putting the 'financial squeeze' on his constituents.
- Roswell Stokes - a shifty lawyer who's been pilloried repeatedly in Clay's column.
- Serena Sanchez - an opera singer who was married to Clay. She's publicly declared that she'd like to kill her ex-husband.
Wolfe tells Clay he can't help him, and suggests the columnist get private security or contact the police - but Clay refuses to do either. Cut to the chase, and Clay is found shot dead in his apartment. The cops quickly rule it a suicide, but the publishers of The Gazette think Clay was murdered, and hire Wolfe to expose the killer.
The story slows down at this point as Archie schemes to get each of the five 'suspects' to Wolfe's house for an interview - one at a time, over a series of evenings. Wolfe has a rule about hospitality under his roof, so there's a lot of blather about Archie taking hats and coats, making everyone drinks, seeing people in and out, etc. Of course every 'suspect' complains about Clay doing them wrong, and each one proclaims their innocence (naturally). Wolfe's 'frenemy' in the police department, Inspector Cramer, also shows up -
to warn Wolfe not to embarrass the cops.
In between Wolfe's interviews, Archie attends a weekend soirée at the country estate of his wealthy girlfriend, Lily Rowan. The party includes playing cards, dining, and dancing, and Serena Sanchez - who's a guest - does some serious flirting with Archie.
After Wolfe speaks to all the persons of interest he mulls things over.....and eventually resolves the case. Now Archie has to, once again, persuade all the relevant people to come to Wolfe's house for the big reveal. Thus, there's more politeness and drink-making and so on. All this cajoling and cordiality serves to pad a rather thin plot and minimal mystery.
This book isn't a great addition to the Nero Wolfe collection, but it's fun to visit with some favorite characters. For that reason, I'd recommend the book to fans of the series.
I don't think you have to start with book one to enjoy these stories. You can just jump in anywhere, and the author will catch you up very quickly.
I do have one HUGE problem with the book. All the Nero Wolfe books are narrated in the first person by Archie Goodwin - a Midwestern boy whose accent would be 'neutral.' However, "Stop the Presses!" is read by Peter Berkrot, a New Englander who has a refined, rather poncy accent (he almost sounds British). This is absolutely inauthentic (I'd say terrible) for Archie, and kept pulling me right out of the story. I think a different narrator should be found for future Nero Wolfe audiobooks.
You can follow my reviews at https://reviewsbybarbsaffer.blogspot....
November 30, 2015
I want to start this review by revealing my prejudices so you know why I reviewed it this way.
1. I dislike series that take over the work of other authors. I'm sure That V.C. Andrews ghost writer has written more books than VC Andrews did. I don't want someone to tell me what happened to Scarlett or Rhett unless you're Margaret Mitchell. I've heard that Dick Francis' son and Tony Hillerman's daughter have done good jobs on picking up the story lines. Still I though Robert Goldsborough has been writing these books 28 years now so someone must like them.
2. I love Nero Wolfe. In the 80's, before the Internet (yes, Virginia, there was such a time), I used to haunt used book stores trying to find copies of his books. It was like a giant scavenger hunt that I loved playing. Those ragged, tattered novels still are on my bookshelf where I find a great deal of pleasure knowing I completed my quest.
So, I thought I would give this a try and I was wrong to do so. I was disappointed from beginning to end. The author moved the time period to the 70's which was a wise thing for him to do. Still I loathed the book from beginning to end. The plot, such as it was, was ridiculous. The Nero Wolfe I know would never have taken on this "case". The modernized language was jarring. The books Wolfe was supposedly reading were wrong. He never would have read them. I could go on and on. I could cite silly dialogue, characters who never come to life and, of course, the lack of suspense or plot but I won't.
I understand why the author writes these rip-offs and why the family authorizes them but why would any fan read them? It's beyond me.
1. I dislike series that take over the work of other authors. I'm sure That V.C. Andrews ghost writer has written more books than VC Andrews did. I don't want someone to tell me what happened to Scarlett or Rhett unless you're Margaret Mitchell. I've heard that Dick Francis' son and Tony Hillerman's daughter have done good jobs on picking up the story lines. Still I though Robert Goldsborough has been writing these books 28 years now so someone must like them.
