Wolfe often sends me to the dictionary, which isn't a bad thing. 1994 If Death Ever Slept. Might As Well Be Dea‪d ... Over My Dead Body. ‘Might as Well Be Dead’: Domesticity, Irony and Feminist Politics in Contemporary Animation Comedy. As always, Archie Goodwin provides the best narrative to a twisty-bendy mystery that had me on the edge of my seat! Other members of the regular cast include George Voskovec (Fritz Brenner), Robert Coote (Theodore Horstmann), George Wyner (Saul Panzer) and Allan Miller (Inspector Cramer). 2004, Auburn, California: The Audio Partners Publishing Corp., Mystery Masters, This page was last edited on 17 October 2019, at 03:32. This one, in particular, with very little updating could be set in 2019, not 1952. When asked, people can still explain how they define the American dream. Archie collects miscellaneous facts about the son: "Paul Herold had a three-inch scar on his left leg, on the inside of the knee, from a boyhood accident. I read several Nero Wolfe books when I was a lot younger. Archie collects miscellaneous facts about the son: "Paul Herold had a three-inch scar on his left leg, on the inside of the knee, from a boyhood accident. Rex Todhunter Stout (1886 – 1975) was an American crime writer, best known as the creator of the larger-than-life fictional detective Nero Wolfe, described by reviewer Will Cuppy as "that Falstaff of detectives." This is a new one for Wolfe, usually he does his mojo before the criminal has been sentenced... but this one, is different... Hays was a difficult obdurate and taciturn client which may have even contributed to the jury's perception of his guilt. Eleven years earlier, PH as a young man was falsely accused by his father of stealing from the family hardware company in Nebraska and he fled to New York. Almost at once the missing person is linked to a murder trial in progress. He wants Nero Wolfe and Archie to find his son. Set in the mid 1950s. The background for this story is far from present New York City, beginning eleven years previously in Nebraska. By Caroline Fairchild. Add the first question. 4.5 • 41 Ratings; $8.99; $8.99; Publisher Description “It is always a treat to read a Nero Wolfe mystery. He lives by a rigid schedule, affording ample time for the cultivation of orchids in his rooftop plant rooms, for reading and gourmandizing, and, occasionally, for some grudging detective work. Peter Hays has refused to give his lawyer any information on his background, something that counted against him with the district attorney, and seems depressed to the point of hopelessness, using the novel's title. The reader here is not invited to solve the mystery; the crime’s underlying reasons are discovered too late in the book for that. Set in the mid 1950s. The son, Paul Herold, had consequently broken almost all ties with the family, changed his name and moved to New York City. Not that he needs the work but he does not like the client so takes it on for the challenge and the cash. He was later cleared and the father has hired Nero Wolfe to find him. Might as well be dead Item Preview > remove-circle Share or Embed This Item. Wolfe and Archie really stumble into the murders in this story...they start out looking for a missing person. The usual setting is the great world city that was New York during Wolfe’s career, where Wolfe lives in an old brownstone from which he seldom stirs. 1977-10-29 - Evans Field House - Northern Illinois University One of the truly good Archie Goodwin/Nero Wolfe mysteries. is also the initials of a just convicted murderer in an on going trial. The only problem is, most of them don't think they have a shot at making it come true. The elder Mr. Herold kicked the younger one out of his business and his life and never saw or heard from him again. That had the newsmen and the police at an uproar due to Wolfe's involvement or so they thought... Was Wolfe's Paul Herold the same as the convicted felon Peter Hays? I am on a Nero Wolfe summer re-reading binge and am approaching most of Rex Stout's "Wolfe and Archie" books for the fourth or fifth time. And it doesn't matter, since I'll read it again and enjoy it. I've learned meanings to words I never would have known had that orchid. This time around, the mystery involves a missing person and a man who has already been convicted of murder...who end up being the same person. Its been two years since the meltdown of humanity. We all have our reading bucket lists. His employer does as well, although in a totally different way. 7/21/20 - upping to 3 stars, enjoyed the ebook; had forgotten whodunit. Details. EMBED (for wordpress.com hosted blogs and archive.org item tags) Want more? The series are as varied as the orchids in Wolfe's plant rooms that even had me trying my hand at some