BEFORE MIDNIGHT

While this Nero Wolfe mystery might be creaking a bit with old age, the Stout magic still plays well, decades after first publication. A murder mystery wrapped around a puzzle entices Wolfe and the ever steady Archie Goodwin to big pay dirt and even greater fame. The cast of characters is colorful, and the pressure mounts until a truly dastardly event takes place--murder right in Wolfe’s office. Veteran narrator Michael Prichard does an outstanding job, especially when Wolfe and Archie work together. Not all of Stout’s mysteries work as well as this one, but whether or not you get through it before midnight, a great listening experience is guaranteed. R.O. © AudioFile 2004, Portland, Maine [Published: DEC 04/ JAN 05]