What do you think?
Rate this book
Nero Wolfe #39
Trio for Blunt Instruments
If Nero Wolfe and his sidekick, Archie, would ever admit to an Achilles' heel—which they wouldn't—it would be a weakness for damsels in distress. In these three charming chillers the duo answer the call of helpless heroines with nothing to lose-except their lives. First a beautiful young Aphrodite comes to Nero looking for a hero-and the answer to the mystery of her father's death.... Then an old flame of Archie's reignites with a plan that may corner him into a lifetime commitment-behind bars.... And finally a detective's work is never done, as a hot tip leads the team into the sizzling center of a sexy scandal that could leave them cold-dead cold.
208 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1963
224 people are currently reading
730 people want to read
About the author
Rex Stout
838 books1,034 followersRex 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.
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.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 127 reviews
March 12, 2019
Not Stout's best.
The first of these three novellas "Kill Now--Pay Later"--in which Wolfe's bootblack witnesses a murder and is subsequently murdered himself--is a rehash of the typical Stout corporate crime tale, and actually contains the cliche of a victim writing his murderer's name in blood. (Stout was almost eighty by this time; maybe he just didn't give a damn.)
The second tale "Murder is Corny"--in which Wolfe solves a crime by meditating on the unorthodox way his weekly delivery of gourmet corn has been picked and packed--is only a slight improvement, but at least it's better than its title.
The third novella "Blood Will Tell"--featuring a suspect framed with a blood-stained tie--is actually quite good.
If you haven't read any of the series, please don't start here. But of course series devotees like myself will enjoy it anyway, in spite of its flaws.
April 16, 2024
Review to follow
December 20, 2020
The 39th Nero Wolfe installment features three novellas where a blunt instrument is involved in a murder.
Kill Now - Pay Later:
Peter Vassos had been coming to Wolfe's brownstone on West 35th Street around Noon on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday to shine Wolfe and Archie Goodwin's shoes after he had finished his rounds at a nearby office building. When the story opens he has shown up an hour early. One of his customers at the nearby office building had left his tenth floor office by the window and would not need his shoes shined. He hints to Wolfe that he may have seen someone. He didn't stick around and chose to come to shine Wolfe's shoes instead. The autopsy determines the victim had been hit over the had before going out the window. The police believe Pete may know something. When he turns up dead they decide he killed the office manager and then committed suicide. Pete's daughter hires Wolfe to exonerate her father and find the real killer. This story is dated. Bootblacks? It was a fun little story. Not great. Archie is Wolfe's leg man and visits the office building to check it out as well as the co-workers. In the end everyone is invited to Wolfe's office where he exposes who the murderer is.
Murder Is Corny:
Everyone who is familiar with Nero Wolfe knows he is very particular about the food he eats. In this story we learn that between July and October he had 16 ears of corn delivered to his brownstone on West 35th Street from an upstate farm. The corn had to fresh. Picked no more than 3 hours before delivery. When the story opens Inspector Cramer brings the box of corn personally. It seems the body of Kenneth Faber, who had been delivering the corn for the past five weeks, was found by the loading dock in the alley behind Rusterman’s restaurant. Cramer was not being helpful. It seems the farmer had a daughter who told the police she had an appointment to meet Archie in the alley about the same time that Faber was killed. Archie is a suspect and in danger of being arrested. If Archie is arrested it would be an inconvenience to Wolfe to have to get by without his assistance. He winds up taking a case without a client to bill.
Blood Will Tell:
Most of the mail received at the brownstone on West 35th Street is for Nero Wolfe. Sometimes Archie receives something. In this story he receives an envelope containing a tie and a note. The tie has a brownish stain. Blood? The note is brief and only says "Keep thus until you hear from me. — JNV". The return address is from James Neville Vance. No sooner does he receive the tie and note when he gets a phone call telling him to forget it and burn it. His curiosity aroused he decides to take a walk to Vance's building. Vance owns the building but rents out part of it as apartments. While Archie is there a policeman comes to do a welfare check on one of the other residents. In the apartment they find the body of Mrs. Martin Kirk. Archie decides he'd better leave. Of course the police suspect the estranged husband who hires Wolfe to find the real killer.
None of these were particularly great stories. They were entertaining especially if you are a Nero Wolfe fan. This book was published in 1964 and is late in Rex Stout's career when he was about 78.
Kill Now - Pay Later:
Peter Vassos had been coming to Wolfe's brownstone on West 35th Street around Noon on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday to shine Wolfe and Archie Goodwin's shoes after he had finished his rounds at a nearby office building. When the story opens he has shown up an hour early. One of his customers at the nearby office building had left his tenth floor office by the window and would not need his shoes shined. He hints to Wolfe that he may have seen someone. He didn't stick around and chose to come to shine Wolfe's shoes instead. The autopsy determines the victim had been hit over the had before going out the window. The police believe Pete may know something. When he turns up dead they decide he killed the office manager and then committed suicide. Pete's daughter hires Wolfe to exonerate her father and find the real killer. This story is dated. Bootblacks? It was a fun little story. Not great. Archie is Wolfe's leg man and visits the office building to check it out as well as the co-workers. In the end everyone is invited to Wolfe's office where he exposes who the murderer is.
Murder Is Corny:
Everyone who is familiar with Nero Wolfe knows he is very particular about the food he eats. In this story we learn that between July and October he had 16 ears of corn delivered to his brownstone on West 35th Street from an upstate farm. The corn had to fresh. Picked no more than 3 hours before delivery. When the story opens Inspector Cramer brings the box of corn personally. It seems the body of Kenneth Faber, who had been delivering the corn for the past five weeks, was found by the loading dock in the alley behind Rusterman’s restaurant. Cramer was not being helpful. It seems the farmer had a daughter who told the police she had an appointment to meet Archie in the alley about the same time that Faber was killed. Archie is a suspect and in danger of being arrested. If Archie is arrested it would be an inconvenience to Wolfe to have to get by without his assistance. He winds up taking a case without a client to bill.
