Archie is a skilled observer and has trained his memory so that he can make verbatim reports, oral or typewritten, of extended conversations.

[2] Because Wolfe is generally ignorant of the logistical details of the world outside his house (and uninterested in them) he relies on Archie for various kinds of practical information and opinions.

Under his bed is a gong that is part of an alarm system designed to sound if anyone gets too close to Wolfe's bedroom door or windows at night.

Archie's conversations with other characters often feature his penchant for arch wit, which can serve purposes such as playing devil's advocate to "badger" Wolfe into working; stalling or goading police officers; issuing threats under the guise of ironically ingenuous observations; or charming female characters into cooperating with Wolfe's professional desiderata.

She tells Archie that his father's name is James Arner Goodwin[d] that his mother's maiden name is Leslie, that he has two brothers and two sisters, and that he was born in Canton, Ohio.

[e][f] Although he is from the American Midwest, Archie has the ‘street smarts’ to handle just about any situation he finds himself in, and he knows New York City like the back of his hand.

Though he freely admits that there is no one better than Saul Panzer in many aspects of investigative work, such as remembering faces and tailing people, Goodwin is one of the most competent private detectives in the city.

The only serious affair apart from Lily that he shares with the reader is Lucy Valdon, with whom he has a series of extended assignations during The Mother Hunt, prompting Wolfe and Fritz to fear that Archie may finally settle down.

His narrative includes his own thoughts over the course of the story, from ruminations on the case in progress to personal impressions of and opinions about the people involved.

He occasionally expresses mild concern that another character, such as Wolfe or Inspector Cramer, may read his account of the case and take offense at something he has written.