Phalaenopsis for they are such a joy to behold. James R. Harold is looking for his long-lost son. These stories just work. Might as Well Be Dead Photos. Welcome back. When a lawyer suggests there should be a written agreement, Wolfe says,"There won't be. Excellent book one of many in this fantastic series by Rex Stout, Wolfe undertakes a missing person case. If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data … Goodreads helps you keep track of books you want to read. Although Wolfe might collect a substantial fee by immediately notifying his client that his son has been found (albeit in mortal jeopardy), Archie's identification is still not certain, and Wolfe's client would be more satisfied if he was able to deliver the son as a free man. by Bantam Books. The investigation leads to a murder trial where the defendant has just been convicted. Archie Goodwin, the narrator of the Nero Wolfe tales, has a lovely turn of phrase. There's a pretty big conicidence you have to swallow at the beginning of the story, but otherwise, Stout, as usual, plays pretty fair. Until now, when our story begins. Wolfe's assistant Archie Goodwin recorded the cases of the detective genius from 1934 (, “I will ride my luck on occasion, but I like to pick the occasion.”, “He announced aggressively, 'I want to see Archie Goodwin.'. In some seventy books and novellas written from 1934 to Stout’s death in 1975, Nero Wolfe is the brainy detective, Archie Goodwin his sidekick and housemate who writes up the stories. Being a Nero Wolfe fanatic, I am extremely biased but if you haven't read this series you are missing something and the interaction between Wolfe and Archie is priceless. The true murderer must be found now. Guest stars include Gail Youngs (Margaret [Selma] Molloy), Bruce Gray (Patrick Degan), A.C. Weary (Peter Hays), Michael Currie (Albert Freyer), Lana Wood (Delia Brandt), Stephen Elliott (Mr. Herold) and John de Lancie (Tom Irwin). Might As Well Be Dead: A Nero Wolfe Mystery is a perfect example of a play that doesn’t push any boundaries, but is beautifully designed and executed. Since his pockets lack $100 in money Archie gave him to bribe potential witnesses, Wolfe and Archie consider it to be linked the Molloy murder, but the authorities make no such connection since the apparent murderer of Molloy has already been convicted. Meanwhile, a man known as Peter Hays has been on trial for murder, and the case is already with the jury, and a verdict is expected soon. Start by marking “Might as Well Be Dead (Nero Wolfe, #27)” as Want to Read: Error rating book. "Nero Wolfe" Might as Well Be Dead (TV Episode 1981) cast and crew credits, including actors, actresses, directors, writers and more. Buy a cheap copy of Might As Well Be Dead book by Rex Stout. "When a hippopotamus is peeved, it's a lot of peeve." Wolfe and Archie Goodwin soon realize he is siting in jail waiting to be sentenced for murder under a different n, 4 Stars. Cast. Nero Wolfe and Archie Goodwin are hired to find a missing man, his father believed him guilty of stealing money when he was a young man, odly enough he did not commit that creime either. Now he wants Nero Wolfe to track Paul down so that he can make amends. Might As Well Be Dead. Even the latter meagre information was only known because Paul has recently sent his sister a birthday card postmarked NYC. Strange as it might be for mystery novels--they don't pale on a second, third or fourth approach and, in some ways, I enjoy them even more each time I read them. ", (1985, posthumously published early draft of "Counterfeit for Murder"), "Theater review: This Wolfe at Park Square not as nimble as first visit", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Might_as_Well_Be_Dead&oldid=921669485, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License. The usual setting is the great world city that was New York during Wolfe’s career, where Wolfe lives in an old brownstone from which he seldom stirs. He was later cleared and the father has hired Nero Wolfe to find him. I'm not as a rule sensitive to feminist issues, but this is the limit. The two promises I failed to keep were obviously visiting the hospital and not giving mother mercy when she turned that day. 1979 In the Best Families. To see what your friends thought of this book, You don't *have to* read the others, but there are characters you might not be familiar with if you don't read at least a few. It aims Unfortunately a young man has recently been convicted of murder, Convicted of a murder he did not commit, not the man he appears to be, someone is looking for him.. what is going on in New York? It seems for a while that Nero Wolfe would not be able to solve the intricacies of the case, but never underestimate the cunning and genius of