Perry Books

The 'Foreword' is dedicated to Russell S. Fisher, M.D. the Chief Medical Examiner of the State of Maryland. The author talks of 'reading character' from a man's manner, bearing, tone of voice, and carefully observing these. Some examples are given. Dr. Fisher was an instructor at the seminars given by the Harvard Medical School. Captain Frances G. Lee was asked to recommend an outstanding candidate to the State, and Dr. Fisher was her choice. Gardner gives one example of Dr. Fisher's skill at detection (p.ix). [Didn't Gardner use this in one of his stories?] It also shows the unreliability of eye-witnesses who see what they expect to see.

At the end of a hard, grueling day Perry Mason and Della Street go to a restaurant. The owner tells them of a waitress who just ran out without her paycheck, and left her old mink coat that was moth-eaten. They speculate about the causes. Then the police come in because the waitress was hit by a car. The police question the last table that Dixie Dayton served. Perry notices something about one customer, and asks Della to follow him out. Perry follows a clue found in the mink coat (Chapter 2). Chapter 3 tells how Perry tries to identify a mystery visitor. Then he learns that Dixie has left the hospital secretly. In Chapter 5 Paul Drake tells of further developments in this case. The police, in looking into this case, found out about the mink coat. Mae Nolan, a waitress at Alburg's restaurant, visits to tell Perry and Paul what she knows. Perry gets more information from Mae Nolan. Lt. Tragg visits to question Perry about the coat. Tragg tells a story about a murdered police officer; his missing pistol was found and it was linked to Dixie Drayton! This have become a very serious case.

In Chapter 6 Perry gets the call from Morris Alburg, and is called to Alburg's apartment. Morris is not there, but Dixie Dayton arrives and tells him more. Then Lt. Tragg shows up, someone heard a shot, and the police found a body (Chapter 7). Perry and Paul answer questions from the police (Chapter 8). The police ask Drake's operative to identify the picture of a woman (Chapter 9). Paul tells Perry about the latest gadgets used to record conversations surreptitiously. Lt. Tragg tells Perry what will be in the newspapers (Chapter 10). Perry explains why he doubts the identification of that woman. Della finds the name of the detective who was hired by Alburg (Chapter 11). Art Fulda explains what he did (Chapter 12). We learn about Paul Drake's operation, and Perry gets a call from Alburg - he's in jail (Chapter 13). Alburg was arrested for killing George Fayette, and he tells perry about Dixie Dayton (Chapter 14). Next Perry talks to Dixie Dayton in the women's ward (Chapter 15). Her story isn't believable.

Perry's clients have told his stories that account for everything yet sound improbable to a jury. Can Perry find the girl who impersonated Dixie Dayton (Chapter 16)? The trial starts in Chapter 17. Morris Alburg and Dixie Dayton are charged with murdering George Fayette. Perry was subpoenaed as a prosecution witness, and there is a personality clash with Hamilton Burger. Burger calls Perry to the stand and questions him about the conversation in the hotel room! Perry draws important information from one of the prosecution's witness with a shot-in-the-dark question. Perry then asks for a recess, and gets previously withheld information from Dixie and Morris (Chapter 18). In the last chapter Lt. Tragg visits Perry to wrap up this story with a shocking conclusion. [This novel warns against the fallibility of eyewitness identification.]

The 'Foreword' dedicates this book to Dr. Joseph W. Spelman, the state pathologist of Vermont and an associate professor in Pathology at the University of Vermont. He is a member of the group qualified to investigate deaths in a scientific manner to determine the cause and time of death. Gardner has spent years in writing to make people aware of the importance of forensic medicine.

