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Perry Mason #24
The Case of the Crooked Candle
When Fred Milfield, a controlling partner in Skinner Hills Karakul Company, is found murdered on Roger Burbank's yacht, Perry Mason must find a way to prove his client's innocence
233 pages, Paperback
First published January 2, 1944
134 people are currently reading
540 people want to read
About the author
Erle Stanley Gardner
1,353 books820 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 112 reviews
October 4, 2021
First published in 1944, this is a fair-to-middling Perry Mason novel, but it's not as clever or as entertaining as many of the others. Like most books in the series, it begins fairly innocuously when Perry goes to bat for the victim of an auto accident and wins the client a much larger settlement than the circumstances would seem to warrant. Intrigued, Mason begins to look more deeply into the situation and discovers a scheme in which unwitting people who own land for grazing sheep are suddenly selling out to mysterious forces. It turns out that, unbeknownst to the sellers, there's oil under their land and it's worth a lot more than they've been selling for.
Of course, as soon as Mason begins digging into all of this, one of the people involved in the swindle is murdered aboard the yacht of one of his partners, Roger Burbank, a man who may have been coerced into financially backing a project he really wanted nothing to do with. Burbank's daughter hires Mason to defend her father and Perry must get to the bottom of the situation.
The case hinges on the timing of the tides in the yacht basin and on the way in which the victim's body may have rolled across the floor of the yacht when the tide went out. Mason, of course, is the only one who realizes the significance of the way a candle in the yacht has burned down.
In my opinion, the best of the books in this series are the ones that involve a lot of courtroom battles between Mason and his usual antagonist, Hamilton Burger, the D. A. This book does contain courtroom scenes, but a lot of it involves a lot of complicated and, frankly, boring analysis of the tides and other such nautical matters. This book didn't seem to have the spark that animates the best of the books in this series and so, while I thought it was okay, it's certainly not one of my favorites.
Of course, as soon as Mason begins digging into all of this, one of the people involved in the swindle is murdered aboard the yacht of one of his partners, Roger Burbank, a man who may have been coerced into financially backing a project he really wanted nothing to do with. Burbank's daughter hires Mason to defend her father and Perry must get to the bottom of the situation.
The case hinges on the timing of the tides in the yacht basin and on the way in which the victim's body may have rolled across the floor of the yacht when the tide went out. Mason, of course, is the only one who realizes the significance of the way a candle in the yacht has burned down.
In my opinion, the best of the books in this series are the ones that involve a lot of courtroom battles between Mason and his usual antagonist, Hamilton Burger, the D. A. This book does contain courtroom scenes, but a lot of it involves a lot of complicated and, frankly, boring analysis of the tides and other such nautical matters. This book didn't seem to have the spark that animates the best of the books in this series and so, while I thought it was okay, it's certainly not one of my favorites.
December 9, 2020
At the time of his death in 1970,Erle Stanley Gardner was the bestselling American writer of the 20th century.This was accomplished largey due to massive sales of his Perry Mason series.
Mason is a lawyer detective who achieves remarkable results by a "judicious use of legal knowledge,fast talk,bluff and double bluff."
I had read one Perry Mason mystery before,I wasn't blown away by that one.This one didn't grab my attention,either.I couldn't care much about the mystery or its solution.
As another reviewer neatly puts it,"the writing style is stiff and mechanical." I agree with that.
As for the legal arguments,those get pretty technical,dry and boring.
Perry Mason won't make it to the list of my favourite fictional detectives/characters.
Mason is a lawyer detective who achieves remarkable results by a "judicious use of legal knowledge,fast talk,bluff and double bluff."
I had read one Perry Mason mystery before,I wasn't blown away by that one.This one didn't grab my attention,either.I couldn't care much about the mystery or its solution.
As another reviewer neatly puts it,"the writing style is stiff and mechanical." I agree with that.
As for the legal arguments,those get pretty technical,dry and boring.
Perry Mason won't make it to the list of my favourite fictional detectives/characters.
March 10, 2013
I do enjoy these old, moldy Perry Mason mysteries, and I'm not sure why. Maybe because they're simple (in a way, certainly not plot-wise). Mason is always straight-up and forthright, always ready to stand up for the underdog. And there's Della, his faithful puppy...I mean, secretary. And Tragg, and Hamilton Burger, and Paul Drake...they never change. So I guess they're cosy. And I love those courtroom scenes. Soooo dramatic!
