Nero Wolfe: The Archie Goodwin Files

by Marvin Kaye (editor)

Since 1977, The Wolfe Pack has published The Gazette, chockful of articles and tales of America's greatest sleuth, Nero Wolfe, who prefers beer and orchids to working at his West 35th Street brownstone. But thanks to Wolfe's wisecracking associate Archie Goodwin and his agent REX STOUT, Wolfe's seventy-two cases are mystery classics. NERO THE ARCHIE GOODWIN FILES is a new selection of Neronian delights carefully picked from over twenty-five years of The Gazette by veteran anthologist, novelist, and charter member of The Wolfe Pack Marvin Kaye.

Genres: Mystery

341 pages, Paperback

First published November 30, 2005

About the author

Marvin Nathan Kaye was an American mystery, fantasy, science fiction, horror author, anthologist, and editor. He was also a magician and theater actor. Kaye was a World Fantasy Award winner and served as co-publisher and editor of Weird Tales Magazine.

Reviews

[M.L.D. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed the pastiches in the last third of the book, although they weren't as cleverly plotted as Stout's originals and seemed to rely more on tricks for solutions rather than Wolfe deducting. The essays in the first two parts are probably only interesting for hardcore Wolfe fans.

[Dylan Gurl · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great read! The first 3 parts are essays from the Wolfe Pack’s publication, “The Gazette,” concerning Nero Wolfe, Archie Goodwin, their home and associates. Some are also transcriptions of speeches from their annual Black Orchids and Shad Roe celebrations. I was very impressed by the rigor of scholarship of the articles — some of the details the authors highlight show an enviable memory of all 30 something books’ contents!

The last portion is a series of short stories written in the genre of Stout’s work, which provide some entertaining presentations of their untold early days together, Wolfe at work in the near present, and more.

The publishers did make some irritating mistakes — there is a good number of typos, and in at least two places there are two whole pages missing. But — Happy to read this by the Wolfe Pack, and I hope others find and enjoy it as well!

[Athena Porter · Rating 3 out of 5]

More of an encyclopedia for ardent fans than stories. There were some short stories and some interesting facts presented. Presenters are doing way more research into fictitious characters than I would undertake. I suppose that is the point of the book. If there was something you were curious about, here it is for you to read.

[Michael Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

More reprints of the talks and items from the Wolfe Pack Gazette. Some more examinations of Wolfe's possible birth country and where his house was in New York. A few studies on Archie add to the enjoyment. But best of all are several new stories in the Nero Wolfe mold from members of the association.

[Jane · Rating 3 out of 5]

for real Wolfe enthusiasts only, but lovely fanfic.