Another book I read to go along with my research on culinary mysteries, this is the first Rex Stout I've ever read. I know many consider him to be one of the best mystery writers to have picked up a pen. This is chosen by some to be the first true culinary mystery.
Nero and his "Watson", Archie, are in West Virginia(?!) for a gathering of some of the best chefs in the world, who will be cooking but will also be exposed to some of the best cuisine America has to offer. Nero will lecture them about America's contributions to fine cuisine. Of course, a chef gets murdered during the activities and Nero is called upon to discover the murderer, much to his reluctance. He just wants to eat and drink.
I found it interesting that the story was told from Archie's perspective, and his descriptions of Nero present him as quite an odd character.
The best line in the book is from Nero, sleep-deprived and hungry,
when he asks Archie, "Do you realize that that fool is going to let that fool make a fool of him again?", referring to one of the chefs getting involved with his adulterous ex-wife again.
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