And can you figure out whodunit? Sure! It's not rocket science! All you have to do is figure out how the tide and a listing boat affected a corpse, what a bloody shoeprint means on a staircase, and why a crooked candle is important.
On second thought, it is rocket science.
And can you figure out whodunit? Sure! It's not rocket science! All you have to do is figure out how the tide and a listing boat affected a corpse, what a bloody shoeprint means on a staircase, and why a crooked candle is important.
On second thought, it is rocket science.
March 16, 2019
Good story, well written mystery, I just have difficulty really getting pulled into the dialog. I think it just the era the stories take place during.
August 11, 2018
I thought Perry Mason books were out of print. The only Perry Mason books I have read are either online or by buying ancient yellowed/browned pages paperbacks from second hand book stores. This was the only book of Perry Mason that I found on the Readings website, so it was immediately in my cart. I was really craving some Mason style legal thriller so I completed this one in one evening. While it was a work night, I couldn't help but continue reading late into the night to finish it.
November 1, 2020
I remember my parents watching the old "Perry Mason" series reruns when I was growing up so I was looking forward to actually reading my first Perry Mason book. I wasn't disappointed either! The action starts from the first page and doesn't let up till the last one. A very astute lawyer, Perry Mason is able to overcome all obstacles saving his innocent client from a wrongful conviction of murder. His foe, the vengeful prosecuting attorney, Hamilton Burger, who just wants to finally win one case against the esteemed advocate without being made to look like an idiot will try every trick in the book to get a conviction. Will he finally be able to outwit Perry Mason? You'll just have to read this book to find out. Loved the fast pace and was able to read this in one sitting. I definitely want to read more of these classic books.
August 29, 2021
Not What I Expected
This story is between nothing and kinda worth reading. So many intricate plots brought into the situation that I wasn't to impressed with the actual murderer.
This story is between nothing and kinda worth reading. So many intricate plots brought into the situation that I wasn't to impressed with the actual murderer.
February 9, 2017
I feel like I'll be reading a lot more of Gardner's Books.this was fantastic it kept my brain whirling but didn't over inform me and just make me bored :)
November 19, 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 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 (with the emphasis on "writer"), such as Ross Macdonald, may find the writing style here off-putting. It can be stiff and mechanical. Nonetheless, I still love the general setting: the characters of Perry, Della, Paul, Lt. Tragg, and Hamilton Burger. That, and the ingenious plots, are why I read Perry Mason.
On the whole, the ones written by 1950 are the best. This one was written in 1944, during Gardner's War Period, when several of the very best ones were written. They tend to have a different flavor than the ones before 1940 or after 1947. They are more mellow than the stories written before 1940, with less of a film-noir feel. There are occasional references to war related events, such as soldiers home on leave or rationing. There is mention here of food rationing, but it does not play a big role in the plot.
This book has one of the most complex plots of any Mason story -- and that is saying something. In the hilly outskirts of Los Angeles, a car is hit by a truck carrying Karakul sheep. (I had never heard of this breed; it's interesting to look it up.) The truck driver refuses to let the car driver write down the truck's license number, even stealing a note pad. When that car driver comes to Perry Mason, Mason begins a unique case. He soon realizes that the sheep business is just a front for something else: someone, actually two partners, is buying up a lot of land supposedly for raising sheep but really for oil. It doesn't take Paul Drake long to find out that the "big boss" behind the operation is one Roger Burbank. He is bankrolling the other two, Fred Milfield and Harry van Nuys. Milfield has an attractive wife named Daphne, who seems to know van Nuys well while having a boy friend in San Francisco. Burbank harbors a secret from his days in New Orleans.
