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Perry Mason #38
The Case of the Angry Mourner
When notorious playboy Arthur Cushing is murdered, Belle Adrian suspects that her daughter, Carlotta, is the killer, and Carlotta suspects her mother of the crime. Original.
210 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 1, 1951
121 people are currently reading
416 people want to read
About the author
Erle Stanley Gardner
1,348 books806 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 75 reviews
September 21, 2025
Full of intensity, swing and the usual razzmatazz with Perry Mason pulling legal rabbits out of his magician's hat. A favourite Mason-novel.
Perry Mason is having a ski-minibreak in a winter resort, but isn't particularly enjoying it, missing the challenge & turmoil of his work. So isn't it "fortunate" that a murder is committed on his doorstep - or at least very close to where he is staying. Arthur Cushing, a playboy with bad reputation & son of a rich banker is found dead in his winter-lodge. The suspects are Carlotta Adriani, whom Arthur was pursuing, and her mother, Bella. Both mother and daughter believe the other did it and try to cover up for each other, complicating matters even further.
Circumstantial evidence all points to Bella & Mason's job is made more difficult by:
-Carlotta's overzealous lawyer boyfriend, who has a chip on his shoulder and thinks he has things to teach Mason about the law;
- by the local prosecutor who is out to gain personal and political advantages by winning a case against the famous defense attorney and he is supported by the victim's rich and influential father;
- by the angry mourner, the victim's girlfriend, Marion Keats, incensed that Perry managed to track her down & forced her to stand up as a witness, vows to crucify Bella with her evidence.
Perry Mason is maneuvered into one tight corner with three lawyers on the prosecution's side, all out for his blood (= ruining his legal reputation), and it takes all his energy, swagger and brilliance to get out. And out he gets all right. :)
In this novel, we learn that Perry Mason is actually domesticated, and gets caught in the act of cooking breakfast. This I do not consider as an accomplishment per se (although I remember that he can also prepare hot-toddies), but as PM's usual hobbies are pursuing murderers & finding dead bodies, it is a welcome break for us all. :)
Perry Mason is having a ski-minibreak in a winter resort, but isn't particularly enjoying it, missing the challenge & turmoil of his work. So isn't it "fortunate" that a murder is committed on his doorstep - or at least very close to where he is staying. Arthur Cushing, a playboy with bad reputation & son of a rich banker is found dead in his winter-lodge. The suspects are Carlotta Adriani, whom Arthur was pursuing, and her mother, Bella. Both mother and daughter believe the other did it and try to cover up for each other, complicating matters even further.
Circumstantial evidence all points to Bella & Mason's job is made more difficult by:
-Carlotta's overzealous lawyer boyfriend, who has a chip on his shoulder and thinks he has things to teach Mason about the law;
- by the local prosecutor who is out to gain personal and political advantages by winning a case against the famous defense attorney and he is supported by the victim's rich and influential father;
- by the angry mourner, the victim's girlfriend, Marion Keats, incensed that Perry managed to track her down & forced her to stand up as a witness, vows to crucify Bella with her evidence.
Perry Mason is maneuvered into one tight corner with three lawyers on the prosecution's side, all out for his blood (= ruining his legal reputation), and it takes all his energy, swagger and brilliance to get out. And out he gets all right. :)
In this novel, we learn that Perry Mason is actually domesticated, and gets caught in the act of cooking breakfast. This I do not consider as an accomplishment per se (although I remember that he can also prepare hot-toddies), but as PM's usual hobbies are pursuing murderers & finding dead bodies, it is a welcome break for us all. :)
February 13, 2018
When notorious playboy Arthur Cushing is murdered, Belle Adrian suspects that her daughter, Carlotta, is the killer, and Carlotta suspects her mother of the crime. In the mountains they have cabins that Perry Mason and other customers uses, and when they heard noises during the night, they think it sounds like a gun shot or car back firing. They then hear it for so long that they go across the area and see if they can see what is going on. Upon doing so, they find Mr. Cushings body that had been shot. They then call Perry Mason as they know him personally. They have the cabiners call Perry Mason and he calls Paul Drake and Della Street to come to the cabin area. Perry puts them to work obtaining driver's licenses, and has Della working on projects as well.
In Bear Valley THE CASE OF THE ANGRY MOURNER (1951) with Erle Stanley Gardner.
Gardner provides a clever plot involving the murder of a young man with tendencies. He was entertaining the daughter of a neighboring cabin at a resort when he began to put the moves on her. A struggle ensued and the girl left in a disheveled state with her blouse ripped. In the meantime, her mother began to get worried and went over to the cabin to see what was going on. Suddenly there was a scream and a shot rang out. The young man was found dead. This is how the story starts out, but is the story true. During the course of the subsequent investigation, Perry Mason becomes the attorney of the young girl who was accused of the murder – but Mom was an obvious choice too. There are lots of courtroom shenanigans and the usual startling insights of Mason and his crew. Although some of the legal maneuverings would be strictly illegal today, the story provides a good read. I enjoyed it very much, and will try to find some more. :-)
In Bear Valley THE CASE OF THE ANGRY MOURNER (1951) with Erle Stanley Gardner.
