Instead of Evidence - a Nero Wolfe Novella

Nero Wolfe, #14C

by Rex Stout

One of several Rex Stout novellas in the Nero Wolfe series. Three of them make up 'Trouble in Triplicate,' the 14th book in the series, and 'Instead of Evidence' is third.

Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Poor, a name Archie announces up front that he's prejudiced against, make an appointment one afternoon to see Wolfe. Poor wants to hire Wolfe and his detective agency to ensure his partner in a flourishing business which makes novelties doesn't kill him. He's soon turned down and, by the end of the day, dead too.

Genres: Mystery

70 pages, Audio Cassette

First published May 1, 1946

About the author

Rex Todhunter Stout (1886–1975) was an American crime writer, best known as the creator of the larger-than-life fictional detective Nero Wolfe, described by reviewer Will Cuppy as "that Falstaff of detectives." Wolfe's assistant Archie Goodwin recorded the cases of the detective genius from 1934 (Fer-de-Lance) to 1975 (A Family Affair).

The Nero Wolfe corpus was nominated Best Mystery Series of the Century at Bouchercon 2000, the world's largest mystery convention, and Rex Stout was nominated Best Mystery Writer of the Century.

Reviews

[Jack Heath · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Stars. I enjoy Nero Wolfe novellas - the longest version of a short story. This one is 70 pages; it's just long enough for a little character development, more than one twist in the story, and my greatest joy, complexity and confusion. Eugene Poor and his wife, the former Martha Davis, visit Nero Wolfe one day, and Poor offers $5,000 to Wolfe; he thinks his business partner will soon try to kill him, and possibly his wife too. "I don't expect you to keep him from killing me, [but] to keep him from getting away with it." His wife is against the idea but Wolfe and Poor soon strike up a convoluted agreement. Wolfe likes money, as does his outspoken assistant Archie Goodwin, and if you slap that amount down, they'll find a way to take it! Not four hours later, Inspector Cramer calls to inform the duo that Poor is dead. One of his favourite Alta Vista cigars has blown up in his face. Of course the suspect is Conroy Blaney; his partner in the novelty business. Blaney had made a lowball offer to buy out Poor's half which he and Martha had refused. What does Wolfe do? He turns over Archie's meeting notes to the police. Nothing else - not good enough for Archie! A good one. (May2025)

[Serena · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Treasury of Great Mysteries, Volume 2
Trouble in Triplicate

My Rating System:
* couldn't finish, ** wouldn't recommend, *** would recommend, **** would read again, ***** have read again

[Nev Thomas · Rating 3 out of 5]

Clever Nero Wolfe short murder story.Good

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short story in A Treasury of Great Mysteries and my introduction to Nero Wolfe. I enjoyed the story and pace of writing. I will look into more of these stories.

[Jason McCuiston · Rating 5 out of 5]

My first Nero Wolfe story. I was not disappointed.

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a Novella, but still very good. I love Rex Stout's humor in the midst of a mystery. They always hold my interest.

[Tucker May · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very fun mystery with a whimsical narrator that brings extra color. Nero Wolfe is a delightful entry in the annals of curmudgeonly yet brilliant detectives. His assistant Archie is Watson with a chip on his shoulder. The mystery itself is quite fun and does a good job of having the ultimate solution in the reader's sight the whole time. Really good stuff.