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Perry Mason #43
The Case of the Fugitive Nurse
Death And Taxes... And Murder?
The affairs of her husband -- financial and otherwise -- are what concern Steffanie Malden. The young and stunning bride of a prominent physician killed in a private plane crash, the widow Malden stands to inherit more than just a sizable estate. Unfortunately, she's also the unwilling heir to an IRS investigation. It appears that the deceased was squirreling away a king's ransom in undeclared cash -- with the able assistance of his head nurse and secret paramour, Gladys Foss.
Mrs. Malden wants Mason to flush out Miss Foss and recover the AWOL income -- without trouble from the taxman. But when she's suddenly charged with engineering her husband's death, the matter turns from the monetary to the murderous. Stuck in the middle, Mason must match wits with both sides of the law, to find out just who got the doctor slaughtered....
The Perry Mason Novels
Criminal lawyer and all-time #1 mystery author Erle Stanley Gardner wrote close to 150 novels that have sold 300 million copies worldwide. Today, the great Gardner tradition continues with many of his classics back in print, as well as brand-new additions to the ever-popular series starring the incomparable Perry Mason.
The affairs of her husband -- financial and otherwise -- are what concern Steffanie Malden. The young and stunning bride of a prominent physician killed in a private plane crash, the widow Malden stands to inherit more than just a sizable estate. Unfortunately, she's also the unwilling heir to an IRS investigation. It appears that the deceased was squirreling away a king's ransom in undeclared cash -- with the able assistance of his head nurse and secret paramour, Gladys Foss.
Mrs. Malden wants Mason to flush out Miss Foss and recover the AWOL income -- without trouble from the taxman. But when she's suddenly charged with engineering her husband's death, the matter turns from the monetary to the murderous. Stuck in the middle, Mason must match wits with both sides of the law, to find out just who got the doctor slaughtered....
The Perry Mason Novels
Criminal lawyer and all-time #1 mystery author Erle Stanley Gardner wrote close to 150 novels that have sold 300 million copies worldwide. Today, the great Gardner tradition continues with many of his classics back in print, as well as brand-new additions to the ever-popular series starring the incomparable Perry Mason.
229 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1954
128 people are currently reading
405 people want to read
About the author
Erle Stanley Gardner
1,353 books819 followersErle Stanley Gardner was an American lawyer and author of detective stories who also published under the pseudonyms A.A. Fair, Kyle Corning, Charles M. Green, Carleton Kendrake, Charles J. Kenny, Les Tillray, and Robert Parr.
Innovative and restless in his nature, he was bored by the routine of legal practice, the only part of which he enjoyed was trial work and the development of trial strategy. In his spare time, he began to write for pulp magazines, which also fostered the early careers of Dashiell Hammett and Raymond Chandler. He created many different series characters for the pulps, including the ingenious Lester Leith, a "gentleman thief" in the tradition of Raffles, and Ken Corning, a crusading lawyer who was the archetype of his most successful creation, the fictional lawyer and crime-solver Perry Mason, about whom he wrote more than eighty novels. With the success of Perry Mason, he gradually reduced his contributions to the pulp magazines, eventually withdrawing from the medium entirely, except for non-fiction articles on travel, Western history, and forensic science.
See more at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erle_Sta...
Innovative and restless in his nature, he was bored by the routine of legal practice, the only part of which he enjoyed was trial work and the development of trial strategy. In his spare time, he began to write for pulp magazines, which also fostered the early careers of Dashiell Hammett and Raymond Chandler. He created many different series characters for the pulps, including the ingenious Lester Leith, a "gentleman thief" in the tradition of Raffles, and Ken Corning, a crusading lawyer who was the archetype of his most successful creation, the fictional lawyer and crime-solver Perry Mason, about whom he wrote more than eighty novels. With the success of Perry Mason, he gradually reduced his contributions to the pulp magazines, eventually withdrawing from the medium entirely, except for non-fiction articles on travel, Western history, and forensic science.
See more at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erle_Sta...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 68 reviews
April 1, 2024
In the Case of the Fugitive Nurse, Perry Mason takes on Steffanie Malden as a client because she is concerned that her physician husband, who has just been reported killed in a plane crash, has failed to report considerable cash receipts from patients, and since they file a joint return, she may be liable for taxes and penalties. Mason and Paul Drake investigate and learn Dr. Malden had maintained a luxury apartment, apparently with his nurse, Gladys Foss. Possible tax liability soon becomes a murder charge against Mrs. Malden. Mason comes to believe that Dr. Malden was not the person killed in the plane crash, leading to two questions: who was the burned body identified as Dr. Malden, and if that was not Dr. Malden, where is he and Nurse Foss?
