Fer-de-Lance

By: Rex Stout

Narrated by: Michael Prichard

Length: 8 hrs and 49 mins

Publisher's summary

When someone makes a present of a fer-de-lance - the dreaded snake - to Nero Wolfe, Archie Goodwin knows he's close to solving two apparently unrelated murders.

As for Wolfe, he's playing snake charmer in a case more deadly than a cobra and whistling a seductive tune he hopes will catch a killer with poison in his heart.

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

©1934 Rex Stout (P)1994 Books on Tape Inc.

Critic reviews

"Fer-de-Lance is the first mystery novel ever written by Rex Stout....[it] will be welcomed by the legions of Rex Stout fans and serve as a welcome introduction to a whole new generation of mystery buffs." (Midwest Book Review)

"A 1934 period mystery that is remarkably fresh." (The Roanoke Times)

poor technical

For a book recorded so recently it has static and deleted words throughout. Despite this it is well performed and a good story.

good read

good read, good pace. enjoyed the character development. will definitely read another Nero Wolfe novel.

This is the first book in the series

This was written before tv; however it is like a television pilot. It is close to other books in the series but isn’t fully developed. Tropes which become standard in future books aren’t developed here. Additionally the book is somewhat like a snapshot of the time in which it was written. It demonstrates the values of its age which are occasionally jarring to modern sensibilities. However, despite that it’s definitely worth a read. It’s not my favorite in the series but if you have listened to all of them it’s definitely worth a listen. Additionally, Michael Pritchard is the perfect reader for this series. He makes the words live. His performance alone is worth the price of the books in this series.

Good start for Nero Wolfe

I have decided to start back through this fantastic series, with Prichard's great reads. This first Nero Wilfe novel has a somewhat different feel, as Stout had not established as thoroughly his feel for Nero.

A very interesting mystery, showing off Wolfe's almost psychic abilities to smell out something that no one else notices. Some good characters. Pacing felt a bit off, especially at the end, but not enough to detract from a fine story.

The First

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

yes

Which character – as performed by Michael Prichard – was your favorite?

Michael Pritchard's voicing is wonderful, and he does Archie Justice.

Any additional comments?

This was a wonderful first entry into the series. The characters were well developed making you want to learn more about them. The narration was Wonderful. Some minor Technical glitches. Overall will listen to it again and again.

Another Rex Stout Classic

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

This audio book has a good mystery plot, the voice characterizations of Michael Pritchard are spot-on. There is the ever-present humor that the narrator character, Archie Goodwin, brings to the story.

What other book might you compare Fer-De-Lance to and why?

Other Rex Stout stories that are comparable are "Some Buried Caesar", "The League of Frightened Men". No other mystery writer that I'm aware of has this combination of irreverent humor and a good mystery that is "closed" and actually admits of the possibility of figuring out "who-done-it".

What about Michael Prichard’s performance did you like?

Prichard's characterizations of Archie, Inspector Cramer and Nero Wolfe are unforgettable and the interactions of the three in Wolve's office are unequaled.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Like all the books that I enjoy the most, I liked to savor Fer-De-Lance by reading in small sections and sometimes re-reading them before going on.

Thank you Michael Prichard and Rex Stout

If you could sum up Fer-De-Lance in three words, what would they be?

Rex Stout is unequivocal in interweaving wit, mystery, humor and humanity. Like no other author, he makes me feel like I can visit in my own living room with my own weaknesses and find ways to befriend them on intellectual grounds . . . and to love the best and worst of human beingness . . . what a gift!

Micheal Prichard might be equally as astounding, as he has given such a pertinent and adept interpretation to the characters with his voice. As much as I have absolutely loved the Nero Wolf stories over the years - I could never listen to them without a voice whose talent matches the authors!!! I wish it were possible for Mr. Prichard to complete the Nero Wolf Stories - I am positive that I will be buying them all, one-at-a-time.

Even though one is in heaven and one on earth - thank you both very much.

Fun mystery but why the cassette directions?

I like the book and I thought the narrator was excellent at conveying Archie Goodwin's view of the story which is how everything is presented.

What was weird is that is the digitized version of an old book on tape and they DIDN'T REMOVE THE TAPE CHANGING CUES!

So there you are in the middle of the story and suddenly the narrator tells me to turn the cassette over or change the cassette.

Really, it would take less than an hour to edit the cues out...

THE BEGINNING OF AN EPIC SERIES

Quite incredible to know this is the first of forty+ novels which are characterised by very clever plots, dialogue, scenes and characters. Here is the seed for many enjoyable hours of Stout entertaining us with his genius. Start here and dont look back.

The first story about my favorite fat detective

If you have never met Nero Wolf and Archie Goodwin this is a good place to start. As all of Rex Stouts mysteries this is a fine tale with a chance to meet fun characters. After you get to know the main characters in this series you begin to enjoy the humor of the interplay between Wolf an Archie as these two incompatibles form an outstanding detective team. I recommend all Nero Wolf mysteries.