Mrs. Enright A. Harlan visits Perry Mason to discuss the "domestic difficulties" of a cheating husband. Sybil doesn't want a divorce, separate maintenance, community property, or alimony; she just wants her husband back. Sybil wants Perry to buy stock in a real estate development company, and then create difficulties that will affect Enright's affair with Mrs. Roxy Claffin (Chapter 1). Perry goes to buy the stock from George Lutts, paying $32,750 for 2,000 shares, and learns more about this property that is a run-down residential district. Perry finds that Roxy owns adjoining property (Chapter 2). Mrs. Harlan then tells Perry about this property, how the new freeway will be close and increase the worth of this run-down property. They drive to the neglected old mansion which had been partitioned for small businesses. They observe Roxy by her swimming pool (Chapter 3). Perry attends the director's meeting, and says Roxy has invaded their "right of lateral support" by removing fill dirt, and could be sued (Chapter 4). Late in the afternoon Perry gets an emotional phone call from Sybil; when she was at the old house with George Lutts someone shot Lutts. Earlier Lutts bought 3,000 shares of the stock for $24,000 from another director. After Sybil tells all at Perry's office, they find that the gun in Sybil's car is now missing! Perry gives instructions to Sybil that must be followed (Chapter 5). Paul Drake monitors taxicabs by their radio frequency. Sybil calls Perry to tell his she followed his advice (Chapter 6).

In Chapter 7 Perry calls Herbert Doxey and asks to inspect the property. They find Lutts' car, and then the body. The police are called. Sergeant Holcomb suspects something from Perry's presence. Roxy's problems and complaints to Enright have sent him back to Sybil. Paul tells Perry the police found the murder weapon; it was sold to Enright A. Harlan! The taxidriver reported picking up a woman near the murder scene, another taxidriver brought the woman to Enright A. Harlan's home (Chapter 8). Perry goes to visit Sybil Harlan in jail. Perry then assigns his detectives to get information on the other people who are involved (Chapter 9).

The preliminary hearing begins, the details about the death are given (Chapter 10). [Did you notice anything?] The taxidriver's testimony is contradicted by the printed receipt! Next we learn that some woman other than the defendant signed to buy the murder weapon. The case is dismissed and Sybil is released from custody. Perry and Della perform an experiment to test the testimony (Chapter 11). The District Attorney presents new evidence at the trial. Perry finds out that Sybil didn't tell him the whole truth, and she explains why (Chapter 13). Sybil's friend is called as a prosecution witness, and so are others (Chapter 14). Roxy Claffin has thrown out junk like boards and torn canvas sacks at the dump, but it disappeared (Chapter 15). Other witnesses are questioned. The questioning of Enright Harlan uncovers a surprising fact (Chapter 17)! A new witness admits to facts that point to another person (Chapter 18). Perry explains his observations in Chapter 19, just before the judge instructs the jury to return a verdict of not guilty for Sybil.

Della tells Perry there are two women to see him: a young woman in her late 20s (Mrs. Myrna Davenport), and an older woman in her 50s (Mrs. Sara Ansel). Its about a murder case. Myrna's husband wrote a letter accusing his wife of planning to kill him! Also, of poisoning a niece Hortense Paxton who stood to inherit the bulk of an estate. Myrna has a garden and dangerous pest chemicals. Now her husband Ed has become sick. They want Perry Mason to get that letter. Perry explains the legalities in doing this. Perry will act to safeguard Myrna's property rights. Later Perry gets a call from Sara Ansel; Ed is dead so Perry must go to his office. Mabel Norge, Ed Davenport's secretary, shows up and calls the police. Perry explains his duty as Myrna's attorney to Mabel and the Deputy Sheriff. After they leave, Perry gets a call from Myrna Davenport: Ed wasn't dead, and now he went away. This "corpse" has runaway! This seems like a double-cross to Perry. Before meeting Myrna and Sara, Perry tells Della how to find out if they are being shadowed. A man is sitting and reading a newspaper at 3 AM. Ed got sick while driving, and stopped at a town for a doctor. Ed took a turn for the worse and died. The doctor called the sheriff, coroner, and district attorney because of this suspicious death.

