A Family Affair Audiobook By Rex Stout cover art

A Family Affair

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A Family Affair

By: Rex Stout
Narrated by: Michael Prichard
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About this listen

Nero Wolfe's last recorded case! Wolfe never works without a well-heeled client and a sizable fee, but when a bomb racks his brownstone, killing his favorite waiter from his favorite restaurant, the world's greatest gourmet takes it as a personal affront. What kind of unsavory killer commits murder within 10 feet of a legendary detective? It's a question Wolfe will go to heroic lengths to answer. But even as he and Archie uncover an unappetizing brew of conspiracy and lies, the killer serves up a second helping of homicide, and Wolfe is left to face a most unpalatable truth.Stout fellow: explore our list of Nero Wolfe mysteries, including novels and classic radio programs.©1975 Rex Stout (P)2000 Books on Tape Detective Mystery Suspense Thriller & Suspense Traditional Detectives Crime Fiction

Critic reviews

"It is always a treat to read a Nero Wolfe mystery. The man has entered our folklore." (The New York Times)
"Reader Michael Prichard delivers a convincing rendition of Archie Goodwin....a well-paced narration." (AudioFile)

Unexpected Twists • Killer Ending • Excellent Narration • Interesting Story • Solid Entry • Engaging Twist Ending
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I did not see that coming. This story has so many twists and turns that I couldn't keep up. I felt like Kramer in the red chair at the end of the book.

Wow

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I really enjoy Nero and Archie. This has a unique plot overall and gets very personal for the Brownstone residence. This book should be read after “really” knowing the characters well to appreciate this plot. It is the last book written by Rex and I would listen to it last to have a nice conclusion as the writer intended.
Anyone with knowledge of Rex Stouts writing knows that Nero and company do not age in the books as time marches forward. I love the 30’s and 40’s eras that a lot of the books were written in and the tv series in based on. But any time with wise cracking Archie and Genius Nero works for me with the Rex Stout novels.
This novel is based in the 1970’s and mentions time specific things in the novel. Watergate etc…
In my top ten for the Nero and Archie Audible list. Black Mountain is #1 btw

Nero and Archie’s last case in the 1970’s!

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Well it doesn't usually make any difference what order you read the Nero Wolfe series of books in, this one should be read last no matter what.

It was the last book that Rex Stout wrote and published, shortly before he died.

and it puts a little bowtie on some character arcs that had been going on for many years.

Some of the later Rex Stout written Nero Wolfe books, include references that date them more than some of the older books. He included more 60s and early 70s jargon, and made references to events that were correct in the news, not just in passing, but often over and over again, and sometimes (as here), it had something to do with the plot.

Nevertheless, at least for this book, it doesn't get in the way of a very enjoyable read, whether reading the text version, or listening to the audio version.

I would definitely put this one in my top 10 list. I don't think I would ever put it in my top three, or maybe even top five.

However, it's when I do read and listen to over and over again.

I know this is getting redundant and my reviews about this series, but Michael Prichard's performance here is typically top notch. Even the worst of this series (which is better than some of the best of many others), is worth listening too many times just because of Prichard's excellent reading.

Great ending for a great series

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A favorite that I find myself listening or reading every year. Classic Nero and a fabulous follow up novel!

Wolf and Archie at their BEST!

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If you are a Nero Wolf fan this is a must read! Extremely well read a pleasure to listen to!

A must read

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I absolutely hated this book and wish I could return it but I've had it too long. I hated the treacherous plot and the ending of one of the employees of Nero. I knew he could never do Archie's job but too have him go out the way he did ugghh. So if you like the classic Wolfe stories of outside villains don't read or listen to this one.

Not my cup of tea

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A final novel to a tremendous series that thows a twist at the reader that will shock and amaze.

A fine farewell to amazing series of novels.

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This Nero Wolfe novel is the final in the fictional timeline and the last written by Stout. It is set in 1974 with references to Nixon, Ford and Watergate. This is a little weird as I always picture Archie and Wolfe as creatures of the 30s and 40s. If Archie was hired in 1930 and must have been at least 23, then in 1974 Archie would be 67, and the older Fritz and Wolfe are still alive and kicking in 1974? Oh well, you have to suspend disbelief for this timeline. Nevertheless the characters and relationships are at their best, the writing is excellent with lots of wit and detail, and the story is interesting with unexpected twists and a killer ending. The narration, as always, is excellent.

This is a must read for any lover of Nero Wolfe, but don’t make it your first of the series, or even your tenth. This should be one of the last read, as it will be more enjoyable if you know all the characters really well. This book is one of my all-time favorites of the series.

The Last and One of the Best Nero Wolfe Novels

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The last Wolfe novel written by Rex Stout may not be the best adventure, but it is a solid entry in the series.

The action starts when a waiter from Rusterman's shows up at the door, just when Archie is getting ready to go to sleep. Since the waiter won't talk to Archie, he is shown to the guest room where he can stay until Wolfe can see him the next morning. Unfortunately for all involved, a bomb kills the waiter and wreaks havoc upon everyone in the Brownstone. Soon, Archie, Saul, and the crew are investigating three interconnected murders, one of which may have something to do with Watergate. With guest appearances by Lon Cohen, Sgt. Stebbins, and Inspector Cramer, the novel seems like a farewell.

The plot is engaging, the dialogue is witty, and the action is a bit more complex than other cozies. Any Wolfe fan will enjoy the tale, Those new to the series may find some of the "insider secrets" a bit confusing.

Note: there is some dialogue from Archie that is even more misogynistic than other books in the series.

There is a rat in the Wolfe den

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As several other reviewers have stated, do NOT, I repeat, do NOT read this book until you have finished most if not all of Rex Stout’s “Nero Wolfe” books. This is the very last Wolfe novel written by Rex Stout, published only a month before his death. This case is regarded as one of the author’s truest and best. When a man is killed just feet from him, Wolfe takes this personally and is determined to catch the killer who only kills again. New attitudes and actions of both Wolfe and Archie are included. Even the ongoing mid-70s real political drama is included in this book, which adds a red herring touch. There is absolutely no rock solid clue as to the murderer but, as Wolfe enumerates at the very end in a hypothetical offering to Cramer, there were “hints” all along. I missed all of them. As another reviewer stated, I did not “see that coming.” But finally, after all these years, Archie solves this one.. not before Wolfe of course but soon enough to strike out on his own to take care of the murderer. Although I had already read this book and literally gasped out loud when the villain is unexpectedly revealed, the audiobook narrated by Michael Pritchard just made it even more exciting. And.. just a side point about Robert Goldsborough’s “Nero Wolfe” books…. I have read or listened to most of these, some of which are good, others not so much so. But the writing style by Stout and the correct interpretation of all the characters by Pritchard clearly show the superiority of “the real deal.”

The Best Is Best Saved for Last!!

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