Nero Wolfe is a legendary fictional private investigator created by Rex Stout. When Stout died, the series was continued by Robert Goldsborough. This is the 9th Nero Wolfe book by Goldsborough, and - like the rest of the series - can be read as a standalone.
Nero Wolfe is an eccentric, obese private detective who lives and works in a brownstone in New York City. Wolfe almost never leaves his house; spends four hours a day tending his orchids; has a chef who prepares delicious gourmet meals; loves beer; and would rather read books than take new cases.
Wolfe employs Archie Goodwin as his assistant, legman, and gadfly - a smartmouth who prods Wolfe to 'go to work' when the bank account is running low.
Stout's original Nero Wolfe books are set in the 1930s but this story is updated to the 1950s. In this mystery, Wolfe and Archie look into the death of a politician.
*****
Polo Grounds
Archie Goodwin and his fellow private detective Saul Panzer are at the Polo Grounds, waiting for the Dodgers-Giants game to start, when they notice a conspicuous cadre of fellow spectators: New York State Senator Orson Milbank along with his publicist; campaign manager; political pollster; and intern.
When a home run in the fourth inning brings the roaring crowd to its feet, Senator Milbank keels over dead. The police determine that a sniper shot the politician, but they make little progress catching the gunman.
Milbank's wife, former Hollywood actress Elise DuVal, asks Nero Wolfe to find her husband's assassin.
When Wolfe interviews DuVal, she admits many people had a grudge against her spouse. Firstly, there are rumors about Milbank being 'cozy' with his beautiful publicist, Mona Fentress, who's married to a bad-tempered advertising executive.
Secondly, Milbank was waffling about a proposed Northern Parkway that would connect New York City with the towns to the north, and this angered both proponents and opponents of the road, including:
Franco Bacelli (anti-parkway) - Bacelli is a crime boss who doesn't want the road going through his magnificent estate. Senator Milbank NIXED the original plans for the parkway, but OKAYED an altered route that would avoid the mobster's property. Still, Bacelli is angry because he doesn't want the road at all.
Jonah Keller (pro-parkway) - Keller is a bloated obnoxious windbag who's head of the Northland Realtors Association. Keller wants the parkway because he believes it will trigger growth and new housing. Keller started a smear campaign against Senator Milbank, calling him a crime syndicate toady.
Ray Corcoran (pro-parkway) - Corcoran heads the Westchester-Putnam-Dutchess County businessmen’s group, who thinks the road will enhance business opportunities.
Howell Baxter (anti-parkway) - Baxter is head of a group that calls itself 'Citizens Looking to Enjoy Arboreal Nature' (CLEAR). Baxter called Senator Milbank a turncoat, and said he was the most infamous traitor since Benedict Arnold.
Miscellaneous wealthy residents of the suburbs (anti-parkway) - Rich people whose property contains horse farms, bridle paths, swimming pools, formal gardens, fountains, etc. don't want a road disrupting their estates.
Nero Wolfe reluctantly takes the case, and invites journalist Lon Cohen, who has encyclopedic knowledge of New York and its residents, to dinner....to pick Lon's brain. The bribe dinner includes Cape Cod clamcakes, beef braised in red wine, squash with sour cream and dill, avocado with watercress and black walnut kernels, cherry tarts, and expensive brandy.
Clamcakes
Beef Braised in Red Wine
Squash with Sour Cream and Dill
Avodcado with Waterecress and Walnuts
Cherry Tarts
Archie is sent to question Senator Milbank's staff and all the other the persons of interest, one of whom apparently hired a sharpshooter to kill Senator Milbank.
At the story's climax, Wolfe exposes the murderer in his usual style. He has Archie gather all the suspects in Wolfe's office, along with Police Inspector Cramer....who will arrest the perpetrator.
This isn't among the best Nero Wolfe mysteries, but it's always fun to visit with favorite characters in the novels. Recommended to fans of the series.
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