
Black Orchids
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Narrated by:
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Michael Prichard
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By:
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Rex Stout
About this listen
Nero Wolfe has left his comfortable brownstone for the promise of a remarkably rare black orchid at a flower show - but before Wolfe and his perennially hardy sidekick, Archie Goodwin, have a chance to stop and smell the roses, a diabolically daring murder takes place right under their noses and puts a blight on the proceedings. Now Wolfe's fancy turns to thoughts of weeding out a murderer - one who's definitely not a garden-variety killer. Only then will Wolfe be ready to throw his weight into a second thorny case, involving a rich society widow bedeviled by poison-pen letters—and a poisonous plot as black as Wolfe's orchids...with roots that are even more twisted.
Introduction by Lawrence Block
“It is always a treat to read a Nero Wolfe mystery. The man has entered our folklore.” (The New York Times Book Review)
A grand master of the form, Rex Stout is one of America’s greatest mystery writers, and his literary creation Nero Wolfe is one of the greatest fictional detectives of all time. Together, Stout and Wolfe have entertained - and puzzled - millions of mystery fans around the world. Now, with his perambulatory man-about-town, Archie Goodwin, the arrogant, gourmandizing, sedentary sleuth is back in the original 73 cases of crime and detection written by the inimitable master himself, Rex Stout.
Stout fellow: explore our list of Nero Wolfe mysteries, including novels and classic radio programs.©1942 Rex Stout (P)1994 Books on TapeListeners also enjoyed...
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Fer-de-Lance
- By: Rex Stout
- Narrated by: Michael Prichard
- Length: 8 hrs and 49 mins
- Unabridged
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When someone makes a present of a fer-de-lance - the dreaded snake - to Nero Wolfe, Archie Goodwin knows he's close to solving two apparently unrelated murders. As for Wolfe, he's playing snake charmer in a case more deadly than a cobra and whistling a seductive tune he hopes will catch a killer with poison in his heart.
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One of the best crime series of all time.
- By ShySusan on 03-27-13
By: Rex Stout
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Murder in E Minor
- A Nero Wolfe Mystery
- By: Robert Goldsborough
- Narrated by: L. J. Ganser
- Length: 5 hrs and 54 mins
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Ever since disgraced associate Orrie Cather’s suicide, armchair detective Nero Wolfe has relished retirement in his Manhattan brownstone on West 35th Street. Two years after Cather’s death, only a visit from Maria Radovich - and the urging of Wolfe’s prize assistant, Archie Goodwin - could draw the eccentric and reclusive genius back into business. Maria’s uncle, New York Symphony Orchestra conductor Milan Stevens, formerly known as Milos Stefanovic, spent his youth alongside Wolfe as a fellow freedom fighter in the mountains of Montenegro.
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Murder in E Minor
- By Danny Harr on 08-31-22
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The Adventures of Nero Wolfe, Collection 1
- By: Black Eye Entertainment
- Narrated by: full cast
- Length: 5 hrs and 49 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall
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Performance
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Story
Nero Wolfe is a fictional detective, created in 1934 by the American mystery writer Rex Stout. Wolfe's confidential assistant Archie Goodwin narrates the cases of the overweight detective genius. In total, Stout wrote 33 novels and 39 short stories from 1934 to 1974, with most of them set in New York City. Wolfe's residence, a luxurious brownstone on West 35th Street, features prominently in the series. Many radio, television and film adaptations were made from Stout's stories.
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Embarrassingly bad adaptation.
- By William J. Brodbeck on 12-16-18
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Parties for Death
- Nero Wolfe
- By: Rex Stout
- Narrated by: Sydney Greenstreet, Wally Maher, Herb Ellis, and others
- Length: 8 hrs and 50 mins
- Original Recording
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Overall
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Performance
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Story
Nero Wolfe is "a gourmet who never walks when he can sit and never sits when he can lie down." Join Rex Stout's reclusive, overweight, orchid-loving super sleuth as masterfully portrayed by Sydney Greenstreet in this exciting radio series. Ever in search of a perfect meal and a cold bottle of beer, Wolfe often sends Archie Goodwin, his secretary and operative, in his stead. Archie, while trying to keep his well-known weakness for red heads in check, follows up on leads and does the leg work, setting up his brilliant boss to solve the case.
