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thinkspink's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Perry Mason, but he doesn't even make it to the trial! Mason is more devious than usual in finding out who killed a sleazy conman. It's not too tough to work out who did this one, but how it all fits together was pretty neat. The joy in this one is in the classic con artist betrayed, and the way Mason misleads everyone to get himself out of a hole.
humatariq's review against another edition
5.0
Another wonderful novel....Mason's lines at the end really sums it up for me:
"I always take risks. It's the way I play the game; I like it."
Would luv to see a movie adapted from this manuscript!
"I always take risks. It's the way I play the game; I like it."
Would luv to see a movie adapted from this manuscript!
htbaumtree's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
Now that Gardner's really established the tropes of this series it's interesting to see what changes from novel to novel and what remains the same. For example, Paul Drake is established as a first-rate private detective, yet because Perry has to be the cleverest man in the novel it means Paul gets professionally cucked throughout the story. The side characters are especially endearing here and the denoument was just as exciting as the past two installments.
topdragon's review against another edition
4.0
Marjorie Clune is one lucky lady. Or so she thinks. She’s won a contest that has judged her legs to be the “best in show” and now she’s set upon a fine modeling and movie career. Unfortunately, it doesn’t play out that way due to the shenanigans of movie promoter Frank Patton who turns out to be a con man. Famous lawyer Perry Mason is hired to defend Marjorie, a job which gets much more difficult when he decides to visit Patton in his apartment and discovers his dead body.
This is the fifth Perry Mason novel I’ve read so I am by no means an expert considering there were 82 novels and 4 short stories penned by Mr. Gardner. However, I’ve sampled them throughout the series and it now seems evident that Perry Mason evolved quite a bit throughout the run. This is only the third novel published and, like the first two (which I also read), it depicts a much harder Perry Mason than the character we usually think of. He is a forceful and direct man, given to barking orders to everybody around him and expecting instant compliance. Even his utterly loyal secretary, Della Street, isn’t immune to his commanding nature. Often, soon after issuing a curt command to an associate, he follows up with “And make it snappy!”
This behavior can be a little off-putting for those who come to these novels only after absorbing the TV series starring Raymond Burr. However, it is consistent with the times in which they were written and with other series characters being published. He absolutely matches his own description as described in the very first book, [b:The Case of the Velvet Claws|1795039|The Case of the Velvet Claws (Perry Mason, #1)|Erle Stanley Gardner|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1453476786l/1795039._SY75_.jpg|1259697], “You'll find that I'm a lawyer who has specialized in trial work, and in a lot of criminal work...I'm a specialist on getting people out of trouble. They come to me when they're in all sorts of trouble, and I work them out.” In this novel he proves his mettle and even risks putting himself in severe legal peril. If his hunch is wrong he will be indicted for accessory after the fact…for murder.
But one thing does certainly remain consistent throughout the long run of the series: Perry Mason’s unerring ability to get to the heart of the crime, no matter how convoluted the scheme. These early books in the series don’t even include a courtroom scene. The case never gets that far. Perry acts more like a ferocious PI than a lawyer but his profound understanding of the law (thanks to the author’s extensive experience with more than 20 years as a practicing attorney) gives him a leg up on other PIs and police.
I enjoyed this one just fine, but I am hoping for the more traditional Perry Mason novels in my future reading. The best ones always include exposing the truth through piercing cross-examination on the witness stand after all seems lost. While this one didn’t include such a scene, the reveal of whodunnit at the end was expertly crafted and as fulfilling as I’d hoped for.
This is the fifth Perry Mason novel I’ve read so I am by no means an expert considering there were 82 novels and 4 short stories penned by Mr. Gardner. However, I’ve sampled them throughout the series and it now seems evident that Perry Mason evolved quite a bit throughout the run. This is only the third novel published and, like the first two (which I also read), it depicts a much harder Perry Mason than the character we usually think of. He is a forceful and direct man, given to barking orders to everybody around him and expecting instant compliance. Even his utterly loyal secretary, Della Street, isn’t immune to his commanding nature. Often, soon after issuing a curt command to an associate, he follows up with “And make it snappy!”