Then a murder occurs, and the original car-truck accident fades into the background. Fred Milfield has been murdered on Roger Burbank's yacht, which is anchored in a bay close to a marina. Roger Burbank is a logical suspect, but suddenly Carol Burbank, Roger's attractive young daughter, shows up and hires Mason to help keep her father out of it. She tells Mason a complicated story that establishes an alibi for her father at the time of the murder, involving a mysterious meeting at a motel. It's not long before Mason suspects the alibi is fake. He sends Della to get Carol out of circulation, but they are caught and arrested. Perry manages to get them out of jail. But soon Carol and her father are arrested and charged with murder. A big part of the case is involved with timing the murder. The yacht is anchored such that at low tide it touches bottom and keels over about 30 degrees. The body evidently rolled around leaving blood stains as the boat listed and righted itself several times with the tide. Hamilton Burger says the pattern incriminates Roger Burbank and Carol. A candle is found on the boat that was fixed in place at a 17 degree angle from the vertical. What exactly does that mean? (This yacht has no electricity.) Actually, the title of this book could have been "the rolling body" instead.
As the investigation proceeds we meet other colorful characters, including a sheep farmer and the caretaker of the yacht club. Mason realizes that he needs to know more about the boat and the tides, so the caretaker takes him and Della out to spend most of the night on the boat. They have only candles and a flashlight. Hours later, someone else comes on board! Della and Perry manage to get off the boat soon before it explodes!
The great complexity of the story is due to the fact that more than one person has been contriving an alibi. Several people visited that yacht on the day of the murder. It is so complicated that, though a reader might guess the culprit, it would be almost by chance.
This is a very well written book. Gardner spent a lot of time on descriptions of characters and places. There is a wonderful description of the trip out to the yacht at night taken by Perry and Della in the caretaker's small motor boat. Several of the policemen are sketched in much more detail than is typical in these novels.
Good use of Tragg and Burger, good courtroom scenes (but not especially noteworthy). Hints of romance between Perry and Della. The defendants are not especially appealing or sympathetic people.
Ultimately, I found it almost too complicated. It's one of the books where some people act in ways that seem just a bit too complicated to be real. I don't think it is one of the best Perry Mason novels, not in the top ten percent. But still, definitely recommended.
Recurring themes: boats. Mention of New Orleans. Opening with a car accident, and oil men and oil leases, as in The Cautious Coquette. This book is similar to the Cautious Coquette is other ways.
Somewhat exotic location, the boat in the bay. Perry and Della almost blown up!
Mason hides in a pantry eating peanut butter crackers to avoid Lt. Tragg!
Good use of Tragg, good Burger, very good Della. The clients are not especially sympathetic.
I gave it four stars, but I'm vacillating. It's too complicated, yet very well written. Maybe 3.5 is better.
Characters:
Jackson, by-the-book law clerk for Perry Mason.
Carol Burbank, pro-active daughter of
Roger Burbank, wealthy older man, financing
Fred Milfield, real estate agent with hidden agenda.
Harry van Nuys, partner of Fred Milfield.
Daphne Milfield, wife of Fred who is looking for greener pastures - and not for sheep.
Frank Palermo, sheep farmer and "smart guy".
Judson Beltin, assistant to Fred Milfield.
J. C. Lassing, oil man who rents some motel rooms.
Douglas Burwell, paramour of Daphne.
Thomas Cameron, caretaker at the yacht club where Roger Burbank kept his yacht.
Those who are used to really fine mystery writers (with the emphasis on "writer"), such as Ross Macdonald, may find the writing style here off-putting. It can be stiff and mechanical. Nonetheless, I still love the general setting: the characters of Perry, Della, Paul, Lt. Tragg, and Hamilton Burger. That, and the ingenious plots, are why I read Perry Mason.
On the whole, the ones written by 1950 are the best. This one was written in 1944, during Gardner's War Period, when several of the very best ones were written. They tend to have a different flavor than the ones before 1940 or after 1947. They are more mellow than the stories written before 1940, with less of a film-noir feel. There are occasional references to war related events, such as soldiers home on leave or rationing. There is mention here of food rationing, but it does not play a big role in the plot.
This book has one of the most complex plots of any Mason story -- and that is saying something. In the hilly outskirts of Los Angeles, a car is hit by a truck carrying Karakul sheep. (I had never heard of this breed; it's interesting to look it up.) The truck driver refuses to let the car driver write down the truck's license number, even stealing a note pad. When that car driver comes to Perry Mason, Mason begins a unique case. He soon realizes that the sheep business is just a front for something else: someone, actually two partners, is buying up a lot of land supposedly for raising sheep but really for oil. It doesn't take Paul Drake long to find out that the "big boss" behind the operation is one Roger Burbank. He is bankrolling the other two, Fred Milfield and Harry van Nuys. Milfield has an attractive wife named Daphne, who seems to know van Nuys well while having a boy friend in San Francisco. Burbank harbors a secret from his days in New Orleans.
