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| Rex Stout, Author |
The novels:
Rex Stout is the author of The Nero
Wolfe mysteries - a series of detective novels and short stories published
between 1934 and 1974. The heroes of the series are an eccentric mammoth-sized
detective, named Nero Wolfe, and his confidential assistant (and our narrator),
Archie Goodwin. The fact that Wolfe solves all of the mysteries from the
comfort of his Manhattan brownstone (since he refuses to leave the house)
utilizing only his ‘genius’ and his under-credited legman, Archie, is just one
of the series’ enthralling idiosyncrasies. The novels and short stories have
enough period ambiance, suspense, violence, murder, and attractive women to
satisfy anyone looking for a mystery.
Archie & Nero in an A&E television adaptation of the series.
The best part is:
The series covers 40 years of American
history, yet the characters do not age or develop through time. They live and
work out of an extravagant brownstone on the West side of Manhattan with a
live-in cook and a live-in orchid keeper. And they do so through the 30s, 40s,
50s, 60s, and early 70s. Wars come
and go, women become independent, and the cars get faster, all the while Nero
and Archie go on catching thieves, thwarting killers, and saving the day with
unparalleled style.
If you’re not convinced, check some
of the Saul Bass-style dust jackets you can find on early editions of the
novels:
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