Nero Wolfe Books in Order
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🎧 Listen to Nero Wolfe:Fer De Lance on Audible
The Nero Wolfe series, written by Rex Stout and published between 1935 and 1990, follows the investigations of the brilliant but reclusive detective Nero Wolfe, who solves complex crimes from his home in New York City. The stories typically involve Wolfe working with his assistant, Archie Goodwin, to unravel mysteries that often involve intricate plots and moral dilemmas. The series is known for its sharp dialogue, detailed character development, and exploration of ethical questions within the context of crime.
Publication order
In the order the books were originally released.
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Buy on Amazon1934 · Rex Stout
The first Nero Wolfe novel by Rex Stout, published in 1934, introduces the detective and his assistant, Archie Goodwin. A fer-de-lance, a dangerous…
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Buy on Amazon1935 · Rex Stout
This is the second Nero Wolfe book, published in 1935, written by Rex Stout. The story begins when two men die under mysterious circumstances and a…
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Buy on Amazon1936 · Rex Stout
In all his years of detecting, Nero Wolfe faces his most complicated case yet. What starts as a simple larceny investigation turns into a tangled web…
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Buy on Amazon1937 · Rex Stout
Nero Wolfe and his assistant Archie investigate the death of a model who ate poisoned candy. A suspect asks Wolfe to manage his estate, particularly…
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Buy on Amazon1938 · Rex Stout
Nero Wolfe travels from his Manhattan brownstone to the Kanawha Spa to give a speech to a group of famous chefs and sample their culinary skills…
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Buy on Amazon1939 · Rex Stout
Nero Wolfe and Archie Goodwin investigate a series of murders linked to a prize bull and a publicity stunt in "Some buried Caesar." The case involves…
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Buy on Amazon1940 · Rex Stout
"Bitter End" is the first Nero Wolfe mystery novella by Rex Stout, published in the November 1940 issue of The American Magazine. The story is a…
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Buy on Amazon1940 · Rex Stout
Over My Dead Body is the seventh Nero Wolfe detective novel by Rex Stout. The story first appeared in abridged form in The American Magazine, and the…
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Buy on Amazon1940 · Rex Stout
Where There's a Will is the eighth Nero Wolfe detective novel by Rex Stout, published in 1940 by Farrar & Rinehart, Inc. Before its full release, the…
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Buy on Amazon1941 · Rex Stout
Nero Wolfe, a private detective, and his assistant, Archie Goodwin, investigate a murder that occurs at a flower show. Alongside the killing, they…
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Buy on AmazonCordially Invited to Meet Death
1942 · Rex Stout
"Cordially Invited to Meet Death" is a mystery novella by Rex Stout, first published in 1942. It was initially released in an abridged version titled…
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Buy on Amazon1942 · Rex Stout
"Not Quite Dead Enough" is a mystery novella by Rex Stout featuring the detective Nero Wolfe. It was first published in an abridged form in the…
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Buy on Amazon1944 · Rex Stout
"Booby Trap" is a mystery novella by Rex Stout, first published in the August 1944 issue of The American Magazine. It was later included in the…
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1944 · Rex Stout
Not Quite Dead Enough is a Nero Wolfe double mystery, a short story collection by Rex Stout published in 1944 by Farrar & Rinehart, Inc. The volume…
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Buy on Amazon1945 · Rex Stout
"Help Wanted, Male" is a Nero Wolfe mystery novella by Rex Stout, first published in the August 1945 issue of The American Magazine. It first…
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Buy on Amazon1945 · Rex Stout and Katharine Kerr
Trouble in Triplicate is a collection of three Nero Wolfe mystery novellas by Rex Stout, published by Viking Press in 1949. The stories—“Before I…
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Buy on Amazon1946 · Rex Stout
"Instead of Evidence" is a Nero Wolfe mystery novella written by Rex Stout. It was first published in May 1946 in The American Magazine under the…
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Buy on Amazon1946 · Rex Stout
When a powerful government official, scheduled to speak to a group of millionaires, is found dead, the business world demands answers, and Nero Wolfe…
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Buy on Amazon1947 · Rex Stout
"Before I Die" is a mystery novella by Rex Stout featuring the detective Nero Wolfe. It was first published in the April 1947 issue of The American…
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Buy on Amazon1947 · Rex Stout
"Man Alive" is a Nero Wolfe mystery novella by Rex Stout, first published in the December 1947 issue of The American Magazine. It first appeared in…
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Buy on Amazon1947 · Rex Stout
"Three Doors to Death" is a collection of three Nero Wolfe mystery novellas by Rex Stout, published by Viking Press in 1950. The stories originally…