Gardner provides a clever plot involving the murder of a young man with tendencies. He was entertaining the daughter of a neighboring cabin at a resort when he began to put the moves on her. A struggle ensued and the girl left in a disheveled state with her blouse ripped. In the meantime, her mother began to get worried and went over to the cabin to see what was going on. Suddenly there was a scream and a shot rang out. The young man was found dead. This is how the story starts out, but is the story true. During the course of the subsequent investigation, Perry Mason becomes the attorney of the young girl who was accused of the murder – but Mom was an obvious choice too. There are lots of courtroom shenanigans and the usual startling insights of Mason and his crew. Although some of the legal maneuverings would be strictly illegal today, the story provides a good read. I enjoyed it very much, and will try to find some more. :-)
May 7, 2021
For a change, this book has Mason holidaying in the countryside when a murder case ends up in his laps, a murder committed outside the city limits in the countryside, thus allowing for a setting change from the high rise buildings and car tailing through the city traffic. Trouble begins when a girl, the daughter, goes to meet and hang out with a wolf(a playboy) at his place for dinner. The mother starts worrying about her daughter, and in her haste, decides to go out and check. This puts the wheel of circumstances into motion that ends up with a murder and the mother thinking the daughter committed it while the daughter has the same doubts about her mother. As it turns out, both end up being Mason's clients, though the daughter is then represented by her lawyer boyfriend.
The plot is not as complicated as some other Mason books written around this time, but even so it is just as intriguing and full of suspense. This book feels more like an Agatha Christie novel in terms of setup, with all interested parties being situated in a very small radius at the time of the murder. Mason, with his incredible detective skills, is able to uncover an ingenious plot and I would be keeping myself in check so as not to reveal any spoilers.
Overall, I felt this to be a proper whodunit where I was able to visualise the murder scene and the chain of events quite early in the book, but even so, I was unable to find out the actual guilty party before the reveal at the end. I would rate it my usual 4 stars for a Mason book.
The plot is not as complicated as some other Mason books written around this time, but even so it is just as intriguing and full of suspense. This book feels more like an Agatha Christie novel in terms of setup, with all interested parties being situated in a very small radius at the time of the murder. Mason, with his incredible detective skills, is able to uncover an ingenious plot and I would be keeping myself in check so as not to reveal any spoilers.
Overall, I felt this to be a proper whodunit where I was able to visualise the murder scene and the chain of events quite early in the book, but even so, I was unable to find out the actual guilty party before the reveal at the end. I would rate it my usual 4 stars for a Mason book.
June 13, 2018
I grew up reading Hammett, Spillane, Chandler, Cain and all the hardboiled types. Also the "locked room impossible" cases by Ellery Queen, John Dickson Carr, Rex Stout Agatha Christie and as far as Erle Stanley Gardner, I read his Donald Lam - Bertha Cool books. This may be my only Perry Mason book because I grew up when Perry Mason was on television every week and just never picked up the books. This was just ok. Fun to read but nothing all that impressive. It's worth reading in one sitting if you want to pass the time.
July 11, 2020
Perry Mason is trying to take some time off at Bear mountain, get a little skiing in, some relaxation…but of course it doesn’t work. He knows he is at his best back in his office, working cases, and so after only a couple of days of vacation he is ready to return. Fortunately, a local case falls in his lap in the form of Belle Adrian, a local resident who is convinced her independent and somewhat wayward daughter has just murdered her date. Belle had discovered the body herself, right after her daughter had left the man’s house. To make matters worse, she decides to protect her daughter by eliminating all evidence that her daughter was ever at the crime scene.
Having read the first two Perry Mason books in the lengthy series, I thought I would sample one more toward the middle. This one, coming in at number 38 remains a delightful sample of the prolific Erle Stanley Gardner’s work. At this point in the series, Perry Mason is a well-known (famous even) highly paid lawyer. But he still exhibits the same mental acuity and courtroom tactics in his defense attorney role. In this story, he quickly sees through what his client, Belle Adrian, is failing to tell him about her role in the murder but he takes on the case anyway. Most of the novel is taken up in the courtroom scenes as Perry dissects the prosecuting attorney and there is a big twist near the end that I didn’t see coming.
Another engrossing read from Gardner and I am happy to look up at my bookshelves and see a couple dozen more Perry Mason novels still to read.
Having read the first two Perry Mason books in the lengthy series, I thought I would sample one more toward the middle. This one, coming in at number 38 remains a delightful sample of the prolific Erle Stanley Gardner’s work. At this point in the series, Perry Mason is a well-known (famous even) highly paid lawyer. But he still exhibits the same mental acuity and courtroom tactics in his defense attorney role. In this story, he quickly sees through what his client, Belle Adrian, is failing to tell him about her role in the murder but he takes on the case anyway. Most of the novel is taken up in the courtroom scenes as Perry dissects the prosecuting attorney and there is a big twist near the end that I didn’t see coming.
Another engrossing read from Gardner and I am happy to look up at my bookshelves and see a couple dozen more Perry Mason novels still to read.
January 30, 2019
This Perry Mason mystery takes place outside of LA, up in BearValley, a few hours north of the city.
I found it to be one of the more difficult ones to figure out who the murderer was, and it was a surprise that proved the old adage "follow the money." The whole book seemed to focus on the angry women who were involved with the playboy murder victim, and I kept trying to figure out which offended woman killed him. Anyway, the point of this particular book was that circumstantial evidence is actually very good evidence when properly interpreted, but the interpretation can be very tricky and difficult, and not at all obvious when first examined. Another cleverly constructed mystery by Erle Stanley Gardener, and one that evokes a real feel for 1950s California.
I found it to be one of the more difficult ones to figure out who the murderer was, and it was a surprise that proved the old adage "follow the money." The whole book seemed to focus on the angry women who were involved with the playboy murder victim, and I kept trying to figure out which offended woman killed him. Anyway, the point of this particular book was that circumstantial evidence is actually very good evidence when properly interpreted, but the interpretation can be very tricky and difficult, and not at all obvious when first examined. Another cleverly constructed mystery by Erle Stanley Gardener, and one that evokes a real feel for 1950s California.
May 31, 2010
Despite the misspellings early on in the book (Arthur was sometimes spelled Authur or Author), this was a really good mystery. The conclusion was logical, and the mystery was good... and I just like it when Perry is an ass and wins.
