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Perry Mason #56
The Case of the Long-Legged Models
Stephanie Falkner is forced to deal with the mobsters who almost certainly killed her father, including smooth, sinister George Casselman, but she needs Perry Mason's help when Casselman is murdered--and the gun turns up under her pillow.
173 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 1958
36 people are currently reading
382 people want to read
About the author
Erle Stanley Gardner
1,351 books817 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 59 reviews
June 10, 2025
Twisty
This case was a real maze , every time you thought you had a grasp on it, a new layer popped up and threw you off again. The number of characters involved was wild; at some point it felt like everyone was under suspicion, which kept things engaging but also slightly overwhelming.
To be fair, this book really highlighted how clever and structured Erle Stanley Gardner's writing can be. He knows how to spin a complex web, and that definitely showed here.
That said, while the twist wasn’t predictable, it didn’t really land with impact. It left me with more of a “meh” than a “wow,” which is probably why I’m sitting on a solid three stars. It had potential, but it didn’t hit as hard as it could’ve.
This case was a real maze , every time you thought you had a grasp on it, a new layer popped up and threw you off again. The number of characters involved was wild; at some point it felt like everyone was under suspicion, which kept things engaging but also slightly overwhelming.
To be fair, this book really highlighted how clever and structured Erle Stanley Gardner's writing can be. He knows how to spin a complex web, and that definitely showed here.
That said, while the twist wasn’t predictable, it didn’t really land with impact. It left me with more of a “meh” than a “wow,” which is probably why I’m sitting on a solid three stars. It had potential, but it didn’t hit as hard as it could’ve.
March 12, 2022
In which there is much consternation concerning Can you figure out the murder weapon, and whodunit?
VERDICT: 2+ stars, or ~3 stars if adjusted for the era it was written in. I can't say it was super-high on logic sometimes--but it was moderately entertaining and had a bit of courtroom drama near the end. This is the first Mason novel I've attempted.
PS: Perry would be lost without Della :)
VERDICT: 2+ stars, or ~3 stars if adjusted for the era it was written in. I can't say it was super-high on logic sometimes--but it was moderately entertaining and had a bit of courtroom drama near the end. This is the first Mason novel I've attempted.
PS: Perry would be lost without Della :)
November 10, 2023
He did a few different things with this one, and as usual, worked well. This was concerning a long-time existing client he already knew for a change and his office staff, which was interesting in a drama way.
May 3, 2021
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 once. Now, after a lot of water over the dam, I'm looking at them again.
Those who are used to really fine mystery writers may find the writing style here a bit stiff and mechanical. Nonetheless, I still love the general setting: the characters of Perry, Della, Paul, Lt. Tragg, and Hamilton Berger. That, and the ingenious plots, are why I read Perry Mason.
On the whole, the ones written by 1953 are the best. This one was written in 1958, rather late in the canon. But like many late books, written after the TV series became a huge hit, there isn't much in the way of embellishment or descriptive detail. But the plot is good.
The story starts when a young woman, Stephanie Falkner, comes into Mason's office to hire him. Her father owned some property in Las Vegas. Six months earlier he was murdered, and the crime was never solved. She thinks it was done by a syndicate of gangsters who want to get control of the property. Right now she owns 40% of the property, a man named Homer Garvin Sr. own 15%, and a shady character named George Casselman owns 45%. Casselman is trying to get control of more than 50%. Stephanie wants Mason to stop him, and to find out who killed her father.
Perry locates Casselman and has an inconclusive talk with him. Later that night Casselman is murdered. Suspicion soons falls on Stephanie Falkner, and it looks like Homer Garvin Sr. may have helped her.
The murder weapon is a gun, one of three identical bought some months before by Homer Garvin Sr. He gave one of them to his son, Homer Garvin Jr., a used car salesman. Perry decides to mix up the situation a bit by visiting Homer Jr., "accidently" firing his gun, and then taking it to Stephanie. He doesn't know for sure at that time that the murder weapon is one of these guns, nor does he know that Homer Sr. also gave Stephanie one of the guns! This is probably the best gun switch story in the Perry Mason canon. It is fun to look at the situation from the point of view of Homer Sr., Stephanie, Homer Jr., and Hamilton Berger. It is well done.
