MY READER'S BLOCK: October 2024

Friday, October 4, 2024

The Final Deduction

The Final Deduction (1961) by Rex Stout

Just as I did ten years ago, I listened to this one as a book on CD during my road trip this past week. And I've mentioned before how much harder it is for me to do a full review when I listen. I just sit back and enjoy the performance. I mentioned in my previous review (which I'm shamelessly re-using below) that Michael Prichard does an excellent job bringing Nero Wolfe and, especially, Archie Goodwin to life. This time around my son joined me on the trip up to my parents' house and he and I had enormous fun listening to Archie's wise-cracking run-down of Wolfe's latest case. I also realized during this listening session that if Archie had just stuck with his first deduction he might have beaten Nero to the punch in figuring out where the suitcase full of cash was stashed.

The story opens with Archie losing a little bet with himself. Althea Vail, wealthy, society lady, arrives at the old brownstone with no appointment and asks to see Nero Wolfe--preferring not to tell Archie what about, but to tell Wolfe himself. Archie is convinced she's come to ask the world's best brain to ask him to tail her most current husband--that's what so often happens when an older woman (with money) marries a younger man (without). But Archie is wrong. Mrs. Vail has come because her husband, Jimmy Vail, disappeared over the weekend and she has received a ransom note. She doesn't want Wolfe to investigate the kidnappers or try to find her husband. What she wants is for him to ensure that her husband is returned, alive and unharmed, once she pays the ransom.

She refuses to share much detail with Wolfe--having been told by "Mr. Nap" that she and her Jimmy would regret it if she talked to anyone--so, the great detective has few options. He decides to place an ad in The Gazette where Lon Cohen owes him favors (and any other papers who can make it happen before the ransom must be delivered):

If her property is not returned to her, or if it is damaged beyond repair, I have engaged to devote my time, energy, and talent, for as long as may be required, to ensure just and fitting requital; and she has determined to support me to the full extent of her resources. If you do not know enough of me to be aware of the significance of this engagement to your future, I advise you to inform yourself regarding my competence and my tenacity.

my hard copy

He also makes it clear that Mrs. Vail has not revealed any details in an effort to save Jimmy's life and then they all settle down to see what happens. Vail miraculously returns--tired, but safe and sound with instructions not to go to the authorities for 48 hours. It looks like Wolfe has earned a hefty fee ($60,000) for very little work. But that same day, the body of Mrs. Vail's secretary is found--run over by her own car--in the same location where the handover of the ransom money took place. Then Jimmy Vail is found dead in his own library, apparently killed by Benjamin Franklin. That is to say...a heavy bronze statue of the historical statesman (whose base was unsteady) toppled over and killed him in what seems to be an accident.

When Mrs. Vail's son comes to Wolfe wanting to hire him to find the ransom money (his mother has promised him the cash if he can locate it), the genius, satisfied with his recent fee, plans to turn him down. But Archie, true to form, goads his boss into action by threatening to take some of his leave time to do the legwork on his own and snag the hefty commission for himself. Wolfe can't do without Archie and takes the case--of course, he can't get involved with out solving the other crimes as well and it takes a rather ingenious "final deduction" to collar the criminal.

My son and I thoroughly enjoyed listening to this on our six-hour (round-trip) journey to and from my parents' house. It was absorbing and interesting. And, despite guessing half the solution, I'm giving it ★★★★ for the entertaining reading/performance and the final twist that Stout gives the case. I'm tempted to give it just a little bit more for the added bonus of sharing the good time with my son.

First line: "Your name please?"

Last line: If you offered him ten thousand bucks to detect who swiped your hat at a cocktail party yesterday he wouldn't even bother to glare at you.

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Deaths = 2 (one run over by car; one crushed by statue)

Thursday, October 3, 2024

Coronation Year

Coronation Year (2023) by Jennifer Robson

It is 1953 and the year that the United Kingdom will see a new queen crowned. London is preparing to celebrate. Hundreds of visitors are expected and Edie Howard, owner of the Blue Lion Hotel, hopes that enough of them will want to stay at her establishment to help get the hotel back on its feet. The hotel has been in her family for generations and she doesn't want to see it fail. When she learns that the queen's route will bring her royal procession within feet of the hotel's front door, she's certain that her luck is about to change. Especially since she'll be able to charge well above the usual rates for guests to be so close to Queen Elizabeth II.

Edie isn't the only one hoping for a change in luck. James Geddes is a decorated war hero and a talented artist, but he needs a big break to make his mark in the art world. He gets his chance when a company on the processional route commissions a large painting to commemorate the day. This brings Jamie (as he's known) to the Blue Lion. A room fronting onto the street will give him the perfect view to help him create his masterpiece. Edie manages to provide a room with both a perfect view as well as a skylight to give the perfect lighting for an artist at work.

And then there is Stella Donati, a young Italian photographer, who has tried to break into the photography business. When an advertisement for "Photographer Wanted" appears in the London magazine Picture Weekly, she has little hope that they will want a girl from Italy with no professional experience. But the editor is impressed by the raw talent displayed in the portfolio of photos she sends and she finds herself in London. Her parents, lost to the Nazi concentration camps, were friends of Edie's family, so when Stella writes to ask for a room Edie is more than happy to give the girl a place to stay while she finds her feet. She's also going to be in the perfect spot to take pictures of the queen's procession.

But then...just when things are looking good at Blue Lion, a determined man tries to talk Edie into selling her hotel. And after she repeatedly turns him down anonymous threats centered on Coronation Day and the Blue Lion begin to appear. Someone wants Edie and her regular guests out of the hotel--but is it the thwarted buyer or someone else. Edie, Jamie, and Stella wind up risking their lives in their efforts to get to the bottom of the threats and save Coronation Day for the Queen...and for the hotel.

This is a lovely look at the 1950s when Queen Elizabeth II was crowned. Terrific historical detail with a cast of engaging characters. I enjoyed meeting Edie, Jamie, and Stella as well as the regular guests in the hotel and the staff. And I wouldn't mind reading another story that featured them. The only real disappointment was the mystery portion of the story. It wasn't nearly strong as the basic story and historical details nor were there many clues to be had or much detection going on. If the mystery had been as well done as the rest of the story then this would have been a five-star outing with no questions asked. ★★★★

First line: A gale from the east had swept across the city late the evening before, scouring away the worst of the smog, and the rare sight of London's night sky had inspired Edie to open her curtains and raise the fraying blackout blind.

Last line: "I can't imagine anything better," she said, and she looped her arm through his, and together they stepped into the welcoming light of their bright and beckoning future.
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Deaths = 4 (two in concentration camp; two natural)