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Perry Mason #27
The Case of the Half-Wakened Wife
Widow Jane Keller is owner of an island in the middle of a river near Los Angeles. She is selling the island to millionaire Parker Benton, to build his new home. The island had an oil lease against it, which had apparently expired for non-payment. Promoter Scott Shelby tries to pay the back lease payments to reinstate the lease, but there is a legal question whether he can do so. Parker Benton would prefer to buy the island free and clear, so invites all the parties - including Perry Mason, representing Jane - for a cruise on his yacht to sit down and try to come to a friendly agreement.
Due to fog, the yacht anchors for the night. A commotion is heard, and a MAN OVERBOARD alarm is raised. A shot had been heard at the same time, and Scott's wife Marion Shelby is found holding a gun. Scott is missing and assumed the one overboard. A search fails to find his body. Mason is suspicious he staged the incident and is now running off with his girlfriend, real estate agent Ellen Cushing - leaving his wife suspected of his "murder". - RM
Due to fog, the yacht anchors for the night. A commotion is heard, and a MAN OVERBOARD alarm is raised. A shot had been heard at the same time, and Scott's wife Marion Shelby is found holding a gun. Scott is missing and assumed the one overboard. A search fails to find his body. Mason is suspicious he staged the incident and is now running off with his girlfriend, real estate agent Ellen Cushing - leaving his wife suspected of his "murder". - RM
245 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published March 1, 1945
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508 people want to read
About the author
Erle Stanley Gardner
1,370 books824 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 60 reviews
June 30, 2017
The Half-Wakened Wife is one of the better Perry Mason stories I’ve read over the years, and is from that period in the 1950s when Gardner's series was at its zenith. It has some particularly nice moments between Perry and Della that make it memorable. While the caveat of Gardner’s dialog, sometimes much too formal — having characters speak on paper as they never would in real life abounds — exists as always, it’s overcome by some nifty plotting, and those romantic moments between Perry and Della.
It all has to do with a woman named Jane who wants to sell an island and share the wealth with her sister Martha and Martha’s daughter, Marjorie. Oil rights to the island are in dispute because of some tricky business, however, and it may hold up the deal. Perry joins all the participants in the negotiations on a yachting outing designed to hash out the problem. When he hears a scream on the fog-shrouded night at sea, however, and a woman runs smack-dab into him holding a gun, it can’t be long before someone is charged with murder — even if they can’t find the participant who went overboard.
In some unusual twists, Perry and Paul get sued, and Perry gets fired by his own client, whom Paul Drake believes is absolutely guilty. What leads to the lawsuit is a wet blanket and shoes which prompts Perry to accuse someone, and end up with egg on his face — right in front of Tragg! As usual, the plot’s all a bit complicated, but in the end it all makes sense. Before we get there, we have one of the most romantic moments in the long-running series, as Della sits on the grass with Perry’s head in her lap, remaining awake beneath the stars while Perry sleeps. It’s a rare tender moment, but a second surprising one at the end reveals a wistfulness of the heart for the lawyer and his secretary. They are considering purchasing a property in Della’s name, for a day yet to come. Knowing what we do now, one has to wonder if this wasn’t a reflection of Gardner’s own life.
Only the unnatural formality of dialog in a few spots — especially a scene with Paul Drake rattling on and on from his bed while Perry and Della sit and listen — mar a terrific entry in the series. It’s a minor distraction from a great story and entry in the series. It adds a rather unfortunate sense of artificiality to the story that pulls us away from complete immersion. It’s a minor caveat, however, and I’m still giving this one five stars because it’s got so many good moments to offset the few less than stellar ones. A really great one in the series.
It all has to do with a woman named Jane who wants to sell an island and share the wealth with her sister Martha and Martha’s daughter, Marjorie. Oil rights to the island are in dispute because of some tricky business, however, and it may hold up the deal. Perry joins all the participants in the negotiations on a yachting outing designed to hash out the problem. When he hears a scream on the fog-shrouded night at sea, however, and a woman runs smack-dab into him holding a gun, it can’t be long before someone is charged with murder — even if they can’t find the participant who went overboard.
In some unusual twists, Perry and Paul get sued, and Perry gets fired by his own client, whom Paul Drake believes is absolutely guilty. What leads to the lawsuit is a wet blanket and shoes which prompts Perry to accuse someone, and end up with egg on his face — right in front of Tragg! As usual, the plot’s all a bit complicated, but in the end it all makes sense. Before we get there, we have one of the most romantic moments in the long-running series, as Della sits on the grass with Perry’s head in her lap, remaining awake beneath the stars while Perry sleeps. It’s a rare tender moment, but a second surprising one at the end reveals a wistfulness of the heart for the lawyer and his secretary. They are considering purchasing a property in Della’s name, for a day yet to come. Knowing what we do now, one has to wonder if this wasn’t a reflection of Gardner’s own life.
Only the unnatural formality of dialog in a few spots — especially a scene with Paul Drake rattling on and on from his bed while Perry and Della sit and listen — mar a terrific entry in the series. It’s a minor distraction from a great story and entry in the series. It adds a rather unfortunate sense of artificiality to the story that pulls us away from complete immersion. It’s a minor caveat, however, and I’m still giving this one five stars because it’s got so many good moments to offset the few less than stellar ones. A really great one in the series.
May 8, 2022
This is a fairly typical Perry Mason novel from not quite a third of the way into the series. It's as convoluted as most, but certainly enjoyable. The story begins when a widow named Jane Keller attempts to sell an island that she owns in a river somewhere near Los Angeles. Poor Jane is being taken advantage of by her brother-in-law who insists on advising her on her investments. He's lost virtually all of the money that Jane received when her husband died, but Jane loyally sticks by him and defends him when her sister accuses the guy of taking advantage of her.