There are good courtroom cross examinations. Very good Hamilton Burger, brief Tragg, good Holcomb. Good use of Della, average Drake. Burger thinks Perry intentionally swapped the murder weapon.
Hamilton Burger learns a lesson in elementary logic. If A implies B, and B occurs, does that mean A occurred? Look up "affirming the consequent".
The cast:
Stephanie Falkner, heir to property in Las Vegas.
Homer Garvin, Sr., businessman and long term client of Perry Mason who is aware of Stephanie's problem.
Homer Garvin, Jr., aggressive used car salesman. Gets emotional at times.
Marie Barlow, former secretary for Homer Garvin, Sr.
Eva Elliott, present secretary for Homer Garvin, Sr.
George Casselman, Las Vegas sharpshooter who gets shot.
Dawn Joyce, the third long-legged model.
Lucille, runs a hotel in Las Vegas.
There aren't many suspects.
As I said above, the writing is spare, even mechanical. Most of the earlier stories in Gardner's long career contain little touches that pique the reader's curiosity and reveal little details about how life was lived in the middle decades of the twentieth century. Not here. There is no reference to exotic locations or long ago events. There is some emotional kick at the end, as there is in the best books.
There are indeed three "long-legged models", but the title of the story should have referenced the guns and the gun swap.
The defendant is sympathetic.
During the trial a witness threatens to kill Perry!
Daring Decoy also has more than one gun. Singing Skirt also has gun switching.
This is one of the better late stories. Recommended.
Those who are used to really fine mystery writers may find the writing style here a bit stiff and mechanical. Nonetheless, I still love the general setting: the characters of Perry, Della, Paul, Lt. Tragg, and Hamilton Berger. That, and the ingenious plots, are why I read Perry Mason.
On the whole, the ones written by 1953 are the best. This one was written in 1958, rather late in the canon. But like many late books, written after the TV series became a huge hit, there isn't much in the way of embellishment or descriptive detail. But the plot is good.
The story starts when a young woman, Stephanie Falkner, comes into Mason's office to hire him. Her father owned some property in Las Vegas. Six months earlier he was murdered, and the crime was never solved. She thinks it was done by a syndicate of gangsters who want to get control of the property. Right now she owns 40% of the property, a man named Homer Garvin Sr. own 15%, and a shady character named George Casselman owns 45%. Casselman is trying to get control of more than 50%. Stephanie wants Mason to stop him, and to find out who killed her father.
Perry locates Casselman and has an inconclusive talk with him. Later that night Casselman is murdered. Suspicion soons falls on Stephanie Falkner, and it looks like Homer Garvin Sr. may have helped her.
The murder weapon is a gun, one of three identical bought some months before by Homer Garvin Sr. He gave one of them to his son, Homer Garvin Jr., a used car salesman. Perry decides to mix up the situation a bit by visiting Homer Jr., "accidently" firing his gun, and then taking it to Stephanie. He doesn't know for sure at that time that the murder weapon is one of these guns, nor does he know that Homer Sr. also gave Stephanie one of the guns! This is probably the best gun switch story in the Perry Mason canon. It is fun to look at the situation from the point of view of Homer Sr., Stephanie, Homer Jr., and Hamilton Berger. It is well done.
There are good courtroom cross examinations. Very good Hamilton Burger, brief Tragg, good Holcomb. Good use of Della, average Drake. Burger thinks Perry intentionally swapped the murder weapon.
Hamilton Burger learns a lesson in elementary logic. If A implies B, and B occurs, does that mean A occurred? Look up "affirming the consequent".
The cast:
Stephanie Falkner, heir to property in Las Vegas.
Homer Garvin, Sr., businessman and long term client of Perry Mason who is aware of Stephanie's problem.
Homer Garvin, Jr., aggressive used car salesman. Gets emotional at times.
