It is tempting to play with trivia and quote one-liners when discussing Stout's Nero Wolfe books. Such amusements have their place; Stout was fond of them himself as a member of the Baker Street Irregulars. But there is a great deal to talk about, on several levels. Any of Nero Wolfe's pithy statements on women, racism, civic responsibility, or ethics could provide a starting point for reflection and vigorous debate. Archie Goodwin supplies another voice and another set of stimuli: Even when he is wrong, he manages to be interesting about it. Stout's blend of political liberalism and cultural conservatism is bound to incite readers to react.

Too Many Cooks vividly depicts American society almost sixty years ago; while some of Stout's opinions are strikingly modern, the novel is distant enough in time to be of historical value.

1. The murder victim seems to have richly deserved...