This novel, first published in 1954, has not aged well (as most other Erle Stanley Gardner books have done). There is a lot of useless dialogue. Yes, the Perry Mason novels do involve much legal wrangling, but in this book, it is excessive and does not add to the story. Secondly, the plot twists (usual for a Perry Mason story) seemed contrived, and Gardner must bring in an important character in the closing pages to tie everything together.
I watched this episode on Amazon Prime after I finished reading the book, and I have to say the fifty-minute TV story was far superior. For these reasons, I reluctantly assign only two stars to this book.
This novel, first published in 1954, has not aged well (as most other Erle Stanley Gardner books have done). There is a lot of useless dialogue. Yes, the Perry Mason novels do involve much legal wrangling, but in this book, it is excessive and does not add to the story. Secondly, the plot twists (usual for a Perry Mason story) seemed contrived, and Gardner must bring in an important character in the closing pages to tie everything together.
I watched this episode on Amazon Prime after I finished reading the book, and I have to say the fifty-minute TV story was far superior. For these reasons, I reluctantly assign only two stars to this book.
January 22, 2021
I've been reading Gardner's Perry Mason books off and on for many years. Those who are used to really fine mystery writers may find Gardner's writing style a bit stiff and mechanical. Nonetheless, I still love the general setting: the characters of Perry, Della, Paul, Lt. Tragg, and Hamilton Berger. That, and the ingenious plots, are why I read Perry Mason.
On the whole, the ones written by 1950 are the best. This is number 43 in the series and was written in 1954. By that time, the books no longer had the film-noir feel of the earliest, as that had gone out of style, but they were more carefully crafted and better written than those of a decade later when they became dry and formulaic. This book starts slowly, having too much long winded dialog, but the pace picks up notably about 40% in.
Steffanie Malden comes in to consult Perry. She is the young attractive bride of a prominent successful physician who was just killed in a private plane crash, named Dr. Summerfield Malden. Malden was the pilot and lone occupant. The body is charred beyond recognition. Sad, but why does she need a criminal lawyer? She thinks her husband was stashing away a great deal of cash taken in payment from his patients. She is afraid the IRS is onto this. She also thinks his head nurse, equally young and attractive, has some of the money. Not only that, but it looks like Dr. Malden rented an apartment as a "love nest".
The nurse, Gladys Foss, disappears. (Hence "fugitive nurse".) The complications mount up. The police have evidence that the plane crash was not an accident. Before long, Steffanie is arrested for murder. A major character is introduced at the 40% point, Darwin Kirby. He is an old friend of Dr. Malden from their days in the War who is also a pilot. He had not seen Malden in years. Quite unusually, at the 68% point a major subplot is introduced with his wife, Millicent.
This is another of the Perry Mason stories that wouldn't happen in today's world. How many patients these days pay their doctors in cash (other than a copay)? As a child in the 1960s, I can say that that was fairly common then. An entire bill would be paid in cash. Most people didn't have insurance and medical costs were a much smaller percentage of a family's budget. Secondly, today's DNA technology would cut short some of the arguments in this book.
I anticipated a major plot twist early on. However, I think Gardner planned that. There is more to come....
There is almost too much court room cross-examination. First, at a preliminary hearing with an assitant DA, then later with Hamilton Burger. Both excellent. Very confrontational with Burger! It gets physical! One of the most amazing and pulse-pounding conclusions of any trial in the PM canon.
Slow to get going, with repititious dialog. But it picks up later.
The courtroom climax is unusual because it doesn't really explain everything. In fact, part of the scenario Mason sketches is not correct. But it is more than enough to drive Hamilton Buger crazy. I was actually feeling sorry for Burger in this one.
Recurring themes: Mason in some jeopardy for suspected illegal activities. Sharp successful business woman.
Holcomb is in it and is used well but briefly. No Tragg. Hamilton Burger very prominent! The courtroom scenes are very good. The basic idea is very clever.
The cast:
Steffanie Malden, recent widow of noted doctor
Dr. Summerfield Malden, who just recently died in a firey plane crash.
Gladys Foss, head nurse and paramour of Dr. Malden.
Ramon Castella, handyman and chauffeur for Dr. Malden.
Ray Spangler, reformed bookie, knew Gladys Foss.
Darwin Kirby, old friend of Dr. Malden from their time in the war, who suddenly reappears.
Edna Colebrook, witness who happens to run into Perry at the wrong time.