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Buy on Amazon1947 · Rex Stout
A book by Rex Stout in which detective Nero Wolfe and his assistant Archie Goodwin solve a series of crimes at a large corporation, Naylor-Kerr,…
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Buy on Amazon1948 · Rex Stout
And Be a Villain is a Nero Wolfe detective novel by Rex Stout, first published by the Viking Press in 1948. The story was later collected in the…
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Buy on Amazon1948 · Rex Stout
"Bullet for One" is a Nero Wolfe mystery novella by Rex Stout, first published in the July 1948 issue of The American Magazine. It first appeared in…
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Buy on Amazon1948 · Rex Stout
"Omit Flowers" is a Nero Wolfe mystery novella written by Rex Stout. It was first published in the November 1948 issue of The American Magazine. The…
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Buy on Amazon1949 · Rex Stout
"Door to Death" is a Nero Wolfe mystery novella by Rex Stout, first published in the June 1949 issue of The American Magazine. It first appeared in…
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1949 · Rex Stout
"The Gun with Wings" is a Nero Wolfe mystery novella by Rex Stout, first published in the December 1949 issue of The American Magazine. It first…
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1949 · Rex Stout
The Second Confession is a detective novel by Rex Stout, featuring the character Nero Wolfe. It was first published by Viking Press in 1949 and later…
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Buy on Amazon1950 · Rex Stout
Curtains for Three is a collection of three Nero Wolfe mystery novellas by Rex Stout, published by Viking Press in 1951. The stories—“The Gun with…
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Buy on Amazon1950 · Rex Stout
"Disguise for Murder" is a Nero Wolfe mystery novella by Rex Stout, first published as "The Twisted Scarf" in the September 1950 issue of The…
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Buy on Amazon1950 · Rex Stout
In the Best Families is a Nero Wolfe detective novel by Rex Stout, first published by the Viking Press in 1950. It has been collected in the omnibus…
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Buy on Amazon1951 · Rex Stout
Murder by the Book is a Nero Wolfe detective novel by Rex Stout, published in 1951 by the Viking Press. It was later collected in the omnibus volume…
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1951 · Rex Stout
"The Cop-Killer" is a Nero Wolfe mystery novella by Rex Stout, first published as "The Cop Killer" in the February 1951 issue of The American…
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Buy on Amazon1951 · Rex Stout
"The Squirt and the Monkey" is a Nero Wolfe mystery novella by Rex Stout, first published as "See No Evil" in the August 1951 issue of The American…
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1952 · Rex Stout
"Home to Roost" is a Nero Wolfe mystery novella by Rex Stout, originally published in 1952 as "Nero Wolfe and the Communist Killer" in The American…
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Buy on Amazon1952 · Rex Stout
Prisoner's Base is a 1952 book by Rex Stout. It is part of the series Nero Wolfe. Catalog genres: Literary Fiction, Mystery & Detective, Children's.…
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Buy on Amazon1952 · Rex Stout
"This Won't Kill You" is a mystery novella by Rex Stout, originally titled "This Will Kill You," that was first published in the September 1952 issue…
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Buy on Amazon1952 · Rex Stout
A 1952 collection of three Nero Wolfe mysteries by Rex Stout. In one, a murdered young man with left-wing leanings draws the FBI and NYPD to Wolfe's…
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Buy on Amazon1953 · Rex Stout
Invitation for Murder, published under the title 'Invitation to Murder,' is a Nero Wolfe mystery novella by Rex Stout, first published as 'Will to…
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Buy on Amazon1953 · Rex Stout
Published in 1953, the novel follows a street kid who approaches detective Nero Wolfe with a disturbing account of a terrified woman in a car he…
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1953 · Rex Stout
"The Zero Clue" is a Nero Wolfe mystery novella by Rex Stout, first published as "Scared to Death" in the December 1953 issue of The American…
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Buy on Amazon1954 · Rex Stout
"Die Like a Dog" is a Nero Wolfe mystery novella written by Rex Stout, first published as "The Body in the Hall" in the December 1954 issue of The…
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Buy on Amazon1954 · Rex Stout
Nero Wolfe's oldest friend, Marko Vukcic, has been murdered. In his search for the killer, Wolfe and his assistant, Archie, travel to Montenegro, his…
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Buy on Amazon1954 · Rex Stout
Three Men Out is a collection of three Nero Wolfe mystery novellas by Rex Stout, published by Viking Press in 1954. The stories—"Invitation to…
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Buy on Amazon1954 · Rex Stout
"When a Man Murders" is a Nero Wolfe mystery novella by Rex Stout, first published in the May 1954 issue of The American Magazine. It first appeared…
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Buy on Amazon1955 · Rex Stout
When a contestant is killed during the final round of the Pour Amour perfume contest, Nero Wolfe is called upon to solve the mystery. The murder is…
