Trouble at the Brownstone

Rex Stout's Nero Wolfe Mysteries #16

by Robert Goldsborough

Archie Goodwin goes undercover on the waterfront in a new mystery by the author who “does a masterly job with the Wolfe legacy” ( Booklist ).
 
Archie Goodwin is not overly fond of Theodore Horstmann, who takes care of the orchids on the rooftop of Nero Wolfe’s West Thirty-Fifth Street brownstone. But as loyal assistant to the legendary private detective, Archie will put his animosity aside when the surly orchid-keeper stumbles through the front door beaten within an inch of his life.
 
While the gardener lies in a coma, Nero sends Archie to poke around his apartment near the river. The place is neatly kept, if not quite as elegant as the brownstone, but across the street on Tenth Avenue Archie quickly discovers the longshoremen’s watering hole in whose back room Horstmann has been playing a lot of bridge lately. The smoky tavern is packed with tough dockworkers and recent European immigrants, and Archie does his best to blend in, filling the victim’s empty seat in his running card game, as he attempts to learn what sort of shady business might have led to attempted murder. But when one of his new bridge partners is killed, Archie finds himself caught up in something much bigger than a bar fight . . .
 
Trouble at the Brownstone serves up postwar New York City atmosphere in a fast-paced mystery featuring Nero Wolfe, “one of the two or three most beloved detectives in fiction” ( Publishers Weekly ).
 
“Mr. Goldsborough has all of the late writer’s stylistic mannerisms down pat.” — The New York Times

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Historical Mystery, Procedural

264 pages, Paperback

First published June 15, 2021

About the author

Robert Goldsborough is an American author of mystery novels. He was born in 1937 and grew up in the Chicago area. Although he worked for 45 years for the Chicago Tribune and Advertising Age, he first came to prominence in the 1980s with the publication, with the approval of the estate of Rex Stout, of his Nero Wolfe mystery Murder in E Minor. Written privately for his mother back in 1978, shortly after the death of Stout, creator of the Wolfe stories, the novel received a Nero Award.

Six other Nero Wolfe books followed from Goldsborough, all favorably received. However, more recently he has turned his attention to creating books with his own characters, beginning with Three Strikes You're Dead, a novel set in pre-war Chicago, and starring Steve Malek, a reporter for the Tribune.

Series:
* Nero Wolfe Novels by Robert Goldsborough
* Snap Malek Mystery

Reviews

[H (trying to keep up with GR friends) Balikov · Rating 4 out of 5]

One can argue that Goldsborough is not as deft as Rex Stout with the duo of Goodwin and Wolfe but I offer the opening of this book as one of the best in the series:

"Let’s get something straight, right at the start: I am not a friend of Theodore Horstmann’s and never have been, from the first time we met in Nero Wolfe’s brownstone all those years ago. He is surly, smug, standoffish, and superior in his manner. Oh, and honesty compels me to mention that Theodore doesn’t like me, either, although you will have to ask him why. I’m not about to. And I don’t care. All of that aside, the man is part of our “family” in the old brownstone on West Thirty-Fifth Street in Manhattan, which consists of Nero Wolfe, master detective and lord of all he surveys; Fritz Brenner, chef supreme, whose gourmet meals are part of the reason Wolfe weighs a seventh of a ton; Horstmann, the orchid nurse who works with Wolfe to coddle the 10,000 orchids in the greenhouse’s three climate-controlled rooms on the roof; and me, Archie Goodwin, gofer, errand boy, and cockle burr under Wolfe’s saddle whenever he shows signs of laziness while working on a case—which is often. Life in the brownstone had gone smoothly since the end of the war, and now, six years later and just past the midpoint of the twentieth century, that domestic peace had been disturbed."

This is not the first book you should read about Nero Wolfe’s adventures. Start with one of the earlier ones by Rex Stout. https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
As near as we get to a “family gathering” at Wolfe’s would include: Saul, Fred and Orrie. Here is how Nero Wolfe poses the challenge before them: "Theodore moved out of the brownstone some weeks ago and took an apartment in a building on Tenth Avenue, although he has continued to work for me on a regular schedule. On one night several days ago, he appeared at the door here in a state of collapse, having been savagely beaten. His only words before he lapsed into unconsciousness were, ‘There were two of them.’”"