Paul Drake wakes Perry with a telephone call. Myrna has been arrested for two murders; the body of Hortense Paxton was disinterred and arsenic was found, and they're looking for Ed (who is found in a shallow grave). The District Attorney calls Perry to ask him a question (Chapter 6). Perry learns that the witness who saw a man in pajamas leave by a window gave a false name and disappeared (Chapter 8)! District Attorney Talbert Vandling plays by the rules. Perry warns Myrna against a friendly inmate or talking on the telephone (Chapter 9). Perry learns more about the Paradise Motor Court (Chapter 10). Chapter 11 explains how rigor mortis can provide an estimate of time of death. The questioning of Sara Ansel brings out her testimony about the events. Perry's questioning of Dr. Renault brings out the inconsistency of previous nausea in the morning and stomach contents showing a meal of bacon and eggs! There is a conflict between the doctor who witnessed Ed's death and the doctor who performed the autopsy. This chapter with the preliminary hearing has the most pages.

Perry discusses the interesting facts in the case (Chapter 12). How could anyone know Ed would get sick in Crampton? What does the prepared grave say? Perry and Della search the area to find tracks of a car and trailer. Who was the one person who knew Ed Davenport would leave Fresno that morning? After meeting a witness, the preliminary hearing continues (Chapter 14). A witness is recalled, and the testimony puts a surprising end to the case against Perry's client Myrna. Chapter 15 ties up the loose strings. When a dead man is seen walking away then one or more witnesses must be mistaken or lying. Was a murderer caught because they were too greedy? You can expect a surprising finish to this story.

The Case of the Screaming Woman
Perry Mason gets a very unusual call: a woman wants him to cross-examine her husband to determine if his story will stand up. John Kirby shows up to say he was at a sales meeting that lasted to 11 pm at night. On the way home he saw a young woman carrying a one gallon gasoline can. He gave her a lift, but her car had disappeared. So he took her to a motel, registered as man and wife, then drove home. Kirby told his wife this story, and she insisted they drive to the motel to help the young woman; but she had disappeared. And the one gallon can was no longer in Kirby's car. After Kirby leaves, Della Street now connects this to an attack on a Doctor Babb who lives in the suburbs. A young woman was seen running from the Doctor's house, and she fits the description of Kirby's rider. The name "Kirby" was found on the Doctor's appointment book. Paul Drake is called to investigate.

This is another story with numerous suspects. Perry Mason soon finds Kirby's story had left out quite a few details. Before the Doctor died he mentioned his attacker: "John Kirby", but witnesses say John Kirby did not leave his car. The name of the young woman was also in the Doctor's appointment book! John Kirby is arrested, and Perry defends him at the preliminary hearing. Doctor Babb had been running a baby mill. Young women would give up their babies so a married woman could present an heir. [The implications about society are not discussed.] The records of these adoptions could provide a blackmailer with lucrative opportunities. One unasked question: could a person taking a shower in his house hear a woman scream from the next house?

Erle Stanley Gardner has tried to emphasize the importance of legal medicine by dedicating his Forewords to outstanding specialists in forensic pathology. Marshall Houts has worked for years in the Court of Last Resort, to educate attorneys in the importance of medical facts, and physicians about courtroom procedure (the tricks and traps of shrewd attorneys). Houts has been an FBI agent, WW II government investigator, college professor of criminal law, and author of several books.

Janice Wainwright visits Perry Mason's office without an appointment for confidential advice. Her employer has given her a suitcase to deliver to a locker. Janice believes this is blackmail money. Perry takes her as a client, and gives her legal advice. Della Street will accompany her when she makes a delivery (Chapter 1). Perry calls Paul Drake to have an operative follow the man who picks up the letter with the key to the locker (Chapter 2). The next morning Janice calls with the news that her employer Morley Theilman has gone missing, and a detective has been there to look for him. They find that the suitcase has gone missing from the locker (Chapter 3). Perry explains how this trick works (duplicated keys). The police are investigating Theilman's disappearance, and question Paul Drake and Perry Mason, who know little (Chapter 4). So Perry Mason now begins to investigate this event with the help of Paul Drake. Perry talks to the current Mrs. Theilman, and gains information (Chapter 5). Now Janice Wainwright can't be found, and they discover the real name of the second Mrs. Theilman (Chapter 6). Perry discusses and summarizes the problem with Della (Chapter 7).