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Buy on Amazon1955 · Rex Stout
"Immune to Murder" is a Nero Wolfe mystery novella written by Rex Stout. It was first published in the November 1955 issue of The American Magazine.…
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Buy on Amazon1955 · Rex Stout
Mrs. Vail's husband has been kidnapped, and she asks Nero Wolfe not to find him but to ensure his kidnappers do not kill him. When the husband…
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Buy on Amazon1955 · Rex Stout
"The Next Witness" is a mystery novella by Rex Stout, originally titled "The Last Witness," which was first published in the May 1955 issue of The…
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Buy on Amazon1955 · Rex Stout
Three Witnesses is a collection of three Nero Wolfe mystery novellas by Rex Stout, published by Viking Press in 1956. The stories originally appeared…
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Buy on Amazon1956 · Rex Stout
"A Window for Death" is a Nero Wolfe mystery novella by Rex Stout, first published as "Nero Wolfe and the Vanishing Clue" in the May 1956 issue of…
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Buy on Amazon1956 · Rex Stout
Published in 1957, this Rex Stout mystery has millionaire Otis Jarrell retain Nero Wolfe to gather information on his daughter-in-law, Susan Jarrell,…
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Buy on Amazon1956 · Rex Stout
Eleven years ago, wealthy Nebraska businessman James Herold treated his only son, Paul, poorly. Now he asks detective Nero Wolfe to find Paul so he…
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1957 · Rex Stout
"Christmas Party" is a Nero Wolfe mystery novella by Rex Stout, first published as "The Christmas-Party Murder" in the January 4, 1957, issue of…
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1957 · Rex Stout
"Easter Parade" is a Nero Wolfe mystery novella by Rex Stout, first published as "The Easter Parade Murder" in the April 16, 1957, issue of Look…
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1957 · Rex Stout
"Fourth of July Picnic" is a mystery novella by Rex Stout, originally titled "The Labor Union Murder." It was first published in the July 9, 1957,…
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Buy on Amazon1957 · Rex Stout
Three for the Chair is a collection of Nero Wolfe mystery novellas, published by Viking Press in 1957 and later by Bantam Books in paperback…
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Buy on Amazon1958 · Rex Stout
And Four to Go (British title Crime and Again) is a 1958 collection of Nero Wolfe mystery novellas by Rex Stout, published by Viking Press. It…
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Buy on Amazon1958 · Rex Stout
Archie Goodwin substitutes for a friend at a charity dinner dance for unwed mothers, where a guest collapses and dies on the dance floor. The woman…
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1958 · Rex Stout
Murder Is No Joke" is a Nero Wolfe mystery novella by Rex Stout, first published in the 1958 short-story collection And Four to Go. The story…
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Buy on Amazon1959 · Rex Stout
Plot It Yourself is a detective novel written by Rex Stout and published by Viking Press in 1959. It is part of the Nero Wolfe series, which features…
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1960 · Rex Stout
"Method Three for Murder" is a Nero Wolfe mystery novella by Rex Stout, first serialized in three issues of The Saturday Evening Post. It first…
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1960 · Rex Stout
"Poison à la Carte" is a Nero Wolfe mystery novella by Rex Stout, first published in April 1960 in the short-story collection Three at Wolfe's Door.…
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1960 · Rex Stout
"The Rodeo Murder" is a Nero Wolfe mystery novella by Rex Stout, first published in April 1960 in the short-story collection Three at Wolfe's Door.…
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Buy on Amazon1960 · Rex Stout
Three at Wolfe's Door is a 1960 novel by Rex Stout featuring three murder cases solved by detective Nero Wolfe. The first case involves a dinner…
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Buy on Amazon1960 · Rex Stout
Too Many Clients is a detective novel by Rex Stout featuring the private investigator Nero Wolfe. Published by Viking Press in 1960, the story…
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1961 · Rex Stout
"Counterfeit for Murder" is a Nero Wolfe mystery novella by Rex Stout. It was first serialized as "The Counterfeiter's Knife" in three issues of The…
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1961 · Rex Stout
"Death of a Demon" is a Nero Wolfe mystery novella by Rex Stout, first serialized in three issues of The Saturday Evening Post. It first appeared in…
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1961 · Rex Stout
"Kill Now—Pay Later" is a mystery novella by Rex Stout featuring the detective Nero Wolfe. It was first published in three parts in The Saturday…
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1962 · Rex Stout
"Eeny Meeny Murder Mo" is a Nero Wolfe mystery novella by Rex Stout, first published in the March 1962 issue of Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine…
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Buy on Amazon1962 · Rex Stout
In this mystery, Nero Wolfe helps Sally Blount clear her father, who is accused of murdering a chess opponent with arsenic. Wolfe, who usually avoids…
