description Fer-de-Lance Overview
Fer-de-Lance is a 1934 detective novel by Rex Stout and the first book featuring private detective Nero Wolfe and his assistant and narrator, Archie Goodwin. The investigation connects a missing immigrant metalworker with the unusual death of a college president during a golf game. The novel establishes the series' New York setting, Wolfe's orchid cultivation and sedentary deductive methods, and Goodwin's mobile investigative role and sardonic voice.
insights Ranking position
Fer-de-Lance ranks #96 of 183 in the Detective Novel ranking, behind C is for Corpse, ahead of The Neon Rain.
help Fer-de-Lance FAQ
What is the murder method in Fer-de-Lance?
The central murder involves a specially altered golf club designed to fire a poisoned projectile. Nero Wolfe connects that elaborate device to the otherwise puzzling death of a college president.
Is Fer-de-Lance the first Nero Wolfe novel?
Yes, Rex Stout introduced Nero Wolfe and Archie Goodwin in this 1934 novel. Their next novel-length case is The League of Frightened Men.
Why does Nero Wolfe rarely leave his house?
Wolfe prefers to investigate from his Manhattan brownstone, where he follows a strict routine involving meals, reading, and his orchids. Archie Goodwin conducts interviews and fieldwork, then reports the evidence back to him.
Who narrates Fer-de-Lance?
Archie Goodwin narrates the novel in a fast, humorous first-person voice. He serves as Wolfe's assistant, investigator, secretary, and practical connection to the outside world.
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