Her Forbidden Knight

Rating:
Summary: Observe a Writer's Growth
Review: I was amazed at how sophomoric and amateurish was this great writer's first novel. Stout was obviously a competent wordsmith, even at the beginning, but appeared hopelessly far from ever becoming an author of merit. "Her Forbidden Knight" reads like a college Creative Writing major's attempt to create a Harlequin Romance. It's worth reading, however, to illustrate the way a writer can grow. Placed alongside one of the later Nero Wolfe novels, it may serve as inspiration for an aspiring author who has not yet gotten the hang of it and fears that s/he never will.

Rating:
Summary: Observe a Writer's Growth
Review: I was amazed at how sophomoric and amateurish was this great writer's first novel. Stout was obviously a competent wordsmith, even at the beginning, but appeared hopelessly far from ever becoming an author of merit. "Her Forbidden Knight" reads like a college Creative Writing major's attempt to create a Harlequin Romance. It's worth reading, however, to illustrate the way a writer can grow. Placed alongside one of the later Nero Wolfe novels, it may serve as inspiration for an aspiring author who has not yet gotten the hang of it and fears that s/he never will.

Rating:
Summary: A disappointment
Review: Some first novels should be allowed to rest in peace. You can't blame the publisher for wanting to exploit the well-deserved reputation that Rex Stout later earned for the Nero Wolfe series, but this book did not deserve to be re-issued.

Rating:
Summary: The Tale of the Erring Knights
Review: Young and shy Lila Williams, an attractive telegrapher, working in the once popular New York Hotel, the Lamartine, finds herself surrounded by five gentlemen protecters who earn the name the "Erring Knights". As another man, the mysterious John Knowlton appears there one day, Lila shows more interest in him and he for her than the Knights can stand. The sparks begin to fly as they try to "protect" Lila and to uncover Knowlton's secrets.

This is my first Rex Stout novel, but I've read other mysteries such as my favorite series by Elizabeth Peters. 'Her Forbidden Knight' is different from other mysteries for a variety of reasons. First of all the main character is not a detective, and there really isn't a crime to discover. In fact most of the mystery in the book revolves around Knowlton's and Billy Sherman's past. This novel also contains a good deal of Romance elements in it, especially towards the end of the book. Without it though, the book would be bland and boring.

My favorite quote from the book, which also came from my favorite character, Lila Williams, is: "I guess there is no 'why' in love,..." Her hidden courage shown towards the end of the book is stunning. Throughout the book she transforms into a colorful character full of both joy and deep sorrow.

This is a great book for anyone who loves a good mystery and doesn't mind a little bit of romance tacked on. Teens and adults would get the most out of the book, including people already familar with Rex Stout's books. Although people claim this book to be a foreshadowing of the Nero Wolfe series, I don't think so. This book stands by itself as an original story. It is a story filled with humor and triumph; the kind I love to read.

Rating:
Summary: A disappointment
Review: Young and shy Lila Williams, an attractive telegrapher, working in the once popular New York Hotel, the Lamartine, finds herself surrounded by five gentlemen protecters who earn the name the "Erring Knights". As another man, the mysterious John Knowlton appears there one day, Lila shows more interest in him and he for her than the Knights can stand. The sparks begin to fly as they try to "protect" Lila and to uncover Knowlton's secrets.

This is my first Rex Stout novel, but I've read other mysteries such as my favorite series by Elizabeth Peters. 'Her Forbidden Knight' is different from other mysteries for a variety of reasons. First of all the main character is not a detective, and there really isn't a crime to discover. In fact most of the mystery in the book revolves around Knowlton's and Billy Sherman's past. This novel also contains a good deal of Romance elements in it, especially towards the end of the book. Without it though, the book would be bland and boring.

My favorite quote from the book, which also came from my favorite character, Lila Williams, is: "I guess there is no 'why' in love,..." Her hidden courage shown towards the end of the book is stunning. Throughout the book she transforms into a colorful character full of both joy and deep sorrow.

This is a great book for anyone who loves a good mystery and doesn't mind a little bit of romance tacked on. Teens and adults would get the most out of the book, including people already familar with Rex Stout's books. Although people claim this book to be a foreshadowing of the Nero Wolfe series, I don't think so. This book stands by itself as an original story. It is a story filled with humor and triumph; the kind I love to read.