July 24, 2021
I love the fireworks that happen when the prosecutors think they've got the drop on Mason, and plan to charge him with all kinds of malpractice. Old Perry just sits there, soaks up the pressure, reveals who the murderer really was, drops the mic, and kicks back and lolz.
December 5, 2022
Over the last forty years I've read all of the Mason novels at least once, and most several times. This is one of the very best!
It was written in 1951, during probably Gardner's strongest period, roughly 1939 - 1953. The earliest novels have a distinct "film noir" feel. By 1939, Gardner was transitioning into his mature period, when he (and Mason) mellowed a bit. Later, after the TV series became a huge hit, the novels became mechanical, the writing almost sterile, though the great plots remained.
This one takes place almost entirely in a little town next to a lake in the mountains. A murder occurs late one night at one of the cabins on the lake. The cabin is owned by the wealthy landowner of most of the lake area, Dexter Cushing, but is used mostly by his son Arthur for fun and amorous pursuits. It is early December, and a coating of hoar frost forms around midnight, just enough to hold some tracks until it melts during the next morning. Who made the tracks and when? Suspicion quickly falls on Belle Adrian, the mother of a young woman (Carlotta) who had had dinner at the cabin the night before, and apparently stayed too late for her own good.
The story has several of Gardner's recurring themes: the setting, a cabin high in the mountains a few hours drive from LA; a ne'er do well son of a wealthy older man; a basically good-hearted rural sheriff; an over-confident rural DA. Ne'er do well sons or stepsons occur frequently in the Mason novels, such as the Case of Black-eyed Blonde. The basic idea of a 'wolf' attacking a young woman who gets away, and then the wolf is murdered, occurs also in the Case of the Waylaid Wolf.
But this one is considerably better than the Waylaid Wolf (though that story is pretty good). This is definitely one of Gardner's best novels. Unlike some, it is not TOO complicated. The resolution is especially tight and logical. I can think of no objections to any part of the plot. Everything is there. Little clues are left for the reader. But can the reader tell the clues from the red herrings?
There is little use of Della. Perry does not skirt the edge of the law or mix up witnesses or guns, but there is a personal threat against him, in that the DA thinks he has improperly subpoened a witness who knows nothing of the case -- that's the "angry mourner." This makes for some great courtroom scenes.
No Lt. Tragg or Hamilton Burger. Good Paul Drake. Perry describes an interesting algorithm for checking a lot of license plates. The passage where the method is described is quoted in a famous computer science book.
There aren't very many suspects. The clients are sympathetic.
Highly recommended. This is definitely among the top five Perry Mason novels. Too bad it doesn't have Hamilton Burger in it!
PS: This story has a lot of similarities to the earlier Case of the Lazy Lover. They both involve the analysis of tracks. They both have a defendant whose daughter is involved. They both feature an older rich man who has had some shady deals and taken advantage of people. They both feature a second young woman who seems to be very sharp witted. However, the Lazy Lover is TOO compilicated and has people taking unreal actions. The Angry Mourner is better.
Belle Adrian, concerned mother of 21 year old
Carlotta Adrian, who doesn't need a chaperone.
Dexter Cushing, wealthy landowner.
Arthur Cushing, son of Dexter.
Sam Burris, long time resident of the lake side.
Mrs. Burris, his wife.
Harvey Delano, young lawyer and friend of Carlotta.
Sheriff Bert Elmore, competent, insistent.
District Attorney Darwin Hale, who's not going to be fooled by any city slicker lawyer.
C. Creston Ives, distinguished lawyer hired by Dexter Cushing.
Nora Fleming, the Cushing housekeeper.
Marion Keats, young woman, the "angry mourner."
It was written in 1951, during probably Gardner's strongest period, roughly 1939 - 1953. The earliest novels have a distinct "film noir" feel. By 1939, Gardner was transitioning into his mature period, when he (and Mason) mellowed a bit. Later, after the TV series became a huge hit, the novels became mechanical, the writing almost sterile, though the great plots remained.
This one takes place almost entirely in a little town next to a lake in the mountains. A murder occurs late one night at one of the cabins on the lake. The cabin is owned by the wealthy landowner of most of the lake area, Dexter Cushing, but is used mostly by his son Arthur for fun and amorous pursuits. It is early December, and a coating of hoar frost forms around midnight, just enough to hold some tracks until it melts during the next morning. Who made the tracks and when? Suspicion quickly falls on Belle Adrian, the mother of a young woman (Carlotta) who had had dinner at the cabin the night before, and apparently stayed too late for her own good.
The story has several of Gardner's recurring themes: the setting, a cabin high in the mountains a few hours drive from LA; a ne'er do well son of a wealthy older man; a basically good-hearted rural sheriff; an over-confident rural DA. Ne'er do well sons or stepsons occur frequently in the Mason novels, such as the Case of Black-eyed Blonde. The basic idea of a 'wolf' attacking a young woman who gets away, and then the wolf is murdered, occurs also in the Case of the Waylaid Wolf.
But this one is considerably better than the Waylaid Wolf (though that story is pretty good). This is definitely one of Gardner's best novels. Unlike some, it is not TOO complicated. The resolution is especially tight and logical. I can think of no objections to any part of the plot. Everything is there. Little clues are left for the reader. But can the reader tell the clues from the red herrings?
There is little use of Della. Perry does not skirt the edge of the law or mix up witnesses or guns, but there is a personal threat against him, in that the DA thinks he has improperly subpoened a witness who knows nothing of the case -- that's the "angry mourner." This makes for some great courtroom scenes.
