Fer-de-Lance/The League of Frightened Men (Nero Wolfe)

These first two books introducing Nero Wolfe and Archie Goodwin are amazing in the development of the characters. There were not many changes throughout the succeeding books. Fer-de-Lance, as his first case, shows Archie's sarcasm and sense of humor as well as Wolfe's brilliant detecting skills. Wolfe is sure that a man, certified as having died from heart disease, has actually been murdered. He determines how and ultimately who was behind the murder. The League of Frightened Men was more complicated because he undertakes a seemingly impossible job for twenty-five men who are convinced their lives are in danger. In this book you see more of the interaction between Wolfe and Archie as well as their reliance on each other. There are more complications that require Wolfe's cleverness to bring events to a successful conclusion. Rex Stout is one of my favorite authors, and I have read each of his books more than once. I highly recommend any of the Nero Wolfe series to mystery fans. These books are timeless and rely on brilliant detecting ability. No artificial or excessive action is required to keep the reader engaged. These are wonderful mysteries.

Rex Stout’s Nero Wolfe series is terrific, but his best character development that most readers are familiar with come in the late 1940-1950’s. Given that, I recommend these two novels for those who have already read some later works. The character development of Wolfe and Archie Goodwin is somewhat different in these earliest writings and not as polished or as enjoyable, particularly Archie. These stories are best enjoyed when the reader uses them for understanding the path that Rex Stout used to develop the foundation of his long line of mysteries.

I've read a lot of various detective & spy thrillers. Military adventurers. Cowboy sheriffs. Cajun sheriffs with PTSD and alcoholism.But this is unique. 1930's plots are sophisticated. Characters are memorable. Storyline keeps moving with pace. And not a single line I'd rewrite.By heck, ya might even be dropping snatches of chapters into your newsletter so that your friends can appreciate the quality of these reads also!

I had found on my bookshelves "The Doorbell Rang". I really enjoyed the author's style of writing, so looked for an omnibus of his books. This is terrific. I'll further review when I read it, but I am delighted with the quality and price

Always enjoy these I read them over and over to see where the magic truly happens that Wolf finally gets the culprit

Great edition of first two Nero Wolfe novels by Rex Stout. A good value.

Nero Wolf detective mysteries are always a pleasure. But, I found a second unexpected pleasure- the book binding."A book, when opened, should lie flat when placed on a table, and stay that way without help from its reader’s hands. It should open to its fullest extent. One might remark that a book open on a table – while the reader holds a cup of tea in both hands (for warmth and comfort) – is no more than a mark of decent civilization."

clever mystery

I discovered Rext Stout rather late on! I remember the Nero Wolfe Mysteries on TV with Timothy Hutton as Archie, but I had no idea the characters were from novels! What can I say to persuade you that it is worth starting on this long series of books (39) plus some novellas? Rex Stout was a great American crime writer who was admired by Agatha Christie and that says something if you like her.Fer-de-Lance was the first novel, and The League of Frightened Men the second. It was good to have them both in this edition, not least because I found to my pleasure that between the first and the second novel, both together in this book, that there was a lovely little skietch of "the office" which looks, although it may not be, to be from the originals.Not going to tell you anything about the novels, except they are set when written (1930s) and in New York. Nero Wolfe is a fat, fat man, who eats too much, drinks too many beers, and grows orchids. Archie is his personal assistant. Nero does the thinking, and rarely leaves the house - Archie gets the run around (literally) when ordered where to go and what to ask when investigating a crime. Each story cleverly woven, the villain is not always who it seems, but at the end, you remember a sentence, some way back in the book, that should have told you, but maybe didn't!These are great reads for curling up on the sofa, undisturbed. I always want to read them all at one go although that isn't always possible, but however you normally read, do read about Nero and Archie!

Hard going. Could not connect with the characters. The investigation method and and investigator(s) lost my interest. Not a book, in my opinion, that has remained readable after all these years.

These stories started the Nero Wolfe mysteries. They are slow in starting until Rex Stout got into the flow. Well worth starting with these two stories to give you an idea of the kind of stories they are and to introduce the reader to Rex Stout's work.

I got a real bargain here, two books within the one novel, which was fabulous. The price was quite small too, considering that you are getting two novels to read. Brilliant speedy delivery too. I am really happy with this book.

Nothing Rex Stout wrote could be anything but wonderful.