Today I am continuing my reread of Rex Stout's novellas. The Nero Wolfe / Archie Goodwin series was published between 1934 and 1975. First I will give a brief overview of the series...
Nero Wolfe is an armchair detective, preferring to do all his detecting from home. He is a genius, a lover of orchids and fine food, who supports himself (and his household) as a private detective. Archie Goodwin, the narrator of the stories, is both his assistant and a private investigator, and he does most of the legwork. They live in a New York brownstone and share the house with Theodore, a plant expert who cares for Wolfe's orchids, and Fritz, Wolfe's cook.
"Immune to Murder" is a 66-page novella, one of three stories in Three for the Chair, published in 1957.
When I reread one of these novella collections, I always read my favorite story first. "Immune to Murder" is a favorite because it takes Wolfe and Archie out of the brownstone to a remote rural setting, and it involves food, which is a common theme of the series.
Wolfe has been invited to cook for a visiting ambassador at a retreat set in the Adirondack Mountains. The visiting dignitary wanted to fish for American brook trout and he wanted it cooked straight from the brook by Nero Wolfe.
On the morning following Wolfe and Archie's arrival at the lodge, the other guests go out to fish for bass for three hours. Archie has been given permission to go fishing along the same route they used, after they return, and he does this. (There is a lot of fishing lingo in this story.) Unfortunately, along the way he discovers the dead body of one of the guests. He goes back to report this to Wolfe first, then lets the rest of the group know. And of course, Wolfe ends up solving the crime, reluctantly.
"Immune to Murder" was first published in the November 1955 issue of The American Magazine.
It was also adapted for A&E’s Nero Wolfe Mystery TV series starring Maury Chaykin and Timothy Hutton.
I love it that you're re-reading Stout's novellas, Tracy. He was one of the few writers I've read who can could write short stories and novellas as well as he wrote novels. This one is one I've not read, but it sounds intriguing, and it's interesting to see the characters outside their usual environment.
ReplyDeleteI am enjoying them, Margot. It has been a while since I have read most of these stories, so I may remember bits of the stories, but they can still surprise me.
DeleteRex Stout wrote stories and novels that fan reread endlessly. I have a couple of friends who have read all of the Nero Wolfe series 50 TIMES! Amazing!
ReplyDeleteGeorge, those people can obviously read a lot faster than I can. I am guessing I have read all the Nero Wolfe books five times, over several decades. They are always fun to read.
DeleteAs you know, I've not read any Rex Stout, so I'm looking forward to meeting his characters with the one I've chosen for my next Classics Club list.
ReplyDeleteKelly, I do hope you like the Rex Stout book that you have on your next CC list. I like all of his books, because I enjoy the relationship between Wolfe and Archie and all of the secondary characters that show up now and then, but like most authors, some of his books are better than others.
DeleteI must make time to read more Nero Wolfe! This sounds like a good one - it's always fun to see Wolfe coping with life outside in the real world!
ReplyDeleteFictionFan, my favorite Nero Wolfe novels are ones where he has to take a trip on a train or a plane.
DeleteI do like a mountain setting and having been to the Adirondacks (I had to have an American tell me how to pronounce it - also Schenectady LOL!) I'm loving the sound of this novella.
ReplyDeleteCath, I bet the Adirondacks are a beautiful place to visit.
DeleteI love me a good mystery! I'll check this out. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteI hope you do try something in the Nero Wolfe series, Lux.
DeleteThanks for the good intro to the Nero Wolfe series. Despite the longevity of the series, I am a newbie to Rex Stout's works. But I'd like to try one. It seems an interesting household .... but it's good they get out into the outdoors in this mystery.
ReplyDeleteSusan, the books in this series are fun and clever, and I am sure it is nostalgia that keeps me enjoying them. I started reading them in my teens.
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