AND BE A VILLAIN.
New York: The Viking Press, 1948. Octavo, boards. First edition. The thirteenth Nero Wolfe mystery. The first of three novels that feature Nero's criminal nemesis Zeck. "Zeck is a modern 'Napolean of Crime,' and his confrontation with Wolfe can be compared to Sherlock Holmes versus Professor Moriarty." - Pronzini and Muller, 1001 Midnights, The Aficionado's Guide to Mystery and Detective Fiction, pp. 758-759. "A first-rate sample of the author's art, this tale brings us face to face with the radio advertising of a beverage which the lady who promotes it cannot abide. Hence hanky-panky with the bottle of substitute liquid and resulting doubt as to whom the dose was intended for. Archie is spectacular in word and deed." - Barzun & Taylor, A Catalogue of Crime (1989), 3061. Hubin, pp. 777-778. Townsend, Rex Stout: An Annotated and Secondary Bibliography, A29a. A fine copy in a fine dust jacket with a touch of shelf wear. A lovely copy. (23385). Item #23385
Price: $500.00