Death Times Three

By: Rex Stout

Narrated by: Michael Prichard

Length: 6 hrs and 54 mins

Publisher's Summary

Murder strikes thrice in these three baffling mysteries of crime and detection. First, Stout's great detective, Nero Wolfe, develops an appetite for the sweet taste of revenge when someone slips something most foul into his lunch. Then a couturier's beautiful sister uses Archie Goodwin, Wolfe's man about town, as her ready-made alibi (and maybe fall guy), unless Wolfe can spot the loose ends in a nearly seamless crime. Finally, Wolfe has a run-in with the law after a mysterious old woman leaves a package at the detective's West 35th Street brownstone that pits him against a cunning criminal and the U.S. government.

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

©1985 Rex Stout (P)2000 Books on Tape Inc.

Critic Reviews

"Nero Wolfe [is] part of our folklore." (The New York Times)

Three Stories All Good, but Two were Repeats

This collection contains three stories, two of which appear in different versions in other collections. The stories are Bitter End, Frame-Up for Murder (a later version of Murder is No Joke found in And Four to Go), and Assault on a Brownstone (an early version of Counterfeit for Murder found in Homicide Trinity). These were good stories, but two were repeats for me. Counterfeit for Murder is one of my favorite Wolfe stories and is better than Assault on a Brownstone. Frame-Up for Murder is a bit better than Murder is No Joke. Bitter End was quite enjoyable. I generally prefer the novels to short stories, but these are among the better Stout shorts.

9 of 9 people found this review helpful

classic Wolfe

Michael Pritchard never fails to deliver the goods...of course he's reading Rex Stout's words.!!

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Rex Stout at his Best!

Three excellent Nero Wolfe mysteries. Each, in my opinion among Stout's best. Michael Prichard, per his usual, bring life to each character.

Enjoyable, but not Classic Wolfe

One unpublished story, and two different versions of stories already published. They're not the best Wolfe tales, but they're still pretty enjoyable. Best is Assault on a Brownstone. Michael Pritchard does a good job with these narrations, although he really doesn't do a lot of different voices.

Excellent collection of theree short stories.

I always enjoy the style and wit of Rex Stout. One of the three stories was from a previous collection but I loved hearing it again. These characters grow on you through the series.

my least favorite of the Nero Wolfe books

Two of these tales are rewrites of stories I had already read in other collections. I especially think the last story suffers for the removal of Miss Hattie, the most fun one-off character in the entire series.

Another 3-in-1 Excellently Read

Another great set of "Tasty snacks", read by Michael Prichard. Interestingly, two of the stories in this collection, have alternative versions in other collections. The second story is the version I like best . The third story, I actually like the other version which appears in another volume better.

Both stories have alternative versions of a main female character. Both of these significantly change the story, as well as Archie's motivation (which obviously also changes Wolf's motivation).

Still, having read and listened to this collection many multiple times, it still holds up for me. Not my favorite, but certainly as good as most of the ones that aren't – which is saying something.

Recommended

Woops!!! This is the book.....

My previous review of "curtains for three" was meant for this book. I realized my error right after I submitted the review and do not know how to retract it. I did a marathon of Nero Wolfe books and got confused. Stories are duplicated in this book that are contained in "homicide Trinity". I hope the editor removes the other review.

Nero Wolf

Always fun. The stories are fantastic.

1 of 3 people found this review helpful