Jane is completing the sale of her island to a wealthy man named Parker Benton when a sharpshooter named Scott Shelby attempts to gum up the works. Shelby claims to own the rights to drill for oil on this island, but Jane thought that the rights had expired. Shelby is clearly trying to extort money from her; if she refuses to pay, the sale may not go through.
Jane's sister insists that she take the matter to Perry Mason rather than to her brother-in-law. When the two women arrive at Mason's office, Perry has gone for the day but his law clerk, Jackson, is still in the office and agrees to look at the lease agreement to see if Shelby might have a legitimate claim.
Jackson appears in about twenty percent of these novels and Gardner uses him principally as a foil to illustrate the difference between Mason and most other attorneys. Jackson is a grinder who spends all his time buried in law books, looking for precedents that might bear on a client's case. He rarely ever leaves the office, would never take a risk of any kind, and is terrorized by the thought of ever having to appear in a courtroom. Mason, on the other hand, seems to know the law intuitively, is constantly going out on a limb, and loves to be in the thick of a fight.
When Mason returns to the office and finds Jackson laboring diligently over the case, he immediately leaps into action. Jackson thinks it will probably take at least a couple of days to sort out all the legal details of the case, but within a couple of hours Mason has interviewed all the principals in the matter and seems well on the way to forging a solution.
Parker Benton suggests that all of the people involved should go for a cruise on his yacht up the river to the island in question. They can have a nice dinner together and settle the problem amicably. Privately, he tells Mason to pack an overnight bag because almost certainly the fog will settle in and everyone will have to spent the night trapped on the yacht.
The whole idea is ridiculous, of course, but all the parties agree and sure enough, they are stuck on the yacht overnight. In the middle of the night, Scott Shelby goes overboard, apparently the victim of a murder. All of the evidence points at his wife, Marion, who runs practically naked into Mason's arms on the deck of the yacht just after a shot is fired and Shelby goes over the side.
Marion twists out of Mason's grasp, losing her flimsy nightgown and running off naked with the apparent murder weapon in her hand. Naturally Mason will agree to defend her, even though all the evidence is stacked against her and even though everyone else, including Della Street, Mason's secretary, thinks that Marion is guilty as sin.
Can Mason possibly save this poor woman? Will the sun come up tomorrow?
No one whose ever read one of these books would bet against either eventuality and the fun of these novels lies not in wondering whether Mason will get his clients clear of the charges against them but in wondering how he will possibly do it. Another good entry in the series.
Jane is completing the sale of her island to a wealthy man named Parker Benton when a sharpshooter named Scott Shelby attempts to gum up the works. Shelby claims to own the rights to drill for oil on this island, but Jane thought that the rights had expired. Shelby is clearly trying to extort money from her; if she refuses to pay, the sale may not go through.
Jane's sister insists that she take the matter to Perry Mason rather than to her brother-in-law. When the two women arrive at Mason's office, Perry has gone for the day but his law clerk, Jackson, is still in the office and agrees to look at the lease agreement to see if Shelby might have a legitimate claim.
Jackson appears in about twenty percent of these novels and Gardner uses him principally as a foil to illustrate the difference between Mason and most other attorneys. Jackson is a grinder who spends all his time buried in law books, looking for precedents that might bear on a client's case. He rarely ever leaves the office, would never take a risk of any kind, and is terrorized by the thought of ever having to appear in a courtroom. Mason, on the other hand, seems to know the law intuitively, is constantly going out on a limb, and loves to be in the thick of a fight.
When Mason returns to the office and finds Jackson laboring diligently over the case, he immediately leaps into action. Jackson thinks it will probably take at least a couple of days to sort out all the legal details of the case, but within a couple of hours Mason has interviewed all the principals in the matter and seems well on the way to forging a solution.
Parker Benton suggests that all of the people involved should go for a cruise on his yacht up the river to the island in question. They can have a nice dinner together and settle the problem amicably. Privately, he tells Mason to pack an overnight bag because almost certainly the fog will settle in and everyone will have to spent the night trapped on the yacht.
The whole idea is ridiculous, of course, but all the parties agree and sure enough, they are stuck on the yacht overnight. In the middle of the night, Scott Shelby goes overboard, apparently the victim of a murder. All of the evidence points at his wife, Marion, who runs practically naked into Mason's arms on the deck of the yacht just after a shot is fired and Shelby goes over the side.
Marion twists out of Mason's grasp, losing her flimsy nightgown and running off naked with the apparent murder weapon in her hand. Naturally Mason will agree to defend her, even though all the evidence is stacked against her and even though everyone else, including Della Street, Mason's secretary, thinks that Marion is guilty as sin.
Can Mason possibly save this poor woman? Will the sun come up tomorrow?
No one whose ever read one of these books would bet against either eventuality and the fun of these novels lies not in wondering whether Mason will get his clients clear of the charges against them but in wondering how he will possibly do it. Another good entry in the series.
August 29, 2024
One of the best mysteries I’ve read in a long while. Gardner is excellent at setting up the story, introducing characters and red herrings while keeping the suspense level high. I doubt anyone writes courtroom drama and depositions as well as he does. The tension he invokes in these scenes is marvelous.
May 3, 2016
Perry Mason books are fun to read because even after reading around 75 books, you are not sure you can detect a pattern. This book is one such with deceptive red herrings.