Mrs. Charlotte Boomer, rich elderly aunt of Darwin Kirby. Wheelchair bound yet still active.
Millicent Kirby, wife of Darwin, embittered successful businesswoman.
Definitely recommended. The interractions with Burger are not to be missed!
On the whole, the ones written by 1950 are the best. This is number 43 in the series and was written in 1954. By that time, the books no longer had the film-noir feel of the earliest, as that had gone out of style, but they were more carefully crafted and better written than those of a decade later when they became dry and formulaic. This book starts slowly, having too much long winded dialog, but the pace picks up notably about 40% in.
Steffanie Malden comes in to consult Perry. She is the young attractive bride of a prominent successful physician who was just killed in a private plane crash, named Dr. Summerfield Malden. Malden was the pilot and lone occupant. The body is charred beyond recognition. Sad, but why does she need a criminal lawyer? She thinks her husband was stashing away a great deal of cash taken in payment from his patients. She is afraid the IRS is onto this. She also thinks his head nurse, equally young and attractive, has some of the money. Not only that, but it looks like Dr. Malden rented an apartment as a "love nest".
The nurse, Gladys Foss, disappears. (Hence "fugitive nurse".) The complications mount up. The police have evidence that the plane crash was not an accident. Before long, Steffanie is arrested for murder. A major character is introduced at the 40% point, Darwin Kirby. He is an old friend of Dr. Malden from their days in the War who is also a pilot. He had not seen Malden in years. Quite unusually, at the 68% point a major subplot is introduced with his wife, Millicent.
This is another of the Perry Mason stories that wouldn't happen in today's world. How many patients these days pay their doctors in cash (other than a copay)? As a child in the 1960s, I can say that that was fairly common then. An entire bill would be paid in cash. Most people didn't have insurance and medical costs were a much smaller percentage of a family's budget. Secondly, today's DNA technology would cut short some of the arguments in this book.
I anticipated a major plot twist early on. However, I think Gardner planned that. There is more to come....
There is almost too much court room cross-examination. First, at a preliminary hearing with an assitant DA, then later with Hamilton Burger. Both excellent. Very confrontational with Burger! It gets physical! One of the most amazing and pulse-pounding conclusions of any trial in the PM canon.
Slow to get going, with repititious dialog. But it picks up later.
The courtroom climax is unusual because it doesn't really explain everything. In fact, part of the scenario Mason sketches is not correct. But it is more than enough to drive Hamilton Buger crazy. I was actually feeling sorry for Burger in this one.
Recurring themes: Mason in some jeopardy for suspected illegal activities. Sharp successful business woman.
Holcomb is in it and is used well but briefly. No Tragg. Hamilton Burger very prominent! The courtroom scenes are very good. The basic idea is very clever.
The cast:
Steffanie Malden, recent widow of noted doctor
Dr. Summerfield Malden, who just recently died in a firey plane crash.
Gladys Foss, head nurse and paramour of Dr. Malden.
Ramon Castella, handyman and chauffeur for Dr. Malden.
Ray Spangler, reformed bookie, knew Gladys Foss.
Darwin Kirby, old friend of Dr. Malden from their time in the war, who suddenly reappears.
Edna Colebrook, witness who happens to run into Perry at the wrong time.
Mrs. Charlotte Boomer, rich elderly aunt of Darwin Kirby. Wheelchair bound yet still active.
Millicent Kirby, wife of Darwin, embittered successful businesswoman.
Definitely recommended. The interractions with Burger are not to be missed!
October 13, 2017
The plus is definitely the double court room scenes. One is a pleasure, two is a whammy!
The negative is the too fortitious, abrupt, convenient end. It was too sudden and needed a long explanation to tie it well up with the rest of the book.
Interesting premise but, something amiss here.
The negative is the too fortitious, abrupt, convenient end. It was too sudden and needed a long explanation to tie it well up with the rest of the book.
Interesting premise but, something amiss here.
February 18, 2023
This was on the Perry Mason television series under the title, "The Case of the Vanishing Victim."
This is a good story, with two courtroom scenes and a confession in the judge's chambers.
💥 Recommended.
📺
This is a good story, with two courtroom scenes and a confession in the judge's chambers.
💥 Recommended.
📺
November 5, 2023
A little convenient with the solve at the end and the courtroom part was not as intriguing as the first half for a change.