No Lt. Tragg or Hamilton Burger. Good Paul Drake. Perry describes an interesting algorithm for checking a lot of license plates. The passage where the method is described is quoted in a famous computer science book.
There aren't very many suspects. The clients are sympathetic.
Highly recommended. This is definitely among the top five Perry Mason novels. Too bad it doesn't have Hamilton Burger in it!
PS: This story has a lot of similarities to the earlier Case of the Lazy Lover. They both involve the analysis of tracks. They both have a defendant whose daughter is involved. They both feature an older rich man who has had some shady deals and taken advantage of people. They both feature a second young woman who seems to be very sharp witted. However, the Lazy Lover is TOO compilicated and has people taking unreal actions. The Angry Mourner is better.
Belle Adrian, concerned mother of 21 year old
Carlotta Adrian, who doesn't need a chaperone.
Dexter Cushing, wealthy landowner.
Arthur Cushing, son of Dexter.
Sam Burris, long time resident of the lake side.
Mrs. Burris, his wife.
Harvey Delano, young lawyer and friend of Carlotta.
Sheriff Bert Elmore, competent, insistent.
District Attorney Darwin Hale, who's not going to be fooled by any city slicker lawyer.
C. Creston Ives, distinguished lawyer hired by Dexter Cushing.
Nora Fleming, the Cushing housekeeper.
Marion Keats, young woman, the "angry mourner."
June 5, 2021
This review was going to have three stars until the last few pages when Perry revealed the murderer. I so missed it (was so convinced it was another person) and completely missed the telling clue, that I'm embarrassed. I found the early parts of the book tedious until Perry appeared. This book is set in a ski community in California--an unusual setting for Perry Mason. As in most books in this series, it gets much more interesting once Perry gets to court.
May 4, 2020
This one has a pretty good adaption to the episode from the TV series, but because it's a book there's a little more room to play which makes it a stronger story than the episode.
Recommended 14+ for murder, language, and romance
Recommended 14+ for murder, language, and romance
September 4, 2021
Intricate Plot of Deception
This book was better than the show. People will resort to any hype of trickery to get one up on Perry Mason. Too bad that he's such a phenomenal lawyer and very smart. Enjoy this book from beginning to the end.
This book was better than the show. People will resort to any hype of trickery to get one up on Perry Mason. Too bad that he's such a phenomenal lawyer and very smart. Enjoy this book from beginning to the end.
July 25, 2023
A fun mystery. I found it fun but would not read it again.
September 25, 2016
"These are such happy days."
The 1950's were innocent times, right? Yet this book was published in 1951 and the plot revolves around the murder of a rich, handsome playboy who has a nasty hobby. We'd call it "date-rape." Back then he was a "wolf" who wouldn't take no for an answer and didn't mind getting rough to get what he wanted. He knew he could get away with it. As one of his victims says, "No girl wants to come forward and make charges that are going to get her a lot of publicity." Indeed, when this particular young lady is suspected of the murder, her mother's greatest fear is that her daughter's name would appear in the newspapers.
This is an unusual Perry Mason in that we find the celebrated lawyer away from his busy office and on vacation in a friend's rustic lakeside cabin. It's in a popular ski resort and the winter season is in full swing. Perry hasn't come for the winter sports, but for some much-needed rest. Sadly, he lacks the ability to leave his work at the office and he's eagerly awaiting the arrival of his faithful secretary Della Street with some case files to work on. This guy was a Type-A personality before the term was invented.
Before Della gets there, he's rousted out of bed by a frantic mother whose rebellious daughter was the last person known to have been with the murdered man. He tries to fend her off, saying "I'm an attorney and not a detective." Of course, she knows better and so do we. Anyway, he's been bored out of his mind for four days and isn't about to let this humdinger of a case get away. The next thing you know, Paul Drake (who admits to being a detective) has flown in and Perry is cooking him breakfast.
Reading about the Great Man fixing eggs, toast, bacon, coffee, and OJ and then serving it on a warm plate (except for the coffee and OJ) is one of the high points of the book. And then Della arrives and he puts his arm around her shoulder and pats her (the author doesn't specify where he pats her, so you can think whatever you like) and says, "Good girl!" Try that sometime and see what it gets you.
In addition to the mother-daughter suspects, there's a rugged local sheriff who's willing to go toe-to-toe with the big city lawyer and a farmer with a grudge against the dead man and his nosy wife who's going to spill her guts or die trying. And the local District Attorney is a cock-sure, bombastic bumbler who's certain he can out-wit the great Perry Mason so poor old Hamilton Burger gets a vacation, too.
This is the fourth in this series for me and the best so far. There's not one, but two very good red herrings and (while I had an inkling) I wasn't sure whodunit until the very end. A very satisfying mystery. Sadly, the "book description" describes the wrong book AGAIN. Poor Erle is probably spinning in his grave.
The 1950's were innocent times, right? Yet this book was published in 1951 and the plot revolves around the murder of a rich, handsome playboy who has a nasty hobby. We'd call it "date-rape." Back then he was a "wolf" who wouldn't take no for an answer and didn't mind getting rough to get what he wanted. He knew he could get away with it. As one of his victims says, "No girl wants to come forward and make charges that are going to get her a lot of publicity." Indeed, when this particular young lady is suspected of the murder, her mother's greatest fear is that her daughter's name would appear in the newspapers.
This is an unusual Perry Mason in that we find the celebrated lawyer away from his busy office and on vacation in a friend's rustic lakeside cabin. It's in a popular ski resort and the winter season is in full swing. Perry hasn't come for the winter sports, but for some much-needed rest. Sadly, he lacks the ability to leave his work at the office and he's eagerly awaiting the arrival of his faithful secretary Della Street with some case files to work on. This guy was a Type-A personality before the term was invented.
