And Be a Villain

By: Rex Stout

Narrated by: Michael Prichard

Length: 7 hrs and 4 mins

Publisher's summary

Madeline Fraser, radio talk show host extraordinaire, had a natural dread of dead air. So when one of her on-air guests signed off at the mike after drinking a glass of a sponsor’s beverage, it was a broadcaster’s nightmare come true.

Enter Nero Wolfe. He agrees to take the case, with his sizable fee contingent on his solving the murder. But to Wolfe’s surprise, everyone connected to the case now lies in unison about it. And as the portly detective soon discovers, the secret worth lying about only hides another worth killing for.

Introduction by Maan Meyers

“It is always a treat to read a Nero Wolfe mystery. The man has entered our folklore.” (The New York Times Book Review)

A grand master of the form, Rex Stout is one of America’s greatest mystery writers, and his literary creation Nero Wolfe is one of the greatest fictional detectives of all time. Together, Stout and Wolfe have entertained - and puzzled - millions of mystery fans around the world. Now, with his perambulatory man-about-town, Archie Goodwin, the arrogant, gourmandizing, sedentary sleuth is back in the original 73 cases of crime and detection written by the inimitable master himself, Rex Stout.

Stout fellow: explore our list of Nero Wolfe mysteries, including novels and classic radio programs.

©1948 Rex Stout (P)1995 Books on Tape

Critic reviews

"[Prichard's] Nero Wolfe is suitably commanding." (AudioFile)
"It is always a treat to read a Nero Wolfe mystery. The man has entered our folklore." (New York Times)

good listen

Good listen, but figured out murder soon. Still had some twists did not see. Plots for later book? Most likely.

You can't go wrong with Rex Stout

This isn't one of the better Nero Wolfe mysteries, but even the less wonderful ones are better than most of what's out there. Michael Prichard always brings out Archie's sly deadpan sarcasm and Wolfe's misanthropic stubbornness with great skill.

Great Gumshoe Mystery

For my credits there is no pairing that beats Nero and Archie, except maybe Holmes and Watson. But I think Stout does a better job of creating an atmosphere and building tension. If you don't already know these stories do yourself a favor and get to know them. Pritchard is a great narrator too. I've been listening so long I still expect him to say "if the cassette is stuck remove it and slap it sharply against a flat surface". If you get it, you get it.

Nero Wolfe

Great mystery book. Love Nero Wolfe books and the way Archie and him solve crimes.

One of the best!

This has probably been my favorite Nero Wolfe book yet. Very enjoyable. It will keep you guessing!

Extreamly hard to follow and figure out.

this is impossible to follow and keep up with. too many clues and false clues. Everyone seems to be lying and devious. Hopeless to follow. The only book by Rex Stout to skip. Frustrating and a waste of MY time, but take your time and keep a score pad of who's who and what's what, it might be YOUR cup of tea.

Love Stout

He is just a wonderful author and the narrator is great.I will be buying more Stout.

The First of the Zeck Novels... Read All Three!

This novel introduces a master villain who motivates three superb Nero Wolfe novels. They are not to be missed for fans of this series and should absolutely be read in order, 2nd - The Second Confession, 3rd -In the Best Families.

an excellent mystery, unfortunate narrator

one of the good ones, after all they are all good but some of them are more a or b grade. This is an a one. I don't like Michael Pritchard as a narrator; he doesn't have the sense of humor inherent in Archie Goodwin.

Chilling Villain, Memorable Characters

Memorable, easily distinguishable characters show Rex Stout’s genius in creating a cast for his stories, including a chilling villain. The humorous take on Nancy Lee and her parents is filled with a certain satisfying warmth. Also the professor! I love how one of the characters is put down early on but later becomes vital. More humor enters with Wolfe’s treatment of the products, particularly Sweeties. Archie is in fine form with the trip south and also in his ploy to keep Wolfe concentrated on the work at hand. I love seeing Inspector Cramer and Wolfe working together for a bit. This is one of the freshest, most easily recalled stories, with many ingenious twists and turns, and flows beautifully into later books.