Wolfe. The story was also collected in the omnibus volume Three Aces (Viking 1971). "Might as Well Be Dead" (1956) begins when a businessman from Nebraska asks Nero Wolfe to find his missing son, who had left home ten years ago when falsely accused of theft. Another beautiful piece of work from this author. It's a case that will draw the great detective and his dedicated. maybe the initials meant on Wolfe's notice though it gave the person's full name on the Personals asking that person to get in touch with him as he is innocent... P.H. In the investigation of this job, one of Nero's men is run down and murdered, now it has become personal to Nero. Might As Well Be Dead is specifically set in 1956, a time when anti-miscegenation statutes were still legal in the United States (until they were struck down in Loving v. Virginia in 1967) and interracial relationships were deeply frowned upon. 1985 Some Buried Caesar. Might As Well Be Dead: A Nero Wolfe Mystery Jun 16 – Jul 30, 2017 By Joseph Goodrich; Directed by Peter Moore Adapted from the Novel by Rex Stout World Premiere Commission by our Mystery Writers Producers’ Club parksquaretheatre.org. Seriously, if you always put limits on what you can do, physical or anything else, it’ll spread over into the rest of your life. Now he wants Nero Wolfe to track Paul down so that he can make amends. Users who like Might As Well Be Dead; Users who reposted Might As Well Be Dead; Playlists containing Might As Well Be Dead; More tracks like Might As Well Be Dead; License: all-rights-reserved Subkoviak (Nero Wolfe), Michael Paul Levin (Inspector Cramer) and Jim Pounds (Fritz Brenner) reprised their roles; Archie Goodwin was played by Derek Dirlam. He did not disclose his bio~data not even to his lawyer whom Archie pumped for answers about his origins, and Archie HAD to know and so he was present at the court house for Hays' sentencing and finally got his answer... and with Wolfe's sanction sought an interview with Hays, baffling further the media and the police because of the detectives' earlier denials since they did not know much at the time when asked. Wolfe takes the missing persons case after the police’s failure to locate the young man. This one, in particular, with very little updating could be set in 2019, not 1952. Seems there had been a mistake a dozen years before, now revealed as a robbery by someone else, and the father wishes to make amends. P.H. This books starts with a request to find a missing son who had been falsely accused by his father of stealing from his company. Wolfe is hired by a man to find his son whom he hasn't seen in 7 years since they had a falling out. Wolfe (or anyway, Archie) does the job handily, but there are complications, the solution to which involve much entertaining coursing across the city, meeting the as usual not very edifying cast of characters, and ending with Wolfe’s characteristic inquest, whereby the principals are brought his office for a set piece of rigorous logic which concludes with his producing the villain. Why didn't one call and ask if the advertisement was aimed at her? REVIEW: Might as Well Be Dead is an incredibly compelling Nero Wolfe because one of the main characters is in jail and choosing to not be found. "When a hippopotamus is peeved, it's a lot of peeve." All info in the papers convinces Wolfe that the man found guilty was framed and he is the missing person. Archie Goodwin, the narrator of the Nero Wolfe tales, has a lovely turn of phrase. . The Missing Persons Bureau thinks it's a hopeless case, but that doesn't stop them from referring Harold to Wolfe (mostly so they can watch Wolfe stub his toe on it). " Might as Well Be Dead is the 27th novel in Rex Stout's monumental series featuring Nero Wolfe, the obese genius of detection, and his intrepid and suave helper, right hand, and amanuensis, Archie Goodwin. A stage adaptation of Might as Well Be Dead was commissioned by Park Square Theatre in Saint Paul, Minnesota. Joel Gwynne. I was wondering about all the leading characters, including "PH" in jail, to almost the very end. The man has entered our folklore.”—The New York Times Book Review Eleven years ago, wealthy Nebraska businessman James Herold gave his only son, Paul, a very raw deal. Wolfe and Archie Goodwin soon realize he is siting in jail waiting to be sentenced for murder under a different name. Wolfe often sends me to the dictionary, which isn't a bad thing. I've learned meanings to words I never would have known had that orchid fancier not used them. It was Monday, May 22nd, 1956 when she came begging for help. 