his investigations alone. This is partially because Holmes was a very energetic and physically capable detective.
Nero Wolfe most certainly is not. Archie does all of the legwork. Well, not quite all; he does have assistance sometimes in the form of other private operatives, somewhat of a West 35th Street equivalent to the Baker Street Irregulars.
Wolfe, quite simply, does not investigate. He thinks and he issues orders. Archie is a far more capable sidekick than Watson. He is, in fact, a licensed private investigator in his own right. When Wolfe disappears as part of his campaign against Arnold Zeck, Archie sets up shop on his own and does quite well.
Archie is brave, wise-cracking, attractive to women, athletic, and tough. He is a detective in the style of Sam Spade and gumshoes in the pages of Black Mask Magazine. In fact, Wolfe is an intellectual detective of the Sherlock/Mycroft era, while Archie is typical of the hard-boiled genre. Thus, Rex Stout created a detective series that was characterized by the two periods of detective fiction which bookended the Golden Era of mystery stories (of which Agatha Christie is a prime example).
Perhaps it’s in the Blood?
Holmesians have often speculated that there was a romantic relationship between Sherlock Holmes and Irene Adler, with several films and pastiches utilizing the premise. John Lescroart wrote a pair of novels featuring Auguste Lupa (a name with linguistic connotations of Nero Wolfe), Son of Holmes and Rasputin’s Revenge. The brilliant Lupa is the offspring of Holmes and Adler. Though it is never overtly stated, it’s hard not to conclude that Lupa, who heads off to America with his Swiss chef, Fritz, at the end of the second novel, becomes Nero Wolfe. In fact, it’s elementary.
Now, don’t get the impression that the Wolfe stories are just pale copies of the Holmes tales. Rex Stout excelled in both plot and characterization, and the Wolfe stories hold a unique and enduring place in the mystery pantheon. But Stout was a well-known fan of Sherlock Holmes, and traces of that admiration and respect for the world’s first and greatest private consulting detective can be found in the Corpus.
Beyond Stout
Unlike Sherlock Holmes, Nero Wolfe is still copyright protected, so you won’t find a plethora of pastiches (there’s a good name for a Wolfean mystery story) for sale in bookstores and online. However, if you’ve worked through the Corpus a few times and want more, there are still some options out there.
Robert Goldsborough, with permission from the Stout Estate, published seven novels featuring Wolfe and Archie. Like Stout’s originals, they are contemporary tales and the last book, The Missing Chapter, pokes fun at pastiches of popular series.
Lawrence Block created Leo Haig, star of two novels and several short stories. Haig has learned everything that he can about Nero Wolfe, who he believes to be a very real person: Rex Stout is merely a pseudonym. He lives as a shadow of Wolfe, keeping tropical fish instead of orchids, venturing out for business only when he has to and employing his own Archie, Chip Harrison, to do the legwork. Haig’s dream is to be invited to dinner at Wolfe’s brownstone, which is a clever bit.
H. Paul Jeffers, who includes two Sherlock Holmes titles among his list of works, wrote three books featuring Sergeant John Bogdanovic. The policeman finds himself immersed in the world of a famous fictional detective in each novel. The third, entitled Corpus Corpus, centers around an annual Wolfe Pack Dinner. As expected, Wolfean details abound throughout the tale.
Finally, in 2008, Loren Estleman began a series of pastiches featuring amateur private detective Claudius Lyon, whose life mission is to emulate Nero Wolfe. Lyon’s Archie is an ex-convict named Arnie Woodbine, who also serves as narrator. Estleman has long been known to Sherlock Holmes fans for two pastiches, one featuring Dracula and the other Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.
Very Satisfactory
If you have only a passing acquaintance with Nero Wolfe, you would do well to read up on the Corpus. For the more visually minded mystery lover, there is also a Nero Wolfe series available on DVD. It aired on the A&E network in 2001 and 2002 and features Maury Chaykin and Timothy Hutton. Hutton, in particular, excelled, also serving as director and executive producer on the series. It is a high-quality production with an excellent jazz soundtrack and, happily, is quite faithful to the original stories.
Quiz Answer: Holmes tells Watson that he is not such an admirer of women in the fourth and final novel, The Valley of Fear.
MRS HUDSON’S HOUSEHOLD HINTS, by (Mrs) Martha Hudson
Dear Readers,
As there has been a dearth of requests for my advice, I have decided to alter the nature of my column, focusing instead upon techniques of household management thrust upon me by the unique tenancy of Mr Sherlock Holmes and his dear companion Dr John H Watson.
However, just as I was about to submit my new column, the editor surprised me by sending along the following request for advice from one of the readers. I am happy to add it as a prefatory item, together with my considered reply.
—(Mrs) Martha Hudson
* * * *
Dear Mrs Hudson,
What remedies do you suggest for the common cold or, worse yet, influenza? I am a sickly soul, and I dread winter each year. Help me to ease my pains!
Sincerely,
Sickly in Singapore
* * * *
Dear Sickly,
I certainly sympathize with you. One can never be too careful, especially in this damp climate of ours. No matter how often I get after Mr. Holmes, he fails to wear his rubbers out in bad weather. It’s lucky for him he has such a strong constitution or he would have died from the grippe years ago.
One must attack these things in two phases: prevention and cure. Prevention is key, of course, but if that fails, then one must of course resort to applying cures.
As to prevention, I have several recipes passed onto me by my dear mother, God rest her soul. I know that garlic is antithetical to the British character, but my maternal grandfather was Italian, so my mother picked up a few ideas from him.
Consumption of large quantities of raw garlic during cold and flu season seemed to give him protection from catching anything—of course, it could have been simply that after consuming so much garlic, he never got close enough to another human being for the transfer of germs.
A second method of prevention is, oddly enough, cleanliness. I have found that if I wash my hands before and directly after a trip to the market, I am far less likely to pick up whatever disease is out and about.
As to remedies, I have several to suggest. Any hot liquid will soothe the body; and consumption of a good quality tea, very hot, is important during this period. I suggest a strong Orange Pekoe, which is Dr Watson’s favourite. If you are producing large amounts of phlegm, you might want to substitute lemon for the milk—it seems to clear the sinuses better.
I find a good hot bowl of oxtail soup is quite effective in soothing sore throats; the saltier the better. Of course you may prefer a chicken or duck broth—any clear broth will do the trick. The creamy soups are not a good idea at this time; again, they thicken the mucous, which prevents speedy healing. Adequate consumption of clear liquids is essential during this time—if you can stand it, drink large quantities of water. Alcohol should be taken only in moderation.
Hot steam in general seems to be very useful in clearing away infections of the respiratory system. Heat a large pan of water to boiling, place a towel over your head, and sit over the pan, breathing in the vapours. If you add some mint or other aromatic herbs such as lavender, you will find it even more effective.
If you do indulge in spirits, I suggest elderberry wine. My mother always kept a bottle in the cupboard. If you can get fresh elderberries, you can brew your own, or make a juice by pounding and straining them.
If you suffer from a sore throat, wrap an old sock or wool scarf around your neck, and put a night cap on before retiring for the night. Also, inhaling mint is very soothing to irritated nose