Nero Wolfe book 11 · 1948
And Be a Villain
A guest on a live radio programme dies after drinking the sponsor’s soft drink, and Wolfe first encounters the criminal mastermind Arnold Zeck.
Spoiler-free summary written for The Recurring Cast.
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Book facts
- Author
- Rex Stout
- Series
- Nero Wolfe, book 11 of 33
- Published
- 1948
- Setting
- Set in New York
- Characters charted
- 11
- Chart confidence
- Medium
Who is in And Be a Villain
11 recurring or key characters from Rex Stout’s chart. Introduces Arnold Zeck.
Lead 2
- Nero WolfeDetective genius, orchid grower and gourmet
- Archie GoodwinWolfe’s assistant, legman and narrator
Major 1
- Inspector CramerHead of Manhattan Homicide
Minor and cameo 8
- Fritz BrennerWolfe’s Swiss chef
- Theodore HorstmannWolfe’s orchid nurse
- Purley StebbinsCramer’s sergeant
- Saul PanzerFreelance operative and the best in New York
- Fred Durkin and Orrie CatherFreelance operatives
- Lily RowanHeiress and Archie’s companion
- Lon CohenNewspaperman and Archie’s friend
- Arnold ZeckFirst appearanceCriminal mastermind
Also featuring these characters
Other Rex Stout books that share the most characters with And Be a Villain.
- In the Best Families1950 · Nero Wolfe · 11 shared charactersBuy on Amazon
- The Silent Speaker1946 · Nero Wolfe · 10 shared charactersBuy on Amazon
- Where There’s a Will1940 · Nero Wolfe · 10 shared charactersBuy on Amazon
- Murder by the Book1951 · Nero Wolfe · 10 shared charactersBuy on Amazon