All agree that there is work to be done. It all ends (as do most of Wolfe’s cases) with a powerful reveal. (Not a spoiler) "I could tell the inspector had been appalled at what was revealed, or at least suggested, during the meeting. Here was a cop who had observed a lot of evil in his decades on the force, but this may have topped everything else he had seen."

Goldsborough has found “new ore to mine” in the historical events of the period. This novel’s premise is complicated but very interesting from the knitting together of clues to the actual historical situation of those times. Well done! 4*

[Abibliofob · Rating 5 out of 5]

In a post war New York City, you don't mess with Nero Wolfes family. Trouble at the Brownstone starts with that Theodore Horstman, Wolfes gardner is brutally beaten for no apparent reason. This leads to Archie being sent to investigate, and it seems that a lot of Displaced persons are hanging around a bar and appartment building in Hells Kitchen where Horstman lives. Who are these people and what's up with the longshoremen? The nosing around leads to murder and Goodwin being assaulted, which leads to Nero getting angrier. Inspector Cramer don't know what to think about the situation and Nero summons Saul, Fred, Orrie and even Del Bascomb to help with the mystery. I have been a fan of Rex Stouts work since I was really young and am glad that Robert Goldsborough has taken up the series. I always enjoy a Nero Wolfe story.

[Dan O'Connor · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall I thought that this was a weak effort from an author that has done a very good job in carrying on the Wolfe stories. The novel had some rich material to work with in the setting of post World War II New York City and the 1948 Displaced Persons Act but the end result was thin and somewhat transparent.

[hotsake (André Troesch) · Rating 3 out of 5]

All my normal criticisms for Goldsborough's Wolfe books aside, this was a mildly amusing but very meandering and overly long mystery.

[Tim Blackburn · Rating 4 out of 5]

So happy that Mr Goldsborough took up the mantle to provide we Nero Wolfe fans with further adventures after Rex Stout's death many years ago. Mr Goldsborough has been writing Wolfe novels for around 30 years now, so thank you!! As other reviewers have noted, this adventure is significantly different from typical Wolfe mysteries but very entertaining nonetheless. A new Nero Wolfe mystery makes me so happy to be reunited with old friends Nero Wolfe, Archie Goodwin, Inspector Kramer, Fritz Brenner, and other assorted characters. I loved the experience!!

[Angie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Once again, another excellent Nero Wolfe mystery. Thank goodness someone was able to take up the series after the death of Rex Stout. Robert Goldsborough's style of writing continues in Stout's manner keeping us invested in Nero Wolfe and Archie Goodwin's antics.

[Library of Dreaming (Bookstagram) · Rating 3 out of 5]

This started off really strong with the stakes raised for Wolfe and co but the ending kind of fizzled out.

[Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

Trouble in the Brownstone is another delightful installment in the Nero Wolfe series, and it doesn’t disappoint. As always, Archie Goodwin steals the show—his sharp wit and quick comebacks make him one of the most memorable and engaging characters in any series. His dynamic with Laun, the newspaper man and poker buddy, is a particular highlight. Their playful banter is a joy to read, and it adds a layer of humor that balances out the more serious aspects of the mystery.

The plot itself is tightly woven, with the usual blend of intriguing detective work and witty dialogue. Wolfe’s brilliance is on full display, but it’s the chemistry between Archie and the supporting characters that makes this one stand out. The pacing is just right, and the ending ties everything up nicely without feeling rushed.

While I’d give this one a solid 4.25 stars, it’s certainly one of the more enjoyable books in the series for me. It’s hard not to get lost in the world of Nero Wolfe and Archie Goodwin—if you’re a fan of clever mysteries and sharp-tongued characters, this one is definitely worth your time.

Audiobook- Chirp

[Ken Mattes · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the 16th book written by Robert Goldsborough in the Nero Wolfe mystery series and revolves around solving the reason for Theodore, Wolfe’s gardener of his orchids, was brutally attack and almost killed.
Worth the read/listen if you are a Nero Wolfe fan.