The defendant literally runs into Perry Mason in a night gown carrying a revolver after midnight on a luxury yacht just after a shot is heard. Drake is convinced Perry is crazy to take the case, the police believe they have an iron clad case, the client might fire him and it's friday the thirteenth. For good measure, Perry and Drake are sued for 250000$ each for their backfired strategy.
I liked the book as the challenge was no longer just a whodunnit but a full fledged drama. And the parts with Della made Perry seem almost human.
A good read if not for boring first 2 chapters and some stretch in the middle.
The defendant literally runs into Perry Mason in a night gown carrying a revolver after midnight on a luxury yacht just after a shot is heard. Drake is convinced Perry is crazy to take the case, the police believe they have an iron clad case, the client might fire him and it's friday the thirteenth. For good measure, Perry and Drake are sued for 250000$ each for their backfired strategy.
I liked the book as the challenge was no longer just a whodunnit but a full fledged drama. And the parts with Della made Perry seem almost human.
A good read if not for boring first 2 chapters and some stretch in the middle.
June 7, 2024
I love it when Gardner kicks off his latest case by getting deep down into the legal weeds of whether deferred drilling payments can be cured at the very last minute before the property is sold by the widow title holder or not. I know what he is referring to is very much a California property issue, and a fidgety bit of law, but dang, Erle, this is only eight pages into the book, and none of the characters have been properly introduced to us yet!
But finally we pull back to the bigger picture. Parker Benton, millionaire yacht owner, wants to buy an island from widow Keller on which to build a vacation home, and she’s more than fine with that, but here comes the sleazy oil guy Scott Shelby claiming he’s got drilling rights to the island, and if he doesn’t get a cut of this, Benton is going to have an oil rig in his front yard.
So Benton decides the best thing to do would be to invite everyone, their spouses, and Mason and Della, onto his yacht for an evening dinner cruise up the river to see this island. Up the river that is well known to fog over every night. Oopsies! Guess we will have to stay put for the evening! Good thing there are enough staterooms aboard for everyone (this isn’t a smallish boat, just sayin’). Well, during the night, shots are fired, someone may or may not have been murdered, and there are apparently two separate phone lines in this yacht (NOT a small boat). And just to add, in a story set in California, never trust the oil guys.
The Perry Mason books are always set somewhere in Southern/Central California, at actual locations but frequently with fictitious names, and I enjoy trying to puzzle them out. But in this half of the state, all rivers of any size run north-south, and the only ones that flow out to a harbor, i.e. the ocean, are seasonal ones. You may be able to get a kayak up the Los Angeles River at certain times of the year, but never a yacht. And having islands big enough to build vacation homes on? I call shenanigans, Gardner. You made this place up, didn’t you. But it was fun anyways, once we got past the first chapter.
But finally we pull back to the bigger picture. Parker Benton, millionaire yacht owner, wants to buy an island from widow Keller on which to build a vacation home, and she’s more than fine with that, but here comes the sleazy oil guy Scott Shelby claiming he’s got drilling rights to the island, and if he doesn’t get a cut of this, Benton is going to have an oil rig in his front yard.
So Benton decides the best thing to do would be to invite everyone, their spouses, and Mason and Della, onto his yacht for an evening dinner cruise up the river to see this island. Up the river that is well known to fog over every night. Oopsies! Guess we will have to stay put for the evening! Good thing there are enough staterooms aboard for everyone (this isn’t a smallish boat, just sayin’). Well, during the night, shots are fired, someone may or may not have been murdered, and there are apparently two separate phone lines in this yacht (NOT a small boat). And just to add, in a story set in California, never trust the oil guys.
The Perry Mason books are always set somewhere in Southern/Central California, at actual locations but frequently with fictitious names, and I enjoy trying to puzzle them out. But in this half of the state, all rivers of any size run north-south, and the only ones that flow out to a harbor, i.e. the ocean, are seasonal ones. You may be able to get a kayak up the Los Angeles River at certain times of the year, but never a yacht. And having islands big enough to build vacation homes on? I call shenanigans, Gardner. You made this place up, didn’t you. But it was fun anyways, once we got past the first chapter.
March 24, 2022
I've been reading Gardner's Perry Mason books off and on for many years. Many years ago, I was an intense fan of the series, and read them all, at least twice. Now, after a lot of water over the dam, I'm looking at them again.
Those who are used to really fine mystery writers, such as Ross Macdonald, may find the writing style here off-putting. It can be stiff and mechanical. (To be fair, that varies a lot from book to book.) 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 about 1953 are the best. This one was written in 1945, during Gardner's war period when we wrote many of his best stories. It is among the best written, but is flawed in my opinion.
Briefly, the plot centers on the sale of an island owned by Jane Keller, a young widow. The island is in the Los Angeles River, and is evidently a few acres in size. Wealthy businessman Parker Benton wants to buy it for a vacation home. (I was surprised to learn that that river had islands and was an attractive spot in 1945. I'm sure it is not now!) The problem is that a shifty operator named Scott Shelby has an option to drill for oil on the island. He wants to be bought out at an exhorbitant price. Jane Keller and her relatives hire Perry Mason. Benton arranges a gathering on his yacht where the various parties will hash it all out. About ten people attend. They have to spend the night due to heavy fog. About midnight Shelby falls off the boat, a shot is fired, and he has apparently been murdered. The prime suspect is his wife Marion, whom Perry encounters on deck holding the murder weapon!
One of the things I didn't like was the way Perry almost insults his assistant, Jackson. Jackson admits, "it’s hard for me to translate life into law.” Perry says: "When Jackson married, he proposed to an attractive widow some five years his senior, but quite definitely a widow. Even in matrimonial affairs, Jackson was afraid to blaze a trail on his own initiative." Makes you wonder why Perry hires him.