This behavior can be a little off-putting for those who come to these novels only after absorbing the TV series starring Raymond Burr. However, it is consistent with the times in which they were written and with other series characters being published. He absolutely matches his own description as described in the very first book, [b:The Case of the Velvet Claws|1795039|The Case of the Velvet Claws (Perry Mason, #1)|Erle Stanley Gardner|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1453476786l/1795039._SY75_.jpg|1259697], “You'll find that I'm a lawyer who has specialized in trial work, and in a lot of criminal work...I'm a specialist on getting people out of trouble. They come to me when they're in all sorts of trouble, and I work them out.” In this novel he proves his mettle and even risks putting himself in severe legal peril. If his hunch is wrong he will be indicted for accessory after the fact…for murder.
But one thing does certainly remain consistent throughout the long run of the series: Perry Mason’s unerring ability to get to the heart of the crime, no matter how convoluted the scheme. These early books in the series don’t even include a courtroom scene. The case never gets that far. Perry acts more like a ferocious PI than a lawyer but his profound understanding of the law (thanks to the author’s extensive experience with more than 20 years as a practicing attorney) gives him a leg up on other PIs and police.
I enjoyed this one just fine, but I am hoping for the more traditional Perry Mason novels in my future reading. The best ones always include exposing the truth through piercing cross-examination on the witness stand after all seems lost. While this one didn’t include such a scene, the reveal of whodunnit at the end was expertly crafted and as fulfilling as I’d hoped for.
maplessence's review against another edition
2.0
2.5★
Perry Mason as a thug.
I really didn't like this one much, even making allowances for it only being number 3 in this series. ESG was still developing Perry's character & these books began their life as pulp fiction. ESG may not have ever thought we would still be reading his works over eighty years later!
The 1930's reading public would know all about sham competitions for the gullible and ambitious who thought there was an easy way to movie stardom.
Even knowing that, I felt that Perry came on waaay too strong and waaay too macho man from the get go. I didn't like any of the cast other than secondary character Mamie - and that includes Paul Drake and Perry himself! (Della Street I was neutral on.) All the characters motivations seemed weird and far fetched.
I have about half a dozen Perry Masons still to read from various stages of ESG's writing career. I know there is an improvement - I just hope it is soon!
I found ESG's biography on Wikipedia fascinating if anyone is interested about reading more about this complex man. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erle_Stanley_Gardner
Perry Mason as a thug.
I really didn't like this one much, even making allowances for it only being number 3 in this series. ESG was still developing Perry's character & these books began their life as pulp fiction. ESG may not have ever thought we would still be reading his works over eighty years later!
The 1930's reading public would know all about sham competitions for the gullible and ambitious who thought there was an easy way to movie stardom.
Even knowing that, I felt that Perry came on waaay too strong and waaay too macho man from the get go. I didn't like any of the cast other than secondary character Mamie - and that includes Paul Drake and Perry himself! (Della Street I was neutral on.) All the characters motivations seemed weird and far fetched.
I have about half a dozen Perry Masons still to read from various stages of ESG's writing career. I know there is an improvement - I just hope it is soon!
I found ESG's biography on Wikipedia fascinating if anyone is interested about reading more about this complex man. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erle_Stanley_Gardner
jonmhansen's review against another edition
3.0
"Listen," said Perry Mason, "you wouldn't try to kid me?"
"Try to kid my lawyer? Don't be silly."
"I'm not your lawyer," he said.
"Try to kid my lawyer? Don't be silly."
"I'm not your lawyer," he said.
johnnyb1954's review against another edition
4.0
3.5. Another early book where Mason is more detective than lawyer - there are no courtroom scenes. And Della is not yet the confident right hand of Perry.
Pretty easy to spot the murderer but Mason’s actions keep things interesting.
Pretty easy to spot the murderer but Mason’s actions keep things interesting.
madisonreadsbooks's review against another edition
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
5.0
polarcubby's review against another edition
meh. this one wasn't good. seems like Gardner is still experimenting. the resolution was delivered as a long "confession" with Mason reciting the story and some additional elements to reveal the murderer.