16 NOVEMBER 1956, Page 23

THREE WITNESSES. By Rex Stout. (Collins, 10s. 6d.) Obese, irascible

and opinionated, Nero Wolfe is the Gilbert Harding of fictional detectives. Here are three of his problems, each solved, fairly enough, by ratiocination. The come is the right length for Mr. Wolfe, in spite of his bulk : it gives room for detection, and not too much spare space for all that—by now rather tedious- beer-drinking and orchid-fancying.