Reading the Detectives discussion

This is the spoiler thread for our buddy read of Black Orchids by Rex Stout.

Feel free to post spoilers here, as it's assumed anyone reading this thread has finished the book.

I've now finished the first of the two novellas and, needless to say, I didn't guess anything!

I have the impression we are never really given many clues in the Wolfe books - does anyone agree they are a bit like Sherlock Holmes, with Wolfe noticing things that the reader hasn't been let in on? Not that I care though, as I'm too busy enjoying the characters, which again is like Holmes.

I've finished the second novella too now - I really loved this one, more than the first story although that one was good too. Very clever plot and great characters.

Interesting that Wolfe's culinary romance with Maryella actually goes better than Archie's this time round. Poor Archie always seems to be unlucky in love.. in the books I've read so far anyway.

I agree that the reader doesn't get all the clues. As with Holmes, even when I do have them, I can't put them together the way Wolfe does! I guess that is why they are the great detectives :-)

I hadn't read Nero Wolfe in many years, but the characters are so well drawn that I felt at home right away. I love the humor in Archie's narration. The mysteries themselves were interesting, but the eccentricities of Nero Wolfe and his household were what made the stories a blast to read.

I found this on a Rex Stout fan page, "Dame Agatha Christie was a huge Rex Stout fan. She was known to go to her local bookstore and enquire after the latest Archie Goodwin novel. The clerk would gently remind her that they're referred to as Nero Wolfe mysteries, to which Christie would reply, "Nonsense! Everyone knows that Archie does all the work!""

That's a great story, Doug, thanks for sharing. :)

Judy wrote: "I've now finished the first of the two novellas and, needless to say, I didn't guess anything!

I have the impression we are never really given many clues in the Wolfe books - does anyone agree th..."

When I read some detective stories, I work really hard at trying to figure the crime out, constantly flipping back to check some fact or other, hurrying to get to the end. With those books, the final reveal is the goal. With the Nero Wolfe books, I'm happy to sit back and enjoy the ride. I read a travel quote once that said something along the lines of the voyage itself should be the destination, not just the point of arrival. I've worded it badly, but that's how I feel about the Nero Wolfe books. I don't even really care who dunnit, I just want to look around me and enjoy the trip. I want it to last a while. :)

Judy wrote: "I've finished the second novella too now - I really loved this one, more than the first story although that one was good too. Very clever plot and great characters.

Interesting that Wolfe's culina..."

I love the way Maryella handles Wolfe! It's so much fun to see her just kind of casually steamroll right over him.

What did you all think of the "unsolved mystery" at the end of Cordially Invited? Archie has several theories, but I don't think that Wolfe would be motivated enough by guilt to send his precious black orchids to a funeral simply because he didn't take the case seriously enough. I think that there a hints of some kind of past between him and the party planner. (Sorry, I don't have the book with me right now and I've forgotten her name.) It's a little strange to think of Wolfe having a past...

Suki wrote: "Judy wrote: "I've now finished the first of the two novellas and, needless to say, I didn't guess anything!

I have the impression we are never really given many clues in the Wolfe books - does an..."

That hits the nail on the head -- with the best novels (whether mysteries or not), one enjoys the ride!

And I love that Agatha Christie anecdote :-) It doesn't surprise me that she would have liked Stout's books; for all their differences in setting, they are very similar in style (a well-plotted puzzle with an eccentric detective and ~200 pages to do it in).

Regarding 'Cordially Invited to Meet Death' -- I will have to refresh my memory but I think that Wolfe's only past involvement with Bess Huddleston was that she tried to get him to participate in some mystery-themed party which he had refused.

Leslie wrote: "Regarding 'Cordially Invited to Meet Death' -- I will have to refresh my memory but I think that Wolfe's only past involvement with Bess Huddleston was that she tried to get him to participate in some mystery-themed party which he had refused. ..."

That's all we learn about in the story, but Archie suggests at the end that they might have a past he didn't know about - putting forward 3 (I think) different theories as to why Wolfe sent the orchids to the funeral. I've now promptly forgotten what the other theories were, though!

Judy wrote: "Leslie wrote: "Regarding 'Cordially Invited to Meet Death' -- I will have to refresh my memory but I think that Wolfe's only past involvement with Bess Huddleston was that she tried to get him to p..."

Ah -- I forgot that part. I have gone back and reread it - Archie had 6 different ideas about it! I could imagine Wolfe feeling guilty and sending the orchids as an amend but I can also imagine him sending them just so Archie could see them.

The idea about him feeling guilty seems quite likely - but it's also intriguing to think about him having a past. I don't think I'd considered him sending them just so Archie could see them, but that seems quite possible too.

I'm so glad to be back in the brownstone with Archie & crowd: Wolfe's discomfort out of his home, eyeing the spindly wooden chair before sitting, his fascination with the Southern cook who solved his corned beef problem, Archie's latest infatuation. For me the mystery takes second place to the characters but I found both of these novellas well-balanced between character and plot. I listened to the audio versions and the novella length is quite convenient.

The best thing about the books is of course the dynamic between Archie and Wolfe. The mysteries are of less importance but I think the clues are there for those looking. I'll agree here that "Black Orchids" is muddier in this respect but "Cordially Invited" is very fairly clued and builds logically to its climax.