July 8, 2021
The Perry Mason novels by Erle Stanley Gardner follow a basic formula. An unusual client comes in and presents a case that is clearly not what they claim. Intrigued, Mason agrees to take the case and suddenly unusual twists pop out everywhere. Mason is suddenly in a bind with the law and his old foe Hamilton Burger is out to even the score, willing to stretch the prosecutorial bounds if necessary. The case then reaches the point where there is apparently an impossible dead end. However, as only Gardner can, he has Mason dig out the truth and the guilty parties are all identified.
In this case, the client is the wife of a very successful physician that has supposedly recently died in a plane crash. She suspects her husband of siphoning off revenues from his practice and the IRS also has their suspicions. She hires Mason to find what she thinks is $100,000 in missing money.
Yet, almost immediately, it is clear that the client has set Mason up. There is an opened and empty safe, the head nurse for the doctor that is also the keeper of the books is also missing and a mysterious best friend of the doctor of unknown whereabouts.
The only flaw in the plot is that the police and the prosecutor act like fools, never even trying to determine if the corpse in the plane is in fact the missing doctor. One of the key witnesses vanishes from under the supervision of the police and through it all Mason’s arch-foe Hamilton Burger fumes and arrogantly postures.
It is a good story, one that keeps you gripped through the last pages as the scenario has been laid for what is the climactic courtroom scene where Mason lays it all down in logical sequence.
In this case, the client is the wife of a very successful physician that has supposedly recently died in a plane crash. She suspects her husband of siphoning off revenues from his practice and the IRS also has their suspicions. She hires Mason to find what she thinks is $100,000 in missing money.
Yet, almost immediately, it is clear that the client has set Mason up. There is an opened and empty safe, the head nurse for the doctor that is also the keeper of the books is also missing and a mysterious best friend of the doctor of unknown whereabouts.
The only flaw in the plot is that the police and the prosecutor act like fools, never even trying to determine if the corpse in the plane is in fact the missing doctor. One of the key witnesses vanishes from under the supervision of the police and through it all Mason’s arch-foe Hamilton Burger fumes and arrogantly postures.
It is a good story, one that keeps you gripped through the last pages as the scenario has been laid for what is the climactic courtroom scene where Mason lays it all down in logical sequence.
September 25, 2017
A body is found in a burnt out plane, could it be a Dr who has gone missing? Entertaining.
September 7, 2021
A Book That's Filled With Mischief
E. S. G. certainly outdid his editing with this story. The plot thickened and everything fell into play. The courtroom drama was enough to cause anyone great stress but the humor provoked was right in time and side editing funny.
E. S. G. certainly outdid his editing with this story. The plot thickened and everything fell into play. The courtroom drama was enough to cause anyone great stress but the humor provoked was right in time and side editing funny.
August 19, 2025
Renowned physician Dr. Summerfield Malden, dies tragically in an accident while flying his private aircraft to attend a medical convention in Salt Lake City. His charred remains are found. Steffanie Malden, the striking young widow, seeks Perry Mason's help to manage her affairs, settle her substantial estate, and protect her interests. She tells Mason that her spouse was experiencing issues with income tax authorities about unreported cash income, and that she would be subject to fines and taxes because they filed a joint return. Gladys Foss, the head nurse in Dr. Summerfield’s office, also served as his confidential secretary, mistress, right hand, bookkeeper, and office manager. Mrs. Malden instructs Mason to locate Foss and recover the undeclared cash without any trouble from the tax authorities. However, what initially appears as a routine legal matter takes a sinister turn when evidence suggests foul play. Dr. Malden's death was no accident but a meticulously planned murder, implicating Steffanie as the prime suspect. This tale has a complex storyline and is not as good as some of the other books in the series. The ending feels rushed and convoluted. Yet, it's the electrifying courtroom showdown between Mason and District Attorney Hamilton Burger that salvages the narrative, elevating it to a level of acceptance, if not excellence. JUST ENOUGH.
October 31, 2023
Erle Stanley Gardner (1889-1970) is a prolific American author best known for his works centered on the lawyer-detective Perry Mason. As with many of my generation, I grew up watching the TV series with Raymond Burr as Mason and with Barbara Hale playing the role of Della Street, his confidential secretary. The hugely popular Perry Mason television series aired for nine years and 271 episodes. “The Case of the Fugitive Nurse” is the 43rd installment in this series and a solid 4 star ~ one of Gardner's best!
Here, Mason again takes on a client he does not particularly like, and who almost ruins his career, even before the murder charge arises. The Perry Mason stories are quick, entertaining reads. Gardner is a delightful story teller and creates interesting characters and situations. As with the old TV series, they keep you guessing – sometimes you get it & sometimes you don’t! Gardner supplies a lot of twists and turns which builds to the unexpected solution. If you have not read any of these books, give them a try.
