THE SECOND CONFESSION

Orchids and machine guns, the privileged rich, and tough private eyes make for a heady mix, which reader Michael Prichard spins in classic late 1940s’ style. The phlegmatic, cerebral, orchid-and-food-fancying sleuth Nero Wolfe, like a twentieth-century Mycroft Holmes, accepts a case involving not only the players mentioned, but also a search for Communists. Prichard tells the story in the first- person point of view of Wolfe’s right hand, the tough, canny, and pleasure-loving Archie Goodwin. This is a fairly cinematic listening experience, as we are treated to lushly described scenes and desperate, intelligent characters. D.J.B. © AudioFile 2006, Portland, Maine [Published: AUG/ SEP 06]