Before Della gets there, he's rousted out of bed by a frantic mother whose rebellious daughter was the last person known to have been with the murdered man. He tries to fend her off, saying "I'm an attorney and not a detective." Of course, she knows better and so do we. Anyway, he's been bored out of his mind for four days and isn't about to let this humdinger of a case get away. The next thing you know, Paul Drake (who admits to being a detective) has flown in and Perry is cooking him breakfast.
Reading about the Great Man fixing eggs, toast, bacon, coffee, and OJ and then serving it on a warm plate (except for the coffee and OJ) is one of the high points of the book. And then Della arrives and he puts his arm around her shoulder and pats her (the author doesn't specify where he pats her, so you can think whatever you like) and says, "Good girl!" Try that sometime and see what it gets you.
In addition to the mother-daughter suspects, there's a rugged local sheriff who's willing to go toe-to-toe with the big city lawyer and a farmer with a grudge against the dead man and his nosy wife who's going to spill her guts or die trying. And the local District Attorney is a cock-sure, bombastic bumbler who's certain he can out-wit the great Perry Mason so poor old Hamilton Burger gets a vacation, too.
This is the fourth in this series for me and the best so far. There's not one, but two very good red herrings and (while I had an inkling) I wasn't sure whodunit until the very end. A very satisfying mystery. Sadly, the "book description" describes the wrong book AGAIN. Poor Erle is probably spinning in his grave.
May 15, 2017
Gardner's Perry Mason is one of the most beloved characters in fiction and on the television screen. Gardner, who was a well known criminal defense attorney in Ventura, California, wrote dozens and dozens of Perry Mason mysteries. How he found time to actually practice law is the mystery, but perhaps once he started, these books wrote themselves. In many ways, Perry Mason follows in the Sherlock Holmes tradition with deductive reasoning being the key.
This mystery has very little action, very little violence, very little romance. Yet, once you start reading it, it is nearly impossible to put down. Gardner was that great a writer. This one starts with a brief description of the murder and what follows is mainly lawyering and deductive reasoning with Mason catching the perpetrator in a small lie. Obviously, the description given by the publisher is for a different Perry Mason mystery. This one takes place when Mason is trying to take a few days off in the mountains and finds himself involved in the small mountain town's greatest mystery as a woman, trying to protect her daughter from scandal, ends up in hot water herself with every piece of evidence pointing toward her guilt.
This is a perfect example of the Perry Mason series. They are great reads. Highly recommended.
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This mystery has very little action, very little violence, very little romance. Yet, once you start reading it, it is nearly impossible to put down. Gardner was that great a writer. This one starts with a brief description of the murder and what follows is mainly lawyering and deductive reasoning with Mason catching the perpetrator in a small lie. Obviously, the description given by the publisher is for a different Perry Mason mystery. This one takes place when Mason is trying to take a few days off in the mountains and finds himself involved in the small mountain town's greatest mystery as a woman, trying to protect her daughter from scandal, ends up in hot water herself with every piece of evidence pointing toward her guilt.
This is a perfect example of the Perry Mason series. They are great reads. Highly recommended.
Comment|Thank you for your review.
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January 4, 2014
#38 in the Perry Mason series. Perry is having a short vacation at the mountain cabin of a client. The murder takes place nearby and almost all of the action takes place in this small community giving the mystery a much more restricted venue than usual. Perry's client is not truthful with him (a usual condition) causing him to exercise his imagination and nimble wits when the prosecutor is able to blindside him in court. Very enjoyable entry in the series.
Perry Mason series - A playboy is murdered in his lakeside cabin and a mother and daughter, who had both been there, start to suspect each other so call on Perry Mason for help.
Perry Mason series - A playboy is murdered in his lakeside cabin and a mother and daughter, who had both been there, start to suspect each other so call on Perry Mason for help.
February 7, 2018
Mason wins again
Good mystery. I read every Perry Mason mystery in the library in the late 50s and early 60s. I was hooked on mysteries. It's great fun to re-read them now and see the difference in the plot of the book and the corresponding TV show. This book was fun even though the plot could be confusing. There is also the time the story is set that makes the communication methods stand out. Pay phones on the corner, no phones in the cabins, a switchboard operator that made personal phone calls in an apartment building not so private. Very entertaining.
Good mystery. I read every Perry Mason mystery in the library in the late 50s and early 60s. I was hooked on mysteries. It's great fun to re-read them now and see the difference in the plot of the book and the corresponding TV show. This book was fun even though the plot could be confusing. There is also the time the story is set that makes the communication methods stand out. Pay phones on the corner, no phones in the cabins, a switchboard operator that made personal phone calls in an apartment building not so private. Very entertaining.
April 27, 2012
My teacher recommended this book to accept it from the school library. I sort of didnt like it at first glance. She also told me to read it through carefully in case i find it too complicated. thats what hapened when i began to read it. it was just so amazing. perry mason is a real hero to so adroitly figure out the culprit. but Sam Burris? i had not a nerve in a 1000 to suspect him as the murderer!!! i will try getting more perry mason books from the school library!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 20, 2014
I frequently read a Perry Mason mystery to take a break from other types of books. From a very prolific writer, The Case of the Angry Mourner is one that is mostly solved in the courtroom by Perry Mason, who thinks fast on his feet. I love to watch him in action.
Generally, what I love about Gardner's books is the jump back in time, the stereotypes and lack of political correctness. I've never read one of his that isn't completely enjoyable.
Generally, what I love about Gardner's books is the jump back in time, the stereotypes and lack of political correctness. I've never read one of his that isn't completely enjoyable.
