- Case
- The Squirt and the Monkey
- Year Published
- 1952
- Case Introduction
- Winter 1952. Harry Koven, creator of the Dazzle Dan comic strip, hires Wolfe and Archie as part of an attempt to find out who stole his Marley .38. In a complex scenario, both Koven's and Archie's Marleys become involved in a murder, for which Archie is arrested.
- Notes
- Resolution
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Part of the investigation involves Lon Cohen's loan of the past few years of Dazzle Dan strips, which turn up a particularly significant strip that runs twice a year, leading to a revelation of the motive. The endgame of the story has an Ellery Queenesque feel, as Wolfe lists known data about the murderer, with which various suspects can be eliminated. Mrs. Koven killed Getz so that control of the strip would revert to her husband, but killed the monkey for spite.
Characters in the case:
Called 'the Squirt' by the Dazzle Dan circle; has a pet monkey. Murder victim.
Character descriptionFriend or camp follower of the Dazzle Dan comic strip, possibly both.
Reserved notes for this caseSecret owner of Dazzle Dan; took 90% of the proceeds. Also owner of the house.
Arrested under the Sullivan act, so that he is in danger of losing his P.I. license even if he isn't convicted of murder.
Character descriptionNero Wolfe's tough and witty assistant.
Reserved notes for this case
Suspect.
Character descriptionArtist, draws Dazzle Dan comic strip.
Reserved notes for this case
Suspect.
Character descriptionArtist, draws Dazzle Dan comic strip.
Reserved notes for this case
Creator of the Dazzle Dan Comic strip. Hires Wolfe because he suspects someone of stealing his gun.
Character descriptionCreator of the Dazzle Dan syndicated comic strip. Married to Marcelle.
Reserved notes for this caseNot really the creator of the comic strip--Adrian "the squirt" Getz is. Koven receives only 10% of the proceeds.
Third wife of Harry Koven.
Character descriptionMarried to Harry Koven.
Reserved notes for this caseThe murderer of Adrian Getz. Marcelle married Harry and thought he was the creator of the comic strip and rich. When she found out that he only received 10 percent of the proceeds, she tried to get him to demand more money from Getz, but he wouldn't. She killed Getz, the Squirt, for the money. She killed the monkey for spite.
Character descriptionAgent and promoter for the Dazzle Dan comic strip.
Reserved notes for this case
Alleges that Archie's real problem with the original job is that he doesn't like Dazzle Dan.
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)..
Reserved notes for this case
Meals in the case:
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Orchids in the case:
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Quotations in the case:
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