2. I love Nero Wolfe. In the 80's, before the Internet (yes, Virginia, there was such a time), I used to haunt used book stores trying to find copies of his books. It was like a giant scavenger hunt that I loved playing. Those ragged, tattered novels still are on my bookshelf where I find a great deal of pleasure knowing I completed my quest.
So, I thought I would give this a try and I was wrong to do so. I was disappointed from beginning to end. The author moved the time period to the 70's which was a wise thing for him to do. Still I loathed the book from beginning to end. The plot, such as it was, was ridiculous. The Nero Wolfe I know would never have taken on this "case". The modernized language was jarring. The books Wolfe was supposedly reading were wrong. He never would have read them. I could go on and on. I could cite silly dialogue, characters who never come to life and, of course, the lack of suspense or plot but I won't.
I understand why the author writes these rip-offs and why the family authorizes them but why would any fan read them? It's beyond me.
September 16, 2017
Nero and Archie trying to figure out who killed the gossip columnist for NY Gazette. Lon Cohen of the Gazette gets plenty of "screen time" in this book. I enjoyed seeing Lily Rowan again. An enjoyable read.
March 8, 2016
I have read books on Nero Wolf most of my life, many of them several times. I have been reading a few written by the current author which I believe have caught the essence of the characters. I do notice a slight difference that does not take away from my pleasure. Nero Wolf does a favor for Lon Cohen of the Gazette. He ends with a possible case of murder or is it a suicide? A popular Gazette columnist insists someone is trying to kill him. He names five persons who dislike him as possible culprits. Later the columnist is found dead and Inspector Cramer maintains that it is suicide. Others feel it was murder. I recommend this book.
Disclosure: I received a free copy from Open Road Integrated Media for an honest review. I would like to thank them for this opportunity to read and review the book. The opinions are my own.
Disclosure: I received a free copy from Open Road Integrated Media for an honest review. I would like to thank them for this opportunity to read and review the book. The opinions are my own.
July 8, 2016
If you know something about Rex Stout’s classic mystery series starring Nero Wolfe and his narrator and legman, Archie Goodwin, you will be glad to have another of Robert Goldsborough’s continuation of Stout’s extraordinary series.
To continue such a well known and often read – I read through the Nero Wolfe mystery series once a decade and happen to be part way through now – can be hazardous and doomed, but Goldsborough has been able to write as if he were the master himself.
And it’s difficult to write a differing plot than the 40 odd originals and the numerous offerings Goldsborough has already completed, but this new mystery shows Goldsborough’s imagination and ability to use the characters created by Stout decades ago to give us an intriguing plot and surprise ending.
This time, it’s Lon Cohen, Nero Wolfe’s and Archie Goodwin’s old editor friend, who needs help. The gossip columnist for his paper has told the staff he has received threatening phone calls and thinks one of five people he has attacked in his column might be responsible. Cohen wants Wolfe to talk to him.
Wolfe, of course, has no desire to talk to such a fellow, but it’s Lon Cohen, after all asking, and so he hears the gossip columnist out.
Soon after, the man is dead.
But is it murder, as the paper’s owner thinks it is? Or suicide, as the police have gathered?
That’s what Nero Wolfe and Archie Goodwin are hired by the owner to discover – and you can too – in this not to be missed page turner of an addition to one of the most famous mystery series we have.
To continue such a well known and often read – I read through the Nero Wolfe mystery series once a decade and happen to be part way through now – can be hazardous and doomed, but Goldsborough has been able to write as if he were the master himself.
And it’s difficult to write a differing plot than the 40 odd originals and the numerous offerings Goldsborough has already completed, but this new mystery shows Goldsborough’s imagination and ability to use the characters created by Stout decades ago to give us an intriguing plot and surprise ending.
This time, it’s Lon Cohen, Nero Wolfe’s and Archie Goodwin’s old editor friend, who needs help. The gossip columnist for his paper has told the staff he has received threatening phone calls and thinks one of five people he has attacked in his column might be responsible. Cohen wants Wolfe to talk to him.