Blood Will Tell:
Most of the mail received at the brownstone on West 35th Street is for Nero Wolfe. Sometimes Archie receives something. In this story he receives an envelope containing a tie and a note. The tie has a brownish stain. Blood? The note is brief and only says "Keep thus until you hear from me. — JNV". The return address is from James Neville Vance. No sooner does he receive the tie and note when he gets a phone call telling him to forget it and burn it. His curiosity aroused he decides to take a walk to Vance's building. Vance owns the building but rents out part of it as apartments. While Archie is there a policeman comes to do a welfare check on one of the other residents. In the apartment they find the body of Mrs. Martin Kirk. Archie decides he'd better leave. Of course the police suspect the estranged husband who hires Wolfe to find the real killer.
None of these were particularly great stories. They were entertaining especially if you are a Nero Wolfe fan. This book was published in 1964 and is late in Rex Stout's career when he was about 78.
September 21, 2023
Three fast-paced and fun mysteries. Solidly entertaining.
April 20, 2020
This trio of novellas all feature murder by blunt instruments (obviously): "Kill Now -- Pay Later", "Murder is Corny" and "Blood Will Tell".
I enjoyed all 3 but my favorite was the second one, perhaps because of the way Wolfe is forced to indicate how much he esteems Archie.
I enjoyed all 3 but my favorite was the second one, perhaps because of the way Wolfe is forced to indicate how much he esteems Archie.
January 1, 2021
Another collection of Wolfe and Archie novellas. The first two stories are very good; the third is okay.
Kill Now — Pay Later
A Greek immigrant who has shined Wolfe’s and Archie’s shoes for three years first falls under suspicion of murder, then is himself murdered. Of course the police see it as a remorseful suicide, but his daughter hires Wolfe to clear her father’s name and find his murderer. All the suspects are co-workers, and really, what would give someone a better motive for murder than having worked with a jerk for years?
4 stars.
Murder Is Corny
Long before the current “foodie” movements like using fresh, local and seasonal ingredients and the nose-to-tail philosophy, Nero Wolfe spared no expense to obtain the best ingredients. From July 20 until October 5 of each year, he had 16 ears of fresh-picked corn delivered to him, picked no more than 3 hours before delivery, from an upstate farm — 4 ears each for Archie and Fritz and 8 for himself. (The farmer’s name was Duncan McLeod, but as we learn in the story, McLeod was not immortal.😁)
Because boiled corn is merely “edible and nutritious,” he has Fritz roast the corn in the husk on the highest possible temperature. The diners shuck it at the table and eat it simply with butter and salt.
One day, however, Inspector Cramer delivers the corn and it proves to be far below standard; moreover, the box of corn had been found in the alley behind Rusterman’s restaurant next to the dead body of Kenneth Faber, who had been delivering the corn to Wolfe’s house for the past five weeks.
But Cramer was not being accommodating by bringing the corn to Wolfe; he was there to question Archie, who the police suspect of murdering Faber. The farmer has a daughter (of course he does), Sue, who is a fashion model, and she has told the police she had an appointment to meet Archie in that alley just at about the time the murder was committed. (And yes, the plot revolves around who would have killed Faber because he had been telling people he had seduced Sue in an attempt to coerce her to marry him.)
Wolfe can’t bear the thought of being inconvenienced by having to do without Archie’s assistance, so he takes it on himself to solve the murder. Not only does Wolfe have to solve a mystery without a client to bill, he has to find another corn supplier AND he almost gets blown up before the case is solved.
4 stars.
Blood Will Tell
Archie gets a package in the mail that contains a tie with a brownish stain. Having seen his fair share of dried bloodstains, Archie is pretty sure that’s what it is. The package also contains a brief note from a James Neville Vance, saying merely: ‘Keep thus until you hear from me.’ — JNV. Later, Archie receives a phone call and the squeaky voice on the other end identifies himself as James Neville Vance and tells Archie to burn the tie.
Archie’s curiosity is now aroused so he takes a short walk to JNV’s address. While in his apartment — Vance owns the building and rents out the floors he doesn’t occupy — a policeman knocks on the door and asks Vance to provide a key to the apartment of Mrs. Martin Kirk. Her estranged husband has been trying to reach her and he’s worried. With good reason, for when they enter her apartment, they find her dead body. The police naturally suspect the husband — Mrs. Kirk was serially unfaithful — so Martin Kirk hires Wolfe.
This isn’t really a remarkable story but for once, I managed to keep up with Archie, if not Wolfe, and I knew the identity of the murderer fairly early on. Yay for me.
3 stars.
Kill Now — Pay Later
A Greek immigrant who has shined Wolfe’s and Archie’s shoes for three years first falls under suspicion of murder, then is himself murdered. Of course the police see it as a remorseful suicide, but his daughter hires Wolfe to clear her father’s name and find his murderer. All the suspects are co-workers, and really, what would give someone a better motive for murder than having worked with a jerk for years?
4 stars.
Murder Is Corny
Long before the current “foodie” movements like using fresh, local and seasonal ingredients and the nose-to-tail philosophy, Nero Wolfe spared no expense to obtain the best ingredients. From July 20 until October 5 of each year, he had 16 ears of fresh-picked corn delivered to him, picked no more than 3 hours before delivery, from an upstate farm — 4 ears each for Archie and Fritz and 8 for himself. (The farmer’s name was Duncan McLeod, but as we learn in the story, McLeod was not immortal.😁)
Because boiled corn is merely “edible and nutritious,” he has Fritz roast the corn in the husk on the highest possible temperature. The diners shuck it at the table and eat it simply with butter and salt.
One day, however, Inspector Cramer delivers the corn and it proves to be far below standard; moreover, the box of corn had been found in the alley behind Rusterman’s restaurant next to the dead body of Kenneth Faber, who had been delivering the corn to Wolfe’s house for the past five weeks.