Perry and Della fly to Las Vegas to surprise Janice; Paul Drake tracked her down. Now a shocking surprise occurs at the train station (Chapter 8). Janice apologizes to Perry and explains what she did. Then Lt. Tragg shows up to question Janice about the murder of Mr. Theilman (Chapter 9). When Perry tries to find Mrs. Theilman he finds that she was led away by a police officer. Perry then finds Mrs. Theilman and tries to question her, but the police show up and order him to leave the state (Chapter 10). Chapter 12 instructs the reader on the techniques used to match tires to tire treads. It shows the cross-examination of a medical examiner. Chapter 14 has another important cross-examination that negates some of the circumstantial evidence against Perry's client. This dramatic story continues to its conclusion by Chapter 17.

A "shadow" is the term for a person who follows another. Like his other books, there is a description and implied criticism of the lifestyles of the rich and famous. Parts of this story read like they came from a gossip column. This is about as close as Perry Mason came to losing a case. One problem with a lone eyewitness is that they may be mistaken or lying and there is no corroboration for their statement.

Mildreth Faulkner owns a small flower shop. Her competitor, Harry Peavis, bought up a few shares in her small corporation. Now he wants to buy up control. Mildreth calls Perry Mason's office for an appointment, then visits her invalid sister Carlotta and her husband Bob. Chapter 2 explains how this nightclub with a PRIVATE door runs a racket. The witness, Esther Dilmeyer, is poisoned by candy but is found in time. Mildreth suspects Bob has given up Carlotta's shares in the corporation. There is another roller-coaster ride of a story where events pop-up as a surprise twist. Complications arise from page to page, chapter to chapter, yet the storyline stays simple to follow.

In Chapter 5 Mason visits the nightclub owner's cabin, only to find the police and newspaper reporters covering his murder. Lynk was dead quite a while (the coagulation of blood and rigor mortis). Now the question is who did it from the list of suspects, or an as yet unknown person. Chapter 6 tells how a suspect could refuse to answer questions based on constitutional rights. Lieutenant Tragg plays with Mildreth like a cat with a mouse, and gets her admission (Mason represents her sister Carlotta). Mason points out that husbands and wives are more likely to kill each other than a stranger (Chapter 9). Chapter 13 explains why a claimant in a court of equity must have clean hands; illegal means, entrapment, fraud, or oppression disqualify a suit. Mason learns of facts that lead to the questioning of a witness, and the truth comes out to free his client. Mildreth recovers the missing stock and keeps her business. This all takes place in two fast-paced days. One item dates this novel: a woman wearing "light woolen stockings" (Chapter 3).

The Case of the Stuttering Bishop

Bishop William Mallory of Sydney, Australia visits Perry Mason about a manslaughter case. Could a sudden emotional shock cause stuttering? Perry calls Paul Drake to see if the bishop is genuine (Chapter I). They find where Mallory is staying, but there is a mysterious attack on Mallory in his hotel room. An ambulance came for him, then another ambulance came for him! They track down the woman who visited him (Chapter II). Her story about a personal ad checks out (Chapter III). But the bishop got on a ship bound for Australia (Chapter IV). Julia Branner, formerly Mrs. Oscar Brownley, visits Perry and tells of her past life and what she wants (Chapter V). Perry visits Renwold C. Brownley and they discuss the case (Chapter VI). An early morning phone call wakes Perry with the message that a woman has shot and killed Renwold C. Brownley (Chapter VII)!

