Stanley Books

Erle Stanley Gardner dedicates this mystery to Dr. Russell Fisher the Chief Medical Examiner of Maryland. They created a new central headquarters for the state's medical examiner, with floors for teaching and research on forensic medicines. A modern medical examiner system protects the living. Most murders are committed among friends and family members. Many poisonings may go undetected without a medical examiner; they are far more numerous that the average person suspects (p.6)!

While Perry Mason and Della Street were away from the office a woman came in who feared for her life. But after giving her name, Adelle Hastings, she stepped out to the corridor and did not return. Then Perry received a phone call from Mr. Huntley L. Banner who is representing Garvin S. Hastings in the divorce. So Perry gets Paul Drake to investigate the individuals. Perry and Della follow the clues by flying to Las Vegas to investigate Adelle Hastings. Now the complications begin (Chapter Three). Adelle Hastings tells her story. Perry points out the inconsistencies, and says the police are too thorough and clever to be fooled by it. If Adelle was telling the truth she has an imposter pulling tricks on her. On the return charter flight Perry learns that a young woman had questioned the pilot about them (Chapter Four)! Adelle has realized that something is very wrong, and comes to see Perry at his office (Chapter Five). And yes, they learn that Garvin S. Hastings has been murdered. Then Huntley L. Banner calls with information he just got from Garvin Hastings! There is an educational part about people in a line-up who appear similar. Did Garvin fail to make a will to provide for Adelle, his third wife? Could his second wife have cooked up this scheme?

So the story continues with Perry Mason talking with the various people involved in this case. The dialogue slowly draws out the facts about the situation. Perry Mason learns more about the background facts. There is a mystery about the gun found in the handbag. It disappears from Perry's desk then is brought back. But is it the same gun? District Attorney Hamilton Burger shows up and personally investigates Hastings Enterprises. Then there are a number of surprises that leaves Burger dumbfounded (p.163). The police find the gun is the murder weapon, and a fingerprint is on it. Adelle Hastings is arrested for the murder of Garvin Hastings.

The Preliminary Hearing has many interesting pages of testimony on the gun and its possession (Chapter Twelve). Perry has to do a lot of investigative work for his client, and this create more work (p.213). Perry asks one witness to hand the dark glasses to his receptionist. A further investigation by the police unravels the plot. Garvin Hastings has made a holographic will, dated and signed. This had been destroyed by the woman who impersonated Adelle Hastings. But by law, this destruction doesn't affect the validity of that will. Adelle Hastings is not guilty of the murder, and will inherit a fortune, thanks to Perry Mason.

The Case of the Fiery Fingers, by Erle Stanley Gardner

This book is dedicated to Doctor Joseph T. Walker and begins by discussing circumstantial evidence, and the various inferences that can be drawn from a fact. It tells what scientific investigation can deduce from a discarded coat along a highway. Often an explanation for some physical clue may turn out to be incorrect. Gardner uses an example from Doctor Joseph T. Walker, an officer of the Massachusetts State Police, and that discarded coat. Doctor Walker has brought murderers to justice and prevented the unjust conviction of the innocent.

This story is as fast moving as a big roller coaster, with as many twists and turns to hold your interest until the last page. Erle Stanley Gardner's taut and sparse prose keeps the story moving along. It is one of the best "Perry Mason" mysteries, superior to any film or TV drama.

This book starts out when a practical nurse consults with Perry Mason over a possible murder, and ask how to prevent a murder! Next this nurse is arrested for stealing jewelry from her employer; Perry Mason defends her successfully. The problem is assigning guilt when there are numerous suspects. But this story is just starting! Then the patient she cares for is murdered by arsenic. The patient's sister is arrested; she hires Perry Mason to defend her. Now the story picks up speed, and we see numerous twists and surprises to this story. Just how Perry's client is not guilty of this murder comes out at the surprise ending.

Mason's client told the truth... but the police didn't believe her. They decided she was guilty of both blackmail and murder. But Mason came up with an idea...

