Over My Dead Body

By: Rex Stout

Narrated by: Michael Prichard

Length: 7 hrs and 23 mins

Publisher's summary

Nero Wolfe, lover of fine food and prize orchids, is a genius at daring detection. But he is always on guard when it comes to women. Now murder at a fencing studio engages him and his confidential assistant, Archie Goodwin, in a dangerous duel with death. The prime suspect is a Balkan beauty who has a secret reason for wanting Wolfe to clear her - and a double identity that may be the perfect foil for covering up a killer.

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

©1940 Rex Stout (P)1994 Books on Tape Inc.

Critic reviews

"Rex Stout and Nero Wolfe make a combination that is hard to beat." (The New York Times)

Rex Stout Can’t Be Beat!

Excellent Story . . . Excellent Narration . . . Rex Stout’s Books Are The BEST I’ve ever Read or Listened To . . . As usual!!!

Rex Stout - Nero Wolfe - Timeless - Best Mysteries

I loved this book. Please get ALL the Nero Wolfe mysreries on

Audible they are all so good, a real treat for any book lover.

You can't really miss with Wolfe

Michael Prichard has Wolfe down to a T. Personally, in my head I hear Archie as being a little more chipper, but that's just my choice. Great story, loads of political intrigue, and a couple of murders...plus we meet Wolfe's adopted daughter!

Still enjoy Rex Stout. Can't resist Nero & Archie

As always I enjoy a good story with Nero, Archie and all the rest. Entertaining!

Narration brings fantastic characters to life

As in every Nero Wolfe tale, the wonderful, lovable characters shine brightly in this novel! Archie's constant wry banter is a joy; his fractious camaraderie with Wolfe hits my heartstrings. The plot of this novel has more intrigue than usual, so I felt my attention lagging just a tiny bit; but take that with a grain of salt, because I might just not have been in the mood for intrigue. Overall, Michael Prichard's outstanding narration of these wonderful characters makes this book worth listening to!

Difficult to follow at times as an audiobook

I read this book decades ago. It is as good as an audiobook, but because of the number of characters it is harder to follow the storyline

Interestingly dated and very well written

Nero Wolfe is an interestingly dated, but very well written, detective series. Expect to be surprised and amused, but don't expect to agree with the social norms in this book. Nero Wolfe IS NOT a historical mystery series. It is a fun, but very dated, contemporary detective series - prepare to learn a lot about how these characters were expected to behave, by a writer of that time.

And I almost forgot to mention that the reader is great, though the sound quality suggests that the master copy of this file came from a cassette tape. Its not warped, but it isn't crystal clear, either.

Does Nero Wolfe Have a Daughter? Find Out.

This is yet another extremely entertaining and surprising story that will make you laugh out loud at times and be shocked at others. As Wolfe would say, "Very Satisfactory."

Another Great One

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

I would, and have. This has a lot of the classic Nero Wolfe elements, including Archie acting in his element (The world outside the Brownstone), and Wolfe being very much in charge of his castle.

Normally, we see Archie go out and get information or lure someone back to the apartment. In this story we see him doing other things; things normally associated with action roles.

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

No, but few do.

If any of the series were to be bade into a movie, I think this would be one of the better candidates.

Which scene was your favorite?

The one where Archie is the cab with the guy who doesn't want to take Archie to a certain place. The ways Archie shuts down every attempt to get out of it is a highlight of the series for me.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Cry? No. It's not a crying type of book. Every Wolfe book makes me laugh at some point.

Any additional comments?

There is one nagging question I have, and repeated listenings haven't helped. There is a government representative that turns up several times to ask questions that are clearly hints at the overall plot, but those visits are never explained in any way I've been able to find.

Too complicated

I usually love Nero Wolfe but this plot was so complicated, I had to listen to Wolfe’s explanation several times. I do like this narrator.