Black Orchids (A Nero Wolfe Mystery Book 9)

It is really hard to chose my favorite Nero Wolfe story because every one of them has something that makes me glad I read it. This one, though, has some of my favorite things: Wolfe leaving the old brownstone, Wolfe playing "chicken" with one of his oldest acquaintances; women on the premises - office, kitchen, dining room, bedroom. Holy Cow, how did Wolfe survive?It began with Archie appreciating the view of a woman's very fine legs. First published in 1942, this story has Wolfe sending Archie to a flower show to look at some black orchids on display - naturally, according to Wolfe, they couldn't possibly really be black. While he's there Archie is only one of many people who stop by a display from a nursery which features a sunny glade with a man and woman enjoying the plants and the water feature. At a specific time each day the crowd builds as the woman removes her shoes and dips her toes into the bubbling stream while the man naps in the background. Archie is smitten and declares he will marry the fair damsel. As the story unfolds Wolfe finds a way to solve a case and reap his idea of the perfect reward.This whole series is highly recommended. Start anywhere you like because Rex Stout wrote the books so there is no chronological order. This one is rather sweet with the exposure of naked toes being swirled in the water enough to cause a stir.

Settle in for two quick mysteries with Wolfe's most famous orchids. Archie is as charming and energetic as ever.Entertaining.

These are lumped together because of the orchids. Wolfe was determined to obtain these plants that belonged to Mr. Hewett, another orchid grower. In Black Orchids a death occurs at the flower show where Mr. Hewett has the orchids on display, and Wolfe's fee for saving him from a murder charge is all three of the plants. There aren't many clues, but Wolfe is able to determine who the murderer is. There is a big surprise at the conclusion.In Cordially Invited to Meet Death a woman hires Wolfe to find out who is trying to ruin her reputation. However, she dies before he has a chance to get very far in his investigation. He sends a flower arrangement of eight black orchids to her funeral and tells Archie he is finished because he no longer has a client. Archie is unable to let it go and continues to look for clues to the murder. Ultimately, Wolfe is able to identify the killer before Inspector Cramer is able to serve a warrant to hold Wolfe and Archie as material witnesses. Both are good mysteries and I highly recommend this book.

For viewers of the A&E series, you will not be disappointed in these wonderful books.Rex Stout created a rich mystery series.

Black Orchids: It is a wonderful read! I believe everything that is done in this mystery could happen in real life. Having been to more than one flower show with all types of flower Enthusiasts: I know how excentric they are to all others. They are true Prima Donas.However, I do know Black Orchids. I love them, You do have to be careful with Orchids. Sometimes the fragrance can be overpowering. They are beautiful.We already know that in the second story with Chimps running around, that today, you are more likely to run into a Tiger, Lion or maybe a Polar Bear. People are eccentric, and place others in dangerous situations. I felt for the characters. I had not thought that such behavior would be shown to be a Hostess with the Most.Wonderful!

I haven't re-read this book in 50 years so it was much enjoyed. The paperback was, I thought, overpriced for its somewhat crumbling condition. Pages and cover are old, yellowed, and brittle. It took care to read it and turn pages.

Black Orchids contains two excellent novellas that feature one-of-a-kind black orchids. They both involve murder. The first tells about how Wolfe obtained the only specimens in existence of the black orchids while solving the murder of a young man during a flower show. (Yes! He actually left the brownstone and went to the show.) The second is about the murder of a party organizer which didn't at first appear as such. Both are well plotted and delights to read. (I wish that Rex Stout had written more of them.)

A fast read. Love the big words love the eccentric ways. Would love to find the cook book. Have the full set

Just excellent. Two compact, absorbing and beautifully written novellas paired up by virtue of both featuring the titular black orchids, albeit very briefly in the case of the second story.As ever, it's the dynamic between Wolfe and Archie that offers the greatest pleasure.

I may be the worst person to review this, as i a a massive fan of Rex Stout/Nero Wolfe. Just to give you an overview, if you like period fiction/detective novels/larger than life characters/ orchids/gastronomy - Nero Wolfe is the detecive for you.

This is the first novel that I have read in this series. I loved it. Rex Stout is a genius and vastly underrated in the UK. I highly recommend this book to fans of quippy wit; detective and mystery novels; food; flowers; and to the person looking for something fun and stimulating.

Great as always. Plus an added book not billed in the write-up, so what a bonus.It happens to accompany the Black Orchids book, because it also refers to these same black orchids. Called something likw 'Cordially invited to a death'.Recommended.

Another humerous dimension added to Archie Goodwin's character.