'Might as Well be Dead': Domesticity, Irony and Feminist Politics in Contemporary Animation Comedy Joel Gwynne Abstract This article examines the ways in which contemporary animation comedy series such as The Simpsons (1989-present) and King of the Hill (1991-2010) employ the figure of the housewife to actuate a feminist critique of domesticity. Needless to day, more than one person with those initials thinks he his falsely accused of a crime, and the advertisement attracts many telephone calls to Wolfe's office the next day. The story was also collected in the omnibus volume Three Aces (Viking 1971). Overturning his recent conviction for first-degree murder, on the other hand--. Paul Harold is a veritable needle in the haystack that is New York City. Peter Hays has limited funds, and although Freyer is convinced of his client's innocence, it would be vastly preferable to have help both in the form of Wolfe's assistance and the financial backing of the father. [In the event the entire case turns on Goodwin – and Saul - finding a key. Might As Well Be Dead audiobook, by Rex Stout... “It is always a treat to read a Nero Wolfe mystery. There's a pretty big conicidence you have to swallow at the beginning of the story, but otherwise, Stout, as usual, plays pretty fair. EMBED. It's a case that will draw the great detective and his dedicated sidekick into a sticky web of deceit, one that will tax their resources to the utmost, and even cost them one of their own. But at the end, order of a particularly comfortable and deep-textured sort is restored. With a cast of Vertigo favourites and a classic story from the murder mystery canon, it ticks all the boxes for loyal fans. The American Dream Might As Well Be Dead: Here's Proof. A Mr. Herold, a well-to-do businessman from Nebraska wants to hire Wolfe to find his son Paul. This one was so far the easiest for me to follow as there were fewer suspects as the death toll piled up. It follows the formula to the letter, but has some its spring in its step and delivers what it offers, a diverting piece of pulp detective fiction. These stories just work. Do I need to read any of the previous books in the series before reading this one? Advanced embedding details, examples, and help! I was wondering about all the leading characters, including "PH" in jail, to almost the very end. The man has entered our folklore.”—The New York Times Book Review Eleven years ago, wealthy Nebraska businessman James Herold gave his only son, Paul, a very raw deal. Read this book using Google Play Books app on your PC, android, iOS devices. This FAQ is empty. Another good Wolfe--I never remember this one, but I like the widow and the plot, even if the solution is rushed. There are no limits. [ being a red shirt to provide motivation for Nero in solving the mystery. His employer does as well, although in a totally different way. What would happen if you cross this: The edition I read has an introduction by John Katzenbach. Another goodie from the master of detective fiction, Rex Stout. It is up to Nero and Archie to find out. A father sets Wolfe to look for his missing son. The second stage production to be authorized by the estate of Rex Stout, Might as Well Be Dead: A Nero Wolfe Mystery was written by Joseph Goodrich and directed by Peter Moore, who were also responsible for an adaptation of The Red Box at the same theater in 2014. That had the newsmen and the police at an uproar due to Wolfe's involvement or so they thought... Was Wolfe's Paul Herold the same as the convicted felon Peter Hays? The advertisement is also silent about the crime of which the man is innocent. The real murderer kills off several more people in his fight to cover everything up. . maybe the initials meant on Wolfe's notice though it gave the person's full name on the Personals asking that person to get in touch with him as he is innocent... P.H. Great little whodunit. I listened to the audio book and the reader, Michael Pritchard, is perfect for this series. October 1980 This sets up a confrontation with Hays' attorney, Albert Freyer, who suspects Archie of duplicity (since Archie earlier told Freyer, among others, that the advertisement referred to a different crime, not the murder of Michael Molloy for which Hays has just been tried), but Wolfe and Freyer, after some discussion, quickly come to an agreement on how to proceed to the best advantage of all concerned: Later on, Wolfe sends some of his operatives, including Johnny Keems, to investigate some of the friends and associates of Michael Molloy. Therefore, Freyer will start an appeal (initial steps are not costly) and meanwhile Wolfe will work on clearing Hays/Herold, and delay informing Wolfe's client for the time being. Three for the Chair. Just a moment while we sign you in to your Goodreads account. Couple hours after locking mother down in the papers convinces Wolfe that the man found guilty framed. 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