Why did the late multimillionaire Noel Hawthorne leave his sisters, April, May, and June, a peach, a pear, and an apple? Why did he will the bulk of his considerable estate to a woman who was most definitely not his wife? Now Nero Wolfe, able, astute, and unscrupulous detective that he is, must get to the bottom of a will that’s left a whirlpool of menace . . . and a legacy of murder that’s about … about to be fulfilled.
Introduction by Dean R. Koontz
“It is always a treat to read a Nero Wolfe mystery. The man has entered our folklore.”—The New York Times Book Review
A grand master of the form, Rex Stout is one of America’s greatest mystery writers, and his literary creation Nero Wolfe is one of the greatest fictional detectives of all time. Together, Stout and Wolfe have entertained—and puzzled—millions of mystery fans around the world. Now, with his perambulatory man-about-town, Archie Goodwin, the arrogant, gourmandizing, sedentary sleuth is back in the original seventy-three cases of crime and detection written by the inimitable master himself, Rex Stout.
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Nero Wolfe is one of my favorite detectives, and this lived up to usual standards.
Rex Stout wrote the best detective novels ever. Nero Wolfe and Archie Goodwin are worth the read.
Rex Stout at his best!
I heartily recommend all Rex Stouts Nero Wolf mysteries… if you love Sherlock, Sam Spade, and the like, your gonna love Nero.
I like this book because I like all of the Nero Wolf books!
Another great murder mystery involving Nero Wolfe and Archie Goodwin. April, May, and June are three sisters who are surprised to learn that their brother’s will has not left them the bequests they had been promised, but instead has left nearly everything to his mistress, neglecting even his wife. As the investigation into the problem goes on, death happens, the real will is recovered, and Wolfe earns his fee.
I’
m addicted to stories about Nero Wolf and Archie, so I’m giving this 5 stars even though I don’t remember the story. I’ve read them all, with joy.
It’s Nero Wolfe…. it’s vintage awesome detective fiction!
I’ve read and reread all these books. Great plots and wonderful characters. I love this stuff.
Can you call the activities of a man who won’t leave his home to work, who won’t see clients during the two periods of the day when he tends his orchid collection “exploits”? Nero Wolfe must be the least active detective ever dreamed up, yet Rex Stout’s inventive mind and gift for urbane dialog make these novels intensely entertaining. Archie Goodwin does all the legwork and tells us the story, while Wolfe gets the credit. I especially enjoy the details of life in the 1930s and ’40s.
Rex Stout is a new favorite author in this genre. The joy of reading is in the development of the characters. The story structure mimics the Sherlock Holmes formula, but to good effect.
Rex Stout’s formula for Nero Wolfe novels always works. His story lines are fresh and often surprising. It does not matter if the time is in the late 1930s or later the interaction between Wolfe and Goodwin are entertaining and Wolfe always comes up with the answers despite all the cunning and obfuscation of the culprit. Excellent writing about a person and place we would hope was really with us today.
a great read
If you like Nero Wolfe, this is a good one, very faithful!
Stout’s characters are both predictable and engaging at once. Wolfe is brilliant, but stubborn, opinionated and sedentary. Archie is impatient yet the near-perfect amanuensis. Cramer is the hot-tempered bulldog career cop. Saul the perfect chameleon. Et cetera.
I’ve read Rex Stout for many years. Most of his books I have are paper back so I’m very pleased to finally be able to get those “oldies but goodies” on kindle.
I’m a great fan of Rex Stout’s Nero Wolf series. Excellent read.
Another great story staring Archie and crew. Nero Wolfe took his time getting engaged, but the story moves fast with a surprise ending.
I like all the Nero Wolfe books
Maybe best of this series.