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OK Old Radio but not Rex Stout
- By Michael on 05-24-14
By: Rex Stout
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Murder at Everham Hall
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- By: Benedict Brown
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- Length: 7 hrs and 43 mins
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Performance
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December 1927. Mystery-writer Marius Quin has one previous bestseller, endless looming mortgage payments, and no idea how to write his next book. When his childhood friend Lady Isabella Montague invites him to an intimate New Year’s Eve party hosted by a narcissistic actor, Marius seizes upon the distraction. With his perpetually glum Basset hound along for the ride, he navigates the snowy lanes to the opulent estate of Everham Hall. As the celebrations begin, fireworks light up the sky, champagne corks pop, and then the host is murdered…
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Great new series!
- By Sallyk575 on 07-02-24
By: Benedict Brown
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Alison Larkin Presents: The Secret Adversary, Murder on the Links, and The Mysterious Affair at Styles
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Performance
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Three critically acclaimed recordings are joined together in this dazzling Agatha Christie Triple Bill, read by award-winning narrators Alison Larkin and James Warwick, star of the Partners in Crime TV series on Masterpiece Theater.
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Pitch perfect narration of Agatha Christie!
- By Mary Katherine Worth on 10-18-19
By: Agatha Christie
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Fer-de-Lance
- By: Rex Stout
- Narrated by: Michael Prichard
- Length: 8 hrs and 49 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
When someone makes a present of a fer-de-lance - the dreaded snake - to Nero Wolfe, Archie Goodwin knows he's close to solving two apparently unrelated murders. As for Wolfe, he's playing snake charmer in a case more deadly than a cobra and whistling a seductive tune he hopes will catch a killer with poison in his heart.
-
-
One of the best crime series of all time.
- By ShySusan on 03-27-13
By: Rex Stout
-
Murder in E Minor
- A Nero Wolfe Mystery
- By: Robert Goldsborough
- Narrated by: L. J. Ganser
- Length: 5 hrs and 54 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Ever since disgraced associate Orrie Cather’s suicide, armchair detective Nero Wolfe has relished retirement in his Manhattan brownstone on West 35th Street. Two years after Cather’s death, only a visit from Maria Radovich - and the urging of Wolfe’s prize assistant, Archie Goodwin - could draw the eccentric and reclusive genius back into business. Maria’s uncle, New York Symphony Orchestra conductor Milan Stevens, formerly known as Milos Stefanovic, spent his youth alongside Wolfe as a fellow freedom fighter in the mountains of Montenegro.
-
-
Murder in E Minor
- By Danny Harr on 08-31-22
-
The Adventures of Nero Wolfe, Collection 1
- By: Black Eye Entertainment
- Narrated by: full cast
- Length: 5 hrs and 49 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Nero Wolfe is a fictional detective, created in 1934 by the American mystery writer Rex Stout. Wolfe's confidential assistant Archie Goodwin narrates the cases of the overweight detective genius. In total, Stout wrote 33 novels and 39 short stories from 1934 to 1974, with most of them set in New York City. Wolfe's residence, a luxurious brownstone on West 35th Street, features prominently in the series. Many radio, television and film adaptations were made from Stout's stories.
-
-
Embarrassingly bad adaptation.
- By William J. Brodbeck on 12-16-18
-
Parties for Death
- Nero Wolfe
- By: Rex Stout
- Narrated by: Sydney Greenstreet, Wally Maher, Herb Ellis, and others
- Length: 8 hrs and 50 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Nero Wolfe is "a gourmet who never walks when he can sit and never sits when he can lie down." Join Rex Stout's reclusive, overweight, orchid-loving super sleuth as masterfully portrayed by Sydney Greenstreet in this exciting radio series. Ever in search of a perfect meal and a cold bottle of beer, Wolfe often sends Archie Goodwin, his secretary and operative, in his stead. Archie, while trying to keep his well-known weakness for red heads in check, follows up on leads and does the leg work, setting up his brilliant boss to solve the case.
