Nero Wolfe and his assistant, Archie Goodwin, star in these four short tales of detection. In "The Christmas Party" Archie and his fiancee attend an office party where Wolfe condescends to uncharacteristic theatrics. His dramatic technique is good, but it isn't enough to clear him from suspicion of murder. The "Easter Parade" tempts Wolfe to commit petty larceny for an orchid. Though that crime goes unpunished, the inevitable murder doesn't. "A Fourth of July Picnic" has Wolfe scheduled for an unprecedented appearance as orator. But his day in the sun is rained out -- by murder. The last selection, "Murder Is No Joke" is a whodunit in a couturier's salon, where a murderer is dressed to kill -- and kill again.