Her Forbidden Knight

By Rex Stout

Book Overview

Follow the fortunes of the beautiful and na ve Lila Williams, a telegraph operator at New York's swankiest hotel--the Lamartine--as she becomes unwittingly enmeshed in the operations of a shady counterfeiting ring. By chance, the innocent Lila, coveted by a member of an unlikely group of "knights," finds herself swept off her pretty feet and into safety--or is it peril?

The very first novel from the classic crime writer Rex Stout, Her Forbidden Knight gives the reader a glimpse of the cunning devices and charades of the celebrated Nero Wolfe mysteries that followed in the author's later years.

Includes the bonus short story "An Officer and a Lady."

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1620877260
• ISBN13: 9781620877265
• Release Date: April 2013
• Publisher: Skyhorse Publishing
• Length: 252 Pages
• Weight: 0.79 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 6.4" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

Not a bad story once you get passed slow opening

First and foremost, I am a Rex Stout fan. I love his characters Nero Wolfe and Archie Goodwin absolutely. So when I saw this early work of Stout's, I was interested even though it has nothing whatsoever to do with Wolfe/Goodwin. I can't say it reminds me at all of the Nero Wolfe series. There isn't a character or an action, nor a plot technique that reminds me one iota of the Wolfe series. But that is fine with me - this work stands alone. Now, first off, the beginning is ploddingly slow and dull. I did almost put it down, but I wanted so badly to see if he rescued the writing, that I continued. The story is quite entertaining. I enjoyed the plot and the twists. But, I think as a new author, Stout called upon too many words that generally live only in the thesaurus. It does read something like a novice writer's work. But since I fancy myself a would-be writer, it gave me courage to see that the greats started somewhere lower in the ranks too. Don't let my review turn you off from trying this book, please. It really is a sweet and clever little story of love and courage. The characters are colorful and interesting. The main character, Lila is shown to have depths as the story goes on. Although, I do believe he could have rolled several of the lesser characters into one - it was still workable as is. Give it a try. It is compelling after the opening is behind you.

The Tale of the Erring Knights

Young and shy Lila Williams, an attractive telegrapher, working in the once popular New York Hotel, the Lamartine, finds herself surrounded by five gentlemen protecters who earn the name the "Erring Knights". As another man, the mysterious John Knowlton appears there one day, Lila shows more interest in him and he for her than the Knights can stand. The sparks begin to fly as they try to "protect" Lila and to uncover Knowlton's secrets.This is my first Rex Stout novel, but I've read other mysteries such as my favorite series by Elizabeth Peters. 'Her Forbidden Knight' is different from other mysteries for a variety of reasons. First of all the main character is not a detective, and there really isn't a crime to discover. In fact most of the mystery in the book revolves around Knowlton's and Billy Sherman's past. This novel also contains a good deal of Romance elements in it, especially towards the end of the book. Without it though, the book would be bland and boring. My favorite quote from the book, which also came from my favorite character, Lila Williams, is: "I guess there is no 'why' in love,..." Her hidden courage shown towards the end of the book is stunning. Throughout the book she transforms into a colorful character full of both joy and deep sorrow. This is a great book for anyone who loves a good mystery and doesn't mind a little bit of romance tacked on. Teens and adults would get the most out of the book, including people already familar with Rex Stout's books. Although people claim this book to be a foreshadowing of the Nero Wolfe series, I don't think so. This book stands by itself as an original story. It is a story filled with humor and triumph; the kind I love to read.