The idea was NO defense. He then proceeded to argue his case in a manner which took Hamilton Burger so frustrated he committed misconduct. But Mason wasn't about to let the district attorney a chance to get off the hook when his client was about to be aquitted of the charge against her...

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 Backward Mule, by Erle Stanley Gardner

A big steamer arrives at San Francisco. When Terry Clane disembarks the police take him in for questioning. A friend of his girlfriend was arrested for murder and convicted, but escaped on his way to San Quentin! Chapter 3 describes a sample "lie detector" session. Questions and answers are recorded on wax records. Clane uses his imagination to stymie the questioning [instead of a tranquilizer pill]. We learn about one of the eight Chinese Immortals, seated backwards on a mule. It may symbolize life where you can see the past but not the future. When he is released Clane visits the Stacey Nevis Investment company. Chapter 4 gives the background to this story. [The dollar figures are way out of date, but were a small fortune then.] Clane goes to Cynthia Reston's apartment, and is caught in a "mouse trap": the police are watching (Chapter 5). Chapter 6 takes us for a visit in San Francisco's Chinatown, and the contrast in culture. Chapter 7 tells of the murder of Howard Farnsworth. Edward Harold was convicted on circumstantial evidence.

Chapter 8 explains the politics and publicity in surrendering a wanted man. Terry Clane goes to meet George Gloster at his office, and finds him dead (Chapter 9). The questioning of Clane is as interesting as a courtroom scene (Chapter 10). Clane explains the Chinese philosophy that good or bad fortune is relatively unimportant, it is how you react to it that is important. The story continues (Chapter 11). Clane meets Bill Hendrum and explains why Edward Harold must surrender. Clane surmises what happened to Gloster (Chapter 13). Inspector Mallory shows up, and Clane's apartment is searched again (Chapter 14). Clane follows the "back trail" of Edward Harold, and locates him only minutes before the police arrive (Chapter 15). Clane's involvement leads to his arrest as an accessory (Chapter 16). This provides a way for Clane and Harold to discuss this case while in jail (Chapter 17). [Could the police be listening to their conversation?] Have the police been following and using Clane as a bird dog to flush out the game (Chapter 20)?

This book shows what a fast-paced story Gardner could write when not doing the "Perry Mason" novels. You will note the presence of legal details not found in the works of Hammett or Chandler. The story could be an example on the proper or improper handling of fortune. It provides a snapshot of that era (arrests without a warrant). San Francisco, with one of the largest Chinatowns, had no police officers who could speak Cantonese! Was Terry Clane one of those who travel abroad to "find themselves:?

The Case of the Baited Hook

On a blustery March night Perry Mason got a phone call from "John L. Cragmore" who offers $1,000 if Perry will see him right now. Perry agrees, then calls the Drake Detective Agency to set watchers on the visitor. Robert Peltham is in trouble, but he wants Perry to protect the woman who came with him. But Perry can't know the name or even hear her voice! Perry agrees, subject to his conditions, and the couple leaves (Chapter I). In Chapter II an elderly but dynamic woman visits Perry about a trust fund and an illegal adoption. Mrs. A.E. Tump explains a complicated situation. She doesn't like Albert Tidings as the trustee for Byrl Gailord's fortune. Chapter III begins with the newspaper report of mismanagement at a hospital; Albert Tidings is one of the trustees. The coded personal ad tells Perry he can represent Byrl Gailord. When Perry and Paul Drake go to interview Mrs. Tidings at her home they find a dead body. They call Homicide, then Mrs. Tidings returns.

Mrs. Tump and Byrl Gailord visit Perry Mason, who tells them Albert Tidings was murdered. Sergeant Holcomb shows up and begins to question Mrs. Tump and Gailord about their business with Albert Tidings, and their alibis. Carl Mattern, Albert Tidings' secretary, tells Perry Mason that Mr. Tidings sold $50,000 worth of stock to buy shares in an unlisted prospecting company around noontime (Chapter V). Perry learns that Robert Peltham skipped out; the police went to question him as he co-signed the checks with Albert Tidings. The investigation continues on the other people involved. Would the death of a trustee negate a sale? Perry deduces the events from the facts about Tidings' body - no shoes. This connects to Perry's mysterious client. Perry then follows the woman who replied to his blind ad, but she notices her shadows. Adelle Hastings won't answer Perry's questions (Chapter VI). Perry pulls a slick stunt with a purse!