But Cramer was not being accommodating by bringing the corn to Wolfe; he was there to question Archie, who the police suspect of murdering Faber. The farmer has a daughter (of course he does), Sue, who is a fashion model, and she has told the police she had an appointment to meet Archie in that alley just at about the time the murder was committed. (And yes, the plot revolves around who would have killed Faber because he had been telling people he had seduced Sue in an attempt to coerce her to marry him.)
Wolfe can’t bear the thought of being inconvenienced by having to do without Archie’s assistance, so he takes it on himself to solve the murder. Not only does Wolfe have to solve a mystery without a client to bill, he has to find another corn supplier AND he almost gets blown up before the case is solved.
4 stars.
Blood Will Tell
Archie gets a package in the mail that contains a tie with a brownish stain. Having seen his fair share of dried bloodstains, Archie is pretty sure that’s what it is. The package also contains a brief note from a James Neville Vance, saying merely: ‘Keep thus until you hear from me.’ — JNV. Later, Archie receives a phone call and the squeaky voice on the other end identifies himself as James Neville Vance and tells Archie to burn the tie.
Archie’s curiosity is now aroused so he takes a short walk to JNV’s address. While in his apartment — Vance owns the building and rents out the floors he doesn’t occupy — a policeman knocks on the door and asks Vance to provide a key to the apartment of Mrs. Martin Kirk. Her estranged husband has been trying to reach her and he’s worried. With good reason, for when they enter her apartment, they find her dead body. The police naturally suspect the husband — Mrs. Kirk was serially unfaithful — so Martin Kirk hires Wolfe.
This isn’t really a remarkable story but for once, I managed to keep up with Archie, if not Wolfe, and I knew the identity of the murderer fairly early on. Yay for me.
3 stars.
December 6, 2017
As is often the case with a collection of short stories, some are better than the others.
June 7, 2014
If you see that I have read a Nero Wolfe book by Rex Stout you can bet that it gets a high rating. This series and the characters are my favorites of classic mystery. It is not so much the plotting of the mystery which sometimes is a bit weak as much as the ambiance of life in the rather luxurious old brownstone with Wolfe, his assistant/confidant Archie Goodwin, and Fritz, the best cook in NYC. The stories are eccentric and sometimes humorous and they hold your interest from beginning to end. There are three short stories in this book and I loved them all.....but that is no surprise since I am a dyed-in-the-wool fan.
April 8, 2020
Again a trio of murder mysteries. All three involving some sort of bludgeoning during the commission of the murder. Generally this was a pleasant read, the first and third stories are well done Rex Stout books. The middle one bugged me because this was one of the occasions where Rex hides a clue from the reader. Usually he does this by hiding it from Archie, the POV character, and while it works to convey Archie's frustration at the situation it does feel like cheating. Still, this book is good and worth reading.
January 11, 2018
My first Nero Wolfe and still my favourite. I fell in love with Archie Goodwin through this book, as well as discovered an excellent way to cook corn-on-the-cob. The mysteries are straightforward but interesting, peopled with fun characters. Overall, Stout's strength was the short story and this showcases him at his peak.
September 14, 2018
This book contains three novellas.
1. "Kill Now Pay Later" is a tired work. There was hardly any mystery. Goodwin was cracking in his wry observations. Wolfe showed his spirit by walking several extra miles for the sake of the bootblack. Hardly three stars.
2. "Murder is Corny" is a story where Goodwin gets involved due to some incredibly stupid act on part of a lady, and a whole lot of corn. It was dreary, and I can't give more than two to it.
3. "Blood Will Tell", originally published in Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine, was preposterous, and highly enjoyable. It walks away with four stars.
Therefore, on an average, three stars to the book.
Your call now.
1. "Kill Now Pay Later" is a tired work. There was hardly any mystery. Goodwin was cracking in his wry observations. Wolfe showed his spirit by walking several extra miles for the sake of the bootblack. Hardly three stars.
2. "Murder is Corny" is a story where Goodwin gets involved due to some incredibly stupid act on part of a lady, and a whole lot of corn. It was dreary, and I can't give more than two to it.
3. "Blood Will Tell", originally published in Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine, was preposterous, and highly enjoyable. It walks away with four stars.
Therefore, on an average, three stars to the book.
Your call now.
November 27, 2017
Impeccable Novellas
They have been more popular mystery authors than Rex Stout. But there has never been a better one. He excelled in writing to the length of the novella. This book contains three of them. He is writing about his unique characters, Nero Wolfe and assistant Archie Goodwin
I always try to deduce who the murderer is before Nero Wolfe does. But I rarely do. I have however, discovered the murder before Archie does.
If you like mysteries, mysteries that are true who-dunits and not action novels or thrillers, this book will delight you.
They have been more popular mystery authors than Rex Stout. But there has never been a better one. He excelled in writing to the length of the novella. This book contains three of them. He is writing about his unique characters, Nero Wolfe and assistant Archie Goodwin
I always try to deduce who the murderer is before Nero Wolfe does. But I rarely do. I have however, discovered the murder before Archie does.
If you like mysteries, mysteries that are true who-dunits and not action novels or thrillers, this book will delight you.
February 25, 2021
Contains the one with the shoeshine guy, the one with the delivery of sweet corn, and the one with the necktie mailed to Archie. Not the best trio, but solid, with some interesting characters, and a near-bombing that raises the blood pressure a little. Only two of the three feature blunt instruments, though—great title, anyway.
September 4, 2023
This is a collection of three novellas from 1961-63. They share a couple of common of themes. One is that all of the victims meet their end by collisions with blunt instruments.
The other is that the sexual revolution that accelerated dramatically with the approval of the birth control pill in 1960, as noted in the Nero Wolfe mystery of that year, Too Many Clients, continues to have unintended consequences, sometimes deadly ones. Some women of social standing are becoming a lot more promiscuous. Some guys, like ladies-man Archie, are taking this well and enjoying the benefits. Others are definitely not.
“Kill Now – Pay Later” involves a beautiful secretary who may or may not have been involved with one or more executives at her company. It is very well plotted, 4 stars.