Marie Barlow, former secretary for Homer Garvin, Sr.
Eva Elliott, present secretary for Homer Garvin, Sr.
George Casselman, Las Vegas sharpshooter who gets shot.
Dawn Joyce, the third long-legged model.
Lucille, runs a hotel in Las Vegas.
There aren't many suspects.
As I said above, the writing is spare, even mechanical. Most of the earlier stories in Gardner's long career contain little touches that pique the reader's curiosity and reveal little details about how life was lived in the middle decades of the twentieth century. Not here. There is no reference to exotic locations or long ago events. There is some emotional kick at the end, as there is in the best books.
There are indeed three "long-legged models", but the title of the story should have referenced the guns and the gun swap.
The defendant is sympathetic.
During the trial a witness threatens to kill Perry!
Daring Decoy also has more than one gun. Singing Skirt also has gun switching.
This is one of the better late stories. Recommended.
November 25, 2016
Too many guns! Somehow, I did have a vague idea about the real outcome, but I didn't know who exactly was the culprit. I could make out who weren't guilty though.
This is one of the few Mason Mysteries where there was more factual jugglery than any good court room jugglery.
This is one of the few Mason Mysteries where there was more factual jugglery than any good court room jugglery.
December 26, 2018
Boring.
November 24, 2020
اسم الكتاب: القضية المحيرة The Case of the Long Legged Models
اسم الكاتب: ايرل ستانلي جاردنر Erle Stanley Gardner
عدد الصفحات: 196صفحة-لنسخة العربية
تأتي مس ستيفاني فولكنر "التي تعمل عارضة أزياء محترفة" لزيارة المحامي الشهير بيري ماسون وتخبره بقصتها ومطلبها وهي إنها ورثت من والدها جلين فولكنر "والذي مات مقتولاً قبل 6 أشهرعلى يد أحد العصابات كما تعتقد ستيفاني" فندقاً لها فيها أسهماً بنسبة 40% وبقية الأسهم موزعة بين اربعة أفراد آخرين، تكونت نقابة مهمتها شراء الفنادق الصغيرة وقد اشترت بالفعل الأسهم من الباقين ولكن ستيفاني ترفض البيع نصيبها، تعرفت ستيفاني على مستر هومر جارفن واشترى هو 15% من الأسهم، الآن ترغب ستيفاني الوصول لمستر هومرجارفن الكبير حتى يشتركان معاً بهذه البيعة فلا تبيع إن لم يرغب هو بالبيع، وأيضاً ترغب من المحامي الشهير التحقق في قضية مقتل والدها الغامضة وعرضها للعدالة.
تبدو هذه القضية مريبة وغامضة لماسون ويتردد في بدايتها بأنها قضية شائكة وما كان ليقبلها ولكن رغبته لكشف الحقيقة دفعته للتحقيق. ثم تبدأ الأمور بالتعقيد ويظهر أشخاص جدد لهم علاقة بالجريمة وتحدث جريمة قتل أخرى ويتغير المشتبة به ولكن ذكاء ومهارة ماسون كفيلة لحل أي قضية.
من القاتل وكيف تمت الجريمة؟ هذا ما نكتشفة في المحاكمة وتحقيقات بيري.
اسم الكاتب: ايرل ستانلي جاردنر Erle Stanley Gardner
عدد الصفحات: 196صفحة-لنسخة العربية
تأتي مس ستيفاني فولكنر "التي تعمل عارضة أزياء محترفة" لزيارة المحامي الشهير بيري ماسون وتخبره بقصتها ومطلبها وهي إنها ورثت من والدها جلين فولكنر "والذي مات مقتولاً قبل 6 أشهرعلى يد أحد العصابات كما تعتقد ستيفاني" فندقاً لها فيها أسهماً بنسبة 40% وبقية الأسهم موزعة بين اربعة أفراد آخرين، تكونت نقابة مهمتها شراء الفنادق الصغيرة وقد اشترت بالفعل الأسهم من الباقين ولكن ستيفاني ترفض البيع نصيبها، تعرفت ستيفاني على مستر هومر جارفن واشترى هو 15% من الأسهم، الآن ترغب ستيفاني الوصول لمستر هومرجارفن الكبير حتى يشتركان معاً بهذه البيعة فلا تبيع إن لم يرغب هو بالبيع، وأيضاً ترغب من المحامي الشهير التحقق في قضية مقتل والدها الغامضة وعرضها للعدالة.