[George Sr. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not your normal Nero Wolfe-style mystery, but entertaining nonetheless. First, it’s not technically a murder mystery, although two minor characters do get killed. Second, it’s not hard to figure out who’s behind the mayhem, but the mystery is why they’re engaging in such extreme violence. Third, I couldn’t see any way the story was going to end with Wolfe pulling a rabbit from his hat at his office in the brownstone. As a matter of fact, he didn’t, but he did show Cramer how to solve the case. And the solution will most likely come out of left field for anyone not intimately familiar with conditions in NYC immediately following WW2.

[Juergen Amling · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting plot

I really thought this story was well developed. Coming from Europe I definitely understand the problems the characters in the book went through. I read Rex Stout’s novels my whole live long and enjoy so much the continuation of Nero Wolfe’s and Archie Goodwin’s and all the other characters.

[Margaret H. Williams · Rating 1 out of 5]

Either Goldsborough did not write that book or he has the worst editor in the world. When “Art” was talking to the man in charge of the ‘flop house’ he alternately lcalled ‘Ted’ his “cousin” or his “Uncle” and yet the man in charge did not catch that.
Then later in the book, Theodore was referred to as “Fritz”. Nuts! Fritz is the chef and was not the man who was heat up!!
Whoever edited that book is not an expert on anero and Archie et. al.

[Susan Mattes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Own also June 20, 2021. So good to spend time with Rex Stout’s characters!

[Antonietta tesfaye · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s a little distorting considering that this is number 16 but it takes place in timeline years before previous novel. I would have liked it in chronological order but it is what it is.

[Diane K. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think that this is one of the better of Goldsborough's canon, with qualifications. It's an interesting storyline. For a while, I was expecting it to somehow tie in with Stout's THE GOLDEN SPIDERS. It was well paced. For a change, Goldsborough remembered that Orrie Cather was on Wolfe's short list of free-lance operatives to be called in at need. Orrie did his assignment quite adequately. Archie did some mild sniping at Orrie's abilities, but no heavy sniping to foreshadow things to come. Characters were, for the most part, interesting and well fleshed-out. It seemed strange not to have a good, meaty murder kicking things off, but the shocking assault on Theodore Horstmann grabbed the attention.

I do wish that they had not reduced the shock effect by announcing straight out on the blurb that Theodore gets beaten up. A simple statement to the effect that Theodore was to have a direct involvement in this new case would have sufficed. And, of course, there were numerous little annoying flicks to remind the reader that this is not Rex Stout.

*Archie's dialogues with characters outside the office (especially Lily Rowan) still tend to sound as though they are declaiming speeches in a stage play.
*So is Archie Theodore's cousin or uncle? There is a considerable difference.
*Archie suddenly develops a penchant for "mouthing" the names of callers to Wolfe as he signals him to pick up the phone. When it's that noticeable, he's doing it too much.
*Shortly after we learn that Del Bascom is a regular player at the weekly poker parties, Saul--Saul, of all people!!!--asks Archie if he knows Del. Oh, puh-leeze!
*Archie takes a batch of suits to the dry cleaners that do not particularly need cleaning. He says afterwards that what he really wanted was the smile from the widow running the service, and that it lifted him up for the rest of the day. This really, really does not sound like Archie at all. Of course, he was still recuperating from concussion....
*And what's with all the blueberry muffins? Granted, they're baked by Fritz, and are doubtless excellent muffins, but Fritz puts in a little more variety in his breakfasts. (This reminds me of some of the earliest Goldsborough books, in which peach pie was served constantly.)

However, these were minor annoyances, and, unlike some of the other books, they do not override my enjoyment of the story as a whole. Keep 'em coming, Robert. Long live Wolfe and Archie!

