johnnyb1954's review against another edition
3.0
Really deviates from the formula, involving a police chase and a shoot out. Not very satisfactory solution to the crime.
bev_reads_mysteries's review against another edition
3.0
Diana Regis was a beautiful blonde who showed up at Perry Mason's office wearing nothing but a coat, a negligee, and a shining black eye. Her employer's cad of a stepson made one too many advances to her and she resisted one too many times and he, believing that if you socked a female good and hard she'd fall into your arms, had done just that. But she didn't. She went back to her rooms at Jason Bartsler's home, ran into more trouble, and ran out of the house in barely enough to be respectable. All she wants Perry to do is get her owed salary and all of her things. But things get far more interesting fast.
Perry reaches a settlement with Bartsler, but the ink's barely dry on the deal before Perry and Della discover a dead body. And then it isn't long until they get involved will all sort of people who are, unfortunately, also of interest to Lieutenant Tragg and Sergeant Holcomb. Like Jason Bartsler, a mining tycoon who wants Perry to help him dig up his past. And Frank Glenmore, Jason's friend and right hand man, who prefers digging up the present. And Carl Fretch, the caddish step-son, who's main object in life is to make every dame bend to his will and who comes as baggage with Jason's second wife. And Jason's second wife whose primary interest is digging gold--enough for her and her darling boy. And then there's all the blondes--the one with the black eye, the one with the missing Barstler grandson, and the one who winds up shot and killed.
Holcomb doesn't care much for Perry Mason. In fact, he goes out of his way to make things as difficult as possible--even going to the lengths of arresting Perry and Della. But leave it to Perry to get to the bottom of things with the help of Della and Paul Drake. Poor Paul. Perry gives him so many assignments that he doesn't have time for a decent meal until the end of the story.
Not the best Perry Mason story I've read, but the not the worst either. The back story about Jason Bartsler's missing grandson is interesting and I did enjoy the scenes where all Paul Drake wants is a good meal and Perry keeps telling him to munch on chocolate bars. But the obstructive nature of Holcomb is annoying and the clues are a little sparse on the ground.
First posted on my blog My Reader's Block. Please request permission before reposting. thanks.
Perry reaches a settlement with Bartsler, but the ink's barely dry on the deal before Perry and Della discover a dead body. And then it isn't long until they get involved will all sort of people who are, unfortunately, also of interest to Lieutenant Tragg and Sergeant Holcomb. Like Jason Bartsler, a mining tycoon who wants Perry to help him dig up his past. And Frank Glenmore, Jason's friend and right hand man, who prefers digging up the present. And Carl Fretch, the caddish step-son, who's main object in life is to make every dame bend to his will and who comes as baggage with Jason's second wife. And Jason's second wife whose primary interest is digging gold--enough for her and her darling boy. And then there's all the blondes--the one with the black eye, the one with the missing Barstler grandson, and the one who winds up shot and killed.
Holcomb doesn't care much for Perry Mason. In fact, he goes out of his way to make things as difficult as possible--even going to the lengths of arresting Perry and Della. But leave it to Perry to get to the bottom of things with the help of Della and Paul Drake. Poor Paul. Perry gives him so many assignments that he doesn't have time for a decent meal until the end of the story.
Not the best Perry Mason story I've read, but the not the worst either. The back story about Jason Bartsler's missing grandson is interesting and I did enjoy the scenes where all Paul Drake wants is a good meal and Perry keeps telling him to munch on chocolate bars. But the obstructive nature of Holcomb is annoying and the clues are a little sparse on the ground.
First posted on my blog My Reader's Block. Please request permission before reposting. thanks.
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