“Murder is Corny” involves a beautiful farm girl turned Manhattan supermodel. Since moving to the big city she has had at least 30 suitors and a dozen marriage proposals. This is also very well plotted. Archie is framed for a murder and the entire Wolfe household comes very close to being blown up by a parcel bomb delivered to them. They are saved only when Wolfe senses the danger and cuts short his daily time with the orchids. 4 stars.
“Blood Well Tell” involves a beautiful architect’s wife who is playing the field without a care for the hearts she is breaking. This one also attempts an intricate plot, but I don’t think it pulls it off quite as well as the other two. 3.5 stars.
I noticed only a few new observations on daily life and events in this period. Wolfe is reading Shirer’s excellent The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich in one story. Closed-circuit television surveillance is mentioned as an available, though expensive, consumer product for the first time. I expected some reference to the Berlin Wall (1961), the Bay of Pigs (1961), the Cuban Missile Crisis (1962), Vietnam, President Kennedy, and/or his assassination by this time, but there has been none yet.
The other is that the sexual revolution that accelerated dramatically with the approval of the birth control pill in 1960, as noted in the Nero Wolfe mystery of that year, Too Many Clients, continues to have unintended consequences, sometimes deadly ones. Some women of social standing are becoming a lot more promiscuous. Some guys, like ladies-man Archie, are taking this well and enjoying the benefits. Others are definitely not.
“Kill Now – Pay Later” involves a beautiful secretary who may or may not have been involved with one or more executives at her company. It is very well plotted, 4 stars.
“Murder is Corny” involves a beautiful farm girl turned Manhattan supermodel. Since moving to the big city she has had at least 30 suitors and a dozen marriage proposals. This is also very well plotted. Archie is framed for a murder and the entire Wolfe household comes very close to being blown up by a parcel bomb delivered to them. They are saved only when Wolfe senses the danger and cuts short his daily time with the orchids. 4 stars.
“Blood Well Tell” involves a beautiful architect’s wife who is playing the field without a care for the hearts she is breaking. This one also attempts an intricate plot, but I don’t think it pulls it off quite as well as the other two. 3.5 stars.
I noticed only a few new observations on daily life and events in this period. Wolfe is reading Shirer’s excellent The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich in one story. Closed-circuit television surveillance is mentioned as an available, though expensive, consumer product for the first time. I expected some reference to the Berlin Wall (1961), the Bay of Pigs (1961), the Cuban Missile Crisis (1962), Vietnam, President Kennedy, and/or his assassination by this time, but there has been none yet.
November 8, 2021
Rex Stout always delivers the most amazing character interaction. Comprising three short stories: Kill Now, Pay Later; Murder is Corny; and Blood Will Tell. The middle story was brilliantly brought to screen with Maury Chakin and Timothy Hutton... but in my opinion Blood Will Tell is my favorite of the lot. Nero, Archie, Fritz and the gang never fail to bring a familiar smile to my face in the brilliant crime series more about how they most entertainingly and playfully work together than about the mysteries themselves.
February 1, 2015
While not Stout's best work, these three novellas do keep the pot a-boiling (pun intended). I learned to oven-roast corn from the story "Murder is Corny", which I first read as a reprint in Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine back in the 1970s. We tried Wolfe's method with fresh-picked sweetcorn from the backyard garden and it was unbelievable. The recipe is the best part of the story--but it's definitely worth it. Angels sing softly in the distance when you eat corn roasted this way.
"Kill Now, Pay Later" has a slightly more noir-fiction feel, right down to the drunken widow. It's interesting to note that in both this story and Blood Will Tell, Archie has a couple of hissy-fits at Wolfe, basically because he feels left out of the loop. He doesn't yell, he gets all hurt and jealous and gives Wolfe the silent treatment, which affects the great man not a whit--but is an interesting sidelight on Archie's character.
Perhaps it's because I listened to this audio book in several sessions, but I found Blood Will Tell confusing and convoluted (aside from being wildly improbable, as most cosy murders are). My question was, why would he bother? Kick her out of the building, certainly--but the best revenge would be to find someone else, younger and prettier if not richer, to rub her nose in.
"Kill Now, Pay Later" has a slightly more noir-fiction feel, right down to the drunken widow. It's interesting to note that in both this story and Blood Will Tell, Archie has a couple of hissy-fits at Wolfe, basically because he feels left out of the loop. He doesn't yell, he gets all hurt and jealous and gives Wolfe the silent treatment, which affects the great man not a whit--but is an interesting sidelight on Archie's character.
Perhaps it's because I listened to this audio book in several sessions, but I found Blood Will Tell confusing and convoluted (aside from being wildly improbable, as most cosy murders are). My question was, why would he bother? Kick her out of the building, certainly--but the best revenge would be to find someone else, younger and prettier if not richer, to rub her nose in.
January 4, 2016
Обичам случаите на Ниро Улф и се радвам, че издателство Ера е решило да пусне поредицата на Рекс Стаут, която си е класика в криминалния жанр. "Кръвта ще покаже" е четвъртата книга от нея и обединява повестите "Убий сега, плати после", "Случаят "Сладка царевица" и "Кръвта ще покаже", в превод на Юлия Чернева.
Имам обаче сериозни забележки относно оформлението и на тази книга, и на цялата поредица. Ако читателят случайно забележи, че на гръбчето на книгата му стои число, може евентуално да се сети, че назъбеното кръгче с надпис "Разследванията на Ниро Улф" е име на поредица, а не част от художественото оформление на корицата. Самата книга, въпреки че съдържа три непревеждани досега повести, няма съдържание, нито поне някакво указание, че преди нея са излезли още 3 книги и може би предстоят други. Никъде, включително и на сайта на издателството, не е посочено кои и колко произведения на Стаут ще съдържа поредицата, което си е сериозен гаф, имайки предвид, че случаите на Ниро Улф са над 70.
