The Rubber Band

by Rex Stout
Category: "Fiction - Mystery"
Pages:417
Year of Publication:1936
Date Added:06/18/2026
Date Read:06/18/2026
Notes:Perry, a businessman, approaches Nero Wolfe and asks him to prove the innocence of Clara Fox, a young woman in his employ who is accused of stealing a large amount of money. While Wolfe considers whether to take the case, Clara herself comes and asks for help. Wolfe decides to take her case instead — she and three others are attempting to track down an Englishman who owes them a lot of money based on a 40-year-old promise. With the help of his assistance, Archie, Wolfe figures out that the Englishman is in the U.S. as a British ambassador. But he no longer owes the money because the leader of the original group, nicknamed Rubber, already got it from him but neglected to share it with the others. When he recognizes the Englishman, he begins killing the group members so they won't connect him with the money. Wolfe figures out that Rubber is really Perry, and he framed Clara for the theft of the money.
My Rating: 6

Reviews for The Rubber Band

Review - Rubber Band, The

It began OK, but there were too many characters and too much talking. I've always hated the way mystery novels hide information that would give away the plot simply to make the book longer. At least this one didn't have dozens of false leads.

Reviewed by Roger on 2026-06-18 18:22:25

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