Here, Mason again takes on a client he does not particularly like, and who almost ruins his career, even before the murder charge arises. The Perry Mason stories are quick, entertaining reads. Gardner is a delightful story teller and creates interesting characters and situations. As with the old TV series, they keep you guessing – sometimes you get it & sometimes you don’t! Gardner supplies a lot of twists and turns which builds to the unexpected solution. If you have not read any of these books, give them a try.
July 26, 2025
On this book:
A widow? An absconding nurse? A charred corpse? Is it even murder? How will Perry Mason find his way to the truth this time and will he beat Hamilton Burger to the punch, again?
A more than usually exiting Perry Mason, as one tries to fit all the puzzle pieces into a convincing picture, whilst enjoying the perennial animosity between the DA’s office and Mason, the sleuthing and deviously hopeless clients… And, what for me earned the extra star, the plot was tight, with a solution that worked and a convincing backstory as to character and motive.
General thoughts on the series:
If one is to read more than one or two books out of a series, there are certain qualities that must remain constant. There needs to be consistency in style, in character portrayal, in the moral or intellectual thrust, one reads a series exactly for its familiarity; and in that Erle Stanley Gardner is master.
His characters are all distinct individuals, frozen within the decades long string of books in which they appear, in their strengths, flaws and quirks. They have a very excellent interlocking dynamic which is a joy to experience over and over again in every book, even as the relationships slowly evolve and strengthen.
Perry Mason, ethical, stubborn, risk taking lawyer, Della Street, his faithful, loving secretary, Paul Drake, excellent detective, hard working, languid, unimaginative and limited, all these, with various equally lovable side characters, make a fantastic team; and the opposition, the cops, the lawyers, the criminals and obviously the clients, create drama and set up.
In all the books there is also the underlying educational thrust. Erle Stanley Gardner always has a new bit of science to explain and exhibit or an intricate piece of law or the legal rights of individuals to explain to his audience, something which at this distance in time can be overlooked as we have all received quite an education in all these things through TV and other popular books.
Still, there is always something intellectually stimulating, whether it is the puzzle of the mystery, or the interesting intricacies of the law and the havoc that can be created, and for me that and the series consistency is what makes them so enduringly enjoyable. Even a bad Perry Mason has something to offer and a good one is an absolute delight.
A widow? An absconding nurse? A charred corpse? Is it even murder? How will Perry Mason find his way to the truth this time and will he beat Hamilton Burger to the punch, again?
A more than usually exiting Perry Mason, as one tries to fit all the puzzle pieces into a convincing picture, whilst enjoying the perennial animosity between the DA’s office and Mason, the sleuthing and deviously hopeless clients… And, what for me earned the extra star, the plot was tight, with a solution that worked and a convincing backstory as to character and motive.
General thoughts on the series:
If one is to read more than one or two books out of a series, there are certain qualities that must remain constant. There needs to be consistency in style, in character portrayal, in the moral or intellectual thrust, one reads a series exactly for its familiarity; and in that Erle Stanley Gardner is master.
His characters are all distinct individuals, frozen within the decades long string of books in which they appear, in their strengths, flaws and quirks. They have a very excellent interlocking dynamic which is a joy to experience over and over again in every book, even as the relationships slowly evolve and strengthen.
Perry Mason, ethical, stubborn, risk taking lawyer, Della Street, his faithful, loving secretary, Paul Drake, excellent detective, hard working, languid, unimaginative and limited, all these, with various equally lovable side characters, make a fantastic team; and the opposition, the cops, the lawyers, the criminals and obviously the clients, create drama and set up.
In all the books there is also the underlying educational thrust. Erle Stanley Gardner always has a new bit of science to explain and exhibit or an intricate piece of law or the legal rights of individuals to explain to his audience, something which at this distance in time can be overlooked as we have all received quite an education in all these things through TV and other popular books.
Still, there is always something intellectually stimulating, whether it is the puzzle of the mystery, or the interesting intricacies of the law and the havoc that can be created, and for me that and the series consistency is what makes them so enduringly enjoyable. Even a bad Perry Mason has something to offer and a good one is an absolute delight.