Wolfe, of course, has no desire to talk to such a fellow, but it’s Lon Cohen, after all asking, and so he hears the gossip columnist out.
Soon after, the man is dead.
But is it murder, as the paper’s owner thinks it is? Or suicide, as the police have gathered?
That’s what Nero Wolfe and Archie Goodwin are hired by the owner to discover – and you can too – in this not to be missed page turner of an addition to one of the most famous mystery series we have.
December 11, 2023
Bland, mediocre, and forgettable but it's hard to get me to dislike a Nero Wolfe book.
June 13, 2021
Stop the Presses! (Rex Stout's Nero Wolfe Mysteries #11) by Robert Goldsborough.
A nationally acclaimed columnist (Cameron Clay) as well as equally hated requests Nero's help in finding the culprit behind threatening phone calls he's been receiving. Clay names 5 people with the deepest animosity towards him. Shortly after this visit to the brownstone he's found by his assistant shot through the head in his home.
Cramer and the New York city Police Dept. claim it was a suicide. Ashton Cordwell and Eric Haverhill of the Gazette engaged Nero in deducing the person responsible for Clay's murder.
I thought I had the answer to this mystery and found myself to be 100% wrong. Another excellent addition to my N.W. library.
A nationally acclaimed columnist (Cameron Clay) as well as equally hated requests Nero's help in finding the culprit behind threatening phone calls he's been receiving. Clay names 5 people with the deepest animosity towards him. Shortly after this visit to the brownstone he's found by his assistant shot through the head in his home.
Cramer and the New York city Police Dept. claim it was a suicide. Ashton Cordwell and Eric Haverhill of the Gazette engaged Nero in deducing the person responsible for Clay's murder.
I thought I had the answer to this mystery and found myself to be 100% wrong. Another excellent addition to my N.W. library.
July 10, 2017
#58 in the Nero Wolfe series (#11 by author Goldsborough after the death of series originator Rex Stout, who wrote the first 47 series entries). A minor, though still enjoyable and entertaining, novel in the series. This entry is set in the late 1970s, evident by Wolfe's reading material Roots by Alex Haley, All Creatures Great and Small by James Herriott and 84, Charing Cross Road by Helene Hanff, all published in the 1970s (what significance does the authors names beginning with the letter H have?) and a reference to the death of Walter Winchell a number of years earlier - he died in 1972. There is very little action in the novel leaving all up to the cerebration of Wolfe. Archie has several occasions to squire socialite Lily Rowen and has the opportunity to learn to dance the Habanera.
Nero Wolfe series - Lon Cohen of the New York Gazette asks for Wolfe's help after his paper's most-read and most-notorious writer, Cameron Clay, receives death threats. Since Clay's column routinely ruffles feathers, that's not an unusual occurrence, but the writer views the current threats as more serious. Wolfe agrees to meet with Clay and gets a list of the five people most likely to pose a danger to him, including a real estate magnate and Clay's diva ex-wife. But after the columnist rejects protection, he's found dead of a gunshot wound, and the Gazette's publisher asks Wolfe to challenge the police's verdict of suicide.
Nero Wolfe series - Lon Cohen of the New York Gazette asks for Wolfe's help after his paper's most-read and most-notorious writer, Cameron Clay, receives death threats. Since Clay's column routinely ruffles feathers, that's not an unusual occurrence, but the writer views the current threats as more serious. Wolfe agrees to meet with Clay and gets a list of the five people most likely to pose a danger to him, including a real estate magnate and Clay's diva ex-wife. But after the columnist rejects protection, he's found dead of a gunshot wound, and the Gazette's publisher asks Wolfe to challenge the police's verdict of suicide.
February 13, 2017
This is my first Robert Goldsborough Nero Wolfe. Were it not for the critical aclaim for the earlier volumes, it would be my last. I will try one of those before I completely dismiss Goldsborough. This novel is shallow, simple minded and full of meaningless filler such as extensive drink orders filled by Archie the bartender. Wolfe's incisive questioning of suspects is nonexistent. Of course part of that is because the suspects don't know anything. Wolfe calling everyone together at the end is completely pointless other than as an exercise in ego and control. Those who did not want to be there did not need to be there. Then the book continued its meandering course long after the dénouement and after I had lost all interest.