"The Sleep-walkers Niece" also involves a group of people, including adversaries, spending the night at a secluded location when a murder occurs. "The Negligent Nymph" also involves people contesting the rights of someone to build on a privately owned island.
Characters:
Jane Keller, widow who owns an island.
Martha Stanhope, Jane's sister.
Marjorie Stanhope, daughter of Martha.
Lawton Keller, brother-in-law of Jane Keller, thinks he can advise Jane.
Frank Bomar, wounded veteran, fiance of Marjorie.
Jackson, assistant to Perry Mason.
Scott Shelby, smooth operator, had an option for an oil lease on the island owned by Jane Keller.
Marion Shelby, Scott's third wife. She was "half awake" when odd things happened.
Parker Benton, wealthy business man and yacht owner, wants to buy the island owned by Jane Keller.
Carlotta Benton, wife of Parker.
Ellen Cushing. She has a real estate agency and seems to be partnered with Scott Shelby.
Art Lacey, paramour of Ellen Cushing.
Sergeant Dorset, a clone of Sgt. Holcomb, who is not mentioned. Not clear why Gardner introduced this policeman instead of using Holcomb.
This is one of the two or three stories where several characters are introduced early only to be never mentioned again. OTOH, a major character is introduced late at the 53% mark. That's a no-no to me.
Good use of Dorset [as Holcomb]; mediocre use of Lt. Tragg, Paul Drake, Della Street. Good use of Hamilton Berger, though we never see him at his sputtering best.
Excellent cross-examination scenes; among the best in all the Perry Mason canon. Some readers may be turned off by all the legal points. I love it!
The plot is really very good, and, as usual, ingenious. But I have several complaints:
- There is a rather important coincidence. However, I don't think it was really needed. An issue could have been explained another way.
- The murderer left an important clue out to be discovered. That made no sense.
- My main complaint about the plot, which otherwise could have been among the five or so best, is that there is a very important technical point that no reader will guess. That violates one of my prime principles of detective stories, that an alert thinking reader has a chance to dope it out before the reveal.
Still, recommended.
P.S. This story was made into an early episode in the classic TV show with Raymond Burr and Barbara Hale. They changed the plot quite a bit, as no doubt the yacht party would have taken too long to film. The defendant is different and the murderer is different! The show was not well written and doesn't make much sense.
Those who are used to really fine mystery writers, such as Ross Macdonald, may find the writing style here off-putting. It can be stiff and mechanical. (To be fair, that varies a lot from book to book.) 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 about 1953 are the best. This one was written in 1945, during Gardner's war period when we wrote many of his best stories. It is among the best written, but is flawed in my opinion.
Briefly, the plot centers on the sale of an island owned by Jane Keller, a young widow. The island is in the Los Angeles River, and is evidently a few acres in size. Wealthy businessman Parker Benton wants to buy it for a vacation home. (I was surprised to learn that that river had islands and was an attractive spot in 1945. I'm sure it is not now!) The problem is that a shifty operator named Scott Shelby has an option to drill for oil on the island. He wants to be bought out at an exhorbitant price. Jane Keller and her relatives hire Perry Mason. Benton arranges a gathering on his yacht where the various parties will hash it all out. About ten people attend. They have to spend the night due to heavy fog. About midnight Shelby falls off the boat, a shot is fired, and he has apparently been murdered. The prime suspect is his wife Marion, whom Perry encounters on deck holding the murder weapon!
One of the things I didn't like was the way Perry almost insults his assistant, Jackson. Jackson admits, "it’s hard for me to translate life into law.” Perry says: "When Jackson married, he proposed to an attractive widow some five years his senior, but quite definitely a widow. Even in matrimonial affairs, Jackson was afraid to blaze a trail on his own initiative." Makes you wonder why Perry hires him.
"The Sleep-walkers Niece" also involves a group of people, including adversaries, spending the night at a secluded location when a murder occurs. "The Negligent Nymph" also involves people contesting the rights of someone to build on a privately owned island.
Characters:
Jane Keller, widow who owns an island.
Martha Stanhope, Jane's sister.
Marjorie Stanhope, daughter of Martha.
Lawton Keller, brother-in-law of Jane Keller, thinks he can advise Jane.
Frank Bomar, wounded veteran, fiance of Marjorie.
Jackson, assistant to Perry Mason.
Scott Shelby, smooth operator, had an option for an oil lease on the island owned by Jane Keller.
Marion Shelby, Scott's third wife. She was "half awake" when odd things happened.
Parker Benton, wealthy business man and yacht owner, wants to buy the island owned by Jane Keller.
Carlotta Benton, wife of Parker.
Ellen Cushing. She has a real estate agency and seems to be partnered with Scott Shelby.
Art Lacey, paramour of Ellen Cushing.
Sergeant Dorset, a clone of Sgt. Holcomb, who is not mentioned. Not clear why Gardner introduced this policeman instead of using Holcomb.
This is one of the two or three stories where several characters are introduced early only to be never mentioned again. OTOH, a major character is introduced late at the 53% mark. That's a no-no to me.
Good use of Dorset [as Holcomb]; mediocre use of Lt. Tragg, Paul Drake, Della Street. Good use of Hamilton Berger, though we never see him at his sputtering best.
Excellent cross-examination scenes; among the best in all the Perry Mason canon. Some readers may be turned off by all the legal points. I love it!
The plot is really very good, and, as usual, ingenious. But I have several complaints:
- There is a rather important coincidence. However, I don't think it was really needed. An issue could have been explained another way.