September 29, 2023
Bir gün Stephanie Madden adlı bir kadın Mason'a gelir ve yardım ister. Meşhur bir doktor olan kocası bir gün önce bir uçak kazasında ölmüştür. Maliye, vergi kaçırdığı şüphesi ile peşindedir. Ayrıca kocasının, iş yerinde kıdemli hemşire olan Gladys Foss adlı bir kadınla ilişkisi olduğunu düşünmektedir. Vergisiz 100 bin dolar bir paranın Dixieland apartmanında Charles Amboy adına kiralanmış bir dairede bir kasada olduğunu düşünür. Kendisi takip edildiği için bu evi araştırma işini Mason'a ister. Della ile eve giden Mason evde bir kasayı açık bulur. 90 bin dolar eksiktir. Çıkarken de bir kadın tarafından görülür. Ama bayan Madden onun parayı aldığını zanneder. Araştırmaları ilerleten Mason, R gün Gladys Foss ile karşılaşır. Foss, ona zimmetine para geçirdiğini ve bu para ile at yarışı oynadığını söyler. Ayrıca bayan Madden'ın da şöför Castella ile ilişkisi olduğunu söyler. Bahisçi Ray ile görüşen Mason kadının para kaybetmediğini, aksine kazandığını öğrenir. Hamilton Burger ile papaz olur ama ilk davaya Hurley adlı bir savcı bakar. Bu davada uçaktaki cesedin Madden olmadığını, yakın arkadaşı Darwin Kirby olabileceğini iddia eder. Yargıç bayan Madden'ın serbest bırakır. Ancak sonrasında başka bir eyalette Darwin'i bulmasına rağmen onu Hamilton Burger'a kaptırır. Kimse ile görüşmesine izin vermez. Ceset Darwin değilse ve doktor da değilse kimindir? İkinci davada Hamilton Burger bizzat olayı üstlenir. Mason suçlanır. Ancak bu sefer de Darwin'i ziyarete gelen teyzesinin kim olduğu merak konusudur. Ayrıca Castella'nın uçağa koyduğu cep şişesindeki uyuşturucu kimin içindir? Ceset kimdir? Bu olayı kim planlamıştır? Mason müvekkilini kurtarabilecek midir? Gladys bir daha görünecek midir? Keyifle okunan bir roman.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 17, 2022
The one standout quality of most Perry Mason books is that no matter how many one has read, the core plot of each case is quite different from the other books(with a few exceptions, of course). This book also felt like having a fresh storyline, albeit a weak one.
As usual, the story flowed at a rapid pace and there were multiple court scenes as well. One point that stood out a bit was the excessive discussion of legal technicalities a couple of times in the book. Yet another issue was the rushed ending, with the entire story building up to a grandstand finish only to be finished off way too fast for my taste.
As an aside, I have always wondered how people confidently identify someone when asked for in the court, and there was an interesting observation regarding the same in the book. The presence of camera-enabled smartphones has certainly made positive identification much less of a hassle now compared to 70 years prior.
As usual, the story flowed at a rapid pace and there were multiple court scenes as well. One point that stood out a bit was the excessive discussion of legal technicalities a couple of times in the book. Yet another issue was the rushed ending, with the entire story building up to a grandstand finish only to be finished off way too fast for my taste.
As an aside, I have always wondered how people confidently identify someone when asked for in the court, and there was an interesting observation regarding the same in the book. The presence of camera-enabled smartphones has certainly made positive identification much less of a hassle now compared to 70 years prior.
February 19, 2021
Yes; I know. Another Earle Stanley Gardner Parry Mason novel. But in my defense, they can be quite enlightening in reading, if not for anything else but the actions and cultural oddities of the 40's, 50's, and 60's. And, lot's of times, they're just damn good classic 'whodunits.'
They're about a billion Perry Mason novels. Some of the absolutely great. Some good. Some just fair. And some abysmally and infinitely forgettable. This one I would grade in the 'good' range. The plot is a bit twisted. People are double-crossing each other. And somehow Mason has the money to hire as many detectives as he wants from the Paul Drake Agency to track down all the leads. And, in this one, a crackling amount of court room action.
Not bad. Not bad at all.
They're about a billion Perry Mason novels. Some of the absolutely great. Some good. Some just fair. And some abysmally and infinitely forgettable. This one I would grade in the 'good' range. The plot is a bit twisted. People are double-crossing each other. And somehow Mason has the money to hire as many detectives as he wants from the Paul Drake Agency to track down all the leads. And, in this one, a crackling amount of court room action.
Not bad. Not bad at all.
June 11, 2024
the time when Hawaii was a tropical paradise
And you could live on next to nothing. An ambitious, hard working physician, with only years left to live and with both a gold digging, snooping wife AND an attractive nurse. An airplane pilot husband who is living the good life in Hawaii with a lovely washing and a hard working wife stateside. The doctor disappears and a charred body is found in his plane, crash landed in the desert. Add in the chaffeur/pilot who is also in the drug trade. And don’t forget the lovely nurse is playing the ponies with money embezzled from the doctor’s cash accounts. And the crippled maiden aunt. They all add up to an exciting courtroom denouement!