[Orinoco Womble (tidy bag and all) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sadly Nero Wolfe, like Poirot and Peter Wimsey, has become a brand. Goldsborough has Rex Stout's daughter's blessing to write "new Wolfe mysteries." While this book is all right in itself, I still fail to see why Goldsborough couldn't create his own characters and write his own stuff, instead of riding Wolfe and Archie's coattails to fame.
Did I say it was all right? I meant it was Okay. Goldsborough falls into the trap of many other followon/fanfic authors: he doesn't study the character idiom enough. Any Wolfe cub recognises Archie's inimitable narrative style, and yet Goldsborough has all his characters from Nero to Archie to Saul to Cramer speaking in a rather stilted verbose way, never using contractions. Few people talked like that even in the 1950s, when the novel is set, and he forgets that each character would have their own voice. I guess it's just easier to grind out his version Wolfespeak for everybody.
Goldsborough also claims great familiarity with the Canon and its characters as well as the explanatory books such as The Nero Wolfe Cookbook. He would have done better to consult Fritz' own choices, such as Encyclopedia of Practical Gastronomy and Larouse Gastronomique. They're not hard to come by, I own copies myself, but Goldsborough merrily ignores the fact that many readers live for meals at the brownstone. He contents himself with saying they had "an excellent meal" or "dessert and coffee" and lets it go at that.
And since when do Cramer and Stebbins actively "hate" Wolfe and Goodwin? Oh, yeah, supposedly in one of your other posthumous books.
You are not, nor ever will be, Rex Stout. Go write your own stuff.
Two and a half stars because the longer I wrote this review the more annoyed I became.
I don't have to be fair to your book, Goldsborough, you weren't to Stout's.

[Lloyd · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is another installment of the Nero Wolfe mysteries as written by author Robert Goldsborough. He revived the series after the death of the series creator and author, Rex Stout. Mr. Goldsborough has been faithful to the characters as created by Rex Stout and these mysteries follow the same pattern as those written by Mr. Stout. That is, Nero’s assistant Archie Goodwin is the narrator and storyteller. So actual thoughts of Nero Wolfe are not necessarily known. Archie does much of the legwork investigating and presents his finding to Wolfe, who puts the pieces together to solve the crime. In this story, a recurring character from the Brownstone (Wolfe’s home on 35th Street in New York City) is brutally assaulted. That triggers Wolfe’s investigation. In my opinion, the mystery isn’t the real focus of these stories. The real focus is the recurring characters. Each has a unique personality and the interaction and dialogue between the characters is the true charm of these mysteries. They are enjoyable and entertaining to read. They are not heavy mysteries that reveal true evil in the world. These are crimes usually motivated by greed, not by psychopathic sadistic killers. So, if you’re looking for a light enjoyable read, try the Nero Wolfe mystery series, either by the original author or the current author.

[M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyable mystery set in post-WWII NYC, circa early 1950s.

This is one of Robert Goldsborough’s better Nero Wolfe & Archie Goodwin murder mysteries. Wolfe’s personal orchid nurse & gardener, Theodore Horstmann, is beaten badly by two unknown men. As Theodore lies comatose in ICU, Mr. Wolfe activates his irregulars—Saul Panzer, Fred Durkin & Orrin Cather—to help Archie gather evidence and go undercover. Of course, newspaperman Lon Cohen and PI Del Bascom are in the mix—as is Lily Rowan.

Post WWII, Nazis were smuggled out of Germany and Europe via an organized, ratline system. In the US, American shipping companies, dock workers, owners of buildings, etc. aided the smuggling effort. I knew about the Displaced Persons Act passed post-Holocaust—to help Jews/Europeans resettle after WWII. However, I searched for info about the Second War Powers Act of 1942, the ratline, and Odessa. Overall, a very good, vintage mystery read.

Please note that I listened to the audiobook which is brilliantly narrated by L.J. Ganser, and I tend to give higher ratings to audiobooks, adding 0.5 to 1.0 stars.

[Nancy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m finding all of the Nero Wolfe novels written by Goldsborough to be very predictable, but also thick with page-fillers of excess dialogue and repetition of what we already know. Still, being a Nero Wolfe junkie, I keep reading these because I have read all of the books by Rex Stout, some of them twice. Goldsborough, of course, is not Stout, and I think he’s doing as good a job as he can with these books. Stout had an incredible way of moving things along at a good pace with enviable relationships between many of the characters that did not overdo things. In these continuations of Stout’s work, Wolfe, in particular, is a little too verbose when talking with Archie, or anyone else, and it dilutes the mystery of the genius PI. But that’s just me and how I’m viewing it.

