The Red Box

by Rex Stout

Book Overview

Nero Wolfe, gourmet and connoisseur, who can solve a crime without leaving his desk, is investigating the murder of a beautiful model with his assistant, Archie Goodwin. Neither of them realise it is... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0553249193
• ISBN13: 9780553249194
• Release Date: January 1992
• Publisher: Crimeline
• Length: 272 Pages
• Weight: 0.30 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 4.2" x 6.9"

Customer Reviews

Early forming edition, on its way to better ones

Archie is too smart alec and off base in this early edition. Anyone who had read the series even half way through would be unlikely to call these first couple some of the best. Stout was getting his ideas down and in the process of forming his characters. Since it is Stout, certainly compared to other writers out there and these great characters, he comes out ahead of the pack. But he surpasses these early ones by miles as he begins to hit a stride a little later on, with more discipline and defining. Enjoy what is there to enjoy of these, and look forward to a tighter read ahead.

Death visits the brownstone

This early (1936) entry in the long running Nero Wolfe series opens with Wolfe being manipulated into taking a case. Llewellyn Frost was had to resort to chicanery (and Archie's assistence) to get Wolfe look into the murder of a young model. While Mr. Frost knew the victim slightly his main concern was for his cousing, or ortho-cousin, as he put. Once Wolfe has taken the case the victims and clients began appear. Although Wolfe manages to resist all efforts to disturpt his routine he requires Archie, Saul, Fred and Orrie to seek out the answers hidden in THE RED BOX. This is a very early Wolfe mystery, and while it would be a good place for someone new to the series to begin, it is a real treat for already established fans. We are treated to glimpses into Wolfe's mysterious past and learn that he is an uncle and that he has a house in Egypt that he has not visited for 10 years. We learn that Fritz, the chef, is Swiss and speaks French and has attempted to teach Archie the language. Many of the long standing routines of the series are described, Wolfe's refusal to live the brownstone, abhorance to cars, reluctance to distrupt his routine, and affection for beer to name a few. As always in this series it is set in the time it is written and gives the reader a glimpse into times long gone. In this one we see a police interrogation in the pre-Miranda days. The murders are intricately plotted, the clues are all present for the reader to follow but even if the reader is capable of solving some of the puzzles it is unlikely that Nero will not have a surprise or two in store at the end.

One of my top 3 Rex Stout Nero Wolfe favorites!

This is one of my top three favorite Rex Stout Nero Wolfe mysteries! Plot about a murder brought about by eating poisoned chocolates (later, poisoned aspirins), and due to the circumstances, motive is terribly difficult to determine because it's not certain the victim was the intended victim. Very non-cooperative characters - maddeningly so, sprinkled with those telling partial truths and withholding helpful information. The most difficult of clients ever, and the mystery so difficult one fears Wolfe won't pull off another miraculous solution. Many red herrings and twists and turns, very hard to figure out how it's going to turn out. Wolfe, Archie, Fritz, Cramer in their usual entertaining forms; excellent story, enjoyable! If you haven't already read this one, treat yourself to it!

One of the best

Stout in his prime with Archie and Nero grooved into their characters, very fast pacing and one of the best plots in the series.