The investigation continues with the questioning of the bookkeeper, and we learn more about the case (Chapter VII). Perry goes to Peltham's apartment, borrows his car, then plants a bloody coat with a bullet hole in it (Chapter VIII)! Perry visits Mattern to learn of his whereabouts that Tuesday; he has a perfect alibi (Chapter IX). But Perry's questions drag out the truth. Now Perry deduces the identity of that mysterious woman and goes to question her. The interview ends when the police arrive to take her into custody (Chapter X). Next Perry goes to interview another person who was involved in this case (Chapter XI). Perry's stunt with Peltham's coat and car reels him in. But Paul Drake calls Perry to warn of a double cross; Sgt. Holcomb arrives to bring in Perry so the D.A. can question him! D.A. Hamilton Berger accuses Perry of criminal conspiracy and being an accessory after the fact to Tidings' murder (Chapter XIII)! Perry uses his limited time to question the bookkeeper again (Chapter XIV). In the last chapter Perry explains the overlooked clue to Sgt. Holcomb, and how it is tied in with the known facts. The newspaper features the bookkeeper's confession. Perry skated on thin ice and almost fell in. This is another story that you can't put down.

The Case of the Beautiful Beggar
A young woman has just returned from a 3-month vacation cruise in Hawaii. Daphne Shelby has a letter from her Uncle Horace ordering her to met Perry Mason immediately to draft a new will. Uncle Horace's stepbrother, his wife, and a friend came for an extended stay. During Daphne's absence they had Uncle Horace declared incompetent and put in a nursing home. Stepbrother Borden was now in charge of the Shelby fortune, and Daphne was ordered out of the only home she ever knew! The check given to Daphne is for a closed account. There is a suspicion that Borden's wife Elinor has drugged Uncle Horace to make him senile. Perry Mason files a paper to question the court judgment. The bank manager is ready to testify that Horace was competent, and Daphne has a good business head. But Borden Shelby reveals a surprise about Daphne that could prevent her suit. The court appointed a psychiatrist to settle the question. But Uncle Horace disappears!

Soon a dead body turns up. Daphne is suspected of murdering her uncle for the inheritance. But the body turns out to be Borden's friend! Perry placed investigators on all the people, and learns the facts needed to clear his client, and discover where Uncle Horace was hiding. The final scenes in the Preliminary Hearing clears up the mysteries. Another long suppressed scandal is the source of these problems. This is another roller-coaster ride of a story designed to keep your interest until its surprising conclusion.

The 'Foreword' is dedicated to Mitsuo Yokoyama M.D., Ph.D., and the other Japanese hematologists who are a the forefront of research. They can "classify approximately forty blood group systems, seventy blood group factors, and more than 100,000,000,000 theoretically genotypes".

Gwynn Elston visits Perry Mason because she thinks her best friend's husband tried to poison her! Gwynn has been staying with Nell and Felting Grimes while she works selling books to families. One customer had a picture of her husband, who looked like Felting Grimes. That night Felting started asking her questions about her work. Later Gwynn tasted something bitter in the drink Felting gave her. Tonight Gwynn must return for her business meeting. Perry tells her what to do for her safety (Chapter 2). Later Gwynn calls to report that nothing happened (Chapter 3). The next day Gwynn tells of the strange event that happened, and how she was given a pistol (Chapter 4)! When she went to revisit that location, she found Felting Grimes dead, and that delayed her return to Perry. Perry Mason telephones Lt. Tragg to report the dead body. Lt. Tragg's quick actions finds the likely suspect (Chapter 6). Perry warns Gwynn to say nothing while in custody until Perry can find out about the situation.