Но, като оставим всичко това настрана, удоволствието от срещата с дебелия гениален детектив и неговия привлекателен помощник Арчи Гудуин е налице.
Имам обаче сериозни забележки относно оформлението и на тази книга, и на цялата поредица. Ако читателят случайно забележи, че на гръбчето на книгата му стои число, може евентуално да се сети, че назъбеното кръгче с надпис "Разследванията на Ниро Улф" е име на поредица, а не част от художественото оформление на корицата. Самата книга, въпреки че съдържа три непревеждани досега повести, няма съдържание, нито поне някакво указание, че преди нея са излезли още 3 книги и може би предстоят други. Никъде, включително и на сайта на издателството, не е посочено кои и колко произведения на Стаут ще съдържа поредицата, което си е сериозен гаф, имайки предвид, че случаите на Ниро Улф са над 70.
Но, като оставим всичко това настрана, удоволствието от срещата с дебелия гениален детектив и неговия привлекателен помощник Арчи Гудуин е налице.
January 4, 2016
There are a few good things about weaker memory as you age: you forget plots quicker so you can reread your favorite mysteries more often.
This is good Wolfe. Testy Wolfe and testier Archie, sufficient Cramer, pretty good plots, Wolfe stays home, some well formed characters for short works (especially the last, Blood Will Tell). For some reason I gave it a 3 before; definitely a four.
Perfect reading for convalescence from holiday flu.
This is good Wolfe. Testy Wolfe and testier Archie, sufficient Cramer, pretty good plots, Wolfe stays home, some well formed characters for short works (especially the last, Blood Will Tell). For some reason I gave it a 3 before; definitely a four.
Perfect reading for convalescence from holiday flu.
September 28, 2010
mom and bob have gotten me into these silly books~ makes you say things like "pfui!" and wishing i had an orchid room at the top of my brownstone home..
September 17, 2021
This title consists of three novellas.
Kill Now - Pay Later
Wolfe has a friend, Pete Vassos, a bootblack who has a route shining shoes - and enjoys literary conversations with him as he shines Wolfe's and Archie's shoes weekly. He has several clients, including Dennis Ashby, in an office just before he comes to Wolfe's home. This time Vassos arrives, upset. He had gone to Ashby's tenth-floor office to find he had just jumped (or was pushed?) out the window. He hints that he saw someone else in Ashby's office. Next Vassos himself is found dead, having jumped (or was pushed?) off a cliff. Wolfe immediately figures Vassos' daughter, Elma, may be next on the killer's list as her father may have mentioned the identity of the other person to her; and takes steps to protect her. For a fee of $1.
Murder is Corny
Nero Wolfe has a weekly corn delivery from an upstate farm, delivered by farm worker Kenneth Faber. One day the corn doesn't show up, but Inspector Cramer does, with the corn box under his arm. Seems Faber was found dead at the previous stop, Rusterman's Restaurant, bashed by a length of pipe. He was sweet on the farmer's daughter, Sue McLeod, an expensive model, and a previous girlfriend of Archie Goodwin. Faber wanted her for himself, so he cooked up a great idea: tell all her suitors that she was pregnant and he did it. The problem is: Sue tells the police Archie was on the scene of the murder.
Blood Will Tell
Archie receives a necktie with a spot of blood on it in the mail, along with a note (allegedly) from wealthy James Neville Vance. Archie goes to see Vance to find that it is indeed his tie, but he didn't mail it. While they are discussing this little puzzle, the police arrive on a welfare check call on the downstairs apartment. Vance (the landlord) and Archie accompany the police to the apartment to find Mrs. Bonny Kirk dead on the floor, hit with a liquor bottle. Did someone mail the tie in order frame Vance? If so, why to Archie and not the police?
Review:
The Nero Wolfe novellas are just right for a one-hour self-contained bedtime read! Kill Now - Pay Later is the best of the three, although I did groan a little when Stout trotted out the old trope where the victim dips his finger in his own blood to write the name of the murderer just before he expires (didn't that go out in the 1930's)? Murder is Corny comes in second, the only downside being the obvious signs pointing to the killer. Blood Will Tell was a bit confusing, with a big shell game played with nine identical neckties; and I admit I gave up on following the ties around and just went along for the ride.
Kill Now - Pay Later
Wolfe has a friend, Pete Vassos, a bootblack who has a route shining shoes - and enjoys literary conversations with him as he shines Wolfe's and Archie's shoes weekly. He has several clients, including Dennis Ashby, in an office just before he comes to Wolfe's home. This time Vassos arrives, upset. He had gone to Ashby's tenth-floor office to find he had just jumped (or was pushed?) out the window. He hints that he saw someone else in Ashby's office. Next Vassos himself is found dead, having jumped (or was pushed?) off a cliff. Wolfe immediately figures Vassos' daughter, Elma, may be next on the killer's list as her father may have mentioned the identity of the other person to her; and takes steps to protect her. For a fee of $1.
Murder is Corny
Nero Wolfe has a weekly corn delivery from an upstate farm, delivered by farm worker Kenneth Faber. One day the corn doesn't show up, but Inspector Cramer does, with the corn box under his arm. Seems Faber was found dead at the previous stop, Rusterman's Restaurant, bashed by a length of pipe. He was sweet on the farmer's daughter, Sue McLeod, an expensive model, and a previous girlfriend of Archie Goodwin. Faber wanted her for himself, so he cooked up a great idea: tell all her suitors that she was pregnant and he did it. The problem is: Sue tells the police Archie was on the scene of the murder.
Blood Will Tell
Archie receives a necktie with a spot of blood on it in the mail, along with a note (allegedly) from wealthy James Neville Vance. Archie goes to see Vance to find that it is indeed his tie, but he didn't mail it. While they are discussing this little puzzle, the police arrive on a welfare check call on the downstairs apartment. Vance (the landlord) and Archie accompany the police to the apartment to find Mrs. Bonny Kirk dead on the floor, hit with a liquor bottle. Did someone mail the tie in order frame Vance? If so, why to Archie and not the police?