تبدو هذه القضية مريبة وغامضة لماسون ويتردد في بدايتها بأنها قضية شائكة وما كان ليقبلها ولكن رغبته لكشف الحقيقة دفعته للتحقيق. ثم تبدأ الأمور بالتعقيد ويظهر أشخاص جدد لهم علاقة بالجريمة وتحدث جريمة قتل أخرى ويتغير المشتبة به ولكن ذكاء ومهارة ماسون كفيلة لحل أي قضية.
من القاتل وكيف تمت الجريمة؟ هذا ما نكتشفة في المحاكمة وتحقيقات بيري.
July 30, 2018
Back before personal computers and search engines, there were gumshoe detectives and the lawyers who hired them. In this novel, written in 1957, Perry Mason must rely on his instincts, his private eye, and legwork. And his faithful personal assistant (although she probably wasn’t called that), Della Street. Stephanie Faulkner comes to Mason for some advice, knowing he is on retainer by someone who is a fellow stockholder in a shared company. Thus begins a somewhat convoluted case involving this young woman, a father and son, a couple of secretaries, the mob, and murder. Mason is not above muddying the waters, and neither is Della. While you are reading this tale, try to keep track of the guns, which are shuffled around slicker than the carny’s cup game at the fair. A quick read with engaging characters and intrigue, this mystery will keep you turning the pages to the very end.
May 5, 2020
A woman whose father was killed by Las Vegas mobsters approaches Perry Mason to help her prevent a hostile takeover of his company.
When the mobsters' front man is murdered, Mason once again finds himself defending a capital case.
Gardner's spare writing style presents an intricate plot with fine characterisation and many good points of law.
When the mobsters' front man is murdered, Mason once again finds himself defending a capital case.
Gardner's spare writing style presents an intricate plot with fine characterisation and many good points of law.
January 8, 2024
Interesting read, wouldn’t rush to recommend but kept me interested enough to finish
July 14, 2022
Found it laying around the folks house - a fun read and brought back memories of watching Perry Mason reruns back in the day. Might check out the HBO version now as well.
August 22, 2021
While this Perry Mason story was somewhat draggy for me, the ending was excellent and something I did not expect at all.
💥 Recommended.
🟣
📺
💥 Recommended.
🟣
📺
June 2, 2016
A fun entry of Mason and Street at work. The case is a bit convoluted as presented in book form as Gardner seems to struggle to make a shifting of an important clue the focus. The shifting makes it necessary to shift other parts of the story nd make the whole book seem more like a game for the reader than a solid plot.
The characters are well written. The scenery is fine, in that there are few locations written. Seemed to me while reading there are so few locations, this could also be put together as a theatrical production.
Nevertheless, this is all fun and it's always great to visit the office of Perry Mason.
Bottom line: I recommend this book. 5 out of 10 points.
The characters are well written. The scenery is fine, in that there are few locations written. Seemed to me while reading there are so few locations, this could also be put together as a theatrical production.
Nevertheless, this is all fun and it's always great to visit the office of Perry Mason.
Bottom line: I recommend this book. 5 out of 10 points.
June 16, 2011
The plot used ballistics, but was so convoluted that it was hard to follow the bouncing guns sometimes.
February 28, 2012
An entertaining story of three guns and one murder, with the guns being swapped about - or thought to be swapped about - and a bit of romance thrown in.
October 6, 2014
Best one in the series so far.
March 8, 2016
I read a lot of these Perry Mason novels in high school. A nice trip down memory lane, though I don't recall this particular one. There are apparently 150 of them..
