FADE TO BLACK

by Robert Goldsborough ‧ RELEASE DATE: Oct. 15, 1990

When Rex Stout dabbled in advertising (Before Midnight), he was clever enough about it, though hardly scintillating. Imagine what happens, then, when Goldsborough, the professional Stout wannabe, tackles the field: an earnest yet tedious tale of skulduggery between two rival agencies with competitive soft-drink accounts-M/L/R representing Chert-o-key and Colmar & Conn (C+C) handling Americherry. Somehow, M/L/R's campaigns and marketing strategies are being leaked to its rival, at the cost of millions. M/L/R hires Nero Wolfe and Archie Goodwin to investigate, but meanwhile Chert-o-key owner Acker Foreman and his goon-stupid sons, Stephen and Arnold, are threatening to remove the account. Will they do it before Wolfe finishes lunch? Before he repots his orchids? Before Archie is hauled into the slammer for obstructing justice and pocketing clues? Suddenly a C&C employee is killed and everyone gathers at the Brownstone. Fritz lets them in, Archie frisks them, and Wolfe explains all. Pfui. Again, Goldsborough misses the bite of the original Wolfe/Goodwin byplay, settling for petulance. Even Fritz's menus sound tired here.

Pub Date: Oct. 15, 1990

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Bantam

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 15, 1990

Categories: FICTION