- The murderer left an important clue out to be discovered. That made no sense.
- My main complaint about the plot, which otherwise could have been among the five or so best, is that there is a very important technical point that no reader will guess. That violates one of my prime principles of detective stories, that an alert thinking reader has a chance to dope it out before the reveal.
Still, recommended.
P.S. This story was made into an early episode in the classic TV show with Raymond Burr and Barbara Hale. They changed the plot quite a bit, as no doubt the yacht party would have taken too long to film. The defendant is different and the murderer is different! The show was not well written and doesn't make much sense.
February 22, 2020
Some slow spots, but I never guessed the criminal. A bit legally wordy.
May 25, 2018
I am working my way through the Perry Mason books rather late in my reading career and in the wrong order, as I come across them in secondhand bookshops. I find them very soothing, with their CSI-like focus on the puzzle rather than melodrama, and their choice of rather elaborate white-collar frauds and inheritance plots, which highlights the oddity of the contemporary crime novel's obsession with violence against women and children.
I've heard (read) it being called borrowing emotional capital. Worried your characters, setting, dialogue and writing style won't grip the reader? Borrow some capital and force the reader to care by making the plot about brutal rapes or kidnapped children. The most frustrating thing is that some of the authors who do this most are excellent writers who don't need the help. Yes, Kathy Reichs, I'm talking about you. You're a brilliant writer and I'd happily read about Tempe and Detective Ryan wittily solving a boring case about a man trying to defraud his insurance company, rather than yet another brutalised runaway child.
To get back to Erle Stanley Gardiner, I like the precise legal fencing, even when I don't understand it. I like the hero being omnipotent. Perry Mason is rarely wrong and never out of temper - I know vulnerable, flawed heroes are the fashion now, but sometimes we need a hero we can trust to get it right.
This one, I enjoyed tremendously. It has an intriguing opening, starting with the puzzle from the point of view of the people caught up in it, rather than the lawyer receiving a client. It's fair to say that the plot becomes pretty confusing and by the end, makes almost no sense at all, and that many of the characters are insufficiently developed and plot possibilities are left hanging. But on the positive side, while many of the Perry Mason books stick closely to the urban settings of the characters' offices, flats, cars and courtrooms, this one has an unusual trip on a pleasure boat and a visit to a country lake thrown in, both important to the plot. Even better,
In conclusion, if you need your detective stories to be taut and efficient and make sense, pass on by. There's nothing for you here. But if you like dry legal puzzles and Golden Age cosiness and the comfort of knowing pretty much what ride you're going on before you get in the car, Perry Mason is for you - and you probably already know that.
I've heard (read) it being called borrowing emotional capital. Worried your characters, setting, dialogue and writing style won't grip the reader? Borrow some capital and force the reader to care by making the plot about brutal rapes or kidnapped children. The most frustrating thing is that some of the authors who do this most are excellent writers who don't need the help. Yes, Kathy Reichs, I'm talking about you. You're a brilliant writer and I'd happily read about Tempe and Detective Ryan wittily solving a boring case about a man trying to defraud his insurance company, rather than yet another brutalised runaway child.
To get back to Erle Stanley Gardiner, I like the precise legal fencing, even when I don't understand it. I like the hero being omnipotent. Perry Mason is rarely wrong and never out of temper - I know vulnerable, flawed heroes are the fashion now, but sometimes we need a hero we can trust to get it right.
This one, I enjoyed tremendously. It has an intriguing opening, starting with the puzzle from the point of view of the people caught up in it, rather than the lawyer receiving a client. It's fair to say that the plot becomes pretty confusing and by the end, makes almost no sense at all, and that many of the characters are insufficiently developed and plot possibilities are left hanging. But on the positive side, while many of the Perry Mason books stick closely to the urban settings of the characters' offices, flats, cars and courtrooms, this one has an unusual trip on a pleasure boat and a visit to a country lake thrown in, both important to the plot. Even better,
In conclusion, if you need your detective stories to be taut and efficient and make sense, pass on by. There's nothing for you here. But if you like dry legal puzzles and Golden Age cosiness and the comfort of knowing pretty much what ride you're going on before you get in the car, Perry Mason is for you - and you probably already know that.
October 31, 2012
#27 in the Perry Mason series. Enjoyable, if slightly convoluted, plot. Perry recruits homicide Lt. Tragg to find a missing speculator in the apartment of his attractive partner. A search uncovers the partner's fiance and mother in the apartment and leaves Mason with egg on his face. An unusual victory for Tragg set the stage for a courtroom scene in which Mason is determined to defend a woman who even detective Paul Drake is certain is guilty.
Perry Mason series - Jane Keller is in the process of selling an island to Parker Benton when Scott Shelby tries to enforce an expired oil lease and block the sale. Jane's sister takes her to Perry Mason. A meeting is held on Benton's yacht leading to a stalemate. During the night, Shelby disappears overboard, a shot is heard, and Shelby's wife is found holding a revolver. She asks Mason to defend her on charges of murder.
Perry Mason series - Jane Keller is in the process of selling an island to Parker Benton when Scott Shelby tries to enforce an expired oil lease and block the sale. Jane's sister takes her to Perry Mason. A meeting is held on Benton's yacht leading to a stalemate. During the night, Shelby disappears overboard, a shot is heard, and Shelby's wife is found holding a revolver. She asks Mason to defend her on charges of murder.
