Stout, Rex - Murder By the Book

I've recently celebrated my birthday and was given a copy of "Murder by the Book" by Rex Stout. Hardback with the expectedly lurid paper cover, it's a "Crime Club" issue, 1954 edition. A fun story - my first Nero Wolfe (but I've heard of his exploits by reputation) and the thing that strikes me is that Archie, as well as narrator and leg-man for the notorious guy does most of the discovery and detection. Wolfe relies on collating the information found by others ... and this (in this story) isn't that impressive. The reader, being given the same information, would come to the same conclusions. Archie is a more satisfying character than Wolfe - Wolfe might be able to pay for information but Archie knows how to get it. Sorry if I've started down the road of apostasy.

Alan J.

See here for a review and some alternate cover pictures.