The Black Mountain (novel)

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The Black Mountain is a Nero Wolfe detective novel by Rex Stout, first published in 1954 by Viking Press. It follows Wolfe as he hunts down the killer of his Montenegrin friend, Marko Vukcic, after Marko is shot in New York. Wolfe’s adopted daughter, Carla Britten, has also been killed, pushing him to pursue justice in a dangerous world of espionage and politics.

Wolfe travels back to Montenegro with Archie Goodwin to uncover the truth, stepping into a tense struggle over Montenegro’s independence from Yugoslavia. They encounter guerrilla groups, local officials, and Russian-influenced intrigue. Carla’s activities had involved spying and infiltrating the enemy, leading to further deaths. After a twisted trail, Wolfe learns that the killer’s trail ties to a local police chief and Russian interests.

Returning to New York with the evidence and a plan to bring the killer to justice, Wolfe and Archie sail back under assumed identities, with a Russian agent, Peter Zov, forced to accompany them. On the voyage, a photographer spots Wolfe, and Zov shoots Wolfe on the deck, wounding him. The staff tackle Zov, and Wolfe asks Archie to call Inspector Cramer to close the case.