December 7, 2019
Read 2 times
November 2, 2019
I guess everyone is entitled to a clunker from time to time. I have read all the Nero Wolfe's by Rex Stout and am working my way through the ones written by Robert Goldsborough. This one is definitely the only clunker I've read so far. It just doesn't have the oomph or genius of Nero solving a murder.
October 25, 2020
Not quite Rex Stout but an ok read. Of course no writer can totally emulate another writer’s style. And since I started reading Rex Stout’s Nero Wolfe books (and fell totally in love with Archie!) when I was very young, I might be rather biased. So you should take my opinion with a grain of salt. 😊
So maybe 2 1/2 stars.
So maybe 2 1/2 stars.
February 26, 2025
This is the 11th book in the Goldsborough Nero Wolfe series and is set in the 1970’s.
Nero Wolfe was hired by the Gazette Newspaper to identify the murderer of one of their most popular columnists.
A challenge for Archie to get all of the potential suspects to see Nero Wolfe.
Nero Wolfe was hired by the Gazette Newspaper to identify the murderer of one of their most popular columnists.
A challenge for Archie to get all of the potential suspects to see Nero Wolfe.
January 21, 2025
I suppose with a series, even a mystery series, there comes a point where readers pick up the next book to spend time with the characters rather than specifically for the individual story. That was rather how I felt about this book. A lot of time is spent with Archie Goodwin making arrangements and doing his work, Nero Wolfe ordering and drinking beer, and other characters making appearances and doing their appointed thing. That's not necessarily bad, and I enjoyed the book overall, but it also doesn't make for a riveting mystery story. In short, this book is atmospheric and features many character appearances, but it's not the best mystery Nero Wolfe has ever been tasked with (I'm with Archie: I'll use tasked as a verb over Mr. Wolfe's objections).
June 24, 2017
I'm a huge fan of Rex Stout and usually, Robert Goldsborough does a decent job of continuing the Nero Wolfe series. But this one was kind of lazy. It felt like he went through the motions of the usual routines of Wolfe, Archie and the usual cast of characters but was thin on plot and character. To put it in terms a Nero Wolfe fan can appreciate: I was hoping for a delectable Shad Roe prepared by Fritz and all I got was a club sandwich and a glass of milk.
However, all the familiar conventions one comes to expect from a Nero Wolfe novel are there, and it's still fun to visit that world and sit down with these old friends from time to time. So, I don't consider it a waste of time; even a weakly plotted Wolfe adventure is still a good read.
However, all the familiar conventions one comes to expect from a Nero Wolfe novel are there, and it's still fun to visit that world and sit down with these old friends from time to time. So, I don't consider it a waste of time; even a weakly plotted Wolfe adventure is still a good read.
August 20, 2019
It’s not Archie...
Or Wolfe, Saul, Fritz, Cramer or Lily either. This is not a very good book, and if you enjoy the Nero Wolfe books, as I do, this will be like eating McDonalds when you were expecting filet mignon at a good steak house. Wish there was a way to give 0 stars!
Or Wolfe, Saul, Fritz, Cramer or Lily either. This is not a very good book, and if you enjoy the Nero Wolfe books, as I do, this will be like eating McDonalds when you were expecting filet mignon at a good steak house. Wish there was a way to give 0 stars!
July 28, 2017
Robert Goldsborough has taken on a very difficult task in continuing Rex Stout's classic series of Nero Wolfe mysteries.
I've read and re-read dozens of Stout's books and consider Nero Wolfe and Archie Goodwin among my favorite fictional characters, bar none. So, Goldsborough has the challenge of satisfying readers like me who are somewhat rabid fans of the original characters in the classic series (written in the 1030's-1960's). And, it was strictly out of longing for "just a little more Nero Wolfe" that I initially picked up one of Goldsborough's contemporary Wolfe stories.
