Nero Wolfe

On the Ken and Robin podcast Ken mentioned he was using the pandemic to read every Nero Wolfe detective novel. His description of the novels sounded interesting so I started checking out books from the library and three weeks later I've read 6 novels and 3 novellas, running down to the library every week to drop off the last set and to pick up new ones.

Rex Stout wrote 33 novels and 41 novellas and short stories featuring Wolfe from 1934 to 1975. He was nominated for the best mystery series and the best mystery writer of the century. I'm not sure how I missed out but Ken's introduction was the first I'd heard of him. I'm not a big mystery reader but these novels feel like when I discovered Sherlock Holmes in college and read most of the stories standing in the aisle at the library.

Nero Wolfe is a Sherlockian detective, supernaturally deductive but limited by his great weight. He's commonly described as weighing a ton and he spends most of his time sitting in his oversized chair drinking beers. The stories are told in the first person from the point of view of his sidekick Archie Goodwin. Archie is gregarious and active and is responsible for going out to talk with clients, looking for clues, and getting into trouble. The stories usually involve Goodwin going out to collect suspects and arranging for them all to arrive at their shared office at a certain time (because Nero never leaves the house) where the great detective will speak to them until he unravels the mystery.

Inspector Cramer acts as his Lestrade. In most stories the homicide detective thinks he has a case wrapped up and when Nero tells him he's gotten it wrong he blusters and threatens to arrest him for withholding material evidence but is ultimately convinced to change his mind.

The writing is light and full of humor and it reminds me of the fast talking newspaper reporters from his girl friday. The 1940's slang has started to seep into the speech centers of my brain.

I did some research before checking out his books. People kept mentioning how re-readable the stories were - how it didn't matter if they knew the answer to the mystery and I agree, the characters are so well established I can see how it's comforting just to visit them again.

It doesn't really matter which order you read them so if you happen to see one of his books check it out, you might like it.

posted by na on October 24, 2020 11:39