-
-
OK Old Radio but not Rex Stout
- By Michael on 05-24-14
By: Rex Stout
-
Murder at Everham Hall
- A Marius Quin Mystery, Book 1
- By: Benedict Brown
- Narrated by: George Blagden
- Length: 7 hrs and 43 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
December 1927. Mystery-writer Marius Quin has one previous bestseller, endless looming mortgage payments, and no idea how to write his next book. When his childhood friend Lady Isabella Montague invites him to an intimate New Year’s Eve party hosted by a narcissistic actor, Marius seizes upon the distraction. With his perpetually glum Basset hound along for the ride, he navigates the snowy lanes to the opulent estate of Everham Hall. As the celebrations begin, fireworks light up the sky, champagne corks pop, and then the host is murdered…
-
-
Great new series!
- By Sallyk575 on 07-02-24
By: Benedict Brown
-
Alison Larkin Presents: The Secret Adversary, Murder on the Links, and The Mysterious Affair at Styles
- By: Agatha Christie
- Narrated by: Alison Larkin, James Warwick
- Length: 24 hrs and 14 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Three critically acclaimed recordings are joined together in this dazzling Agatha Christie Triple Bill, read by award-winning narrators Alison Larkin and James Warwick, star of the Partners in Crime TV series on Masterpiece Theater.
-
-
Pitch perfect narration of Agatha Christie!
- By Mary Katherine Worth on 10-18-19
By: Agatha Christie
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In The Best Cases of The Continental Op, an original compilation of eight stories from Skyboat Media, the Op walks, stalks, and runs down the steep streets of San Francisco to solve crimes of blackmail, murder, stolen identities, and arson, and each story contains so many twists and turns you’ll be hooked until the very (surprising) end....
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Great read, and reading
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Murder at the Dolphin Hotel: A Gripping Cozy Historical Mystery
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June 1933. Independent, young Kitty Underhay has been left in charge of her family’s hotel, The Dolphin, on the tranquil English coast. But when several rooms are broken into and searched, including Kitty’s own, she quickly realizes that something out of the ordinary is afoot at the hotel. Soon, rumors are flying in the cozy town that someone is on the hunt for a stolen ruby. A ruby that Kitty’s mother may well have possessed when she herself went missing during the Great War.
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Very Good Start
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The Josephine Tey Collection: 6 Alan Grant Novels; Brat Farrar; & Miss Pym Disposes
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- Unabridged
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The Josephine Tey Collection includes unabridged recordings of Tey's 8 major novels in one audiobook, including all 6 of the novels in the Inspector Alan Grant series.
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Thank you Audible - best spent credit ever
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By: Josephine Tey
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The Case of the Velvet Claws
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- By: Erle Stanley Gardner
- Narrated by: Alexander Cendese
- Length: 6 hrs and 1 min
- Unabridged
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Overall
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Performance
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Story
Married Eva Griffin has been caught with a prominent congressman, and is ready to pay the editor of a sleazy tabloid hush money to protect the politician. But first Perry Mason tracks down the publisher of the blackmailing tabloid and discovers a shocking secret, which eventually leads to Mason being accused of murder. This is the first Perry Mason mystery and our introduction to secretary Della Street, detective Paul Drake, and the great lawyer himself.
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Enter Perry Mason
- By David S. Mathew on 04-10-17
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Miss Marple: The Complete Short Stories
- A Miss Marple Collection
- By: Agatha Christie
- Narrated by: Juliet Stevenson
- Length: 12 hrs and 12 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall
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Performance
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Miss Marple: The Complete Story Collection gathers together in one magnificent volume all of Agatha Christie’s short stories featuring her beloved intrepid investigator, Miss Marple. It’s an unparalleled compendium of murder, mayhem, mystery, and detection that represents some of the finest short form fiction in the crime fiction field, and is an essential omnibus for Christie fans.
