Champagne for One

By: Rex Stout

Narrated by: Michael Prichard

Length: 5 hrs and 41 mins

Publisher's summary

There's nothing like murder to spoil a good meal. That's what Archie Goodwin, the able assistant to Nero Wolfe, discovers at a lavish dinner party hosted by a billionaire. It was a casual evening among gorgeous society girls, until champagne became a murder weapon.

Luckily for Archie, his boss knows champagne and other gourmet fare. He also happens to be a genius at deduction. That combination could mean the last call for a killer who spiked the bubbly with cyanide.

Stout fellow: listen to all of our Nero Wolfe mysteries, including classic radio programs!

©1958 Rex Stout (P)1996 Books on Tape Inc.

Critic reviews

"Michael Prichard's resolute and somewhat wry narration is perfectly suited to both the characters and the setting - New York in the 1950s. Wolfe's superiority is captured perfectly, and Prichard is quite believable when reading the women in the story. He also shines as Archie, giving voice to his world-weariness and his resolve that the murderer will be identified. The listener can empathize with both his frustration at having to put up with Wolfe and his admiration for his employer. A solid story, with solid narration. Prichard, like Goodwin, gets the job done with style." (AudioFile)

Old Favorite!!!!!

Love how this one develops!!!! The twists and turns!!!! It never DISSAPPOINTS!!!!!! You will love it too!!!!!

I wish all the Michael Pritchard narrated Neo Wolfe books were available on Audible!

For example, The Mother Hunt and Too Many Clients. This book, Champagne for One is an excellent example of Rex Stout at his finest.

Consummate Stout

Great consistency and continuity with other Nero Wolfe mysteries. Explains all the characters in a smooth, easy way without too much disruption for the Wolfe aficionado. Great story! Can’t see the resolution coming yet it is so logical. Fast paced. Not easily put down. Great read no matter whether your first Stout or a regular to his mysteries!

Nero and Archie at their best

Rex Stout was at the peak of his powers in the 1950s and this is one of his best from that era. The plot, setting and dialogue are very good, Archie is, as always, the star, and Wolfe displays his normal idiosyncracies with panache. The only thing missing is Lily Rowan but the rest of the normal stable of supporting characters are along for the ride - Inspector Cramer, Fritz, Saul, Orrie and Fred. Sergeant Stebbins has a nice moment at the climax in Wolfe's office. The narration is adequate. i am not a huge fan of Pritchard but it is one of his stronger efforts. Definitely worth a listen.

Best

I am listening to as many NW books as possible and am running out fast. I am totally hooked. This was the best so far. I especially thought the final process for resolution really really showed the nuances of NW’s approach and person. Good balance between NW and Archie. Even Sol had more depth. I can’t wait to find another I have not listened to.

This is a thinking man's detective!

Loved it! love all the Nero Wolf books. Listen very carefully, think about the actions! See if you can come close to "who done it" Sometimes if I think I missed something I go back to catch the nuance of the page. Think!!

Standardly Great

This is a great standard Nero Wolfe. There is not a lot of development of the series characters, but the story characters and events are well worth the listen. For me, the best Nero Wolfe novels have a great story, great story characters, great twists, and also develop the series characters in unexpected ways. This has the usual great narration, a good story, some nice twists and was a pleasure to hear. This is one they did on the A&E series and I had read before yet I still enjoyed the listen a lot.

Classic Nero Wolfe. Not to be missed.

I can't recommend this series highly enough. It is a treat to listen to with Prichard's entertaining style of reading and Stout's witty dialogue mixed with brilliant deduction.

Another great Nero Wolfe tale

Would you consider the audio edition of Champagne for One to be better than the print version?

Yes, because Michael Prichard does such an excellent job of bringing the story alive.

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

Yes. It was a great adventure with suspects that all could have done it and had motive and opportunity. Those are the best ones.

Have you listened to any of Michael Prichard’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Michael Prichard always reads these books very well. He is the perfect Archie Goodwin, relating their most recent case.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Not one in particular, no.

Any additional comments?

I recommend any of the Nero Wolfe audiobooks read by Michael Prichard. They are all fabulous and although my favorite is "A Family Affair" they are all excellent.

Excellent!

Surprising end with plenty of twists. Archie Goodwin & Nero Wolf at their best, a feast for the ears.