And you could live on next to nothing. An ambitious, hard working physician, with only years left to live and with both a gold digging, snooping wife AND an attractive nurse. An airplane pilot husband who is living the good life in Hawaii with a lovely washing and a hard working wife stateside. The doctor disappears and a charred body is found in his plane, crash landed in the desert. Add in the chaffeur/pilot who is also in the drug trade. And don’t forget the lovely nurse is playing the ponies with money embezzled from the doctor’s cash accounts. And the crippled maiden aunt. They all add up to an exciting courtroom denouement!
December 10, 2019
Perry Mason rarely disappoints. The case of the fugitive nurse is a racy book, with twists and turns, pretty women, detectives following them, courtroom drama, his adversary Hamilton Burger- the district attorney, Della Street- Mason's confidential but less than platonic secretary and Paul Drake - the private investigator who appears to work round the clock. As to the contrived plots, it is always a race to the bottom between Agatha Christie and Erle Stanley Gardner. Gardner wins it, and has his legal expertise as an additional weapon.
Recommended for reading on an international flight or on a boring lonely afternoon.
Recommended for reading on an international flight or on a boring lonely afternoon.
April 28, 2020
See, there is no denying that Gardner was a brilliant plot-setter and a ‘criminal’ mastermind but somehow he always missed the ‘timeless’ magic like Agatha Christie, Conan Doyle or Chesterton. The reason can be attributed to various factors (arguably) starting from poor character design (Do you know how Mason actually looks like?), monotonous story telling from one single perspective, vilifying (always) the state and his rival, blah blah ...
But when you attempt the famous Perry Mason series, you must accept all this ‘agreements’ to proceed further. Likewise, this book is no exception from well known Perry Mason formula. Unlike most of the Mason mysteries, however, the story here centres around tax evasion instead of murder (Not so true actually but typing more will be a spoiler). So when Mason’s own client thinks that he is guarding a large sum of money in the form of cash for her to escape IRS and she admits that to the police, Mason himself falls in real trouble! The story as usually starts at a very slow pace and the way initial investigations take place will probably bore a reader more rather than engaging. The book actually becomes a page turner just after the first trial begins, around the middle of the tale. Then as you expect, Mason investigates further and boom – you know what happens at the end of the story!
The complaint I have for this particular novel is improper communication with the reader, which actually ruled out a ‘fair play mystery’ at the very first sighting of the characters. The investigation for the final trial is not at all mentioned, which makes the solution untidy and somewhat forced. A novel, which could be a very different Perry Mason tale for its the unique plot, was improperly judged in the hand of a great writer, who accidentally saw the emotional stress on his child at only one place of the entire ride. The first three paragraphs of chapter 14 thus truly deserves another read, if you don’t want to read about the fugitive nurse again ...
But when you attempt the famous Perry Mason series, you must accept all this ‘agreements’ to proceed further. Likewise, this book is no exception from well known Perry Mason formula. Unlike most of the Mason mysteries, however, the story here centres around tax evasion instead of murder (Not so true actually but typing more will be a spoiler). So when Mason’s own client thinks that he is guarding a large sum of money in the form of cash for her to escape IRS and she admits that to the police, Mason himself falls in real trouble! The story as usually starts at a very slow pace and the way initial investigations take place will probably bore a reader more rather than engaging. The book actually becomes a page turner just after the first trial begins, around the middle of the tale. Then as you expect, Mason investigates further and boom – you know what happens at the end of the story!
The complaint I have for this particular novel is improper communication with the reader, which actually ruled out a ‘fair play mystery’ at the very first sighting of the characters. The investigation for the final trial is not at all mentioned, which makes the solution untidy and somewhat forced. A novel, which could be a very different Perry Mason tale for its the unique plot, was improperly judged in the hand of a great writer, who accidentally saw the emotional stress on his child at only one place of the entire ride. The first three paragraphs of chapter 14 thus truly deserves another read, if you don’t want to read about the fugitive nurse again ...
March 11, 2024
Who Killed Whom?
When I was reading this, I wondered about the spelling of certain words, such as “kerb,” “aeroplane,” and “defence.” I finally realized that I was reading the British edition of the novel. Aside from the spelling and certain differences in vocabulary, the story still had the stamp of Erle Stanley Gardner, not that of Agatha Christie.
