Double for Death explained

Double for Death
Author:Rex Stout
Country:United States
Language:English
Series:Tecumseh Fox
Genre:Detective
Publisher:Farrar & Rinehart (U.S. 1939)
Release Date:October 3, 1939
Media Type:Print; hardcover and paperback
Preceded By:Mountain Cat
Followed By:Over My Dead Body

Double for Death is a mystery novel by American author Rex Stout. Starring detective Tecumseh Fox, first published in 1939. Private investigator Tecumseh Fox was the protagonist of three mysteries written by Stout between 1939 and 1941 and this was the first of the series.[1] [2] [3] [4] [5]

Plot summary

Tecumseh Fox, a detective whom Stout's associates say was much like Stout himself in his younger years, first steps before the public. Westchester County is the setting for the case, which has two dead bodies with a single identity – Ridley Thorpe – two lovely suspects, two lovely motives, two frenzied suitors, and two murder weapons. The cops are stumped but Fox holds the scent and the solution.

Literary significance and criticism

Publication history

Notes and References

  1. Penzler, Otto, Collecting Mystery Fiction, Rex Stout, Part III (1991: The Armchair Detective 24(1): 43.
  2. Cooper, John & B.A. Pike, Detective Fiction, The Collector’s Guide, Second Edition (1994, England: Scolar Press: ISBN 0-85967-991-8), pp. 277-281.
  3. Hubin AJ. Crime Fiction Ii : A Comprehensive Bibliography 1749–1990. A completely revised and updated ed. (1994, New York & London: Garland Publishing; ISBN 978-0-415-89967-3), pp. 777–778
  4. Pederson JP Benbow-Pfalzgraf T. St. James Guide to Crime & Mystery Writers. 4Th ed. / with a preface by Kathleen Gregory Klein ed (1996. Detroit MI: St. James Press: ISBN 1-55862-178-4), pp. 960–962
  5. News: Creator of Nero Wolfe Gives Mystery Fans Another Hero . 19 April 2023 . The Lexington Herald . 28 January 1940.
  6. News: October 1, 1939 . Double for Death . .
  7. News: October 8, 1939 . New Mystery Stories . .
  8. Townsend, Guy M., Rex Stout: An Annotated Primary and Secondary Bibliography (1980, New York: Garland Publishing;), page 17. John McAleer, Judson Sapp and Arriean Schemer are associate editors of this definitive publication history.