July 20, 2023
Jane Keller bir gün bankaya gider ve satışa çıkardıkları ada ile ilgili olarak petrol hisse ortağı Scott Shelby tarafından gönderilen biri tarafından para verilmek istenir. Ama Jane bunu kabul etmez. 6 ay boyunca ödeme yapmadığı için sözleşme fesh edilmiştir. Zaten ada Benton adında bir milyonere satılmak üzeredir. Shelby, Ellen Cushing adında bir kadınla ortaktır. Jane, ölmüş kocasının kardeşi Lawton ile görüşür. Sonrasında kardeşi Martha ve kızı Marjorie ile görüşür. Martha onu Perry Mason'a götürür. O yoktur ama Della Street ve Perry'in yardımcısı Jackson oradadır. Sözleşmeyi incelerler. Ertesi gün Mason gelir ve olaya el koyar. Benton, olayla ilişkili herkesi teknesinde davet eder. Daha önce Shelby ile görüşen Mason, onun 10000 dolar istediğini söyler Benton'a. Tekne açılır ve satın alınacak adaya doğru gider. Burada Benton 2000 kendisi 2000 de Jane olacak şekilde 4000 dolar teklif eder ama Shelby kabul etmez. Gece bir gürültü kopar ve Mason teknede güvertede çıkınca bir kadınla çarpışır. Bu kadın Marion Shelby yani Scott'ın karısıdır ve elinde bir silah vardır. Shelby kayıptır. Olay yerine Dorset gelir. Daha önce de Shelby ve eşi Marion arsenik zehirlenmesi yaşamıştır. Dorset kayıp kocayı Marion'un öldürdüğünü düşünür. 50000 dolarlık bir hayat sigortası vardır. Mason, Paul ile Ellen'in evine ekipler takar. Ama öncesinde garajı inceler ve ıslak bir battaniye ile ayakkabı bulur. Shelby'nin yaşadığını ve Ellen'in evinde olduğunu düşünür. Tragg'i de alıp eve gider ama Ellen evde Arthur Lacey ve annesinin olduğunu ispatlar. Cinayet gününde Arthur evlenme teklif etmiş ve bunu kutlamak için pikniğe gitmişlerdir. Islak battaniyede de buz taşımıştır. Sonra ceset bulunur. Hamilton Burger katilin Marion olduğuna emindir. Zaten elindeki silahtan ateş edilmiş görünmektedir. Çapraz sorgu ile balistik uzmanı, doktor ve diğerlerini sıkıştırır. Ellen de evlenmiş ve Mason'a dava açmıştır. Bir gün Marion arar ve onu davadan aldığını söyler. Attica firması bakacaktır davaya. O da pazar günü gelir ve Ellen'in davasını görüşmek ister. Burada piknik fotolarına bakan Mason birden her şeyi anlat. Yemin altında Ellen'in ifadesini paramparça eder. Acaba katil o mudur, yoksa koruduğu biri mi vardır. Fotoğraf cinayet günü mü yoksa sonrasında mı çekilmiştir? Benton katili tanımakta mıdır? Mason, Della için bu adayı alacak mıdır? Keyifle soluksuz okunan bir roman.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 8, 2017
Its all about the real estate deal and Jane Keller, a widow wishes to sell an island to a millionaire and it all gets complicated Perry Mason and his assistant Della Street are invited to a yacht where everyone involved in the deal are present. Scott Shelby, a promoter is murdered onboard and is last seen floating in water struggling for his life. The defendant, Marion Shelby who is the half- wakened wife (in a nightgown)with a gun in her hands, literally comes running into Perry Mason asking him to help her :-)
Needless to say,he agrees to defend her.
An attractive real estate agent Ellen Cushing has some skeletons in her closet and Perry along with a police detective insists that her house be searched. She sues him for defamation.
What follows is a couple of sleepless nights, a wild goose chase and a fishing expedition.
The best part is the courtroom drama in the end.A ballistics expert by name Robert P.Noxie is brought in.The cross examination of various witnesses & the deposition are very entertaining. The cross examination is one of the best I have read/seen. The public defender Hamilton Burger is not shown to be weak right from the start which is refreshing.
A quick read with a few flaws,entertaining and light nonetheless. Perry Mason mystery is an awesome read in between two heavy reads.
Needless to say,he agrees to defend her.
An attractive real estate agent Ellen Cushing has some skeletons in her closet and Perry along with a police detective insists that her house be searched. She sues him for defamation.
What follows is a couple of sleepless nights, a wild goose chase and a fishing expedition.
The best part is the courtroom drama in the end.A ballistics expert by name Robert P.Noxie is brought in.The cross examination of various witnesses & the deposition are very entertaining. The cross examination is one of the best I have read/seen. The public defender Hamilton Burger is not shown to be weak right from the start which is refreshing.
A quick read with a few flaws,entertaining and light nonetheless. Perry Mason mystery is an awesome read in between two heavy reads.
January 27, 2019
My library somehow got me the original 1945 edition, and it was in surprisingly good shape. I enjoy these mid-2oth Century stories for their cultural history. We are a long way from trams and ice sheds these days.
I am reading the series in order, and this is one of the better ones. Sure, it's dated and the dialogue can be stiff. But the plot is one of the best so far, full of red herrings, and while I did not guess the ending, I think I could have because the clues are probably there. I agree partially with the reader who found the discussion of contract law a bit tedious but it actually did come clear to me, albeit after a perhaps excessive number of repetitions.
For those who are following the series, Mason's legal assistant, Jackson, is a lot more fleshed out here. I think Sgt. Dawson is a new character, though he is just like all the other sergeants in earlier episodes -- thick-headed and aggressive.
The sexism of the era appears now and then (a woman is "easy on the eyes with a beautiful chassis") and the relationship between Perry and Della remains ambivalent. They kiss once in this go-round.
