Four puzzles for Nero Wolfe, Two books.

    Rex Stout. Three Witnesses (1956) Three short stories, Goodwin does his usual good work reporting the investigation step by step, but this time the reader figures the plot well before he does. Nero Wolfe also seems a bit slow on the uptake. In one of the stories, Wolf and Goodwin are possible witnesses. Wolfe figures that the prosecution is wrong, but their case rests in part on his testimony. He doesn’t want to contribute to a miscarriage of justice, so he absconds and within about 36 hours produces the real culprit, a feat that also renders moot the charge of contempt of court.
     One attraction in Stout’s books is the careful adherence to law and process. Goodwin and Wolfe skate on pretty thin ice sometimes, but their knowledge of the rules helps them avoid falling through. I have no idea whether their ploys would work in real life, but they do raise the entertainment value. I’m a fan, so my rating may be higher than yours. ***

   Rex Stout. And Be A Villain (1948) Wolfe’s bank account is low, so he offers to find the murderer of a radio talkshow guest. A nicely complicated plot, including unusual co-operation with the police, and miscellaneous digs at the publicity racket, advertising, the effects of fandom, etc. We don’t learn much more about Wolfe and Goodwin, but since the secondary characters are as well drawn as these two, we hardly notice the cardboard. Not up Stout’s usual standard, I think. **½