In listing out my favorites Nero Wolfe’s, I found a few
themes that occurred in more than one book: strong, unique women. politics and
Orrie. Who knew?
5. Plot it Yourself – someone is accusing
playwrights and novelists of plagiarism by having copies of books typed before
the best-selling books are published. How is the criminal doing this? Stout has
such obvious fun with the subject matter that it’s contagious. The plagiarists
start ending up dead after Wolfe gets involved and he has to solve the case. 
4. The Silent Speaker – Cheney
Boone of the BPR is bludgeoned to death right before an industrial association’s
meeting. Of course the association is accused of murder (indirectly) assuming that
one of its members committed the actual deed. Upon calling one of his famous
meetings of all involved, Phoebe Gunther doesn’t show, and Phoebe turns out to
put Archie through his paces. Of course, being a match for our intrepid
bachelor is a death sentence and Gunther becomes the next victim. Of all the
Wolfe victims, I think I’m sorriest to see her go. She was such a good balance
for Archie.
3. Death of a Doxy – Orrie’s in
trouble and Wolfe has to bail him out. He’s been seeing a “doxy,” a
Scrabble-player’s delight that means “mistress” as well as a supposed fiancée. Of
course, the doxy had another man paying her bills. Wolfe and Goodwin have to
determine who was paying the bills and likely killed her for stepping out on
him. Julie Jaquette makes this book with her attitude and mannerisms.
2. In the Best Families – the last
of the Zeck books and by far my favorite. I always like Wolfe encountering an
environment outside of his own, and this book has that in spades. Wolfe has “disappeared”
after being hounded by Zeck. Archie takes a case, which Wolfe solves quickly
and efficiently after the Zeck mess is completed.
1. The Doorbell Rang – without a
doubt my favorite of the series. The book has all the things I love about this
series: witty banter, a worthy opponent, politics and a mention of books of
interest. Wolfe goes up against the FBI and J. Edgar after he takes a case for
a woman being pestered by FBI surveillance. A rather prescient look at tactics
used throughout the 1960s against “enemies.”
An interesting list. You make me want to reread all of them again. The Silent Speaker is one of my favorites and I like the points you have made. I have not read Plot It Yourself in a long time.
ReplyDeleteGreat, I'm making notes, these sound well worth a look. The only one of these I have read is The Doorbell Rang, which I will be looking at in next week's blogpost.
ReplyDeleteThe Doorbell Rang is my absolute favorite as well. I re-read it every few years. Speaking of re-reads: I'm working through Erle Stanley Gardner and wonder if you have any word to share about the bio of him that you were writing; I'm anxious to read it. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteI'm very hopeful for a 2016 publication. :) More to come, fingers crossed.
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