Murder in E Minor (The Nero Wolfe Mysteries Book 1)

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I was drawn to investigate this title as I’ve never read a mystery involving a symphony orchestra. I was also intrigued to see the series name, "A Nero Wolfe Mystery." It’s surprising that I’ve never read a Nero Wolfe mystery but I only knew of the series by Rex Stout. As I read the dedication, "In memory of my mother, who first introduced me to Nero Wolfe and Archie Goodwin" I felt I might be in for either a special treat or an utter disappointment. Let me hurriedly share that I loved "Murder in E Minor" told from Archie Goodwin’s point of view. As the one who extended the life of Rex’s Stout’s famed private eye Nero Wolfe with seven novels in the 1980s and ’90s, I got both praise and derision — praise from readers who were glad to have more tales of Wolfe and his loyal right-hand, Archie Goodwin, and derision from those who either lamented that 'you haven’t got it right' or who felt fictional characters should be allowed to die with their creators," Goldsborough wrote in 2011. [3] I was fascinated by Nero Wolfe’s investigative style as he never leaves his home. I simply couldn’t conceive how it would be possible.

Another interesting point is that this Goldsborough book, and presumably the rest, are set in modern times which to me means times when I've been alive. When Stout moved his decades forward it felt jarring to me. With Goldsborough it felt natural to have Archie in Nero set in the 1970s.I got a good, leisurely look at her through the one-way glass in the front door as she stood in the drizzle ringing our bell. Dark-haired, dark-eyed, and slender, she had a touch of Mia Farrow in her face. And like Farrow in several of her roles, she seemed frightened and unsure. But looking through the glass, I was convinced that with Maria Radovich, it was no act. No, I want Mr. Nero Wolfe. My uncle has spoken of him, and I am sure he would want to help. My uncle knew Mr. Wolfe many years ago in Montenegro, and— Look, Mr. Wolfe isn’t seeing anyone, honest. I can suggest some agencies if you’re looking for a private investigator. Robert Gerald Goldsborough (born October 3, 1937 in Chicago, Illinois) is an American journalist and writer of mystery novels. He worked for 45 years for the Chicago Tribune and Advertising Age, but gained prominence as the author of a series of 17 authorized pastiches of Rex Stout's Nero Wolfe detective stories, published from 1986 to 1994 and from 2012 to 2023. The first novel, Murder in E Minor (1986), received a Nero Award. In 2005, Goldsborough turned his attention to creating books with his own characters, beginning with Three Strikes You're Dead, a mystery set in pre-war Chicago, featuring Steve (Snap) Malek, a reporter for the Chicago Tribune. In February 2006, Three Strikes You're Dead was named Best Historical Mystery at the eighth annual Love is Murder awards banquet. [ citation needed] Terror at the Fair (2011), the fifth book in the Snap Malek series, received the Lovey Award in 2012. [4] Bibliography [ edit ] Nero Wolfe novels [ edit ]

Several of Stout's Wolfe novels made it clear that Wolfe was Montenegrin, and had once been involved in what would today be called terrorist activities against the oppressors of his homeland (in early days of the 20th century, those would be the Austro-Hungarian Empire). Hard as it is to see in the present-day corpulent agoraphobic crime-solving genius in Manhattan, he was once a man of action in Montenegro and the surrounding area. A few of his comrades from that era also survive: the present conductor of the New York Symphony Orchestra, Milan Stevans (name now anglicized from Milos Stefanović), and Milan's long-estranged wife, Alexandra Adjari, now living in London. Stevans became the guardian of his great-niece Maria Radovich after the death of her parents. This is the first of the Nero Wolfe books written by Robert Goldsborough. Goldsborough has the reputation and knowledge to carry on the Nero Wolfe tradition and while his voices for Archie and Nero sound a little different that those composed by Rex Stout they are good enough to make you feel like you are in the old brownstone building again. Goldsborough resumed his Nero Wolfe series with Archie Meets Nero Wolfe (2012), a prequel to Stout's novels, followed by Murder in the Ball Park (2014).After a year of reporting for the Associated Press, Goldsborough went to work for the Chicago Tribune as a reporter (1960–1963). From 1963 to 1966, he served as assistant editor of the newspaper's Sunday magazine and TV Week, which he edited from 1966 to 1967. He was assistant to the features editor (1967–1971) and editor (1971–1972), and was named Sunday editor (1972–1975) and editor of the Sunday magazine (1975–1982). In 1982, he joined Advertising Age as editor and became the magazine's special projects director in 1988. [1] He retired in December 2004. [2] Nero Wolfe [ edit ] Miss Radovich, before we talk more about these notes, tell me about your uncle, and yourself. First, you said on the phone that he and Mr. Wolfe knew each other in Montenegro. After this point, the plot explores the characters in the symphony orchestra, from its chairman (who owns the company that makes Wolfe's favorite beer), other musicians who came into conflict with Stevens, and other people connected with the orchestra. I’m sorry, but Mr. Wolfe isn’t consulting at the present time, I said, repeating a line I had grown to hate. NERO WOLFE AND I HAVE argued for years about whether the client who makes his first visit to us before or after noon is more likely to provide an interesting—and lucrative—case. Wolfe contends that the average person is incapable of making a rational decision, such as hiring him, until he or she has had a minimum of two substantial meals that day. My own feeling is that the caller with the greater potential is the one who has spent the night agonizing, finally realizes at dawn that Wolfe is the answer, and does something about it fast. I’ll leave it to you to decide, based on our past experience, which of us has it better pegged.

Other than having put his brain in the deep freeze, Wolfe kept his routine pretty much the same as ever: breakfast on a tray in his room; four hours a day—9 to 11 A.M. and 4 to 6 P.M.—in the plant rooms with Theodore; long conferences with Fritz on menus and food preparation; and the best meals in Manhattan. The rest of the time, he was in his oversized chair behind his desk in the office reading and drinking beer. And refusing to work. Based on these two books by Robert Goldsborough, it is evident that the author uses both the biographical and autobiographical method in his work. A notable aspect in his literary works is his constant reference of the Chicago Tribune where he has worked for a long time and the use of real-life personalities and public figures as his characters. My uncle’s been a musician and conductor all over Europe—Italy, Austria, Germany. He was conducting in London last, before we came here. But long ago, he did some fighting in Montenegro. I know little of it, but I think he was involved in an independence movement. He doesn’t like to talk about that at all, and he never mentioned Mr. Wolfe to me until one time when his picture was in the papers. It was something to do with a murder or a suicide—I think maybe your picture was there too? Archie, he would say, looking up from his book, as I have told you many times, one of your most commendable attributes through the years has been your ability to badger me into working. That former asset is now a liability. You may goad me if you wish, but it is futile. I will not take the bait. And desist using the word ‘retired.’ I prefer to say that I have withdrawn from practice. And with that, he would return to his book, which currently was a rereading of Emma by Jane Austen. Mr. Wolfe doesn’t come down to the office for another hour and ten minutes, I said, motioning to the yellow chair nearest my desk. Which is fine, because he wouldn’t see you anyway. At least not right now. He thinks he’s retired from the detective business. But I’m not. I flipped open my notebook and swiveled to face her.In 2005, Goldsborough published Three Strikes You're Dead, the first novel of a five book series of period mysteries featuring Chicago Tribune reporter Steve (Snap) Malek. I need to see Mr. Wolfe—today. May I make an appointment? It was the voice of a young woman, shaky, and with an accent that seemed familiar to me.