November 30, 2023
Bir gün Stephanie Falkner adındaki bir kadın Mason'a gelir ve yardım ister. Homer Garvin'in tanıdığı olduğunu söyler ve babasının ölümüne sebep olan bir yerdeki hissesi ile ilgili olarak konuşur. Homer'in ve kendisinin bir miktar hissesi vardır ve bir sendika geri kalanları almıştır. Kendi hissesini uygun bir fiyata satmak ister. George Casselman adında bir adamla görüşecektir. Araba satıcısı olan Homer Garvin Jr. Eski kız arkadaşı olan Stephanie olumlu cevap alır. Marie Arden evlendiği için sekreterliği bırakmış ve yerine Eva Elliott geçmiştir. Eva büyük Garvin'in nerede olduğunu Mason'a söylemez. Ona Marie vasıtasıyla ulaşan Perry olur aldıktan sonra Casselman ile görüşmeye gider. Bu bittikten sonra hem Homer hem de Stephanie eve gelir. Ertesi gün Della ofisin dışında yakalar ve Tragg'in ofiste beklediğini, Casselman'ın öldürüldüğü söyler. Küçük Garvin de bir kadınla evlenmiştir. Büyük Garvin oğlunu Stephanie ile evlenmesini beklerken evlenmeyince mutlu olmuştur çünkü onu sevdiğini fark eder. Onu savunmasını ister Mason'dan ve ortadan kaybolur. Eva Elliott da kovulmuştur. Marie geçici olarak çalışmaya başlar. Bir sürü karşılıksız çek bulur. Cinayet silahları karışmıştır. Küçük Garvin'in dükkanında bir silah ateşler ve bunu Stephanie'ye verir. Mahkemede Hamilton Burger, bu konuda suç isnat etmek ister. Mason da kimin öldürdüğünü bilemez. Stephanie'nin babasını Casselman öldürmüştü ve katil o görünür. Ama gerçekte o mudur? Marie'nin bulduğu kanlı havluları kim kullanmıştır? Çekler kime yazılmıştır? Bundan sonra neler olacaktır? Baba Garvin ve Stephanie serbest kalabilecek midir? Mason, Drake ve Della ile müvekkilini kurtarabilecek midir? Keyifle bir solukta okunan bir roman.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 29, 2023
After watching the entire Perry Mason series with my dad, since he used to be a fan of both the books and the TV series - and it was one of the few things he would watch in his dotage - I thought I'd try reading one of the books from his collection. This was the first I picked up - a 25c 1960 pocket book edition, which proudly states that it "was originally published by William Morrow and Company, Inc., at $2.95" two years earlier. My dad has pencilled in "Read May 1988", along with his initials. The book is showing its age: the cover is loose, as are many of the pages - a victim of failing glue.
The TV series was a pretty close match to how things are portrayed in the books, perhaps with the exception of Hamilton Burger, who in the book is described as "the barrel-chested, grizzly bear of a district attorney". I can't comment on Tragg and Holcomb, since their roles were minor in this book.
Erle Stanley Gardner was a practising lawyer, which explains his ability to create detailed law scenes. I don't know what it would have been like to read this without having seen the series, as I had strong images of the main actors as I read the book. It was an enjoyable book, but not particularly special.
The TV series was a pretty close match to how things are portrayed in the books, perhaps with the exception of Hamilton Burger, who in the book is described as "the barrel-chested, grizzly bear of a district attorney". I can't comment on Tragg and Holcomb, since their roles were minor in this book.
Erle Stanley Gardner was a practising lawyer, which explains his ability to create detailed law scenes. I don't know what it would have been like to read this without having seen the series, as I had strong images of the main actors as I read the book. It was an enjoyable book, but not particularly special.
June 19, 2024
My latest read in Earl Stanley Garner's classic Perry Mason series was The Case of the Long-Legged Model. Having previously read maybe three books in series, it is clear that the books fall into a type of formula. There are always events that throw suspicion in the direction of one suspect, then another. One person -- who you can be assured will not be guilty -- is charged. As in the television series, Prosecutor Hamilton Burger barges forward, trying to bully a conviction of the defendant and hoping to somehow trap Perry Mason while he's at it.