April 7, 2015
A Perry Mason book can never be boring and this one was another page turner. My only disappointment was with the suspense which was quite a giveaway in this one. Nonetheless, thrilling and engrossing. A must read.
August 27, 2017
This is an outstanding Perry Mason novel, with lots and lots of clues and an interesting plot. Earle Stanley Gardner was at his apex.
December 2, 2017
This was better than the other Perry Mason books that I've read. Fast moving story, even though it isn't action packed.
January 10, 2018
Besides a jarring start without Garner’s famous attorney, this tale builds to a steady boil with all the hallmarks of a satisfying Mason mystery.
July 8, 2023
Ingenous plot and shrewdest detection.
Height of criminal mind and typical Mason shrewdness in unraveling the plot. One of the best stories by the author.
Height of criminal mind and typical Mason shrewdness in unraveling the plot. One of the best stories by the author.
August 25, 2022
The Case of the Angry Mourner
By Erle Stanley Gardner
Perry Mason, a fictional lawyer-detective character created by the famous American crime novelist Erle Stanley Gardner in the mid-twentieth century, was active along with his compatriot Hercule Poirat created by Agatha Christie in solving several ticklish murder cases. The legendary Sherlock Holmes, the predecessor to these two, having solved several crime cases which baffled the Scotland Yard before their arrival, had decided to live in a secluded place to spend his remaining life in a peaceful area. Agatha Christie and Stanley Gardner wove a magic spell upon the readers with their riveting crime thrillers in the middle of the last century. Gardner's novels were sold like hot cakes in the English speaking world. Most of his works were translated into other languages, too.
Recently I came upon two of his novels 'The Case of the Buried Clock' and 'The Case of the Angry Mourner'.
Let me give you some tips about the second one.
A beautiful farmland spreading over 100 acres is owned by one Sam Berris. A sprawling lake in the centre of the land is the area's attraction. The locality is called 'Bear Valley Inn'. The story is revolving around this area. He sells off 50 acres of farm lands to one Mr. Dexter Cushing who, instead of using the lands for farm activities, as was expected by the seller, has constructed a lot of cottages around the lake to attract tourists. During winter the lake would be frozen, frost would blanket the entire area and skiing and skating would be the fun of that lovely place. Boating would be the pastime during summer. Dexter's wayward son Arthur Cushing, with a prosthetic implant, having lost one of his legs in an accident, is staying in one cottage. He leads a carefree life, lavishing money on drinks and blondes. This is not liked by Sam Burris. Mrs. Belly Adrian, a widowed lady of 55 years old, is owning one cottage, staying there with her daughter, Miss. Carlotta Adrian, aged 21. Her lover is Harvey Delano, a lawyer. She is also in friendship with Arthur Cushing.
One midnight, Belly Adrian hears a wild scream. The sudden noise, apparently made by a panic-stricken lady, shrills through the silence of the area. It seems to have come from Arthur Cushing's cottage. The lights inside the cottage are on. Terrified, she peeps into her daughter's room and surprised to see the vacant room. The door of the garage is open. Gripped by fear and curiosity to know the whereabouts of her daughter, Belly walks up to Cushing's cottage. There, to her shock, she finds Arthur Cushing slumped in his wheelchair to death. She finds broken mirror, shreds of glass strewn around and the broken window panes. To her dismay, she finds a compact. On closer look of the compact, she finds 'Arthur to Carlotta with love' engraved on it. She then sweeps the floor, takes the compact and comes home. Belly is dumbstruck on seeing Carlotta in her room. Both of them have a feeling that the other one is the murderess. The mother and daughter are huddled into the bed thinking of how they can extricate themselves as circumstantial evidences are very well against them. There was a tap on the door in the early morning. On answering the tap, Belly is shocked to see her neighbour Sam Burris standing outside casting a suspicious look at Belly. He tells her that she was spotted by him at the crime scene, calms the agitated Belly and advises her not to reveal the truth to the investigating officials who are to pounce upon both Belly Adrian and her daughter later in the day. Belly engages the famous lawyer Perry Mason, while Carlotta seeks the help of her lover cum lawyer, Harvey Delano.
How Perry Mason breaks the impregnable fort built by the prosecution team is interestingly narrated by Gardner in the remaining pages. The court scene is absorbing.
An engrossing novel.
By Erle Stanley Gardner
Perry Mason, a fictional lawyer-detective character created by the famous American crime novelist Erle Stanley Gardner in the mid-twentieth century, was active along with his compatriot Hercule Poirat created by Agatha Christie in solving several ticklish murder cases. The legendary Sherlock Holmes, the predecessor to these two, having solved several crime cases which baffled the Scotland Yard before their arrival, had decided to live in a secluded place to spend his remaining life in a peaceful area. Agatha Christie and Stanley Gardner wove a magic spell upon the readers with their riveting crime thrillers in the middle of the last century. Gardner's novels were sold like hot cakes in the English speaking world. Most of his works were translated into other languages, too.
Recently I came upon two of his novels 'The Case of the Buried Clock' and 'The Case of the Angry Mourner'.
Let me give you some tips about the second one.
A beautiful farmland spreading over 100 acres is owned by one Sam Berris. A sprawling lake in the centre of the land is the area's attraction. The locality is called 'Bear Valley Inn'. The story is revolving around this area. He sells off 50 acres of farm lands to one Mr. Dexter Cushing who, instead of using the lands for farm activities, as was expected by the seller, has constructed a lot of cottages around the lake to attract tourists. During winter the lake would be frozen, frost would blanket the entire area and skiing and skating would be the fun of that lovely place. Boating would be the pastime during summer. Dexter's wayward son Arthur Cushing, with a prosthetic implant, having lost one of his legs in an accident, is staying in one cottage. He leads a carefree life, lavishing money on drinks and blondes. This is not liked by Sam Burris. Mrs. Belly Adrian, a widowed lady of 55 years old, is owning one cottage, staying there with her daughter, Miss. Carlotta Adrian, aged 21. Her lover is Harvey Delano, a lawyer. She is also in friendship with Arthur Cushing.