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Buy on Amazon1962 · Rex Stout
A collection of three Nero Wolfe mystery novellas by Rex Stout, published by Viking Press in 1962: "Eeny Meeny Murder Mo," "Death of a Demon," and…
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1963 · Rex Stout
"Blood Will Tell" is a Nero Wolfe mystery novella by Rex Stout, first published in the December 1963 issue of Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine. It…
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Buy on Amazon1963 · Rex Stout
A beautiful socialite widow approaches Nero Wolfe and Archie Goodwin to investigate why a baby was left on her doorstep. The case quickly becomes…
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Buy on Amazon1964 · Rex Stout
A bright young heiress, Susan Brooke, is found murdered in a tenement. She was admired for her charm and romance but had many enemies. Men were eager…
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1964 · Rex Stout
"Murder Is Corny" is a Nero Wolfe mystery novella by Rex Stout, first published in April 1964 in the short-story collection Trio for Blunt…
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1964 · Rex Stout
Trio for Blunt Instruments is a collection of three Nero Wolfe mystery novellas by Rex Stout, published in 1964 by Viking Press in the United States…
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Buy on Amazon1965 · Rex Stout
The Doorbell Rang is a 1965 Nero Wolfe detective novel by Rex Stout. Nero Wolfe is hired to stop the FBI from harassing a woman who distributed…
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Buy on Amazon1966 · Rex Stout
This 1966 novel by Rex Stout centers on Orrie Cather, who is engaged to Jill but secretly seeing Isabel. When Orrie asks Archie Goodwin to retrieve…
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Buy on Amazon1968 · Rex Stout
Amy DeNovo, Lily Rowan's young assistant, asks Archie to find her father. She approaches him in the lobby of Lily's apartment building and says he is…
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Buy on Amazon1969 · Rex Stout
Death of a dude is a 1969 book by Rex Stout. It is part of the series Nero Wolfe. Catalog genres: Literary Fiction, Mystery & Detective. The listed…
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Buy on Amazon1973 · Rex Stout
Please Pass the Guilt is a 1973 Nero Wolfe detective novel by Rex Stout, published by Viking Press. Unusually for a Nero Wolfe story, which mostly…
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Buy on Amazon1975 · Rex Stout
A Family Affair is a Nero Wolfe detective novel by Rex Stout, published by the Viking Press in 1975. It is the final piece of Wolfe fiction written…
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Buy on AmazonYear unknown · Rex Stout
This book collects three Nero Wolfe novellas by Rex Stout. In Bitter End, Wolfe is determined to find the person who added bitter quinine to his…
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Buy on Amazon1986 · Robert Goldsborough
Murder in E Minor is a 1986 Nero Wolfe novel written by Robert Goldsborough. The story is set in New York City, with most of the action taking place…
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Buy on Amazon1990 · Robert Goldsborough
Fade to Black is a Nero Wolfe mystery novel written by Robert Goldsborough. It is the fifth book in a series of seventeen Nero Wolfe novels that…
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✓ = numbering verified against the publisher's official series list.
Companion & related books
Related titles and editions that sit outside the main numbered order.
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Buy on AmazonBlack Orchids/The Silent Speaker
2009
Nero Wolfe is America's brilliant and eccentric answer to Sherlock Holmes. In two of his most beloved mysteries, now available for the first time in…
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Buy on AmazonFer-de-Lance/The League of Frightened Men
2013
A grand master of the form, Rex Stout is one of America’s greatest mystery writers, and his literary creation Nero Wolfe is one of fiction’s greatest…
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Buy on AmazonSome Buried Caesar/The Golden Spiders
2013
“Nero Wolfe towers over his rivals...he is an exceptional character creation.” —New Yorker A grand master of the form, Rex Stout is one of America’s…
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Buy on AmazonToo Many Cooks/Champagne for One
2013
A grand master of the form, Rex Stout is one of America’s greatest mystery writers, and his literary creation Nero Wolfe is one of fiction’s greatest…
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Buy on AmazonThe Nero Wolfe Mystery Series: The Zeck Trilogy
2016
The perfect introduction to crime fiction’s greatest armchair detective: three mysteries featuring Nero Wolfe and his nemesis, gangland kingpin…
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Frequently asked questions
What order should I read the Nero Wolfe books in?
Read them in publication order, starting with “Nero Wolfe:Fer De Lance”. Start with “Nero Wolfe:Fer De Lance.”
How many books are in the Nero Wolfe series?
We list 91 books by Rex Stout , published between 1934–2016.
Where can I buy the Nero Wolfe books?
Each title above links to Amazon. See our affiliate disclosure.
More series like Nero Wolfe
Reading order compiled from author/publisher guidance and verified bibliographic data. Spotted a wrong order, a missing book, or any other mistake? and we'll correct it.