Anyway, I found this read fun, and recommend it.
I am reading the series in order, and this is one of the better ones. Sure, it's dated and the dialogue can be stiff. But the plot is one of the best so far, full of red herrings, and while I did not guess the ending, I think I could have because the clues are probably there. I agree partially with the reader who found the discussion of contract law a bit tedious but it actually did come clear to me, albeit after a perhaps excessive number of repetitions.
For those who are following the series, Mason's legal assistant, Jackson, is a lot more fleshed out here. I think Sgt. Dawson is a new character, though he is just like all the other sergeants in earlier episodes -- thick-headed and aggressive.
The sexism of the era appears now and then (a woman is "easy on the eyes with a beautiful chassis") and the relationship between Perry and Della remains ambivalent. They kiss once in this go-round.
Anyway, I found this read fun, and recommend it.
March 30, 2021
#27 of the Perry Mason series, it is one of the few books where we see Mason making a high risk move that ends up flat and our protagonist lawyer-cum-detective left with egg on his face, so to say.
Coming to the plot, it starts with a nervous woman in a bank line waiting for her turn, and getting an unexpected visitor there. It soon turns into a real estate case and Gardner goes on to explain the 1940s US real estate laws, which kind of becomes a drag.
The story is tight and neatly written, tying up most threads at the end. The solution provided at the end is somewhat implausible or does involve quite a dollop of luck, which makes it hard to believe. But that takes nothing away from the buildup, the flow of the mystery, even though there was a point at which Mason could have noticed the obvious solution but didn't, whatever the reasons. Also it is one of the few Mason books where the setup includes a scene on a boat in a waterbody, making for more interesting observations. For me, Gardner is at his best including certain nuances that are present in a water-based mystery rather than land-based ones.
Overall, was an enjoyable read and a definite page-turner. Would probably rate it 3.5 and round it up to 4.
Coming to the plot, it starts with a nervous woman in a bank line waiting for her turn, and getting an unexpected visitor there. It soon turns into a real estate case and Gardner goes on to explain the 1940s US real estate laws, which kind of becomes a drag.
The story is tight and neatly written, tying up most threads at the end. The solution provided at the end is somewhat implausible or does involve quite a dollop of luck, which makes it hard to believe. But that takes nothing away from the buildup, the flow of the mystery, even though there was a point at which Mason could have noticed the obvious solution but didn't, whatever the reasons. Also it is one of the few Mason books where the setup includes a scene on a boat in a waterbody, making for more interesting observations. For me, Gardner is at his best including certain nuances that are present in a water-based mystery rather than land-based ones.
Overall, was an enjoyable read and a definite page-turner. Would probably rate it 3.5 and round it up to 4.
September 18, 2024
This is from the most enjoyable period of the Perry Masons - the mid 1940's - when Mason is more of a rough and tumble character, not hesitating to literally throw an opposing lawyer out of his office, and even dust off his hands afterward. We also have a romantic interlude with Della Street, the most - ahem - detailed I have found in his books.
The actions on the yacht are well done and enjoyable. There is the usual big cast, a bit larger than necessary, so it does require attention to keep track of the players. A big point in the story is the two separate telephone systems on the yacht, which could be confusing, but is explained well so even a non-techy person sees how it operates.
One scene has Mason taking a deposition in his office. It was interesting to see how that was done, and how many of the courtroom procedures were duplicated.
An unusual aspect is that Mason has a tough time throughout the case. He builds up a circumstantial case to find it totally incorrect. His supposition on the fate of Shelby also turns out wrong. The case builds to a gradual resolution, without the usual courtroom theatrics.
The actions on the yacht are well done and enjoyable. There is the usual big cast, a bit larger than necessary, so it does require attention to keep track of the players. A big point in the story is the two separate telephone systems on the yacht, which could be confusing, but is explained well so even a non-techy person sees how it operates.
One scene has Mason taking a deposition in his office. It was interesting to see how that was done, and how many of the courtroom procedures were duplicated.
An unusual aspect is that Mason has a tough time throughout the case. He builds up a circumstantial case to find it totally incorrect. His supposition on the fate of Shelby also turns out wrong. The case builds to a gradual resolution, without the usual courtroom theatrics.
July 5, 2025
In all honesty, this isn't a 4 star read but what I liked about it I liked very much indeed. The pacing is off in the sense that some characters are allowed to rattle on for way too long and I lost patience with Paul Drake more than once. However, points in its favour were:
1. An excellent setting for the crime (I've always loved Perry in a boat).
2. Several choice Perry and Della moments (and I mean choice).
3. Perry wiping the floor with Hamilton Burger.
4. Two very droll prosecution witnesses and much amusement in the courtroom.
5. Perry giving the bum's rush to someone who richly deserved it.
6. Perry wiping the floor with quite a selection of other characters.
7. Language.
8. This lovely bit of dialogue:
"I have a different way of handling a chiseler."
"What's that?" Jackson asked.
"I kick his teeth in."
Jackson winced.
"That expression always makes me shiver," he said. "I detest violence - of all forms."
Mason said, "I love it."
I do have a question though. Did Perry buy the love nest?
1. An excellent setting for the crime (I've always loved Perry in a boat).
2. Several choice Perry and Della moments (and I mean choice).
3. Perry wiping the floor with Hamilton Burger.
4. Two very droll prosecution witnesses and much amusement in the courtroom.
5. Perry giving the bum's rush to someone who richly deserved it.
6. Perry wiping the floor with quite a selection of other characters.
7. Language.
8. This lovely bit of dialogue:
"I have a different way of handling a chiseler."