One midnight, Belly Adrian hears a wild scream. The sudden noise, apparently made by a panic-stricken lady, shrills through the silence of the area. It seems to have come from Arthur Cushing's cottage. The lights inside the cottage are on. Terrified, she peeps into her daughter's room and surprised to see the vacant room. The door of the garage is open. Gripped by fear and curiosity to know the whereabouts of her daughter, Belly walks up to Cushing's cottage. There, to her shock, she finds Arthur Cushing slumped in his wheelchair to death. She finds broken mirror, shreds of glass strewn around and the broken window panes. To her dismay, she finds a compact. On closer look of the compact, she finds 'Arthur to Carlotta with love' engraved on it. She then sweeps the floor, takes the compact and comes home. Belly is dumbstruck on seeing Carlotta in her room. Both of them have a feeling that the other one is the murderess. The mother and daughter are huddled into the bed thinking of how they can extricate themselves as circumstantial evidences are very well against them. There was a tap on the door in the early morning. On answering the tap, Belly is shocked to see her neighbour Sam Burris standing outside casting a suspicious look at Belly. He tells her that she was spotted by him at the crime scene, calms the agitated Belly and advises her not to reveal the truth to the investigating officials who are to pounce upon both Belly Adrian and her daughter later in the day. Belly engages the famous lawyer Perry Mason, while Carlotta seeks the help of her lover cum lawyer, Harvey Delano.
How Perry Mason breaks the impregnable fort built by the prosecution team is interestingly narrated by Gardner in the remaining pages. The court scene is absorbing.
An engrossing novel.
September 9, 2025
The Case of the Angry Mourner (1951) by Erle Stanley Gardner. This is one of the best Perry Mason stories and it is unusual in that the setting is almost exclusively away from the big city. And Perry is on a short vacation.
While resting up from his normal, over-loaded casework, Perry is found in a friend’s small lakeside cabin in Bear Valley, almost three hours north of LA. It is a ski town with lots of traffic in and out, something that will figure later in the story. Perry’s vacation is abused when a woman from a near-by cabin intrudes on his morning with a plea for help.
Just a few hours earlier a man was found murdered in his cabin, also at the lake. The man, Arthur Cushing, was a known playboy and, lets face it, a date rapist to some degree or another. He was the son of a rich man who has bought his way into the lakeside community with the hidden agenda of developing the large property into a resort. This alone alone sets the family at odds with the people of the nearby town. That Arthur uses his status and his father’s influence to quell any uproar about his dating “antics” in the past did not have to be highlighted. But now he is dead after a ruined “date”.
Carlotta Adrian was to be his latest victim, but manages to smack him a good belt and escape. But noises from Arthur;s cabin rouse the neighbor who does a quick investigation, He sees Bella Adrian, Carlotta’s mother, in the cabin doing some things.
It is Bella who runs to Mason’s cabin and tells her tale. In quick time Mason and Paul Drake are on the case, trying to straighten out what really happened overnight at Arthur’s cabin.
This book takes Perry away from LA but there is the local sheriff and DA to contend with, as well as the puzzle as to who actually killed Arthur. In all this is a very fine and seemingly uncomplicated murder mystery that finally reveals itself as quite the puzzler. The tactics Mason and Drake use are unusual but fitting. The tactic is so well planned and executed that you can find it cited in a well-known computer science book, or so I am told.
A small cast of characters does not detract from the impossibility of the case or the dire straights Mason finds himself in when he has to face three lawyers that all seem intent on destroying his career.
This was written in 1951 during the acme of Gardner’s writing abilities (it was more of a long, wide plateau than a single point), which spanned a great many years. He continued to write many, many more great mysteries but this book is a true star for its simple complexity.
While resting up from his normal, over-loaded casework, Perry is found in a friend’s small lakeside cabin in Bear Valley, almost three hours north of LA. It is a ski town with lots of traffic in and out, something that will figure later in the story. Perry’s vacation is abused when a woman from a near-by cabin intrudes on his morning with a plea for help.
Just a few hours earlier a man was found murdered in his cabin, also at the lake. The man, Arthur Cushing, was a known playboy and, lets face it, a date rapist to some degree or another. He was the son of a rich man who has bought his way into the lakeside community with the hidden agenda of developing the large property into a resort. This alone alone sets the family at odds with the people of the nearby town. That Arthur uses his status and his father’s influence to quell any uproar about his dating “antics” in the past did not have to be highlighted. But now he is dead after a ruined “date”.
Carlotta Adrian was to be his latest victim, but manages to smack him a good belt and escape. But noises from Arthur;s cabin rouse the neighbor who does a quick investigation, He sees Bella Adrian, Carlotta’s mother, in the cabin doing some things.
It is Bella who runs to Mason’s cabin and tells her tale. In quick time Mason and Paul Drake are on the case, trying to straighten out what really happened overnight at Arthur’s cabin.
This book takes Perry away from LA but there is the local sheriff and DA to contend with, as well as the puzzle as to who actually killed Arthur. In all this is a very fine and seemingly uncomplicated murder mystery that finally reveals itself as quite the puzzler. The tactics Mason and Drake use are unusual but fitting. The tactic is so well planned and executed that you can find it cited in a well-known computer science book, or so I am told.
A small cast of characters does not detract from the impossibility of the case or the dire straights Mason finds himself in when he has to face three lawyers that all seem intent on destroying his career.
