Whether it’s your first encounter with the legend or you’re revisiting an old friend, there’s no better time to dive into a mystery series with the beloved character Nero Wolfe. For those unfamiliar with the character Nero Wolfe, you’ve got a lot to look forward to—namely, a whole new world of mystery and intrigue. Nero Wolfe was created in 1934 by American mystery writer Rex Stout and was first introduced in the novel Fer-de-Lance. Since then, the reclusive and eccentric armchair detective has been featured in dozens of Rex Stout novels, novellas, and short stories, right up until the author’s death in 1975.
Stout passed away at the age of 88, having lived a long and accomplished life as one of the most lauded mystery writers to ever walk this earth. A recipient of the Mystery Writers of America's Grand Master Award and a nominee for Best Mystery Writer of the Century at Bouchercon XXXI, Stout’s death left a void in the mystery industry. Luckily for readers, his beloved character Nero Wolfe has continued to live on in the hands of other authors, most notably Robert Goldsborough.
Determined to keep the character Nero Wolfe alive in the minds and hearts of mystery book fans, Goldsborough picked up the reins in 1986 with his book Murder in E Minor, which landed him the prestigious Nero Award—the award itself an homage to the classic sleuth. Initially, Goldsborough wrote his first Nero Wolfe novel as a gift to his mother—the person who introduced him to Stout’s works as a young man. It wasn’t until eight years later that the book was published for others’ enjoyment. Goldsborough’s debut in the world of Nero Wolfe finds the character coming out of retirement to aid an old associate who’s been on the receiving end of threatening notes. Well, to be fair, Wolfe’s assistant Archie Goodwin does most of the footwork. Wolfe prefers to stay home in his New York brownstone with his books and orchids whenever possible.
Although Goldsborough was eager to continue writing stories that would add to the Nero Wolfe universe, he also knew this goal would be a massive undertaking since he was writing about a beloved icon whose characterization fans would compare with the adored original. Therefore, with a heightened sense of responsibility, the author thoroughly researched Stout’s novels for crucial details such as New York City’s geography—to make certain that as a non-New Yorker, he was creating accurate representations of neighborhoods—and smaller but just as equally important details like Wolfe’s favorite type of orchid or the kind of food the characters would most likely enjoy. While still retaining his own unique writing style, Goldsborough impressively captures the essence of Stout’s characters without directly mimicking the original source material.
Since 1986, Goldsborough has written 17 Nero Wolfe novels, taking Wolfe and his assistant Archie all over the world to solve a whole new batch of exciting cases. If you’re in the mood for a few new escapades yourself, might we suggest one of the following stand-out books to start with? Proceed with caution—once you read one Nero Wolfe adventure by Robert Goldsborough, you’ll want to read them all.
The Missing Heiress
Praised by The New York Times as having “all of [Stout’s] stylistic mannerisms down pat,” Goldsborough has gifted readers with a Nero Wolfe mystery centering around Archie Goodwin’s friend Lily Rowan, who becomes concerned about her best friend Maureen—an elegant socialite who has been missing for two weeks. This is very unlike her friend, so knowing that something is wrong, Lily enlists the help of Archie Goodwin.
Finding zero leads after contacting Maureen’s suitors and searching her abandoned penthouse, Archie tries to locate Maureen’s estranged half-brother with no luck. As this mystery becomes messier, Nero Wolfe steps in and offers his expertise. And they’re going to need it because this missing-person debacle has just become a murder case!
Archie Goes Home
Leaving the big city behind, Archie heads to Ohio after receiving an upsetting phone call from his Aunt Edna, who is growing increasingly suspicious after the president of Farmer’s State Bank and Trust—an elderly widower—died in an apparent suicide. After someone tries to shoot a local reporter covering the case, it becomes apparent that Aunt Edna may be leery for good reason. Archie must untangle the web of scandals that may have led to a murder in this small town rampant with gossip, all while trying to reconnect with his mother.
Trouble at the Brownstone
When Nero Wolfe’s orchid gardener stumbles through the door of the detective’s brownstone, so badly beaten that he soon succumbs to a coma, Archie Goodwin puts aside his disdain for the man to go undercover on Wolfe’s behalf. Soon, it becomes clear that whoever was chasing after Theodore Horstmann was after more than fertilizer tips...
Murder in E Minor
When indulging any new character obsession, starting at the beginning and working your way out from there might be the most rewarding route. Murder in E Minor is Goldsborough’s first Nero Wolfe mystery, in which Wolfe comes out of retirement to investigate a series of threatening letters received by an old associate. This ambitious and highly skillful first effort at advancing Nero Wolfe's story landed Goldsborough the prestigious Nero Award.
Archie Meets Nero Wolfe
Sweeping readers away to 1920s New York, Archie Meets Nero Wolfe is an origin story about how the beloved characters Archie Goodwin and Nero Wolfe came to meet. Referred to as simply “excellent” by Publishers Weekly, this is a necessary stop on the long-distance train ride through the lives and adventures of Wolfe and the man who would become his most trusted assistant and companion for so many years.
