A private club is the setting for murder when Paul Jerim, playing chess with twelve opponents, is poisoned. When her father is accused of the murder, beautiful Sally Blount calls on gourmet detective Nero Wolfe to find the real killer.

Nero Wolfe must track down a killer who murders his victims only during holidays and who, so far, has left Wolfe with four puzzling cases to unravel.

Not much can get Wolfe to leave his comfortable brownstone, but the showing of a rare black orchid lures him to a flower show. Unfortunately, the much-anticipated event is soon overshadowed by a murder as daring as it is sudden. It's a case of weeding out a cunning killer who can turn up anywhere--and Wolfe must do it quickly. Because a second case awaits his urgent attention: a society widow on a mailing list of poison-pen letters leading to a plot as dark as any orchid Wolfe has ever encountered.

When the elderly head of the Tingley Titbits catering service meets a sudden end, a beautiful young detective becomes the main suspect, until Tecumseh Fox arrives on the scene to sort out the ingredients in the case.

Investigating the bizarre will of late multimillionaire Noel Hawthorne--who left the bulk of his estate to his mistress and nearly nothing to his three sisters--astute sleuth Nero Wolfe stumbles upon a legacy of murder.

The loyal legions of Nero Wolfe fans (as well as the fans of his many erudite sidekicks and companions) will find continued enthusiasm for this exciting title in the long-running detective series. It also features a bonus story, "Out of the Line," never before published. New York's swanky Lamartine Hotel is the setting for this spunky tale of an attractive telegrapher and the precarious situation she finds herself placed at the center of by overeager suitors -- possibly corruptors. Luckily, the innocent Lila Williams, coveted by a member of an unlikely group of "knights" finds herself swept off her feet and into protection and rescue, or is that destruction?From Library JournalThis is the first hardcover edition of an early Stout mystery that was brought back as a mass-market paperback in 1997. An early work in Stout's career, this pre-Nero Wolfe mystery was first serialized in All Story during the 1920s. The plot follows innocent Lila Williams who accidentally gets involved with counterfeiters. Severn House books can be ordered at a discount at 800-830-3044.Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc. From BooklistWhat a pleasant surprise for Stout fans. A hitherto-unpublished work has been uncovered, and the book is a prime example of why Stout's popularity has endured. A motley gang of gentlemanly ne'er-do-wells hangs about in the lobby of Manhattan's Lamartine Hotel, casting ardor-filled glances at beauteous Miss Lila Williams and regaling each other with tales of their impressive--and mostly fictional--exploits. The gentlemen know Miss Lila would never return their admiration, but at least they can protect her from less well intentioned swains. Imagine their chagrin when handsome John Knowlton arrives on the scene and immediately gains Lila's doe-eyed admiration. When the gang finds a shady secret in his past, they try to force him to vamoose. What happens next is touching, sweet, funny, and thoroughly delightful. Stout transports readers back to a time when the world seemed more innocent, a man's good name was a valuable asset, and happily-ever-after was a reasonable goal. An unexpected treasure from one of the grand masters of mystery, this vintage Stout is a fine acquisition for all collections. Emily Melton

As any herpetologist will tell you, the fer-de-lance is among the most dreaded snakes known to man. When someone makes a present of one to Nero Wolfe, Archie Goodwin knows he's getting dreadully close to solving the devilishly clever murders of an immigrant and a college president. As for Wolfe, he's playing snake charmer in a case with more twists than an anaconda -- whistling a seductive tune he hopes will catch a killer who's still got poison in his heart.From the Paperback edition.

Hired to locate Amy Denovo's long-lost father, Nero Wolfe and his assistant, Archie Goodwin, discover that the missing man has a deadly and dangerous secret to hide.

A grand master of the form, Rex Stout is one of America’s greatest mystery writers, and his literary creation Nero Wolfe is one of fiction’s greatest detectives. In this pair of classic Nero Wolfe mysteries, Stout is at his unparalleled best as the arrogant, gourmandizing, sedentary sleuth and his trusty man-about-town, Archie Goodwin, are served two lethally appetizing cases. Too Many CooksEveryone knows that too many cooks spoil the broth, but you’d hardly expect it to lead to murder. But that’s exactly what’s on the menu at a five-star gathering of the world’s greatest chefs. As guest of honor, Wolfe was lured from his brownstone to a posh southern spa to deliver the keynote address. He never expected that between courses of haute cuisine he and Archie would be compelled to detect a killer with a poison touch—a killer preparing to serve the great detective his last supper.Champgne for OneFaith Usher talked about taking her own life and even kept cyanide in her purse. So when she died from a lethal champagne cocktail in the middle of a high society dinner party, everyone called it suicide—including the police. But Nero Wolfe isn’t convinced—and neither is Archie. Especially when Wolfe is warned by four men against taking the case. Deception, blackmail, and a killer who may have pulled off the perfect crime…it’s a challenge Nero Wolfe can’t resist.Review"It is always a treat to read a Nero Wolfe mystery. The man has entered our folklore...Like Sherlock Holmes...he looms larger than life and, in some ways, is much more satisfactory." — *New York Times Book Review"Nero Wolfe is an exceptional character creation." — New Yorker*About the AuthorRex Stout (1886-1975) wrote hundreds of short stories, novelas, and full-length mystery novels, most featuring his two indelible characters, the peerless detective Nero Wolfe and his handy sidekick, Archie Goodwin.