Review:
The Nero Wolfe novellas are just right for a one-hour self-contained bedtime read! Kill Now - Pay Later is the best of the three, although I did groan a little when Stout trotted out the old trope where the victim dips his finger in his own blood to write the name of the murderer just before he expires (didn't that go out in the 1930's)? Murder is Corny comes in second, the only downside being the obvious signs pointing to the killer. Blood Will Tell was a bit confusing, with a big shell game played with nine identical neckties; and I admit I gave up on following the ties around and just went along for the ride.
May 5, 2021
4.0 out of 5 stars
Well-Balanced Triplet of Very Good Short Stories
May 05, 2021
It's been about two years since I've read any Nero Wolfe books. So, the pleasure I felt reading even the first paragraph of the first story in Rex Stout's 1964 short story compilation [[ASIN:B003V4BPSI "Nero Wolfe, Book 39: Trio for Blunt Instruments"]] might have been due to my having been away so long. Nah. It's because Rex Stout is one of the best writers known. Anyway, this compilation consists of three nicely balanced short stories: "Kill Now – Pay Later" (1961), "Murder is Corny" (previously unpublished) and "Blood Will Tell" (1963). I'm rating each of them (and thus the compilation as well) at a Very Good 4 stars out of 5. A few comments about each of the stories:
- "Kill Now – Pay Later:" Very good writing all around. Some of the characters are a bit silly. But, the biggest issue is that Cramer just misses evidence that he should have and, of course, that's what Wolfe gives us at the end.
- "Murder is Corny:" I was actually pretty upset with this book through most of the story. Firstly, it's a nasty one. Second, right at the start, Cramer shows up to take Archie into custody. The problem is he's (Cramer) pretty much gloating over it. This is the 39th Nero Wolfe book (about a third of them are multi-story compilations). So, we KNOW that Nero Wolfe and Archie have found at least 60 or so murderers over the years. We KNOW Cramer knows this and should actually respect Archie. We also KNOW Cramer knows Archie's pretty darn smart (especially since he works for Nero Wolfe). Yet, Cramer thinks Archie was involved in what appears to be the stupidest murder known to mankind. It just doesn't work that Stout keeps writing Cramer this way. Third, Archie's female "friend" appears to be so stupid that I don't know how she's able to pump blood and breathe at the same time. But, at the end, even though it's not happy, we can appreciate what happened and why.
- "Blood Will Tell:" It's not a big issue, but Archie just seems out of character for much of this story. Of course, maybe he's just in shock because Nero Wolfe takes a job without Archie having to force the issue. Also, there are several things unexplained at the end (Stout even has Nero Wolfe ask about them but then passes them by).
So, again, three nicely balanced, very good short stories in one book. Good stuff.
Well-Balanced Triplet of Very Good Short Stories
May 05, 2021
It's been about two years since I've read any Nero Wolfe books. So, the pleasure I felt reading even the first paragraph of the first story in Rex Stout's 1964 short story compilation [[ASIN:B003V4BPSI "Nero Wolfe, Book 39: Trio for Blunt Instruments"]] might have been due to my having been away so long. Nah. It's because Rex Stout is one of the best writers known. Anyway, this compilation consists of three nicely balanced short stories: "Kill Now – Pay Later" (1961), "Murder is Corny" (previously unpublished) and "Blood Will Tell" (1963). I'm rating each of them (and thus the compilation as well) at a Very Good 4 stars out of 5. A few comments about each of the stories:
- "Kill Now – Pay Later:" Very good writing all around. Some of the characters are a bit silly. But, the biggest issue is that Cramer just misses evidence that he should have and, of course, that's what Wolfe gives us at the end.
- "Murder is Corny:" I was actually pretty upset with this book through most of the story. Firstly, it's a nasty one. Second, right at the start, Cramer shows up to take Archie into custody. The problem is he's (Cramer) pretty much gloating over it. This is the 39th Nero Wolfe book (about a third of them are multi-story compilations). So, we KNOW that Nero Wolfe and Archie have found at least 60 or so murderers over the years. We KNOW Cramer knows this and should actually respect Archie. We also KNOW Cramer knows Archie's pretty darn smart (especially since he works for Nero Wolfe). Yet, Cramer thinks Archie was involved in what appears to be the stupidest murder known to mankind. It just doesn't work that Stout keeps writing Cramer this way. Third, Archie's female "friend" appears to be so stupid that I don't know how she's able to pump blood and breathe at the same time. But, at the end, even though it's not happy, we can appreciate what happened and why.
- "Blood Will Tell:" It's not a big issue, but Archie just seems out of character for much of this story. Of course, maybe he's just in shock because Nero Wolfe takes a job without Archie having to force the issue. Also, there are several things unexplained at the end (Stout even has Nero Wolfe ask about them but then passes them by).
So, again, three nicely balanced, very good short stories in one book. Good stuff.
July 24, 2019
"Kill Now, Pay Later" is one of the few sad stories in the Wolfe series. It's rare we feel sorry for the victims, which may be more about us than the genre, but this time we do, and likely only because it's someone somewhat close to Archie and Wolfe, followed by a distraught family member. The resolution to this one may seem to be typical in the long history of the mystery genre, with an Ellery Queen-like "dying clue in his own blood," but it's more like Stout is poking fun at that sort of thing, since the discovery of the clue is almost after Wolfe solves it anyway.
"Murder is Corny" is likely memorable today because of the Chaykin/Hutton adaptation, though the recipe for summer corn is also intriguing. What does "hottest possible temperature" mean? Sadly, the Nero Wolfe Cookbook does not elaborate. The show does a great job bringing out the potential humor in this scenario, but the short story does a good job resolving the emotional effect of the revelation of the killer. The episode sort of glosses over that in favor of the corn side of the story, but the more emotional resolution here should not be missed.
