Father Hunt: A Nero Wolfe Mystery (Mystery Masters)

Rating:
Summary: Hunt for a New Reader
Review: Stout's "The Father Hunt" is a very entertaining book with some of Stout's best characterizations. Not the best of the Wolfe books, but certainly an enjoyable reading experience. I can't say the same for the audiobook version. The reader (His name I have forgotten.) sounds as if he has never read a Wolfe novel. He misses Archie Goodwin's narrative character completely, reading the book like a Shakespearian actor would read rap lyrics. The reader's only redeeming quality is in his reading of Wolfe's lines, which is tolerable. Book - four stars, reading - 2.

Rating:
Summary: There's no such thing as a bad Nero Wolfe book
Review: The Father Hunt does not rate at the top of Rex Stout's plots, but certainly near the top for characterization. Wolfe and Archie have never been better. While some would think this is a companion piece to The Mother Hunt, it should be read only after reading Death of a Doxy, as there is a minor tie-in to that book. A young woman has never known her father, so hires Wolfe to discover his identity. What begins as a simple paternity case ends up being a hunt for a murderer. If you've never read a Nero Wolfe novel before, DON'T read this one--start with one of the earlier books. But if you are familiar with the residents of the brownstone on West 35th Street, a treat awaits.