Fer-de-Lance - SPOILER thread

[Gary]

The snake was one of the reasons I delayed reading this book for many years.

[Gary]

Judy wrote: "Hope your move goes well, Gary.

What did anyone think of the snake incident? It had me on the edge of my seat even on a reread!"

The move has been delayed due to the scattered freezing rain here in metro Detroit. Still haven't uncovered that elusive second Wolfe novel. It is probably in a box I haven't looked at.

[Judy]

I'll admit it hadn't occurred to me to wonder whether the snake was a serious murder attempt or not - good question! Maybe the killer didn't mind too much whether it killed him or just acted as a warning?

To reopen the question of the golf club, I suppose it's a bit like some of the very elaborate plots in some Sherlock Holmes stories. Not something a reader could possibly solve, so. I don't think this kind of plot really fits the "fair play" rules, but it's fun to see the great detective solving the case...

[Gary]

The move is done now to find importantbthings like my computer cables and mouse.

The good news is that I did find The League of Frightened Men. I will be reading it after I finish my current book.

[SewingandCaring]

Sorry everyone but I thought it was bloody awful. Far far more film noir than goldern age and I've never liked film noir. Just not my thing.

[Judy]

Sorry to hear you did not like the book, Learnin Curve, but it sounds as if it isn't the right genre for you. As you will have seen, Rex Stout does have a devoted following - I'm a relative newbie to his world but becoming increasingly interested. I do love film noir though.

I'll just add that we do always have at least two group reads on the go, often more with buddy reads , so everyone should hopefully be able to find something to their taste to discuss and enjoy.

[Judy]

Gary wrote: "The move is done now to find importantbthings like my computer cables and mouse.

The good news is that I did find The League of Frightened Men. I will be reading it after I finish my current book."

Gary, that one is my favourite out of those I've read so far. I'm sure you will enjoy it! Glad to hear that you have now completed your move.

[Marcus]

And besides that, one has here a specialized and knowable group of mysteries readers (myself excluded).

[Lynne]

Judy wrote: "I'll admit it hadn't occurred to me to wonder whether the snake was a serious murder attempt or not - good question! Maybe the killer didn't mind too much whether it killed him or just acted as a w..."

And it was revealed early that the golf club was the murder contrivance, so it wasn't really part of the whodunit. The real surprise of it came when we found out who the real victim was supposed to be.

[Lynne]

Learnin Curve wrote: "Sorry everyone but I thought it was bloody awful. Far far more film noir than goldern age and I've never liked film noir. Just not my thing."

No need to apologize. There is enough out there to sample that luckily there is something else to your taste. One of the things I love about this group is that it stretches me to try mysteries I might not otherwise have tried, and therein lies the fun! (As if I needed further inducement to read more!)

[SewingandCaring]

At least I can say I know now as it's something which constantly pops up on my recommendations, I've loved the American Ellery Queen stories I've read so far but Judy is right, this was just the wrong genre for me - it may have been better to start with a later book as well as the reviews say this is the weakest one in the series by far.

[Susan]

I also struggled with this one. The thing is, I like starting a series at the beginning, so I am not motivated to try a later one. I just think there is no need to struggle with books that don't appeal.

[Jessica-sim]

I started off really liking this book! It was my first encounter with Rex Stout.
But then I really didn't like Wolfe's deceiving schemes. Maybe the robbery would be forgivable, but then the blackmailing of Anderson (yes I know he didn't see it like that) and the totally preventable deaths of father and son... All that thought and played out from an office chair. How is that not a criminal mind?

[Marcus]

Well, this was my first Nero Wolf book and I liked it a lot. I think Nero Wolf will have a successful career in my readings experiences. Intelligence and a good capacity of observation are essential in solving the puzzles of a criminal mind.

[Everyman]

Simone wrote: "All that thought and played out from an office chair. How is that not a criminal mind? "

But was justice not served?

[Jill]

Everyman wrote: "Simone wrote: "All that thought and played out from an office chair. How is that not a criminal mind? "

But was justice not served?"

I wasn't at ease with the put-up robbery, but I felt justice was definitely served.

[Jessica-sim]

@ everyman & Jill

You mean because the father still had his punishment coming?

But if you foresee, and not prevent a murder, isn't that on your conscience no matter what justice in the bigger picture might be served?

I must admit, that the tendency of the golden age detective to take justice in their own hands, very often doesn't sit well with me. I guess that the inevitable death penalty for the suspects blurs the lines somewhat.

[Jill]

Simone wrote: "@ everyman & Jill

You mean because the father still had his punishment coming?

But if you foresee, and not prevent a murder, isn't that on your conscience no matter what justice in the bigger pic..."

Both men had killed. I assume the plane crash was a quick death . Quicker than the law would have no doubt ended their lives. As you say the penalty in those times was death.