The Father Hunt
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| Author | Rex Stout |
|---|---|
| Cover artist | Mel Williamson |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Series | Nero Wolfe |
| Genre | Detective fiction |
| Publisher | Viking Press |
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Publication date
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May 28, 1968 |
| Media type | Print (Hardcover) |
| Pages | 184 (first edition) |
| OCLC | 442053 |
| Preceded by | Death of a Doxy |
| Followed by | Death of a Dude |
The Father Hunt is a Nero Wolfe detective novel by Rex Stout, published by the Viking Press in 1968. "This is the first Nero Wolfe novel in nearly two years," the front flap of the dust jacket reads, "an unusual interval for the productive Rex Stout, who celebrated his eightieth birthday in December 1966."
"Then we're left with nothing."
"We have Saul and Fred and Orrie. And me. And, oh yes, excuse me, we have you."
He looked at his current book, always there on the desk, picked it up, dropped it, and glared at me.
Amy Denovo, a young woman assisting Lily Rowan, hires Nero Wolfe because she must find out who her father is, or was. After her mother was killed in a recent hit-and-run, Amy received a locked metal box containing more than a quarter of a million dollars in cash—and a letter from her mother that explained only that the money came from her father. The mystery of Amy's mother's identity rivals that of her father's.
Lily Rowan has employed Amy Denovo, a recent Smith graduate, to assist her in collecting material about her father for a book. After a brief acquaintance with Archie Goodwin, Amy intercepts him one afternoon in the lobby of Lily's building. "It's very personal," Amy tells Archie as she asks for a few minutes of his time.
Amy has never known her own father, and she asks Archie to help her find out who he is, or was. She believes her mother took the name Denovo—"de novo," Latin for "anew," "afresh"—because she began a new life after Amy was born. She can't be certain because Elinor Denovo was killed three months before, in a hit-and-run. Amy is curious about her mother, but she must know about her father—and the inquiry must be kept secret. Amy knows Archie is the only person she can trust.
Although he is intrigued, Archie turns Amy down. Nero Wolfe charges high fees, and the $2,000 Amy has in the bank would not begin to cover what promises to be a long and expensive job. Archie floats the idea of having Lily supply the funds — she undoubtedly would—but Amy is adamant that no one is to know about the father hunt. Leaving Amy at a loss to know what she should do next, Archie goes to Saul Panzer's place to play poker—but the cards do not cooperate.
The next afternoon, Amy arrives at the brownstone with $20,000 in hundred-dollar bills — a retainer. Archie parks Amy in the front room, explains the situation to Nero Wolfe, and introduces her. Wolfe wants reassurance that the money is in Amy's possession legally. Amy says that her mother's death has brought to light the fact that Elinor Denovo had received $1,000 a month since Amy was born—a total of $264,000—and that this money is from Amy's father. She recites her mother's letter verbatim. Wolfe keeps the money, but only for safekeeping pending Archie's verification of the letter.
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