Perry finds that Julia Branner had gone to the waterfront, and saw another woman shoot Brownley. Perry tells her to not answer questions and he'll try to help her (Chapter VIII). Julia Branner was arrested for murder, Mallory disappeared from his ship (Chapter IX). Della's impersonation of Janice Seaton draws out two private investigators (Chapter X). Perry meets the granddaughter of Brownley, and finds Victor Stockton, one of the two private investigators, with a scheme that will trap Perry in a crime! Perry meets Philip Brownley, the grandson, who tells what he knows (this substantiates what a witness saw). When Perry interviews Julia Branner in jail he gets an unpleasant surprise. Paul Drake found a yachtsman who visited Mallory (Chapter XII).

Perry visits Hamilton Burger to explain his actions. Burger gives Perry little time to justify his story. It doesn't look good for Perry and his client (Chapter XIII). The preliminary examination of Julia Branner begins in Chapter XIV, this reviews the known facts about the shooting. Perry notes the strange facts: if the shooter ran away, and Brownley was dead, who drove the car off the wharf? Perry is in an impossible situation. If Brownley drove off the wharf, he was not shot dead by Julia Branner (Chapter XV). A chance remark by Della Street puts a new light on one person's activities the night of the murder. Perry plays this hand and it pays off (Chapter XVI). They find out what happened to Bishop Mallory (Chapter XVII). Perry explained what happened, and why Julia Branner refused to talk (Chapter XVIII). The next chapter concludes this case.
In this story Perry was very close to jail and disbarment. He was involved in more action than in other stories. This 1936 novel reflects the outlook of tts day.

I don't imagine that Perry Mason--or, for that matter, too many real-life attorneys--have had potential clients call them up stating that everything, including their clothes, have been stolen, and would it be possible for the attorney to take a set of clothes? That's what happens at the beginning of this Perry Mason caper.

Arlene Duvall is the woman, and her father is in prison for a crime Arlene believes he did not commit, a bank robbery that netted nearly $400,000. Since her father's imprisonment, she has lived out of a trailer. She has a mysterious source of income that allows her to spend money both extravagantly and conspicuously, leading to obvious suspicion that her father has told her where the stolen money is. Indeed, this inference is so strong that Mason only agrees to represent her as long as she is innocent. If he discovers she is guilty, he promises to turn her in and take his fee out of the reward money. After the theft and then a murder of someone with some relationship to the bank heist, matters grow far more serious. As usual, District Attorney Hamilton Burger is after Mason, this time for perjury in front of a grand jury--and later possibly as an accessory to murder.

The Perry Mason novels are fairly predictable. They are of consistently high quality and tend to feature the same elements, from the wrongly accused client to the vengeful D.A. I have read several without being able to find one that was notably better or worse than the others. Still, there are some elements that set this one apart from others published within a few years. (I'm thinking of The Case of the Demure Defendant (published one year later) and The Case of the Long-Legged Models (published three years later), both recent reads.) From the opening naked client to a few other elements, there are some ever-so-slightly risqué elements here that suggest the time this was published (the mid-1950s). However, those elements are slight, so what we have is another solid entry in the long-running series.

This 1955 novel is dedicated to the Hawaiian medical examiner who described "Bangugut", an unexplained syndrome of sudden death that is called "Nightmare Death". No cause of death can be discovered after examining the vital organs. Popular belief blamed it on witchcraft. Or was it a "perfect crime"?

Perry Mason gets a call from a new client, but she can't come in because she has nothing to wear. All her possessions have been stolen while she was sunbathing. Della Street brings her an outfit, and Arlene Duvall tells her story. Her father was sent to prison after being convicted of stealing a money shipment. He was convicted on circumstantial evidence; the money was never found. Arlene hires Mason to find her missing trailer and car. Paul Drake quickly finds the missing trailer, and explains how this is done in Chapter 3. They mention the terrible traffic in Los Angeles (after the destruction of the trolley system). Perry Mason explains to the trailer dealer what constitutes a legal agreement. Arlene hires Mason to investigate the crime and free her Dad. Mason says he will serve justice first; if he Dad is guilty he will get his fee from the reward money.

