And Four to Go

This foursome contains a fatal fete, a toxic orchid, a speech turned funeral oration, & a murderer dressed to kill. Vintage mystery fare.

By: Rex Stout

Narrated by: Michael Prichard

Nero Wolfe and his assistant, Archie Goodwin, star in these four gems.

In "The Christmas Party", Archie and his fiancée attend an office party where Wolfe condescends to uncharacteristic theatrics. His dramatic technique is good, but it isn't enough to clear him from suspicion of murder. The "Easter Parade" tempts Wolfe to commit petty larceny for an orchid. Though that crime goes unpunished, the inevitable murder doesn't. "A Fourth of July Picnic" has Wolfe scheduled for an unprecedented appearance as an orator. But his day in the sun is rained out by murder. The last selection, "Murder Is No Joke", is a whodunit in a couturier's salon, where a murderer is dressed to kill and kill again.

Stout fellow: explore our list of Nero Wolfe mysteries, including novels and classic radio programs.©1958 Rex Stout (P)1997 Books on Tape

Critic reviews

"It is always a treat to read a Nero Wolfe mystery. The man has entered our folklore." (The New York Times)

Entertaining

Good assortment of stories. The first was the weakest. The others very easy to digest and enjoy.

Love This Narrator

To me Michael is the forever voice of Archie and Nero Wolfe. I have all his Nero Wolfe books!

More of the Same Old Wolfe...GREAT!

Any additional comments?

Rex Stout was always masterful with his treatment of Nero Wolfe and Archie Goodwin. But he was at his absolute best in his short stories/novellas. All of these shorties are tightly woven, fast-paced, and immediately interesting. The characters are diverse, and the storylines are quick. Nero even ventures far afield in some cases...an added bonus! Strongly recommend this one!

A CLASSIC

AND FOUR TO GO BY REX STOUT & narrated by Michael Prichard is classic Nero Wolfe/Archie Goodwin at its best. The book is four Novellas in one,each a winner in itself. The narration by Michael Prichard is excellent and makes the audiobook more entertaining!

love the voice of Goodwin

I love Nero Wolfe and Mr Pritchard reads the story exactly the way I think Archie is talking. magic!!

I have loved Rex Stout forever

And, having him read to me with the bemused indifference that makes Archie Goodwin one of my favorite sidekicks is Heaven. These books are keepers to listen to over and over and enjoy the idiosyncratic love affair that makes the Wolfe-Goodwin relationship. Imagine Dr. Watson doing stand up as Holmes pontificates at him.

These are good short stories

Based in the New York City of the 40’s-50’s these mysteries focus on the characters instead of the gore. The narrator is great. These are not quite cozy but never treat murder as something to enjoy or get delight in. The detectives treat it as an unfortunate fact of life that serves to be their source of income.

Great Stories and a top rated reader too!

I have been a fan of Nero Wolfe for years now, and I am always looking for new stories that I have never heard. I also love the reading of Michael Pritchard. He really makes the stories come to life!

Four great short stories.

Classic collection of short stories about Nero Wolf. Michael Pritchard is the narrator. His efforts add to the story telling with a authentic touch.

Christmas Party, Easter Parade, Fourth of July Picnic, and Murder is No Joke.

Good, but Not Great Archie & Wolfe Quartet

The story Murder is No Joke is the shorter & weaker version of Frame-up for Murder, which appears in Death Times Three. The much improved Flora Gallant in that story is much more interesting & gives Archie a stronger motivation for getting involved.

Fourth of July Picnic is one of my least favorite Wolfe & Archie stories. Weak plot & almost no detection. Very weak characters.

Easter Parade is not far ahead or behind (depending on how you look at it). Only the character of Tabby makes it almost likable.

The best story, Christmas Party, also suffers from mostly flat characters, archetypes & stereotypes, and only Santa Claus makes it fun.

Overall, maybe my least favorite Archie & Nero book.

HOWEVER, even the *worst* of Wolfe is better than almost anything else when read by Michael Prichard. His rendition of the regulars, as well as a few of the "guest stars", is worth the price of admission.

We also get a thumbnail autobiography of Wolfe in one story, that fleshes out (sorry for the pun there) Wolfe's early pre-NYC days a bit.