Nero Wolfe, difenditi!

Nero Wolfe's eccentricities and intelligence make him so memorable, but I wonder what inspired his unique character traits. Did Stout base him on someone or create him from scratch?

The story moves at a steady clip but also takes time to explore characters' motives. I'm curious if others felt this balance heightened the mystery for them.

The city feels alive and almost like a character itself. I wonder if Stout drew from personal experience or did extensive research to evoke that era.