Not much can get Nero Wolfe to leave his comfortable New York brownstone, but the special showing of rare black orchids lures him to a flower show. Unfortunately, Wolfe's much-anticipated viewing is soon overshadowed by a murder as daring as it is sudden. It’s a case of weeding out a cunning killer who can turn up anywhere - and Wolfe and his inimitable assistant Archie Goodwin, who has fallen in love with one of the suspects, must do so quickly. Why? Because a second case awaits their urgent attention: a society widow on a mailing list of poison-pen letters leading to a plot as dark as any orchid Wolfe has ever encountered. Librarian's note: this book consists of two short stories, novellas actually: the title story, "Black Orchids," and "Cordially Invited to Meet Death." The second novella, "Cordially ..," has its own GR entry elsewhere.