Fer-De-Lance by Rex Stout
Mass Market Paperback: 285 pages
Publisher: Bantam Doubleday Dell Publishing Group; Bantam Crime Line ed edition (1 Mar. 2005)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0553278193
ISBN-13: 978-0553278194
It’s the first book in the Nero Wolfe series and the Amazon price was low, so it seemed a good one for me to start with.
Nero Wolfe is rather Holmesian in his range of knowledge and detective abilities, though his disinclination to leave his home aligns him more closely with Mycroft than with Sherlock.
Archie Goodwin, Wolfe’s assistant, and the narrator of the stories, is somewhat more with it than Dr John Watson, and is more active as a detective, though he does share Watson’s eye for the ladies. In fact, in some ways Goodwin is the main character of the novel.
The pacing is good, and the plot is complex enough to be satisfactory. However, it is a bit dated in the choice of murder weapon. I always think of Edgar Wallace when it comes to complex gadgets. I’ll say no more for now, see what you think.
To sum up – characters, pacing and puzzle are all good. Look on the murder weapon as a period curiosity and don’t let it get in the way of your enjoyment.
I will have to keep this recommendation in mind. With Rex being a relative of Ruth Stout, I am curious about him.
They seem to have been a talented family.
Fumbling in the deep recesses of my memory, this time I was almost there !
🙂
Never heard of him. My Dad was an Edgar Wallace fan
My grandfather was a big Edgar Wallace fan, which is why I have tried several of his books over the years. They are a good easy read., though I wouldn’t want to be seen reading Sanders of the River in public. 🙂
On reflection I’m pretty certain it was in fact Maury Chaykin!
Regards Malkie
Thanks – will check it out later. 🙂
If you confirm it will you let me know, just to prove my memory hasn’t gone completely ga ga!
Regards Malkie
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Nero_Wolfe_Mystery
Maury Chaykin is correct but Archie was played by Tim Hutton – son of Jim. I don’t remember it at all, even though it wasn’t long ago.
It was many years ago, I can’t recall who played Nero Wolfe but his associate was played by the late Jim Hutton.
I will look it up. 🙂
I’ve been racking my brain and I believe Nero Wolfe was played by Maury Chaykin I think that is the correct name or if not certainly something very similar.
Regards Malkie
🙂
Ah well! Tim? Jim? I was almost right lol
Very close – one letter and one generation out. 🙂
I never said I was perfect lol
You’re a lot better than I am with names…
I must be showing my age, I remember when Nero Wolfe was a tv series. Just refresh my memory Nero Wolfe was the Orchid Afficionado!
Yes, he has orchids. I don’t remember ever seeing the TV series. 🙂