Black Orchids [Mass Market Paperback]

As usual, the problem is solved through an intellectual contest. A good read.

In "Black Orchids," Wolfe endures the perils involved in leaving the brownstone to attend a flower show. Ah, yet this is no ordinary flower show, but one in which the world's only black orchids are on display. Wolfe has as much fun as his enormous envy will allow until someone is murdered at the show.

The second story, "Cordially Invited to Death" is a fun romp for both Wolfe and Archie, but not for the murderer of a woman who organizes lavish parties. And Wolfe even (gasp!) allows a woman in the kitchen!

Stout's first eight Wolfe stories all contain good cases, interesting characters, and tough knots for Wolfe's sharp mind to untangle, but with BLACK ORCHIDS Wolfe and Archie finally find themselves. Their characteristics, mannerisms, and attitudes have been refined and honed to perfection. Stout was on it.

As other reviewers have noted, "Cordially Invited to Death" contains a mystery within a mystery. I wouldn't dream of spoiling it for you, so jump in and enjoy a couple of wonderful Nero Wolfe adventures. You won't be sorry.

"Black Orchids" seemingly departs from the norm. There are only two stories, but each involves black orchids.

The first story, "Black Orchids," has Wolfe leaving his brownstone. Business doesn't bring him forth, it is envy. There is a flower show at which a rival is showing rare black orchids. Wolfe is green with envy. He sends Archie to view them and report, but word-of-mouth proves insufficient. Wolfe has to see them for himself. While Wolfe is at the show, someone is murdered and the owner of the black orchids stands to be horribly embarrassed if not arrested. Wolfe undertakes to rescue the owner for a small fee--the black orchids. Of course, he pulls it off, otherwise he couldn't have sent black orchids to the funeral of the victim in the second mystery.

In "Cordially Invited to Meet Death," a party arranger calls on Nero Wolfe, but contracts tetanus and dies before she can pay his fee. Relatives have a way of thinking that the most innocent of unexpected deaths are homicide, and one of the victim's relatives raises sand with the police trying to get them to investigate the case as a murder. Not getting satisfaction, he then retains Nero Wolfe. A little looksee into the circumstances of the death confirms the relative's suspicions.

The cast of suspects is limited, but figuring out whodunnit is a tough nut to crack. With Archie Goodwin's help, Wolfe sorts through the clues, confounds the police, and reveals the killer. Of course, Wolfe's too much of a homebody to go to the arranger's funeral, so he sends Archie in his place. When Archie sees the spray of black orchids, he knows only one person in the whole wide world could have sent it. Which leads us to the third mystery. What prompted Wolfe to send those flowers? Archie offers a few conjectures, but Wolfe is mum. The reader is left to his own devices in solving this third mystery.