I have now read at least a half dozen of Goldsborough's books and there is no doubt that he's captured the tone of the pair's relationship, the arrogance and brilliance of the great detective, and also mastered the domestic routine in Wolfe's townhouse that makes the books so much fun. Some of the "new' Wolfe books are quite good, but this one just seemed to go through the paces for me and never really found its stride. I was mildly bored with the story---suspicious of it from the start (and I am not the kind of reader that ever figures out "who dun it" in a detective novel) -- and let down by the repartee between Wolfe and Goodwin. Wolfe's use of the English language and literary references were not up to snuff in this book, and Archie's relationship with his gal pal, Lily, just didn't feel right to me.
So, in summary, I didn't feel this was Mr. Goldsborough's best effort. I won't give up on the series but would not recommend this as a place to start if you were not familiar with his work.
I've read and re-read dozens of Stout's books and consider Nero Wolfe and Archie Goodwin among my favorite fictional characters, bar none. So, Goldsborough has the challenge of satisfying readers like me who are somewhat rabid fans of the original characters in the classic series (written in the 1030's-1960's). And, it was strictly out of longing for "just a little more Nero Wolfe" that I initially picked up one of Goldsborough's contemporary Wolfe stories.
I have now read at least a half dozen of Goldsborough's books and there is no doubt that he's captured the tone of the pair's relationship, the arrogance and brilliance of the great detective, and also mastered the domestic routine in Wolfe's townhouse that makes the books so much fun. Some of the "new' Wolfe books are quite good, but this one just seemed to go through the paces for me and never really found its stride. I was mildly bored with the story---suspicious of it from the start (and I am not the kind of reader that ever figures out "who dun it" in a detective novel) -- and let down by the repartee between Wolfe and Goodwin. Wolfe's use of the English language and literary references were not up to snuff in this book, and Archie's relationship with his gal pal, Lily, just didn't feel right to me.
So, in summary, I didn't feel this was Mr. Goldsborough's best effort. I won't give up on the series but would not recommend this as a place to start if you were not familiar with his work.
September 22, 2021
Another wholly satisfying journey into the world of Nero Wolfe and Archie Goodwin. I'm so very glad that Goldsborough has continued the cases of these magnificent detectives, and he has done it so very well. I gobble up each book as it appear on my radar. (I'm a wee tad behind, you might have noticed.)
It is true that the "formula" for a good Wolfe mystery is a murder, a client, a list of suspects who are grilled individually, and a denouement involving all of the characters plus Inspector Cramer and Sgt. Stebbins. We often get to see operative Saul Panzer, the Gazette executive Lon Cohen, and the delectable Lily Rowan. The skill in creating these mysteries is to keep them fresh and interesting, not in spite of the characters and their quirks, but because of them. Rex Stout managed this trick for decades, and Goldsborough is continuing to do so, delightfully and with great style.
To solve this mystery, you must call upon Wolfe's own ability to sift through both the alibis and not just the potential motives but the psychological makeup of the suspects. In Stout's own list of accomplishments, Gambit comes readily to mind. This work is its own tour de force of mental and verbal sparring between the suspects and both Archie and Wolfe, in their separate roles. Sit back, read, savor, puzzle, and enjoy how it all works out. To say more is a spoiler.
It is true that the "formula" for a good Wolfe mystery is a murder, a client, a list of suspects who are grilled individually, and a denouement involving all of the characters plus Inspector Cramer and Sgt. Stebbins. We often get to see operative Saul Panzer, the Gazette executive Lon Cohen, and the delectable Lily Rowan. The skill in creating these mysteries is to keep them fresh and interesting, not in spite of the characters and their quirks, but because of them. Rex Stout managed this trick for decades, and Goldsborough is continuing to do so, delightfully and with great style.
To solve this mystery, you must call upon Wolfe's own ability to sift through both the alibis and not just the potential motives but the psychological makeup of the suspects. In Stout's own list of accomplishments, Gambit comes readily to mind. This work is its own tour de force of mental and verbal sparring between the suspects and both Archie and Wolfe, in their separate roles. Sit back, read, savor, puzzle, and enjoy how it all works out. To say more is a spoiler.