Perry and Della go to visit Nell Grimes, Felting is away on business. Nell knows little about her husband's business. But news on the radio tells the police found a body and identified it. Perry's interview is quickly ended. Perry visits the murder scene to watch the police find a pistol. Gwynn's story about giving a strange man a lift is verified. If the father of Felting Grimes died the day before would that be just a coincidence?

Perry and Della visit the mountain town to inquire about Gorman Gillet, recently deceased (Chapter 10). Perry took fingerprints, and got a hit from the FBI. Now a new person could be a suspect (Chapter 11). Perry is able to get his fingerprints, but they do not match a known person. There are other complications and difficulties for Perry. Gwynn is in trouble as she started talking to the police without her lawyer. The missing witness shows up, confirms Gwynn's story, but can implicate her.

The Preliminary Hearing looks bad for Gwynn until Perry examines a hostile witness; the testimony reveals surprising facts that cast doubt about the prosecution's case. A prosecution witness is recalled and the mystery is solved in Chapter 15. [There is no comment on the unconventional household of the Grimes. Some items of everyday life then are noticeably out of date. Note the plug for the magazine that paid well for Gardner's stories.]

A contractor is getting grief from building inspectors on a very important job. He is advised to consult with a "public relations expert" (who quotes a price to fix the problems). As Ansley leaves the estate, he has a narrow escape from an accident; the other car overturns. Ansley sees a young woman, who calls for help and a ride home to her apartment. But something worries him. He calls on Perry Mason for advice. When Perry checks up, he finds this woman used a false identity; and her car was stolen. The next day the "public relations expert" is found murdered; the gun that did is found in Ansley's car. Perry Mason and Paul Drake must quickly investigate to uncover the facts. They track down the woman from the fake address (using a real person's identity can provide a clue to the imposter). An undeveloped negative of the model is found in the murdered man's camera (is it proof she was the last person to see him alive?).

Using the facts uncovered by the investigation Perry Mason gets the charges against Ansley dropped at the preliminary hearing. The model is arrested for the murder; she worked at the store where the murder weapon was stolen. But she hires Perry Mason as her advocate, and Perry Mason gets the charges dropped again! By now the facts develop to point to the real killer. The remarks of Lieutenant Tragg on driving to avoid accidents are still valuable.

If you can only read one Perry Mason mystery, this provides a good example of Erle Stanley Gardner's stories. This book is dedicated to a professor of law who is also a doctor of medicine; he once represented a man convicted of murder on circumstantial evidence. The professor found new evidence that caused the state Supreme Court to reverse the death sentence.

The Case of the Daring Decoy

The 'Foreword' is dedicated to Merton M. Minter, M.D., a Diplomat of the American Board of Internal Medicine. Dr. Minter devotes his 'spare time' to study the problem of evidence, of law enforcement, and the part of the citizen in co-operating with various law enforcement agencies.

The story opens with a proxy fight to gain control of an Oil Exploration Company. Should a company distribute profits, or invest them for greater profits in the future? The CEO gets a phone call that promises him confidential information about his rival's proxies. Conway must go to a room in a hotel for this document. When he enters, a half-dresses woman acts surprised, and waves a gun at him. Conway disarms her, and leaves; he finds one bullet discharged. Thinking this was a set-up to entrap him, he consults Perry Mason. Mason & Drake return to the room to find the body of a young woman - different person from earlier! Now they must work fast to investigate these strange events, and clear Mason's client. Mason's clients are never really guilty; that's the rule of this series. Also, the real killer is revealed only in the last pages, even if others seem culpable of something.

Examining stomach contents can time the death once they know when the victim ate their last meal. The position after time of death is indicated by lividity. It takes time for lividity to be established. The fatal bullet can be traced to the pistol, if the latter can be found. This book uses these and other facts to create a puzzling mystery that will entertain you until the last page. Circumstantial evidence is the best evidence, but it can be misinterpreted. If salad, turkey, potatoes, and peas are in the victim's stomach, but they only ordered the first three items, how to account for this discrepancy? The plot takes precedence over character development (which is implicit for adults); this keeps the story moving along. The money figures are many decades out of date.