The Rubber Band

This series hit the ground running, but these earlier editions seem very raw on the re-read. Both Wolfe and Archie were later to settle into their characters and remain. They were both rather loose in this one, with more free-wheeling language particularly than where they settled - more agreeably, in my opinion. It's as if the writer swung too wide to establish some of their signature characteristics and idiosyncrasies. His reining in a lot of that helped significantly for better formed and agreeable characters. Both were definitely getting on my nerves by the end. Other elements were affected similarly, such as the complex, revolving plot and over-large wrap-up. This one would be a completest volume for those with that bent, but maybe even a skipper for me. That said, keep with this series, even the first was better, I thought, and they quickly excel and consistently down the list. Most mystery writers today tend to downturn about a couple dozen titles in, but this Rex Stout00 series never does. He achieved and maintained strong hold, to many a reader's enjoyment and satisfaction. He's incomparable in my experience for that and overall weight and dimension in general - above Ellery Queen, Perry Mason or any of that similar genre. He's been compared to Sherlock Holmes in the deductive category, and that fits, I think, along with those holding their weight throughout. Very well done series. The A&E adaptations in 2000-2001 or so did a sterling job with them, the couple dozen they tackled in two seasons. That, too, is remarkable.

The older the better on these Rex Stout mysteries, and the elegant turn of phrase just can't be beat. Nero Wolfe apologizing to a lady caller tells her that it's "bulk not boorishness" that keeps him seated as she enters the room. His assistant Archie directs a visitor to a place where he can park "the back of his lap," a concept that stops the gentleman dead in his tracks. The narrator is great, the plot engaging, and, as opposed to his later more convoluted stories, there's just enough information to make your own stab at solving the case. A great yarn!

this cd is as usual for Rex, great. the narrator is perfect and you will enjoy the cd as much as any of the series you have ever listened to or read.

The book was in even better condition than expected and it was shipped immediately. Great customer service.

Not having read the later stuff, I came to The Rubber Band only having read the first two books and seen the television series. I loved every minute. As pointed out, Stout is as funny as they come and the standard 30's detective story is typified by Archie's dialogue and the plot line. I'll take it as a given that the later books are better but this was still one of the best of the genre. Read this just for the fun of it.

This is one of his first. I've read them all, several times each. Even tho this is not his best, Rex Stout still writes far better than most writers today. His books are very funny and the plots entertaining. Closest I've come to finding his successor is Deadly Diamonds, by Pamela Troutman.