January 2, 2022
Woof! This was perilously close to being a DNF, but I gritted my teeth and forged on. I’ve read five or six of Goldsborough’s Wolfe novels, none of which I’d rate above a 3, but this one was just a macabre pretense at a Nero Wolfe mystery. The familiar characters and settings are all there, but they’re dead-eyed hollow imitations of the originals. Archie Goodwin drinks milk, is a good dancer, and is called “Escamillo” by Lily Rowan—check, check, check—but the animating spark is missing. He’s a bit dim, has none of the hard boiled panache that endeared us to him over the course of Stout’s authorship, and just isn’t very likable. Wolfe drinks beer, visits his orchids and never leaves the brownstone—check, check, check—but there’s no brilliance or cunning insight in evidence. These are papier-mâché puppets being pushed about, enacting a plot undeserving of being called “mystery.”
If we’d been given an authentic Archie and Wolfe, many other sins might be forgiven, but this was a turgid slog, easily twice as long as Stout would have written it, filled with repetitive passages, formulaic descriptions and stilted prose. I understand that some authors, by virtue of their status, are uneditable, but there’s no way that Goldsborough has earned that. Publishing this was a dereliction of duty, and I’m frankly surprised that—if they have anything at all to say about it—the estate of Rex Stout hasn’t found someone else to keep the lights on in the brownstone. Goldsborough is a very poor necromancer.
If we’d been given an authentic Archie and Wolfe, many other sins might be forgiven, but this was a turgid slog, easily twice as long as Stout would have written it, filled with repetitive passages, formulaic descriptions and stilted prose. I understand that some authors, by virtue of their status, are uneditable, but there’s no way that Goldsborough has earned that. Publishing this was a dereliction of duty, and I’m frankly surprised that—if they have anything at all to say about it—the estate of Rex Stout hasn’t found someone else to keep the lights on in the brownstone. Goldsborough is a very poor necromancer.
December 26, 2022
This is another “cozy” mystery in the Nero Wolfe mystery series. Robert Goldsborough continued the series after the death of the original author, Rex Stout. Mr. Goldsborough has done an excellent job of continuing the series in the style and manner of Rex Stout. These cozy mysteries are enjoyable to read as they are character driven mysteries. In other words, a “thinking” man or women’s mystery, not an action packed adventure. The main characters, Archie Goodwin and Nero Wolfe, have well defined personalities, they are not just characters. The same is true of the supporting cast such as Inspector Cramer or Fritz Brenner or Saul Panzer. It is a delight to get together with this cast of characters each time I read a Nero Wolfe mystery. The title for this story, Stop the Presses!, refers to the title of a daily column written in the fictional New York Gazette newspaper, not a dramatic rush to get the latest sensational story into the current edition of a newspaper. The Gazette’s columnist, Cameron Clay, is central to this mystery. And, for a change of pace, all clues are given to the reader prior to Nero Wolfe’s revelation of the solution. Usually, Wolfe obtains some key evidence unbeknownst to the narrator, Archie Goodwin, and thus the reader. This time you’ll have all the relevant information to solve the case yourself. I placed my guess on two different potential solutions and one of those guesses was correct, (sort of). So, if you enjoy cozy mysteries with memorable, lovable characters, get yourself a Nero Wolfe mystery such as Stop the Presses!
November 19, 2023
I've gone through several series recently where the author has died and someone else continued to write additional stories, Anne Hillerman and Ace Atkins to name a couple. For the most part the new stories were on par with the original author's work. I figured I'd give Robert Goldsborough a chance with his 16+ book series continuing Rex Stout's Nero Wolfe stories.
The story was fine but the narration, by Peter Berkrot, was about the worst I have ever heard. Nero Wolfe is a heavyset genius from Montenegro who has lived in the US for a long time. Maury Chaykin did a brilliant job as Wolfe in the A&E series and Michael Prichard was excellent in all the Rex Stout audiobooks. Wolfe does not have a British accent. He most certainly should not sound like a Brit who is halfway between Churchill and Droopy Dog. Archie Goodwin who is originally from Ohio and also a long time resident of New York should not fade in and out of a British accent. In addition the various seedy characters in the story all sound like Stimpy.
Luckily this narrator is not a regular in the new series and they even re-recorded this book with the regular LJ Ganser so I will give the series another try.
