Trouble in Triplicate

Hero: Nero Wolfe
His loyal assistant: Archie Goodwin

Trouble in Triplicate is a collection of three short stories: "Before I Die," "Help Wanted, Male," and "Instead of Innocence."  They aren't connected in any way, other than being Nero Wolfe mysteries.  The first tells the story of a mobster needing protection for his daughter.  He comes to Wolfe because he can't take care of the matter in his usual way.  The second is, as described by one of the players, a farce involving a death threat and subsequent murder.  Wolfe is "not interested, not involved, and not curious" until he receives his own death threat in the mail.  Even if it was a farce, Archie's narration alone made the story delicious:

"I had just pushed the button when who should appear, mounting the steps to join us on the stoop, but the Army officer that they use for a model when they want to do a picture conveying the impression  that masculine comeliness will win the war.  I admit he was handsome; I admitted it to myself right then, when I first saw him." [page 96]

The third story features a husband [Eugene] and wife who come into Wolfe's office and hire him to make sure Eugene's business partner is arrested for Eugene's upcoming murder.  (It's not every day a person can use the phrase "upcoming murder" in a sentence.)  Wolfe had a quotable line in this one:

"'Do your typing.  I like to hear you typing.  If you are typing you can't talk.'" [page 162]

Archie's narration continued to delight me:

"The bell was ringing again, and that irritates me, so I went and got him.  He was wearing his raincoat and his determined look.  I relieved him of the former in the hall and let him take the latter on into the office." [page 174]

Mr. Stout's sense of humor appeals to me in so many ways.

I don't like rating books by a star or number system, so here's my rating system:
Bad=Quit reading the book
Fair=It was okay; I finished it
Good=I liked it
Great=I loved it; definitely would enjoy re-reading it someday

Rating for Trouble in Triplicate: Great

The Case of the Counterfeit Eye

Hero: Perry Mason

This book is an excellent demonstration of trouble creating suspense.  There were a couple of instances where Perry made super dumb decisions.  Normally, he's pretty smart, so I was disappointed by his choices.  The troubles he got himself into led to suspense, which led to me turning the pages, eager to discover how he was going to get himself out of the mess.

He cleverly solved the mystery and sidestepped one of his mistakes with a simple maneuver.  He prevailed once again.  Despite my earlier concerns that this story would be mediocre, it ended quite well.

I don't like rating books by a star or number system, so here's my rating system:
Bad=Quit reading the book
Fair=It was okay; I finished it
Good=I liked it
Great=I loved it; definitely would enjoy re-reading it someday

Rating for The Case of the Counterfeit Eye: Great

The Rubber Band

Hero: Nero Wolfe
Sidekick: Archie Goodwin

The Rubber Band, as a book title, wouldn't appeal to me, but I'll read any Nero Wolfe book by Rex Stout.  Mr. Stout is a masterful puzzle maker.  I enjoy trying to solve the puzzles before Nero explains everything in the end.  I usually end up following red herrings and get distracted by false leads, but I always enjoy the ride.

The titular Rubber Band was a band of men, lead by "Rubber" Coleman, who helped a man escape from hanging.  The escapee promised the men half of what he would inherit, a considerable bounty.  The story picks up some forty years later when the daughter of a deceased band member consults Nero Wolfe.  There are too many facets of the story to reveal here, but suffice it to say, it was a fun read.  I recommend the entire Nero Wolfe collection.

I don't like rating books by a star or number system, so here's my rating system:
Bad=Quit reading the book
Fair=It was okay; I finished it
Good=I liked it
Great=I loved it; definitely would enjoy re-reading it someday

Rating for The Rubber Band: Great

The Case of the Curious Bride

Hero: Perry Mason
Heroine: Della Street

It's not a romance.  It's a Perry Mason mystery.  I love these books.  I've never read one I didn't like.

In this one, Rhoda Montaine is arrested for murdering her first husband, Gregory Moxley.  Her current husband Carl is ready to testify against her.  Rhoda walks into the D.A.'s trick, and claims she was ringing the doorbell outside when the murder allegedly took place.  Since a defense of self-defense is off the table, Perry must use his wit and wiles to come out a winner in the end.  He's so smart; that's why I love him.

I don't like rating books by a star or number system, so here's my rating system:
Bad=Quit reading the book
Fair=It was okay; I finished it
Good=I liked it
Great=I loved it; definitely would enjoy re-reading it someday

Rating for The Case of the Curious Bride: Great