[Bill · Rating 3 out of 5]

I conține to read these Goldsborough continuation novels because i am a big fan of Wolfe and Goodwin. In fact, I usually re-read one or two of Stout's book each year. I almost gave up on Goldsborough after his book The Battered Badge, which I felt was disgraceful to the memory of these two great fictional characters. His later books have been better but still suffer from the issue of the author including so many of Stout's regular characters in each book, though admittedly in this book it works fairly well. That said, I was way ahead of Archie if not Wolfe in realizing what was going on and who the bad guys were.

[Thad Allen · Rating 3 out of 5]

After finishing a John Irving novel I needed something relaxing to read. Nero Wolfe always fits that bill. Robert Goldsborough has done an excellent job of keeping Nero Wolfe alive.

This particular one was as good as usual on keeping all the aspects of the great detective and his idiosyncrasies intact. All of the usual characters are present and playing their usual roles.

The only shortcoming is the mystery itself. I had figured it out before Wolfe did. Highly unusual.

Worth the read though.

[Gilbert Stack · Rating 3 out of 5]

When Theodore Horstmann, the man who takes care of Wolfe’s orchids, is beaten so badly he’s put into a coma, Wolfe decides that honor demands he find the assailants. When murder quickly follows, Wolfe and Archie realize they have a much more serious problem than a robbery gone wrong.

This novel appears to go “back in time” to be set shortly after the end of World War II, rather than continuing Wolfe and Archie’s adventures in the “present day” of the storyline. It’s fast moving with a serious threat to Wolfe’s people and an unusual degree of cooperation with Inspector Cramer.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good mystery and a slice of history.

Rooted in post WWII NYC, this episode in NW's career stays close to home as his associates find themselves in harm's way. The story can sound a little preachy at times but the views expressed may help those who are unfamiliar with this era understand these times better. A few twists and turns kept the action moving. It wasn't hard to figure out what was really going on I, but I was a bit surprised by the abrupt ending ...still it's a good read.

[Mark Shepherd · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm a longtime fan of the Nero Wolfe mysteries. My mother got me hooked on the Rex Stout novels decades ago. Mr. Goldsborough has done a great job of keeping those books alive and keeping the fun in the murder mysteries. In particular, this one gives us some backstory on a character who's mentioned in most, if not all, of the novels, and makes him the central character in the mystery.

Even if you don't care for murder mysteries, it's fun to read the stories through Archie Goodwin's sense of humor.

[Cybercrone · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is the first of the Goldsborough era Wolfe books I've read. It is terrible.
Every one of the major characters' personalities were altered and the plot was so simple that you had the who, what and where figured out before they were fully described.
I'm tempted to read the first one he wrote, the one that got the award, just to see if they gave him the award for the actual writing or just honouring him for taking over from Stout.

[Homerun2 · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

I like the Robert Goldsborough continuation of the Nero Wolfe mysteries. This one is post WWII and hits close to home when Wolfe's orchid tender Theodore is badly beaten and lingers in a coma. Archie and crew start to investigate Theodore's life away from the brownstone to find the culprits.

[Arliss · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finally! This is the first of the Nero Wolfe books by Robert Goldsborough that really felt like Rex Stout wrote it. Almost. Goldsborough still does not have the feel for Stout’s way with dialog but all the rest of the book was just right. If you are a fan of Archie, Nero, Fritz, and Theodore, you will enjoy Trouble at the Brownstone.

[Yosef Shapiro · Rating 3 out of 5]

This Nero Wolfe pastiche is set in the proper time period, the 1950's for a proper Wolfe pastiche. Goldsborough has set some of his in contemporary times and I think that is a mistake. One thing I did not like was Wolfe's big reveal was not down at the Brownstone but at a Police station . That just feels wrong. Overall, a solid effort.

[William Dury · Rating 3 out of 5]

Theodore Horstmann, Wolfe’s orchid assistant, is put into a coma as the result of a street attack. It doesn’t appear to have been a robbery, so what was it? It’s interesting to watch Goldsborough take on the various bits of machinery in the Wolfe canon in his continuation series. His handling of the main characters is really pretty good.

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Always enjoy a new adventure with Archie and Nero Wolfe...they are like old friends. Robert Goldsborough does a great job in this latest story where Nero's orchid tender Theodore Horstmann is badly injured.

L. J. Ganser does a great job on the narration - abook is 6 hours 33 min - I listened at 90% speed.