Easter Parade

by Rex Stout

"Easter Parade" was first published in "Look" with the title "The Easter Parade Murder," and was later republished in book form as part of "And Four to Go."
An Easter Parade tempts Wolfe to commit grand larceny—for an orchid, of course—and though that crime goes unpunished, the inevitable murder does not.
A shifty character is hired to position himself outside a church to try and snatch an orchid corsage after Easter services, and Archie offers to photograph the proceedings with Wolfe's new camera. But murder intervenes, and the lady wearing the corsage is killed.

Genres: Mystery

47 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 4, 2013

About the author

Rex Todhunter Stout (1886–1975) was an American crime writer, best known as the creator of the larger-than-life fictional detective Nero Wolfe, described by reviewer Will Cuppy as "that Falstaff of detectives." Wolfe's assistant Archie Goodwin recorded the cases of the detective genius from 1934 (Fer-de-Lance) to 1975 (A Family Affair).

The Nero Wolfe corpus was nominated Best Mystery Series of the Century at Bouchercon 2000, the world's largest mystery convention, and Rex Stout was nominated Best Mystery Writer of the Century.

Reviews

[H (trying to keep up with GR friends) Balikov · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a very slight story centering on Nero Wolfe’s orchid obsession. The murder takes place during New York City’s Easter celebration. Wolfe is vulnerable if his role is disclosed. The best part of the story for me was how Wolfe’s in-house detective, Archie Goodwin, is able to play the police when he is brought into the police’s investigation.

I don’t regret the short time it took to read this story but it isn’t one of Stout’s best efforts.

[Anthony · Rating 4 out of 5]

Archie Goodwin out to take a photo of a rare orchid for Nero Wolfe, that is to be worn by a Mrs. Bynoe on Easter Sunday while leaving church, suddenly finds himself involved in a murder mystery. Archie and Nero are hired by the victim's husband to investigate, help locate the murderer, all while keeping themselves out of the watchful eye of Inspector Cramer, and the D.A.

[Trevor Denning · Rating 4 out of 5]

An annual tradition for me, this short story never fails to delight. Even without the illustrations with which it was originally published in Look Magazine, it's a tight, logical little mystery with all the snappy dialog, wry observations, and Wolfe-isms fans like me love.

[Serena · Rating 3 out of 5]

And Four to Go

My Rating System:
* couldn't finish, ** wouldn't recommend, *** would recommend, **** would read again, ***** have read again