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Classic Miss Marple - uneven narration
- By Lyric G. Eads on 11-09-22
By: Agatha Christie
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The Case of the Canterfell Codicil
- The Anty Boisjoly Mysteries, Book 1
- By: PJ Fitzsimmons
- Narrated by: Tim Bruce
- Length: 5 hrs and 59 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall
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Performance
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There’s a literary niche for all tastes including those who think that either Agatha Christie wasn’t funny enough or that PG Wodehouse didn’t feature anywhere near as many baffling murders as he could have. The Case of the Canterfell Codicil is a classic, cozy, locked-room mystery written in the style of an homage to PG Wodehouse.
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Relaxing old fashioned mystery
- By Laurie S on 11-01-22
By: PJ Fitzsimmons
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A Man Lay Dead
- By: Ngaio Marsh
- Narrated by: Philip Franks
- Length: 5 hrs and 18 mins
- Unabridged
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Story
Wealthy Sir Hubert Handesley's original and lively weekend house parties are deservedly famous. To amuse his guests, he has devised a new form of the fashionable Murder Game, in which a guest is secretly selected to commit a 'murder' in the dark, and everyone assembles to solve the crime. But when the lights go up this time, there is a real corpse....
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Classic Upper Crust Mystery
- By Laurence G. Byrne on 02-25-16
By: Ngaio Marsh
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The Wintringham Mystery
- Cicely Disappears
- By: Anthony Berkeley, Tony Medawar
- Narrated by: Mike Grady
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- Unabridged
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Stephen Munro, a demobbed army officer, reconciles himself to taking a job as a footman to make ends meet. Employed at Wintringham Hall, the delightful but decaying Sussex country residence of the elderly Lady Susan Carey, his first task entails welcoming her eccentric guests to a weekend house-party, at which her bombastic nephew—who recognises Stephen from his former life—decides that an after-dinner séance would be more entertaining than bridge. Then Cicely disappears!
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Charming Light-hearted mystery
- By Carolyn on 10-04-21
By: Anthony Berkeley, and others
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The Blessing Way
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- Narrated by: George Guidall
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- Unabridged
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Homicide is always an abomination, but there is something exceptionally disturbing about the victim discovered in a high, lonely place: a corpse with a mouth full of sand, abandoned at a crime scene seemingly devoid of tracks or useful clues. Though it goes against his better judgment, Navajo tribal police lieutenant Joe Leaphorn cannot help but suspect the hand of a supernatural killer.
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A 'Blessing' Indeed!
- By Carole T. on 03-15-16
By: Tony Hillerman
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The Beekeeper's Apprentice, or On the Segregation of the Queen
- Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes, Book 1
- By: Laurie R. King
- Narrated by: Jenny Sterlin
- Length: 13 hrs and 26 mins
- Unabridged
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In 1915, Sherlock Holmes is retired and quietly engaged in the study of honeybees in Sussex when a young woman literally stumbles onto him on the Sussex Downs. Fifteen years old, gawky, egotistical, and recently orphaned, the young Mary Russell displays an intellect to impress even Sherlock Holmes. Under his reluctant tutelage, this very modern, twentieth-century woman proves a deft protégée and a fitting partner for the Victorian detective.
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A fabulous new take on Sherlock Holmes
- By Steph on 04-14-14
By: Laurie R. King
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Lord John and the Hand of the Devils
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- Narrated by: Jeff Woodman
- Length: 9 hrs and 44 mins
- Unabridged
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In these tales, Lord John vows to avenge a murder, investigates a terrifying "night-hag" on the battlefields of Europe, and discovers treason in His Majesty's ranks.
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Lord John Grey comes to life
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By: Diana Gabaldon
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The Deep Blue Good-By
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- By: John D. MacDonald
- Narrated by: Robert Petkoff
- Length: 6 hrs
- Unabridged
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He's a self-described beach bum who won his houseboat in a card game. He's also a knight errant who's wary of credit cards, retirement benefits, political parties, mortgages, and television. He only works when his cash runs out, and his rule is simple: he'll help you find whatever was taken from you, as long as he can keep half.
