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Before Midnight  By  cover art

Before Midnight

By: Rex Stout
Narrated by: Michael Prichard
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Publisher's summary

Cheaters never prosper, but Nero Wolfe encounters one who kills trying. At the Pour Amour perfume riddle contest, a million dollars goes to the contestant who can answer five questions. Someone doesn't like the heat of competition, so he murders the contest founder and steals the answers to the riddles. Now Wolfe has to sniff down a trail of clues that leads disturbingly close to home.
Stout fellow: explore our list of Nero Wolfe mysteries, including novels and classic radio programs.
©1955 Rex Stout (P)1995 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)

What listeners say about Before Midnight

Average customer ratings
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    4 out of 5 stars

Complicated

A complicated plot with many threads expertly woven together. However, this very complexity weakens the pleasure of discovering the solution.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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A good listen!

This book was enjoyable and easy to listen and follow along as most Nero Wolfe books are.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Always a treat!

Rex Stout always delivers a story that is enjoyable enough to listen to multiple times and Prichard's reading is infinitely better than reading it yourself!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Best plot and character development

I rate Before Midnight as Rex Stout's best book of all those I have read so far. Excellent plot and I do appreciate the humor.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

One of the funniest

There are tons of priceless one-liners in this one, recited by Archie, Wolfe & even a couple by Cramer. You can just tell that Rex Stout was having a grand old time with this one. I have listened to this many times, as I have all the others. Ditto in terms of reading. And while I enjoy all of them, and some have better mysteries, better drawn characters, and other features which set them apart, this is one of the few where I find myself laughing out loud in multiple places every time I listen. And of course, Prichard does his usual stellar job.

You may not like him as a reader on other books. But when he reads Wolfe and Archie books, he is becomes something extraordinary. As an actor, you can tell he just loves these books. And he loves being Archie Goodwin, his greatest role, and one of he was born to play.

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2 people found this helpful

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Wonderful writing, wonderfully performed

I love Rex Stout’s Nero Wolfe books, but not for their plots. In fact, I almost never remember who committed the murder - which allows me to read them over and over again. What I love about these books is the wit and style of the writing, and his wonderful characters - particularly Archie. (I would love to go out dancing with him, but wouldn’t dare anything more serious. He is the quintessential bachelor.) So I have been reading Stout for many years, and loved the wonderful Timothy Hutton TV series, but have never heard the books read aloud. I wasn’t sure about Michael Pritchard from the audio sample, but decided to trust the reviews. They were absolutely correct; I can’t imagine a better narration. The book is one of Stout’s best, and it is read perfectly. I can’t recommend this recording enough.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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One of my favorites

Nero Wolfe has been my favorite detective since I began reading mysteries years ago. This one is one of my favorite Wolfes.

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3 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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An excellent Nero Wolfe

Wolfe breaks his most important rule to beard the murderer in his den. Classic Stout.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Great book

Excellent reading of a great book. Pritchard does a very good job. I check for his name when
Selecting books.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Nero had no c!ue, almost appeared stymied?

This was a contest for a well versed reader, most likely an English major or more. A very large sum of money and prizes were being offered. Down to just a few contestants and the last five answers, a man is murdered who boasts he has the answers to the clues. Nero has been hired to straighten it all out! Nothing he does gives him a lead. What does he do? As always the reader is perfect for Nero and Archy. Rex Stout does it again!

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