This story centers on the murder of a low-level Las Vegas hood who was hoping to acquire controlling interest in a strategically-located motel in Sin City. A businessman, his son and his son's new wife are the leading suspects. The key piece of evidence is a shell-game played with three identical guns, one of which was the murder weapon.
The Perry Mason books are entertaining light reads that are as interesting for being a glimpse back in mid-century history as they are for the mystery. I think they are great for picking up occasionally when you want an enjoyable book that doesn't take much thinking, and that you can finish at the beach or poolside on your vacation.
This story centers on the murder of a low-level Las Vegas hood who was hoping to acquire controlling interest in a strategically-located motel in Sin City. A businessman, his son and his son's new wife are the leading suspects. The key piece of evidence is a shell-game played with three identical guns, one of which was the murder weapon.
The Perry Mason books are entertaining light reads that are as interesting for being a glimpse back in mid-century history as they are for the mystery. I think they are great for picking up occasionally when you want an enjoyable book that doesn't take much thinking, and that you can finish at the beach or poolside on your vacation.
March 24, 2023
Yet another of Mason's cases involving mistaken identity and weapon switching by the defense lawyer, this one threatens to backfire spectacularly for Mason's client. So much so that the lawyer himself is nowhere close to the real solution until pretty late in the case.
Unfortunately, the final reveal isn't as spectacular as some of Mason's other courtroom scenes have been, with little role played by Mason or his tricky cross questioning in unmasking the actual criminal.
Having said so, this case involves Mason smartly building his defense in the murder case while trying to protect another client in a subsequent case. The attention to detail regarding different points of law and explaining them in understandable English is appreciable, which is usually the case in most of Gardner's books.
Rating it 3 out of 5 primarily because of the final reveal being a let down.
Unfortunately, the final reveal isn't as spectacular as some of Mason's other courtroom scenes have been, with little role played by Mason or his tricky cross questioning in unmasking the actual criminal.
Having said so, this case involves Mason smartly building his defense in the murder case while trying to protect another client in a subsequent case. The attention to detail regarding different points of law and explaining them in understandable English is appreciable, which is usually the case in most of Gardner's books.
Rating it 3 out of 5 primarily because of the final reveal being a let down.
May 31, 2024
" Paul Drake slid into his favorite position, sitting crosswise in the big, overstuffed, leather chair,
the small of his back propped against one big, rounded arm, his knees propped over the other, the legs dangling. 'Well, you've got a bear by the tail in one hand, and a tiger by the tail in the other, Perry,' he said. "
There are certain classic detective stories that are like old friends: you don't look too closely at the details, you don't necessarily expect the rational and logical, you don't even mind if it's all just a little bit farfetched and or silly. Think Sherlock and Poirot and Nero and Ellery and Maigret and Dr Fell and Sir Henry and Lord Peter and Miss Marple.
And Perry Mason. In this case, as an added bonus, Della Street does something naughty and illegal and tells her boss that she can't talk about it.
the small of his back propped against one big, rounded arm, his knees propped over the other, the legs dangling. 'Well, you've got a bear by the tail in one hand, and a tiger by the tail in the other, Perry,' he said. "
There are certain classic detective stories that are like old friends: you don't look too closely at the details, you don't necessarily expect the rational and logical, you don't even mind if it's all just a little bit farfetched and or silly. Think Sherlock and Poirot and Nero and Ellery and Maigret and Dr Fell and Sir Henry and Lord Peter and Miss Marple.
And Perry Mason. In this case, as an added bonus, Della Street does something naughty and illegal and tells her boss that she can't talk about it.
October 30, 2023
Gardner goes all out to create confusion in this one. Two Homer Garvins (Senior and Junior), 3 former or current models that Junior has been involved with, and 3 identical guns (which somehow the owners can tell apart, except when they can’t).