The story was fine but the narration, by Peter Berkrot, was about the worst I have ever heard. Nero Wolfe is a heavyset genius from Montenegro who has lived in the US for a long time. Maury Chaykin did a brilliant job as Wolfe in the A&E series and Michael Prichard was excellent in all the Rex Stout audiobooks. Wolfe does not have a British accent. He most certainly should not sound like a Brit who is halfway between Churchill and Droopy Dog. Archie Goodwin who is originally from Ohio and also a long time resident of New York should not fade in and out of a British accent. In addition the various seedy characters in the story all sound like Stimpy.
Luckily this narrator is not a regular in the new series and they even re-recorded this book with the regular LJ Ganser so I will give the series another try.
April 27, 2022
The Goldsborough Nero Wolfe books are a little controversial among serious Wolfe fans. I would never claim that they match up to Stout's work, but I have derived sufficient pleasure from them to keep reading them. After all, it is the only way to get new Wolfe stories, and I am a big Wolfe fan. This book is a case of Lon Cohen asking a favor of Wolfe, and as Wolfe has asked many favors of Lon in the past he feels bound to help out if he can. The Gazette has an acid-tongued gossip columinst who has made a lot of enemies. But 5 in particular have made threats that are deemed serious. Lon would like Wolfe to look into it, and maybe help to protect the columnist. And when said columnist turns up dead from a gunshot wound, suspicions abound. Yet the police insist that it was a suicide. But the managemnt of The Gazette hires Wolfe to uncover the killer. There is a neat twist at the end which I won't give away. This is not a classic, but it is good enough to while away a few hours if you enjoy Nero Wolfe.
March 28, 2023
Once again the New York Gazette needs Nero Wolfe’s help. That seems only fair since the Gazette’s Lon Cohen often supplies Wolfe with important information. This time their gossip columnist—possibly the most feared and hated man in New York City—is getting very serious death threats. But when he dies, the NYPD calls it a suicide. The Gazette, Wolfe, and the reader are all suspicious of the NYPD’s conclusion and that sets the stage for a tight little mystery.
Working off a list of the five people the now-dead gossip columnist had supplied as the most likely to be threatening him, Wolfe and Archie go to work to find out which one is really a murderer. None have good alibis, all hated the dead man, but which one did the actual evil deed? Strangely, this novel is even more the “Archie show” than usual, because none of these people want anything to do with Wolfe and yet, poor Archie has to get them to agree to come visit with the eccentric detective not once, but twice.
I was very pleased with the ending.
Working off a list of the five people the now-dead gossip columnist had supplied as the most likely to be threatening him, Wolfe and Archie go to work to find out which one is really a murderer. None have good alibis, all hated the dead man, but which one did the actual evil deed? Strangely, this novel is even more the “Archie show” than usual, because none of these people want anything to do with Wolfe and yet, poor Archie has to get them to agree to come visit with the eccentric detective not once, but twice.
I was very pleased with the ending.
June 30, 2019
“Presses” is Goldsborough’s fourth of (currently) seven new extensions (in addition to the seven earlier ones) to Rex Stout’s famous Nero Wolfe series. While we enjoy the authenticity of the characters, the settings, and the general format of the tales, this one was almost so routine we found it a tad lackluster. When a famous irascible columnist at the Gazette turns up dead in his apartment, Kramer and the cops rule it a suicide. A series of life-threatening phone calls preceding the death casts doubt on that decision, and Wolfe is hired to determine if it might be a murder – and of course, if so, by whom. Five likely suspects garner most of the ink and are all present at the grand reveal late in the book, with a somewhat surprising outcome.
Overall, the tale is not that thrilling nor suspenseful – but predictably entertaining enough to enjoy.
Overall, the tale is not that thrilling nor suspenseful – but predictably entertaining enough to enjoy.
