Iconic sleuth Nero Wolfe returns to track down the murderer of a New York Symphony Orchestra conductor in this Nero Award-winning mystery. Ever since disgraced associate Orrie Cather’s suicide, armchair detective Nero Wolfe has relished retirement in his Manhattan brownstone on West Thirty-Fifth Street. Two years after Cather’s death, only a visit from Maria Radovich–and the urging of Wolfe’s … urging of Wolfe’s prize assistant, Archie Goodwin–could draw the eccentric and reclusive genius back into business. Maria’s uncle, New York Symphony Orchestra conductor Milan Stevens, formerly known as Milos Stefanovic, spent his youth alongside Wolfe as a fellow freedom fighter in the mountains of Montenegro. And now that the maestro has been receiving death threats, Wolfe can’t turn his back on the compatriot who once saved his life.
Though her uncle has dismissed the menacing letters, Maria fears they’re more than the work of a harmless crank. But before Wolfe can attack the case, Stevens is murdered. The accused is the orchestra’s lead violinist, whose intimate relationship with Maria hit more than a few sour notes in her uncle’s professional circle. But Wolfe knows that when it comes to murder, nothing is so simple–especially when there are so many suspects, from newspaper critics and ex-lovers to an assortment of shady musicians.
Now, in this award-winning novel that carries on the great tradition of Rex Stout, the irascible and immovable Nero Wolfe is back in the game, listening for clues and ready to go to war to find a killer.
Murder in E Minor is the 48th book in the Nero Wolfe Mysteries, but you may enjoy reading the series in any order.
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Mission Impossible: Getting Nero Wolfe Out of Retirement
Milan Stevens is the conductor of the New York Symphony Orchestra. He has received several threatening notes and his niece, Maria Radovich, asks Nero Wolfe for help. Nero Wolfe knows the conductor from an earlier time in his life when they were both Freedom Fighters in Montenegro. One thing Wolfe can never do is desert an old friend who had once saved his life. Unfortunately, before Wolfe has a chance to even look into the case, Stevens is murdered. There seems to be no shortage of suspects, as Stevens was said to be very strict and contrary.
Wolfe has a more personal problem; he hasn’t worked as a detective in over two years, ever since Orrie Cather’s suicide. In an effort to convince Wolfe to take the case, Maria brings him the last two notes without her uncle’s knowledge. Can Maria and Archie convince Wolfe to come out of retirement? Can Wolfe and Archie figure out who killed Stevens?
Robert Goldsborough does a wonderful job of continuing the Nero Wolfe series started by Rex Stout. Goldsborough has continued all of the idiosyncrasies and characteristics of the series in what is by far the best tribute to Rex Stout’s famous detective. Readers who have enjoyed the Nero Wolfe Mysteries of the past will feel right at home with this continuation of the series.
I have read all these wish there was more.
The best part of this book is the authenticity of the time and place. My first time reading a Nero Wolfe book. It is also my last. Passé misogynist main characters.
Robert Goldsborough does a wonderful job of continuing the Nero Wolfe series. Rex Stout’s shoes are indeed difficult to fill, but Goldsborough does that very well. All the original main characters are wonderfully depicted — Archie, Fritz, and of course Nero himself keep the brownstone alive and challenging.
Archie Goodwin has written this book as a summary of the murder of Milan Stevens, the conductor of the New York Symphony. Nero Wolfe does all the thinking while Archie goes out and about interviewing possible suspects. By the end of the book, Wolfe has identified several viable suspects. As usual, he invites all the suspects as well as Inspector Cramer to the office of his brownstone for the big reveal of the murderer. Rex Stout created the characters of Archie Goodwin and Nero Wolfe, and Robert Goldsborough does a masterful job in recreating Stout’s writing style and characters. The new Nero Wolfe books are terrific.
If you liked the Rex Stout version of Nero Wolfe, you’ll probably like Robert Goldsborough’s version. Mr. Goldsborough has done an admirable job of continuing Rex Stout’s characters and plot lines.
Great redo of Wolfe and Archie. Get to relive Rex Stout excellence!!!
As always a great read for this character!
I enjoy all the Nero Wolfe books
Years ago I liked the Nero Wolff books. Reading this was a remembered pleasure.
The author recreates the tone as well as the particulars of Rex Stout’s Nero Wolf mysteries.
Excellent Nero and Archie!
Author does a great job of continuing the Nero Wolfe mysteries. Engrossing and fun. Keeps the characters true to their original persona.
Nero Wolfe at his best by another author!!