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Before the A-Team, there was Travis McGee
- By Jim "The Impatient" on 11-12-16
Critic reviews
"It is always a treat to read a Nero Wolfe mystery. The man has entered our folklore." (The New York Times)
What listeners say about Black Orchids
Highly rated for:
Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall
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Performance
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- Amazon Customer
- 08-25-15
Vintage...just Vintage!
Any additional comments?
Despite the fact I've read this (and every other) Nero Wolfe story many times, the Audible version allowed me to savor this story "hands-free"! It was just as good. Tightly written and just a load of fun, Rex Stout never disappointed. And Nero finds a way to add to his extensive orchid collection to boot in this one!
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Performance
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Story
- Michael Brenner
- 06-11-23
Classic Stout
His first omnibus, two stories contain in a book long enough for one story, the first being almost novel length in the second, or a short story, Rex Stout, nevertheless, brings forth all his magic, and the resultant work is well worth a read, my only disappointment being that he didn’t make each of these stories a full length novel.
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- S. Taylor
- 08-06-20
The world Rex Stout built around Nero Wolfe & Archie Goodwin is Unique & Captivating!
If you read just about any of Rex Stout’s Nero Wolfe mysteries, be ready to read them all. Even fellow mystery writers speak of the world & atmosphere Stout built around Nero Wolfe, Archie Goodwin.
The first Nero Wolfe mystery I read came from a small local Library, in small town, Milford, New Hampshire in 1985. Immediately afterward I checked out every single volume the library had. Then I took to eBay to find and buy all of Stout’s Nero Wolfe books. I’ve even read a number of Stout’s books with a different leading man/woman.
The stories are almost addictive. Every few years I read all of the stories, in the order they were initially published.
Wonderfully written and captivating.
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1 person found this helpful
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- fotopug
- 08-15-24
Always Entertaining
I can honestly say that I’ve never read a Nero Wolfe novel that I haven’t enjoyed. This one was very good as usual. It took me a little while to get used to the narrator’s voice – at first it seemed too flat and monotone, but after a while, it completely made sense to me and I think he did a great job.
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- Chris T
- 01-30-18
Black Orchids for Two Please.
Archie ties in two different cases where a rare black orchid plays a part. Fun as always and surprises in both. Well worth the time for any classic mystery fan and a treat for fans of Nero Wolfe.
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1 person found this helpful
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- Art Lover
- 04-06-14
Typical Wolfe Short Story Collection
If you could sum up Black Orchids in three words, what would they be?
Early Wolfe Shorts
Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?
Not really. Like all Wolfe books, they are more of an intellectual challenge than a suspense experience.
Which scene was your favorite?
The murder at the flower show.
Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?
No. Four of Stout's early Wolfe short stories that you can read at your own pace.
Any additional comments?
Stout published about a dozen short story collections, only a few of which are available on Audible and even fewer on CD. It would do us all a service if Audible would make the others available, as they are mostly real gems.
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8 people found this helpful
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Overall
- j Weaver
- 09-13-09
Fantastic, especially on audio!
You can't stop at just one. the plots, the humor, the characters all fit so well. Prichard is great as well.
I like more serious reads, but what a nice escape. got me through my marathon training!
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- Debbie
- 06-21-16
Great story
Fave NW tale so far. Prichard's narration is excellent. Two stories for the price of one.
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- M. Giorgi
- 02-26-12
He will not disappoint.
What made the experience of listening to Black Orchids the most enjoyable?
Another book that you will listen to over and over again.
What about Michael Prichard???s performance did you like?
Michael has the characters down pat.I can not imagine anyone else reading these books.
Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?
Heck ya........
Any additional comments?
I will I could get better price deals on these because I want them all.
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- Bret F Whitmire
- 02-12-17
Excellent first read of the Nero Wolfe mysteries
Really enjoyed this...this was my first time sharing the adventures of Nero Wolfe and Archie Goodwin.
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