Garner also throws in all the other “best of” elements: Della breaks the law, there are steak dinners with potatoes and all the fixings, Hamilton Burger is embarrassed and admonished by the judge in court, and the real killer breaks down and confesses in court.
There’s also some of the “worst of” elements: Gardner’s explanations of how women behave, how wives are supposed to behave, sexism, and chauvinism.
Garner also throws in all the other “best of” elements: Della breaks the law, there are steak dinners with potatoes and all the fixings, Hamilton Burger is embarrassed and admonished by the judge in court, and the real killer breaks down and confesses in court.
There’s also some of the “worst of” elements: Gardner’s explanations of how women behave, how wives are supposed to behave, sexism, and chauvinism.
December 31, 2018
The last time I read this book was 12 years ago, but I knew immediately from page 1 that we were heading for that classic scene at the car dealership where Perry asks Homer Garvin, Jr., if he can take a look at the gun that was given to him by his father, Homer Garvin, Sr., and promptly proceeds to.... Well, if you know the story, you know what happens, and if you don't, I won't spoil it for you!
As usual, Erle Stanley Gardner gives us a story that is fast-moving, fun to read, and reminds us that in mysterious circumstances in any decade or century, you'll be smart to follow the money.
As usual, Erle Stanley Gardner gives us a story that is fast-moving, fun to read, and reminds us that in mysterious circumstances in any decade or century, you'll be smart to follow the money.
February 24, 2024
A complicated case which the television episode presented with a story surprisingly close to the book. This one has a bit less of Perry's courtroom brilliance, as the case is saved at the last minute by a surprise discovery. It's hard to say this is a "fair mystery", meaning you get all the clues you need as a reader to solve the case, but I did have the killer pegged halfway into the book, and it wasn't hard. The killer had to be one of the characters presented and no one else looked like they might have done it.
May 29, 2025
Pure convoluted shenanigans both in court and out. Perry once again egregiously muddies the water by arranging for the possibility of an evidence swap. How was he to know that there were already multiple evidence swaps going on before such tampering even occurred to him? Even Della gets involved in the evidence-tampering act. Who killed the petty gangster? The pretty part-owner of a small Vegas casino? The businessman who is secretly in love with her? Her old beau, the car dealer son of the businessman? The car dealer's new bride? Someone else?
March 30, 2018
The Case of the Long-Legged Models is a misleading title, making it sound like some cheap titillating read. It's not. The fact that the rarely featured models have long legs or not is neither here nor there. What this is, is basically a book of two halves - Mason doing his homework in the first half, the court-case in the second. And yes, the rather smug Mason comes out looking rather clever, but boy, talking of halves...it doesn't half go on once we reach the courtroom. It was starting to get on my nerves by the end.
February 11, 2025
Rating 3
Fast paced, quick easy read that held my attention and kept me turning the pages (so much so that my day off from work didn’t get much done).
Tbh had forgotten how enjoyable the Perry Mason novels were. Haven’t read one for so long and picked this up from charity shop on a whim.
Will have to pick others up if I see any.
Solid recommendation for anyone who wants a classic thriller.
Fast paced, quick easy read that held my attention and kept me turning the pages (so much so that my day off from work didn’t get much done).
Tbh had forgotten how enjoyable the Perry Mason novels were. Haven’t read one for so long and picked this up from charity shop on a whim.
Will have to pick others up if I see any.
Solid recommendation for anyone who wants a classic thriller.
June 7, 2025
"The way it is now, the honest citizen is disarmed by law. The crook carries a gun as a matter of habit. Arm the law-abiding citizens, kill off some of these crooks and we'd have a lot better law enforcement."
Mason shook his head. "Police who have studied the situation don't agree with you, Homer."
Mason shook his head. "Police who have studied the situation don't agree with you, Homer."
July 3, 2025
Lots of legs, a few guns, multiple secretaries, and some interesting moves by Della, make Long-Legged Models (#55; 1958) a memorable Perry Mason tale. And one that Hamilton Burger would prefer you forget. We also see Perry get a little overly excited about a possible solution, but I think he needed sleep.
Enjoy.
Enjoy.
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