This was written in 1951 during the acme of Gardner’s writing abilities (it was more of a long, wide plateau than a single point), which spanned a great many years. He continued to write many, many more great mysteries but this book is a true star for its simple complexity.
July 20, 2023
Belle Adrian, kızı Carlotta ile Arthur Cushing'in yakınında yaşayan bir kadındır. Arthur ve Carlotta beraber kayak yapmaktadır ama Arthur iyi niyetli biri değildir. Bir akşam beraber yemek yerler ve sarkınca Carlotta onu tokatlayıp ayrılır. Ancak gece bir el silal sesi duyulur. Belle eve gittiğinde Arthur'u tekerlekli sandalyede ölü bulur. Kızının yaptığını zannederek olay yerini temizlemeye çalışır. Ama onun eve girdiğini Sam Burris ve karısı teleskopları ile görür. Carlotta da bunu annesinin yaptığını zanneder. Şerif gelip ikisini de sorgulamak ister ama Belle çoktan o civarda tatil yapan Perry Mason'a ulaşmıştır. Ondan tavsiyeler alır ama ona her şeyi anlatmamıştır. Şerif onun yaptıklarını sırayla sıralar. Bu arada Carlotta'nın yakın arkadaşı avukat onu müvekkili yapar. Sadece anneyi savunacağı içşn rahatlayan Mason, cenazeye gelen araçlardan birinin sahibine kafayı takar. Marion adındaki bu kadının da Arthur ile ilişkisi vardır. Sam'in karısı Belle'yi gördüğünü ağzından kaçırınca ortalık iyice karışır. Sam bu olay aileye sıçramasın diye onları uyarmıştır. Savcı Hale elinden geldiği kadar onları zorlar ama Mason yine marifetini konuşturarak şahitleri darmadağın eder. Marion da bir avukat tutar. İz sürmeyi bilen Sam'e hiç soru sormayan Mason, onun bardaktaki ruj izi görmesine takılır. Marion'un da o gece olay yerinde olduğunu kanıtlar ve savcı ile avukat şaşırmışken hakime katilin kim olduğu ipucunu verir. Gerisini savcı kendi bulacaktır? Katil kimdir ve cinayeti neden işlemiştir? Olay yerindeki kırağı yüzünden izler nasıl açıklanacaktır? Della ve Paul'un çabaları işe yarayacak mıdır? Keyifle bir solukta okunan bir roman.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 5, 2024
As with many of my generation, I grew up watching the TV Perry Mason series with Raymond Burr as Mason and with Barbara Hale playing the role of Della Street, his confidential secretary. Although it is hard to read the Mason novels today without picturing these TV actors in my mind as one reads. That is not bad as it helps bring everything to life. I loved the TV series (and I still do), and the books are exceptional. During the mid-1950s, the Perry Mason novels were selling at the rate of twenty thousand copies a day.
“The Case of The Angry Mourner” opens in Bear Valley; Mason is having a ski-minibreak in a winter resort when he realizes that he is not really relaxing. His sharp mind needs stimulation. When you need a diversion, a murder always fills the bill ~ and one occurs right down the road. Notorious playboy Arthur Cushing is murdered. Belle Adrian suspects that her daughter Carlotta, who is dating young Cushing, is the killer, and Carlotta suspects her mother of the crime. Mason is consulted, circumstantial evidence piles up, and Belle is arrested for murder. All begins simple enough; however, plot twist after plot twist occurs leading the reader into a clever and complex mystery. I found “The Case of The Angry Mourner” to be one of the more difficult stories to figure out who was the murderer. If you have not read a Mason novel, or if it has been a while since you did, I do recommend that you try one! You will not be disappointed.
“The Case of The Angry Mourner” opens in Bear Valley; Mason is having a ski-minibreak in a winter resort when he realizes that he is not really relaxing. His sharp mind needs stimulation. When you need a diversion, a murder always fills the bill ~ and one occurs right down the road. Notorious playboy Arthur Cushing is murdered. Belle Adrian suspects that her daughter Carlotta, who is dating young Cushing, is the killer, and Carlotta suspects her mother of the crime. Mason is consulted, circumstantial evidence piles up, and Belle is arrested for murder. All begins simple enough; however, plot twist after plot twist occurs leading the reader into a clever and complex mystery. I found “The Case of The Angry Mourner” to be one of the more difficult stories to figure out who was the murderer. If you have not read a Mason novel, or if it has been a while since you did, I do recommend that you try one! You will not be disappointed.
May 5, 2023
A solid Perry Mason adventure with a bit different intro, this time you get almost all the events of the murder without needing to get them from questioning, but enough key things are left out to make it a mystery.
Perry is supposedly on vacation but gets contacted and has to figure out who he's defending and whether they can be trusted. Very little Della in this book, which is too bad because she's such a great character.
The final trial is longer than most in the series, and while it wraps up all right, I have questions about how certain things happened, because they were not resolved in Perry's explanation
Perry is supposedly on vacation but gets contacted and has to figure out who he's defending and whether they can be trusted. Very little Della in this book, which is too bad because she's such a great character.
The final trial is longer than most in the series, and while it wraps up all right, I have questions about how certain things happened, because they were not resolved in Perry's explanation
April 2, 2024
What can I say? I really like what ESG did with his Perry Mason stories (as did countless others!). Mourner is another dramatic adventure for Perry and company. This one takes place, as a number of the cases do, out in the countryside where Perry is trying to have a relaxing vacation away from the office. So much for that, as the neighbors seek him out to dump a murder in his lap. The people involved in the mystery keep the reader guessing until the end. I thought I had it figured out early on, but then a few red herrings were thrown my way, with too many people suspecting each other. Was I right in my original thoughts? Not saying – you’ll just have to read it for yourself.
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