"What's that?" Jackson asked.
"I kick his teeth in."
Jackson winced.
"That expression always makes me shiver," he said. "I detest violence - of all forms."
Mason said, "I love it."
I do have a question though. Did Perry buy the love nest?
June 24, 2020
Beat the backlist reading challenge: Good book bad cover
It may be a little sacrilegious to label the iconic green and white triband of Penguin’s vintage crime fiction a “bad” cover, so I mean it more in the sense that it's visually uninspiring and does little to promote an individual selection being as it is indistinguishable from its kin outside the implicit publisher reputation for quality books for the mass market.
To review this particular edition then, from the first third of Erle Stanley Gardner’s impressive canon featuring his criminal defence lawyer, Perry Mason. It has not diminished with age (originally published in 1945) and stands up against more modern counterparts as a satisfying courtroom drama. I particularly like the dynamic between Mason and Paul Drake and their reliance on the ever efficient Della Street.
It may be a little sacrilegious to label the iconic green and white triband of Penguin’s vintage crime fiction a “bad” cover, so I mean it more in the sense that it's visually uninspiring and does little to promote an individual selection being as it is indistinguishable from its kin outside the implicit publisher reputation for quality books for the mass market.
To review this particular edition then, from the first third of Erle Stanley Gardner’s impressive canon featuring his criminal defence lawyer, Perry Mason. It has not diminished with age (originally published in 1945) and stands up against more modern counterparts as a satisfying courtroom drama. I particularly like the dynamic between Mason and Paul Drake and their reliance on the ever efficient Della Street.
October 12, 2022
Always enjoy these and this one had one of the more satisfying conclusions I've read in one yet. A murder happened on a yacht that Mason was on. He was there because of a case dealing with a real estate deal being thwarted by a crook. It was the crook that was killed, and his wife just happened to run into Mason with a gun in her hand that had one fired round. Mason automatically sees something amiss and agrees to represent her.
Highly recommended, it has a nice court room scene but a disposition later is even better.
Highly recommended, it has a nice court room scene but a disposition later is even better.
May 15, 2023
The case as it originally unfolds is not Perry’s best (gee, third time in row I have said that – hoping for a better one to be coming up soon), especially as he cannot seem to even find a body to defend a accused murderer about. What does make this case standout is once it gets to court, where it features the best Hamilton Burger temper tantrum of the series so far, definitely paving the way for the future TV version of the character, who was always losing his temper. The court room scenes put this up there in the ranking of PM stories.
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February 9, 20213.5 stars. IDK man. This one didn't have Della in trouble, so win. On the other hand, there was simply no way for an average person to have figured this one out on their own. I mean, I knew that the one chick was involved in the murder and knew that Mason would show how by the end. What I didn't expect was that the killer was her man and the method he used which I'll avoid discussing because it'll be a fat spoiler.
September 28, 2024
The plot is fine, another excellent ESG Perry novel. My only gripe is the setting. There are no navigable rivers in Southern California. Thus no islands and no yacht trip. I've lived in Los Angeles for over 31 years. And, no, there weren't any when the book was written either. ESG is usually very conscientious about these things. I suffered a TBI (traumatic brain injury) a few years ago and find I read in a very literal manner now and this kind of thing drives me nuts.
December 27, 2017
A property dispute leads to murder. Perry Mason investigates and, believing he has found it impossible for his client to have committed the crime, calls in Lt. Tragg and promptly finds himself sued for defamation of character.
A deftly handled mystery, which sees Mason questioning his own tactics and practices when he is caught on the receiving end.
A deftly handled mystery, which sees Mason questioning his own tactics and practices when he is caught on the receiving end.
September 5, 2020
Scene of the Crime
Perry Mason is aboard a yacht for a dinner, then business meeting. During the night, one of the other guests is murdered. His widow is the primary suspect. Can Mason keep her out of jail? Or has he met his match? Read it, and find out. You'll be glad you did!
Perry Mason is aboard a yacht for a dinner, then business meeting. During the night, one of the other guests is murdered. His widow is the primary suspect. Can Mason keep her out of jail? Or has he met his match? Read it, and find out. You'll be glad you did!
January 6, 2024
What a Twist!
I read most of Erle Stanley Gardner’s mysteries more than 60 years ago, when I was in high school. This is one I don’t remember. But back then, I could not fully appreciate Gardner’s talent for weaving intricate plots. This one is definitely worth reading. Will you get the solution? I came close.
I read most of Erle Stanley Gardner’s mysteries more than 60 years ago, when I was in high school. This is one I don’t remember. But back then, I could not fully appreciate Gardner’s talent for weaving intricate plots. This one is definitely worth reading. Will you get the solution? I came close.
February 5, 2020
An engaging mystery/court room drama. The detailed information around land and title deeds that form the first part of the book are a bit of a slog but once it moves on from there it flies along. I'll be reading more Perry Mason!
July 8, 2025
I can't say anything without ruining the end but suffice it to say that I was fooled by slick lies. I will remember this one for the giant yacht that was big enough to have 2 separate phone lines connecting a dozen different areas of the boat.
October 20, 2018
Perry Mason never gets monotonous. This one doesnt have the usual court trial at the end, but its still entertaining.
November 24, 2018
One of the better Perry Mason stories because it has more courtroom action.
March 9, 2021
Longer than the average Perry Mason and full of just enough turns to make apparent who the real culprit is long before the books, anticlimactic finale.
July 4, 2021
The plot is scrambled & boring, the characters dull & tedious. Picks up a bit here and there but not enough to keep you awake.
August 21, 2022
Good crime story :)
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