Mason meets with Jordan Ballard, who worked with Colton Duvall at the time of the theft. Ballard asks for a lift home, and tells Mason the background facts. Mason leaves, and checks in with Paul Drake to learn the police were called after Ballard was found murdered! Arlene Duvall was followed, and seen entering Ballard's house just after Mason left. Mason then goes to see Dr. Holman Candler, the good friend of Arlene. The urgency of this situation forces Mason to work through the night. Next morning Mason appears before a grand jury to answer questions about his activity at Ballard's house. The District Attorney wants to charge Mason with perjury, or murder! (There is a lesson her against making assumptions about an action that can have many meanings.) Arlene Duvall is arrested for murdering Ballard, and Perry Mason will have to defend her.

As part of this story you will learn about some detective techniques and parts of the laws. A number of funny things happen on the way to the trial. Since Mason's clients are always found 'not guilty' there's no surprise there, but in the journey to this conclusion. The suspense lasts until the final pages when Perry Mason draws the facts together to solve the murder, and the earlier theft of the money shipment. Mason warns against the frequently made mistake of first deciding who was guilty and then fitting the facts to prove that guilt (Chapter 14). I won't give away the ending, but it implicitly warns against assuming that something could not have happened.

Perry Mason gets a telephone call from John Racer Addison, the department store man. He wants Perry to rush down to the City Jail to represent Veronica Dale, a nice girl who was arrested as a vagrant. Addison wants his name kept out of this. Veronica tells Perry the arrest was due to a mistake, and she is bailed out; the arresting officer will check her story. Veronica's story checks out, but it does sound odd. Later Mrs. Laura Mae Dale visits Perry to thank him for helping her daughter Veronica. Mrs. Dale was from out of state but was able to track her daughter quickly. Then Perry receives a frantic call from John R. Addison who is threatened with blackmail; we learn about his meeting with Veronica. A gossip columnist may publish these facts to put him in a tight situation with his business partner. [This appears to be a clever blackmail plot.] Perry Mason has a clever ploy to use on the blackmailer in Chapter 4. Chapter 6 explains the effects of a divorce on business ownership.

Perry Mason accompanies John Addison to the property he had visited. Its near the spot where Addison found Veronica Dale. While inspecting the house, they find a dead body! Perry questions Addison about his whereabouts, then advises his innocent client what to do. The attempted blackmail leads to Eric Hansell's arrest for forgery. The police are notified about Edgar Ferrell's death, and question Addison about it. Perry is taken to the police station to answer questions about a check; he could be in hot water. But a lucky call cools things down. Perry and Della meet Veronica Dale and question her about her meeting with Addison. When they return to Della's apartment and find hidden objects Perry improvises a slingshot. One of Paul Drake's detectives gets information about that department store from a young salesgirl (Chapter 14).

Chapter 15 has the Preliminary Hearing and the testimony about the physical evidence. Unknown fingerprints were found at the murder site. Eric Hansell testifies, and we learn he had a female accomplice. Perry's cross-examination of the next witness reveals new facts about the night of the murder (Chapter 17). Afterwards Perry reconsiders the known facts against the Prosecution's theory (Chapter 18). From these facts, he goes to see the person who has stayed in the background and uncovers the solution that will free his client.

For a real example of using the testimony of an innocent girl read Adela St. John's "Final Verdict" chapter 63. Young Alice, sweet sixteen, knew a little too much. Earl Roger's experts testified the police could not see through doors and around corners. Then Earl Rogers produced Alice's husband and the fact that she was well over twenty-one!

This beautifully presented hardback book, contains refined images of sculptures in substancial materials that will last a life. I suggest everyone should purchase this book as a tribute to Henry's life and the skill he displayed.