Archie is standing in for a friend at a party for unwed mothers when one of the guests drops dead. Through she had often talked about killing herself and was known to carry cyanide, Archie does not believe her death was suicide. A little digging uncovers the connection that proves his hunch, and Wolfe helps bring the killer to justice.

A beautiful heiress attempts to seek refuge in Nero Wolfe's house without revealing her identity or reasons for hiding. When she is turned away and found murdered shortly thereafter, Archie Goodwin takes off on his own to find the killer.

Moved by Archie Goodwin's zeal in trying to find the killer of heiress Priscilla Eads, Nero Wolfe takes on Archie as a client to aid him in his quest. Tension mounts when another woman who knew the heiress is found murdered.

When fastidious Nero Wolfe abandons a stained tie after eating his lunch in his study, it is used to strangle a prospective client shortly thereafter.

The Manhattan Flower Club's next visit to the brownstone proves fatal for one of the members. Fortunately, she talked to Archie just before she died, and one clue from their conversation proves critical.

Wolfe needs a new orchid man, and goes on an adventure to find him. Only to find a murder scene at his destination and no way of retrieving the horticulturalist without first solving the mystery.

Nero Wolfe is stunned when Archie Goodwin reveals evidence of his impending engagement. However, Archie is no less shocked when accompanying his so-called fiancée to a Christmas party by the murder of their host.

A woman from Montenegro claims that Wolfe's long-lost adopted daughter is in New York, and is accused of theft at a prestigious fencing club. Her troubles increase when a club member is found stabbed to death and she is the prime suspect.

As Wolfe tries to unravel the mystery of a young woman who could be his long-lost adopted daughter, she draws him and Archie Goodwin further and further into a web of deceit, political intrigue and murder.