The Bloodied Ivy

A Nero Wolfe Mystery

By: Robert Goldsborough

Narrated by: L. J. Ganser

Length: 6 hrs and 13 mins

Publisher's summary

A professor’s death lures the reclusive detective and his sidekick to a bucolic crime scene: “Goldsborough does a masterly job with the Wolfe legacy.” (Booklist)

An academic so conservative he thought Ronald Reagan was a pinko, Hale Markham rules Prescott University like an intellectual tyrant - until the morning he’s found dead at the bottom of one of Prescott’s famously beautiful ravines. Every liberal on campus hated the crotchety old crank, but which one is responsible for giving Markham his final push to the right?

The case so intrigues the incomparable, reclusive master detective Nero Wolfe that he takes the unusual step of leaving the confines of his home. With man of action Archie Goodwin at his side, Wolfe examines jealous professors, a fanatical assistant, and a university president with an ego that - like the school itself - will not stop growing. Though they’re far from the city, Wolfe and Goodwin will find that no back alley is as dangerous as the shadowy corridors of the Ivy League.

©2012 Robert Goldsborough (P)2020 Blackstone Publishing

Getting predictable

Goldsborough has ended his first three books with the 'bring them here and I'll expose the culprit' scenario. I hope he decides to change it up a bit.

 Unbalanced story 

The story was weak, but the characters in it was strong. The narrator did well telling it.

Terrific whodunnit!

I don’t enjoy the stories involving a lot of thugs! This was about academics, and had me puzzled all the way up to Wolfe’s reveal!
Good narration and one of the best stories!

These are great continuations

Of course the original is still the best but these continuations of Rex Stouts often brilliant novels are really a cut way above the average effort at continuing an author’s works. This one is especially good.

Pleasantly surprised

I thought I was quite certain about who was the culprit. Didn’t imagine the ending as it unfolded, I was pleasantly surprised. I enjoyed it.

I love this series...!!!

It is great fun listening. Yes it's somewhat trite, it's somewhat predictable however it is wonderfully Well written and has an extraordinarily good narration and snappy dialogue that is great fun for me.. It seems that they all end with a cacophonous denoument that is the Hallmark of Nero Wolf. And I am wearing out Google adding to my vocabulary... incidentally there really is a Prescott College only it is in Prescott Arizona and is indeed a private university with only some 300 students and a really great academic standing. Great fun series. Your mileage may vary... 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Enjoy this Series

Not fond of the narrator, but I listen because the author actually continued pretty much where Rex Stout left off. As an author who has continued another author’s series, he’s been true to the original! I enjoy the stories, but would enjoy them more with another narrator.

somewhat entertaining

Although lively at times (good narrator) this one just fell flat. It seemed contrived, drawn out, and filled with Archieisms and Wolfeisms. The tale entirely comes to a logical but unsatisfying conclusion.

If I want politics, I watch the news

This usually enjoyable series has taken an ugly turn to political bashing.
The normally wonderful Narrator has an angry edge.

Not worth a credit, Plus Catalog makes its okay

This review is more on the series than the book itself, just info to determine if you want to invest yourself in these characters and series.

If you are looking for a very captivating storyline with lots of twists and turns, then this series probably is not for you.

If you are just looking for an easy listen while you are on your daily commute and don’t mind some series timeline issues of having stories set in prohibition and advent of personal computers, then this series is for you.

My ADHD sometimes makes my mind wonder away from the story but when refocusing, I was still able to follow storyline without needing to go back. I think the narrator’s energy helps makes up for the some of the flaws in the storyline.

The only reason I stuck with the series because many of the books were included in the Audible Plus Catalog and I liked the narrator. However, I would not spend a credit on any of these books.