Murder in the Ball Park
Excited to spend a fun day at the ballpark at a Dodgers-Giants game, Archie Goodwin and Saul Panzer are stunned when New York state senator Orson Milbank is shot dead by a sniper hiding amongst the baseball fans. Nero Wolfe wants to sit this game out, but Archie Goodwin doesn’t mind stepping up to the plate, especially after meeting the senator’s suspiciously sweet widow. Will Goodwin strike out or find the ballpark killer?
Fade to Black
Advertising firm Mills/Lake/Ryman is at the top of its game, and has excelled at keeping Cherr-o-key soda a household brand through snappy, memorable slogans. When rival brand AmeriCherry starts featuring slogans a little too close to their own, the company brings in Nero Wolfe to figure out who’s being paid to leak company secrets to the enemy. Seems like an open and shut case, until advertising agents start getting murdered.
Death on Deadline
For years, Nero Wolfe has had a smooth, unofficial working relationship with Lon Cohen, head of the New York Gazette. Cohen supplies Wolfe with much-needed information that he wouldn’t otherwise be privy to. In exchange, Wolfe gives Cohen’s paper dibs on a big scoop here and there. When the paper hits a financial slump and is in danger of being bought out by a newspaper magnate looking to turn it into a trashy tabloid, Wolfe steps in to help. As is so often the case with Wolfe, the situation quickly spins out of control and turns deadly.
The Last Coincidence
Lily Rowan’s niece, Noreen, has been hanging around with bad boy Sparky Linville. Until one night, Noreen comes home and confides in her aunt that she has been assaulted. Archie Goodwin won’t stand idly by as someone he cares for gets hurt, so he decides to confront Linville but is stopped by Linville’s bodyguard. The next day, Linville is found dead and Goodwin is understandably in hot water. Now it’s Nero Wolfe’s turn to protect his assistant from being wrongfully indicted.
The Bloodied Ivy
Prescott University is kept tidily under the thumb of ultra-conservative Hale Markham. Though he isn’t widely liked, university officials are shocked when Markham’s body is discovered at the bottom of a ravine on campus. When Wolfe catches wind of the death, he’s so eager to piece the puzzle together himself that he actually leaves his house, which says a lot about this mystery’s appeal.
Silver Spire
Thousands of congregants come to hear the sermons of Barnabas Bay at the Tabernacle of the Silver Spire. There is no questioning that the Reverend’s influence and fame are far-reaching, but when intimidating notes begin appearing in the weekly collection bag, it becomes evident that one of his loyal sheep is truly a wolf in disguise. Weary of organized religion, Nero Wolfe recommends veteran investigator Fred Durkin for the case. But after Durkin is suspected of killing the Reverend’s assistant, Wolfe puts his feelings aside to help his colleague and friend in need.
The Missing Chapter
No one would have anticipated that author Charles Childress’s story would end like this. His friends know that the arrogant writer would never have pulled his own trigger, especially since his new mystery book was starting to gain attention. Consequently, Childress’s publisher hires Wolfe and Goodwin to figure out who is really responsible for his murder—a plot twist no one saw coming!
Archie in the Crosshairs
Nero Wolfe has come across many perilous situations during his career as a detective, but not until now has danger hit so close to home. When his assistant Archie Goodwin is nearly gunned down one night while walking home from a poker game, Wolfe takes the attempted hit very seriously, and sets out to make sure that the gunman doesn’t get a second shot in.
Stop the Presses!
Lon Cohen of the New York Gazette suspects that someone wants to kill the Gazette’s gossip columnist, Cameron Clay, who doesn’t have a shortage of enemies and death threats due to the disparaging articles he writes for his job. When someone finally makes those death threats a reality, Wolfe and Goodwin are entrusted with the murder case—a case that is still being deemed a suicide by police. With five potential suspects, the detective and assistant duo must figure out who was angry enough to finally make good on their deadly promise.
Murder, Stage Left
A celebrated theater director has a hunch that someone is out to do him harm. In an effort to get Nero Wolfe interested in his case, he bends Wolfe’s ear by offering him something he can’t resist: a very rare orchid to add to his prized collection. When the director ends up dead anyway, and Archie is flagged as a prime suspect, Wolfe’s life goes from sweet-smelling to foul pretty quick. Without the help of Goodwin, who is unable to investigate the case due his own unfortunate involvement in it, Wolfe steps carefully through a messy trap of clues to right what’s wrong.
The Battered Badge
After Lester Pierce, a wealthy reformer, is fatally shot, his death forces the NYPD to restructure its homicide department, temporarily relieving Inspector Lionel Cramer of his badge. But Cramer might not be an innocent victim—he was seen having a meal with Mob kingpin Ralph Mars. Not wanting to work with Cramer’s replacement, Nero Wolfe takes on the case for his own benefit despite not having a client and having to reluctantly leave his brownstone.
Death of an Art Collector
The night after an art exhibition at the new Guggenheim Museum, art collector Arthur Wordell is said to have jumped out the window of his 20-story office building. Was Arthur's reluctance to share his art collection with the museum connected with his apparent suicide? His beloved daughter Nadia thinks so, and after learning of Arthur’s long list of enemies, including an artist eager to have her work displayed in the “Guggie,” Nero Wolfe and Archie Goodwin believe there is a definite connection as well. But Arthur never left a will, so no one seems to be particularly benefiting from his death. Can Wolfe get to the bottom of this artful crime?
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