In most whodunnits, you know who the victim is; the only question is the identity of the killer. This one is different. Erle Stanley Gardner keeps you guessing. Will you figure it out?
When I was reading this, I wondered about the spelling of certain words, such as “kerb,” “aeroplane,” and “defence.” I finally realized that I was reading the British edition of the novel. Aside from the spelling and certain differences in vocabulary, the story still had the stamp of Erle Stanley Gardner, not that of Agatha Christie.
In most whodunnits, you know who the victim is; the only question is the identity of the killer. This one is different. Erle Stanley Gardner keeps you guessing. Will you figure it out?
April 2, 2018
This one was fun. Gardner evidently has some unique knowledge of certain things that he works into Parry Mason's cases. The bantering and baiting between Mason and Hamilton Burger is amusing. The characters are interesting if stereotypical. I thought I had a couple of things figured out, but I was not entirely on the right track. This is a good diversion and a nice reminiscence of the Perry Mason TV show.
September 5, 2019
It is interesting to read these both with an eye toward the historical period and the biographical details of the author.
Scheming wives trying to get their husbands money figure in often..as do secretaries who are faithful to their bosses. ( both of those fit the authors life.)
Also a drinking game..drink every time someone is offered a smoke or smoking is mentioned..Everyone smokes in a Perry Mason novel.
Scheming wives trying to get their husbands money figure in often..as do secretaries who are faithful to their bosses. ( both of those fit the authors life.)
Also a drinking game..drink every time someone is offered a smoke or smoking is mentioned..Everyone smokes in a Perry Mason novel.
November 1, 2024
Mason goes to bat for a doctor's widow whose late husband may have skimmed off $100K to hide it from the IRS. Hypercomplex plot with Mason perfectly happy to muddle the court with competing scenarios. The final scenario involves details the reader could not have generated in hindsight, which is below Gardner's usual standards. Still, there are some brilliant courtroom shenanigans, and Burger gets so mad that he nearly punches Perry out in front of reporters.
May 13, 2025
Spangler was a heavy-set individual, big-framed, with heavy muscles and heavy features. His cold blue eyes were deep-set, protected by the bony structure of a low forehead above and high cheekbones below. His lips were thick and he had tried to disguise the line of his mouth by growing a hairline mustache. The man evidently spent some time on his clothes and studying his personal appearance.
It was largely a waste of effort.
It was largely a waste of effort.
February 4, 2022
Gardner puts a lot of legal information in this one; I wonder whether this puts off some readers. Burger and Mason are more antagonistic toward each other than ever. The defendant’s story is untrustworthy as Mason notes in chapter one. The last chapter reveals a lot of information to solve the case. Fair play? Maybe. But not as satisfying as other Mason stories.
December 17, 2020
What makes a five star Perry Mason? In this case, he pisses off the DA SOOOOO bad. It's wonderful them yelling at each other in the courtroom. It has all the Perry Mason tropes going for it, but nothing to write home about, except for the back and forth with the DA, which is gold.
June 30, 2023
Really a 2.5. A preposterous setup and plan(s) carried out by the characters involved. A big part of this is revealed at the end as part of a looong explanation.
Meanwhile an early clues that is obvious to the reader is missed by Perry for most of the book.
Meanwhile an early clues that is obvious to the reader is missed by Perry for most of the book.
August 17, 2024
Tak tenhle díl byl skvělý. Líbilo se mi, že Perry využil metodu "já nemusím nic dokazovat, stačí, když zpochybním vaše tvrzení, dokazování je na vás". Baví mě, jak skvěle umí vytočit státní návladní, takže se přestanou ovládat a nahrají mu na smeč. Culila jsem se jako idiot.
November 7, 2024
Take Life a Bit slower
Nothing beats grabbing an old favorite and enjoying a little down time. Perry Mason mysteries are old familiar stories that are perfect after a long day of running around.
Nothing beats grabbing an old favorite and enjoying a little down time. Perry Mason mysteries are old familiar stories that are perfect after a long day of running around.
March 3, 2025
His writing is line-by-line perfection. This plot is tight and focused. He can make you believe anything about a suspect and then make you believe the opposite. Personally, I like being manipulated like this. Perry Mason's mysteries are textbook writing.
July 27, 2017
My Rating System:
* couldn't finish, ** wouldn't recommend, *** would recommend, **** would read again, ***** have read again.
* couldn't finish, ** wouldn't recommend, *** would recommend, **** would read again, ***** have read again.
May 21, 2018
Exciting and suspense-filled. Doesn't disappoint.
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