"Blood Will Tell" is likely the best of the three, as many have said, mainly because it is so Archie-centric. He basically does the whole kaboodle himself this time. The hook is very bizarre this time, which also helps: Archie gets a bloody tie in the mail (reminding us of course of Wolfe's tie used as a murder weapon years earlier) and an unusual call shortly thereafter asking him to forget the whole thing. Both of these incidents are key to bringing down the culprit in a very ironic way. I almost said "instrumental," but I stopped myself considering the title here. You're welcome. Decent stories all around, probably not too many people's favorites, but good and various just the same.
"Murder is Corny" is likely memorable today because of the Chaykin/Hutton adaptation, though the recipe for summer corn is also intriguing. What does "hottest possible temperature" mean? Sadly, the Nero Wolfe Cookbook does not elaborate. The show does a great job bringing out the potential humor in this scenario, but the short story does a good job resolving the emotional effect of the revelation of the killer. The episode sort of glosses over that in favor of the corn side of the story, but the more emotional resolution here should not be missed.
"Blood Will Tell" is likely the best of the three, as many have said, mainly because it is so Archie-centric. He basically does the whole kaboodle himself this time. The hook is very bizarre this time, which also helps: Archie gets a bloody tie in the mail (reminding us of course of Wolfe's tie used as a murder weapon years earlier) and an unusual call shortly thereafter asking him to forget the whole thing. Both of these incidents are key to bringing down the culprit in a very ironic way. I almost said "instrumental," but I stopped myself considering the title here. You're welcome. Decent stories all around, probably not too many people's favorites, but good and various just the same.
May 19, 2019
Another collection of 3 Nero Wolfe mysteries. 1. The death of the top man responsible for increasing the bobbins company's profits was blamed on Wolfe's and Archie's bootblack apparently he does service for the company male bosses, too... plus his daughter works there. Then the bootblack apparently jumped off a cliff because of his guilt? in doing away with the wiz boss for debauching his daughter according to police reports. The orphaned bootblack's daughter, Elma Vassos (apparently Vassos was a great admirer of Wolfe's for the great detective's cut~out picture was framed in a place of honor at his house according to Archie) took sanctuary at Wolfe's house and she became their client and guest until her father's funeral. So to flush out the murderer, Wolfe sued the Board and Cramer for $1M each for slander. 2. Another case of a person spreading vile rumors against an innocent young woman's reputation to force her into marriage. This is about having the correct moral values? and killing to protect a loved one vis~a~vis killing to silence someone. With the correct moral value, one should own what one did even it it means going to jail and not pile in the body count. 3. This deals with a crime of passion and unrequited lust... that the murderer have been kept hanging and teased long enough by the victim, specially if he also has pretensions and exaggerated opinions about himself and what is due him... what some would call his Consequence... very bad and deadly combination when a man's ego has been battered and when such a man is slightly off... either he may charge it to one of life's disappointments or he may take revenge... in this instance, he killed the cause of his misery.
August 21, 2019
Another great collection of Wolfe short stories, with the usual mix of good and great supported by Archie's witty comebacks. In Kill Now - Pay Later we get an interesting take on the usual formula of dead bodies. A man is killed, another one supposedly kills himself out of guilt, and the police are satisfied that the latter did in the former, but not Wolfe. My favorite part of the story was Wolfe insisting that the second man's daughter reside with him for protection until the murderer is caught. We've seen this before in Wolfe stories, but not where he's the one to suggest it and insist.
Having seen Murder is Corny on the A&E TV series I knew what to expect, and the show adhered so well to the book that there were no real surprises from reading it.
Blood Will Tell was my least favorite, partly because Archie's pique didn't seem to have any solid basis and I often felt like I was concentrating too much on trying to figure that out. I did still find a lot to like in the wording and imagery, though. Even without knowing who Archie means, you can still get a good sense of a particular character when he says, "Fougere grinned. I had decided the first time he grinned that I would never grin again." It would have been easy to describe the grin, but instead Stout gives us this menacing glimpse and lets us determine what it means. I do recommend this book, but then so far there isn't any Nero Wolfe book I wouldn't recommend. Read them all.
Having seen Murder is Corny on the A&E TV series I knew what to expect, and the show adhered so well to the book that there were no real surprises from reading it.
Blood Will Tell was my least favorite, partly because Archie's pique didn't seem to have any solid basis and I often felt like I was concentrating too much on trying to figure that out. I did still find a lot to like in the wording and imagery, though. Even without knowing who Archie means, you can still get a good sense of a particular character when he says, "Fougere grinned. I had decided the first time he grinned that I would never grin again." It would have been easy to describe the grin, but instead Stout gives us this menacing glimpse and lets us determine what it means. I do recommend this book, but then so far there isn't any Nero Wolfe book I wouldn't recommend. Read them all.
February 12, 2023
Here are three more wonderful novellas featuring Nero Wolfe. In Kill Now Pay Later the man who shines Wolfe’s shoes three times a week is first suspected of murder and then believed to have committed suicide, but Wolfe will have none of it. After three years of discussing Ancient Greece with the man, he is prepared to suffer inconvenience and work without pay to find that man who murdered him.
In Murder Is Corny, Inspector Cramer actually brings Wolfe a case—sort of. He brings Wolfe a carton of corn found at a murder site because the carton has Wolfe’s name on it. Then he practically accuses Archie of murder and drags him off for questioning. Why does he think Archie is a killer? Because a pretty young model of Archie’s acquaintance sort of fingered him for the crime (while arguing that she never dreamed the police would think Archie did it). So, Wolfe is forced to get involved or potentially lose Archie’s services forever.
The final story, Blood Will Tell, starts with a bloody tie being sent to Archie in the mail. From there, Wolfe and Archie get dragged into a murder that apparently hadn’t happened yet. It’s another thoroughly enjoyable tale.
In Murder Is Corny, Inspector Cramer actually brings Wolfe a case—sort of. He brings Wolfe a carton of corn found at a murder site because the carton has Wolfe’s name on it. Then he practically accuses Archie of murder and drags him off for questioning. Why does he think Archie is a killer? Because a pretty young model of Archie’s acquaintance sort of fingered him for the crime (while arguing that she never dreamed the police would think Archie did it). So, Wolfe is forced to get involved or potentially lose Archie’s services forever.
