Character descriptionWorks at Jake's, an eatery near Homicide West.

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Character descriptionMaster chef in Wolfe's kitchen, has a small apartment in the basement. (In "Fer-De-Lance," his apartment is across from the plant room, not in the basement.) Swiss; native French speaker, served in WWI. Uninterested in murder, except whether a client is in the offing; gets anxious about household finance when Wolfe isn't working. Doesn't like to talk while cooking. Changes to his old slippers at 9 pm because of "things left on his feet by the war to remember it by". Implied he was a member of the Swiss Alpine Patrol during WWI.

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Character descriptionReporter at the Gazette. Dark skin, dark brown eyes. Neat little face, slick black hair. Neatest (card) shuffler Archie knows.

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Character descriptionInspector with NYPD, Homicide. Has tolerate / hate relationship with Wolfe. He respects Wolfe, but is greatly irritated by his eccentricities. Habitually chews (but rarely lights) cigars. Notably, Cramer lights a cigar in Wolfe's office during "Instead of Evidence" in which the murder weapon is an exploding cigar! First name is given as Fergus one time, but generally accepted as Lionel. Had a son in the Army Air Corps during WWII. Archie has called Mrs. Cramer on the phone more than once to reach the Inspector at home. Archie's favorite alias for him is "the man about the chair" or "any name with a double "d", e.g., Mr. Judd". At no time is Inspector Cramer ever referred to in the books as "Lionel T." Cramer; his first name is given as "Fergus" in "Where There's a Will." There is a lone later reference to him as L.T.C. (The Silent Speaker), but never Lionel. Stout's biographer, John McAleer, asked Stout to explain the "Fergus"/"L.T.C" discrepancy; Stout replied: "No significance. Laziness. I didn't bother to check on whether he already had a first name. Of course, all discrepancies in the Nero Wolfe stories are Archie Goodwin's fault." (from "Royal Decree; Conversations with Rex Stout) He is featured in a book by Stout called Red Threads, first published 1939, tracking down a killer with a young fashion designer. There is no reference to Nero Wolfe.

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Character descriptionNero Wolfe's tough and witty assistant.

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Character descriptionWell-known P.R. operator.

Reserved notes for this caseThe PR business was a front, serving to launder money which was actually obtained via blackmail.

Character descriptionFormerly secretary to Jules Khoury. Wife of Barry Hazen, daughter of inventor Titus Postel. Good-looking, young, and friendly.

Reserved notes for this caseHas fallen in love with Theodore Weed.

Character descriptionOrchid grower.

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Character descriptionInventor.

Reserved notes for this casePaid varying monthly amounts to Hazen, sometimes a couple of thousand. Wolfe deduced that he had murdered his former partner, Lucy's father, and had murdered Hazen.

Character descriptionAssistant District Attorney.

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Character descriptionWidow of a millionaire broker, client of Barry Hazen.

Reserved notes for this casePaid $2000 / month to Hazen; according to Weed, "she needs [PR] like I need a hole in the head."

Character descriptionWolfe's lawyer -- the only lawyer Wolfe ever sent orchids to. A bachelor who plays bridge on winter Sundays. (Appears as "Henry" Parker in The Squirt & the Monkey and The Golden Spiders.)

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Character descriptionShipping tycoon. Uses Codray Associates for his business PR, but a client of Barry Hazen.

Reserved notes for this caseBlackmail victim.

Character descriptionInventor, father of Lucy Postel Hazen; associated with Jules Khoury until his death (5 years before "Death of a Demon").

Reserved notes for this caseActually murdered.

Character descriptionLieutenant in NYPD. Has antagonistic relationship with Archie and Wolfe.

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Character descriptionInitially an employee in N.Y. D.A.'s office. Later Cramer's man. Detective (sergeant). Unfriendly.

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Character descriptionClient of Barry Hazen, wife of Henry Lewis Talbot (the banker).

Reserved notes for this casePaid $2500 / month for unnecessary P.R.

Character descriptionWriter employed by Barry Hazen.

Reserved notes for this caseExplored Hazen's business records out of curiosity, spilled the beans to Wolfe. In love with Lucy.

Character descriptionMaster detective. Genius. Estimated weight: 1/7 ton. Carries a large platinum watch in his vest pocket. Sends a check every month to his mother in Budapest ("Fer-de-lance, ch. 13)..

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