May 5, 2017
Well done, Mr. Goldsborough! You've kept all our favorite characters (well, Saul IS missing!) fully rounded and true to form and given us a nice surprise ending (many of the others are surprises, too, of course). One big thing, though, and likely not Mr. G's fault--I found one typo and it is HUGE and affects the meaning of the whole book = p. 188 "... Mr Clay 'comforted the afflicted and afflicted the comfortable.'" p. 224 "He said Mr. Clay 'comforted the afflicted and afflicted the comforted.'" And the thing is continued in the next sentence. I choose to think it was "afflicted the comfortable," for the other really doesn't make sense, especially in this context. Otherwise this is a great read!!
November 7, 2022
I am a rabid fan of Rex Stout’s Nero Wolfe novels and have read many of Goldsborough’s contemporary Wolfe novels. Some feel very true to Stout’s characters and modus operandi, but this book fell flat for me.
I can’t pinpoint what I felt was missing, but perhaps Archie just seemed too smarmy with Lily Rowan and all the banter and his repartee with Wolfe and the suspects felt forced. The original Stout stories really carry me into the period, in the Brownstone, and into their kitchen. Not in this book. Maybe it is as simple as the novel included too few meals at Wolfe’s superb table. . . Don’t know, but it was a very forgettable read. So forgettable that I realized I read this book before and NOTHING seemed familiar. No recall of anything in it.
I can’t pinpoint what I felt was missing, but perhaps Archie just seemed too smarmy with Lily Rowan and all the banter and his repartee with Wolfe and the suspects felt forced. The original Stout stories really carry me into the period, in the Brownstone, and into their kitchen. Not in this book. Maybe it is as simple as the novel included too few meals at Wolfe’s superb table. . . Don’t know, but it was a very forgettable read. So forgettable that I realized I read this book before and NOTHING seemed familiar. No recall of anything in it.
May 11, 2023
Robert Goldsborough does an excellent job of carrying on the Nero Wolfe detective tradition by getting the series main characters just right. Archie is still the wisecracking investigator and foil to his boss, Nero Wolfe. Wolfe is still the curmudgeonly genius who takes Archie's discoveries and turns them into a rational solution to the murder mystery. Inspector Cramer is the grouchy, put-upon NYPD homicide detective, Fritz is the chef extraordinaire that takes care of Wolfe's gourmand demands and his weight at "one-seventh of a ton."
This book was fun to read, true mind candy providing literary entertainment for those who love good reading even if they, like me, don't really care all that much for detective stories.
This book was fun to read, true mind candy providing literary entertainment for those who love good reading even if they, like me, don't really care all that much for detective stories.
May 13, 2017
I am a huge fan of Rex Stout's Nero Wolfe and I have read many of Robert Goldsborough's continuation of the series and liked them. But there was something about this one that hit me wrong. I didn't feel like the author was up to his usual standards. The banter between Archie and Nero Wolfe was not the same. Usually the dialogue was spot on and I could almost feel like Rex Stout is still alive and writing, but not this time. I also didn't feel like the plot was very intriguing. Usually, I rip through these books so fast, but not this time. It took me two weeks to finish it which was a sign to me that it wasn't as appealing as usual.
August 28, 2018
I found this installment in the series disappointing. The story itself was the problem. Without spoiling anything, I found this story to be formulaic and dull. The methodology here was tired: (1) set up the story; (2) introduce the suspects; (3) have Wolfe talk to the suspects; (4) Wolfe pushes his lips in and out; and (5) round everybody and tell us the (unsurprising) result. I really felt the author was sleep walking through the book. At times the writing even felt rushed, as abrupt as Wolfe can sometimes be to his guests. I often feel that Goldsborough's works are a worth successor to Rex Stout's. This one did not measure up.
October 24, 2025
“Stop the Presses” is a case for Archie and Nero that stretches their tolerance for ambiguity and patience for one another. In this story, Nero is very demanding of Archie and critical of the way Archie interacts with and secures each visitor’s attendance at the Brownstone to solve this ambiguous case. Archie has to cajole, flatter, and even lie so that individuals agree to visit Nero and have the privilege of being interrogated by Nero Wolfe, the self-identified genius. In “Stop the Presses”I was grateful and emotionally relieved to see Archie’s intelligence, kindness, and good will shine in stark contrast with a malicious and self-centered array of characters, including Nero. Archie comes to the reader’s rescue once again.
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