Murder, Stage Left

A Nero Wolfe Mystery, Book 12

By: Robert Goldsborough

Narrated by: L. J. Ganser

It’s curtains for a famous Broadway director, and private investigator Nero Wolfe is on the case - but his assistant, Archie Goodwin, is a suspect.

When a renowned theater director senses something amiss during his latest production, he calls in Nero Wolfe. Though the corpulent genius wouldn’t normally accept a job this vague, a mutual friend dangles the prospect of a very rare orchid in exchange for his services, and Wolfe can’t resist.

With a mind to suss out useful backstage gossip, Wolfe turns to his faithful assistant, Archie Goodwin, to impersonate a journalist in order to speak to the cast. Though Goodwin’s conversations prove unfruitful, on his last day at the theater, the director is murdered in his sound-proof booth, poisoned by an unseen culprit during an evening performance. In short order, an actor whose health is failing attempts suicide with the same poison.

Now Archie Goodwin is a prime suspect in the director’s demise, effectively sidelining him for the rest of the case, and freelance gumshoe Saul Panzer must step in to help wrangle the various members of the play - from the ingénue and the diva to the handsome movie star and the surly stage manager - so that New York’s smartest, and most reclusive, private detective can determine who is responsible for these dramatic deaths and clear Goodwin’s name once and for all.

Continuing his beloved series, Nero Award - winning author Robert Goldsborough “brings Nero Wolfe, late of Rex Stout, gloriously back to life” (Chicago).

Murder, Stage Left is the 59th book in the Nero Wolfe Mysteries, but all stories can be enjoyed on their own.

©2017 Robert Goldsborough (P)2019 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Well done!

I listened to this story with a smile. I believe I have read all of Stout’s books on Archie and Nero, and loved them, of course. My highest score to Goldsborough both for the recognizable style and for his excellent knowledge on all of the idiosyncrasies of the two protagonists and of the the structural arc of these classic stories. A small minus for the slightly rushed ending and a bit too contemporary solution. (Sorry.)

Good story- narration, not so much

I have enjoyed reading all of the Robert Goldsborough/Nero Wolfe books and was looking forward to listening to them. I planned on adding them all to my audible library. BUT, I can not get past this narrator. He forgets which accent he should be using to differentiate the male characters, so the voices all get muddled making it difficult to keep track of which one is speaking. He does somewhat better when alternating between male and female voices, but it’s still a challenge to keep characters straight. I will consider purchasing this series if another reader takes over the narration.

okay story, but not great narration

Liked the story and atmosphere as usual, but narrator seemed like a caricature of each character. Just seemed a bit off.

Exactly what it’s supposed to be!

If you enjoy those old school, vintage “whodunnit” movies-you’ll love this book in the Nero Wolfe series.

Interesting but Unattractive

I find Nero Wolfe not such a likeable character and the ending was so much fun. However the plot is solid and interesting.

Long, boring passages

I originally liked Robert Goldsborough’s writing, carrying on the Nero Wolfe tradition. But they have not stayed as good as they began, and this one, in particular, has been almost boring. Have to get through long, tedious conversations with all the soon-to-be suspects prior to the murder, then again after. Not up to Nero Wolfe’s style, which is what he is attempting to convey.

Just not the real thing.

The more I read or listen to Mr. Goldsborough’s Nero Wolfe novels, the less I like them. And I definitely miss the narration bye Michal Prichard.

Decent story, far outpaced by reader

LJ GANSER delivers another excellent performance as a reader. While this Goldsborough book is a fun romp through a mystery, it may have fallen a bit flat without the storytelling prowess of Mr. Ganser.

Nero Wolfe, Suspense to the Very End

I like listening to/reading Nero Wolfe books/stories. I love that genre. I liked this book but there are some others that I like better. But don't take this wrong, this book is still a very suspenseful, to the end, typical Nero Wolfe story. I recommend for anyone who likes this genre to read/listen to this book.⚘

An attempt was made

My first Goldborough version of Nero Wolf. This was nowhere near as good as an actual Wolf, but it was something to listen to. The narrator obviously tried, but his different voices were more annoying than endearing. They both tried, and it gave me something other than the store music to ignore while shopping.