The final story, Blood Will Tell, starts with a bloody tie being sent to Archie in the mail. From there, Wolfe and Archie get dragged into a murder that apparently hadn’t happened yet. It’s another thoroughly enjoyable tale.
September 29, 2024
I always have mixed feeling about Nero Wolfe series. The mystery is entertaining enough for a mystery lover; the sidekick, Archie while can be annoying is a charming & funny man, I enjoy his many sarcastic quips; I think the revelation part is always done nicely.
But the writing isn't that good. The pace can be draggy & full of unnecessary details (I don't need to know how Archie had to turn the door knob & turn it again in order to open a normal door). There's a lot of misogynistic instances in the series. I have no idea what personal grudge did Mr rex stout has with women that he felt inclined to belittle & stereotyped them at every chances he got. And I hate inspector cramer the most. He's very impatient, ill-tempered, ill-mannered, rely too much on Wolfe (and being extremely fussy at it too).
That being said I would still pick another book in the series purely for Archie's funny remarks.
But the writing isn't that good. The pace can be draggy & full of unnecessary details (I don't need to know how Archie had to turn the door knob & turn it again in order to open a normal door). There's a lot of misogynistic instances in the series. I have no idea what personal grudge did Mr rex stout has with women that he felt inclined to belittle & stereotyped them at every chances he got. And I hate inspector cramer the most. He's very impatient, ill-tempered, ill-mannered, rely too much on Wolfe (and being extremely fussy at it too).
That being said I would still pick another book in the series purely for Archie's funny remarks.
February 14, 2024
Pretty good later entry to the Nero Wolfe series. A three novella volume.
The first tale: "Kill Now - Pay Later" was up to the usual high standard, until the dramatic finish, where unknown facts were introduced that helped point to the murderer. Still, an entertaining read.
The second tale: "Murder is Corny" was first rate from start to finish by my reckoning. There were adequate clues mixed in with red herrings right along. I didn't guess the murdered until late, but once Wolfe rolled out the details, it was one of those smack-your-head moments where you realize you should have spotted them early on. Well done Mr Stout!
The third tale: "Blood Will Tell" was more complex. A bit soapy and psychological at times and resolution came via motive, which I didn't spot in the pointer clues until Wolfe laid them out. Another good one.
The first tale: "Kill Now - Pay Later" was up to the usual high standard, until the dramatic finish, where unknown facts were introduced that helped point to the murderer. Still, an entertaining read.
The second tale: "Murder is Corny" was first rate from start to finish by my reckoning. There were adequate clues mixed in with red herrings right along. I didn't guess the murdered until late, but once Wolfe rolled out the details, it was one of those smack-your-head moments where you realize you should have spotted them early on. Well done Mr Stout!
The third tale: "Blood Will Tell" was more complex. A bit soapy and psychological at times and resolution came via motive, which I didn't spot in the pointer clues until Wolfe laid them out. Another good one.
November 2, 2020
To be truthful, at this point, getting to dip back into the world of Nero Wolfe & Archie Goodwin has become a true comfort to me - like returning to Hogwarts. The consistent world-building over so many books & decades has given me a great oasis in which to retreat when the world gets a little much.
That being said; the compilation books, like this one, are often much more satisfying for the world than they are for the mystery.
In this case; the 3rd story ends pretty satisfyingly, the 2nd story’s end is a bit deus ex machina, and the 1st story’s ending is pretty absurd.
But again, I was just happy for 3 new (to me) Nero Wolfe stories to read and each easily had more than enough charm to keep me from dwelling too much on any plot-shortcomings.
That being said; the compilation books, like this one, are often much more satisfying for the world than they are for the mystery.
In this case; the 3rd story ends pretty satisfyingly, the 2nd story’s end is a bit deus ex machina, and the 1st story’s ending is pretty absurd.
But again, I was just happy for 3 new (to me) Nero Wolfe stories to read and each easily had more than enough charm to keep me from dwelling too much on any plot-shortcomings.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 6, 2018
Stout at his best.
This is by far the best of Stout 's novella compilations. It was late in his career. Earlier novellas often felt like they had been cut short. At least one was in effect a rehearsal for, or draft of a later novel. These novellas work on all levels: they're perfectly paced, written with clarity and with characterizations of great economy, yet delivering a full sense of the relationship that make Stout 's novels such a pleasure, that between the genius Nero Wolfe and his arms and legs and our narrator, Archie Goodwin. The whodoneits are also are on a relatively high level. 3 small gems.
This is by far the best of Stout 's novella compilations. It was late in his career. Earlier novellas often felt like they had been cut short. At least one was in effect a rehearsal for, or draft of a later novel. These novellas work on all levels: they're perfectly paced, written with clarity and with characterizations of great economy, yet delivering a full sense of the relationship that make Stout 's novels such a pleasure, that between the genius Nero Wolfe and his arms and legs and our narrator, Archie Goodwin. The whodoneits are also are on a relatively high level. 3 small gems.
February 8, 2025
Three solid mysteries. Unlike most of Nero Wolfe's adventures, however, these did not stay with me. Usually, I chew over a good Stout tale for a day or two after finishing it. The next day, I was off onto everything else that was going on. Still, they were interesting tales of murder. Each short story made for a good read before bed, which is when I seem to find my reading time these days.
They would also be great for a rainy afternoon or when you happen to find yourself with an hour to kill. Perfect for doctor's appointments or waiting at the DMV.
Recommended for fans of Nero and Archie or lovers of a good mystery.
Find it. Buy it. Read it!
They would also be great for a rainy afternoon or when you happen to find yourself with an hour to kill. Perfect for doctor's appointments or waiting at the DMV.
Recommended for fans of Nero and Archie or lovers of a good mystery.
Find it. Buy it. Read it!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 127 reviews