The Rubber Band was published by Farrar & Rinehart in 1936 (titled To Kill Again in the UK). The “rubber band” is a group of men who, decades earlier, shared an experience in the American frontier West and swore an oath of mutual assistance. One of them, now a British marquess visiting New York, has reneged on a financial obligation to the group. When members of the rubber band start dying, Wolfe is hired to resolve the matter — which involves navigating between a murdered client, a stolen necklace, a beautiful and possibly dishonest secretary, and the diplomatic sensitivities of dealing with a titled Englishman.
The novel showcases Stout’s ability to weave multiple plot threads into a coherent whole: the historical backstory of the rubber band, the present-day murders, and the romantic subplot between Archie and Clara Fox (the secretary accused of embezzlement) all interact without confusion. Stout’s plotting is often underrated — the Wolfe novels appear effortless, but their construction is meticulous.
Clara Fox is one of Archie’s most memorable women — intelligent, brave, and in genuine danger. The novel’s resolution depends on Wolfe’s ability to pressure the British marquess into honoring his obligations without creating an international incident.
Collecting The Rubber Band
First edition (Farrar & Rinehart, New York, 1936): Cloth with dust jacket.
Market values:
- First edition, fine/fine: $1,500–$4,000
- Very good/good jacket: $400–$1,000
- Without jacket: $75–$200