Then a murder occurs, and the original car-truck accident fades into the background. Fred Milfield has been murdered on Roger Burbank's yacht, which is anchored in a bay close to a marina. Roger Burbank is a logical suspect, but suddenly Carol Burbank, Roger's attractive young daughter, shows up and hires Mason to help keep her father out of it. She tells Mason a complicated story that establishes an alibi for her father at the time of the murder, involving a mysterious meeting at a motel. It's not long before Mason suspects the alibi is fake. He sends Della to get Carol out of circulation, but they are caught and arrested. Perry manages to get them out of jail. But soon Carol and her father are arrested and charged with murder. A big part of the case is involved with timing the murder. The yacht is anchored such that at low tide it touches bottom and keels over about 30 degrees. The body evidently rolled around leaving blood stains as the boat listed and righted itself several times with the tide. Hamilton Burger says the pattern incriminates Roger Burbank and Carol. A candle is found on the boat that was fixed in place at a 17 degree angle from the vertical. What exactly does that mean? (This yacht has no electricity.) Actually, the title of this book could have been "the rolling body" instead.
As the investigation proceeds we meet other colorful characters, including a sheep farmer and the caretaker of the yacht club. Mason realizes that he needs to know more about the boat and the tides, so the caretaker takes him and Della out to spend most of the night on the boat. They have only candles and a flashlight. Hours later, someone else comes on board! Della and Perry manage to get off the boat soon before it explodes!
The great complexity of the story is due to the fact that more than one person has been contriving an alibi. Several people visited that yacht on the day of the murder. It is so complicated that, though a reader might guess the culprit, it would be almost by chance.
This is a very well written book. Gardner spent a lot of time on descriptions of characters and places. There is a wonderful description of the trip out to the yacht at night taken by Perry and Della in the caretaker's small motor boat. Several of the policemen are sketched in much more detail than is typical in these novels.
Good use of Tragg and Burger, good courtroom scenes (but not especially noteworthy). Hints of romance between Perry and Della. The defendants are not especially appealing or sympathetic people.
Ultimately, I found it almost too complicated. It's one of the books where some people act in ways that seem just a bit too complicated to be real. I don't think it is one of the best Perry Mason novels, not in the top ten percent. But still, definitely recommended.
Recurring themes: boats. Mention of New Orleans. Opening with a car accident, and oil men and oil leases, as in The Cautious Coquette. This book is similar to the Cautious Coquette is other ways.
Somewhat exotic location, the boat in the bay. Perry and Della almost blown up!
Mason hides in a pantry eating peanut butter crackers to avoid Lt. Tragg!
Good use of Tragg, good Burger, very good Della. The clients are not especially sympathetic.
I gave it four stars, but I'm vacillating. It's too complicated, yet very well written. Maybe 3.5 is better.
Characters:
Jackson, by-the-book law clerk for Perry Mason.
Carol Burbank, pro-active daughter of
Roger Burbank, wealthy older man, financing
Fred Milfield, real estate agent with hidden agenda.
Harry van Nuys, partner of Fred Milfield.
Daphne Milfield, wife of Fred who is looking for greener pastures - and not for sheep.
Frank Palermo, sheep farmer and "smart guy".
Judson Beltin, assistant to Fred Milfield.
J. C. Lassing, oil man who rents some motel rooms.
Douglas Burwell, paramour of Daphne.
Thomas Cameron, caretaker at the yacht club where Roger Burbank kept his yacht.
May 9, 2024
This is the third Perry Mason book I've read and my least favorite of the three, though still enjoyable!
April 9, 2018
From the Perry Mason show we learned that TV-Tragg is an incompetent boob, albeit an extremely smug one, who never once arrests the correct person. How the man kept his job is the biggest mystery in the series. DA Burger at least won half his cases since Mason handed him the real murderer on a silver platter. Book-Tragg is a very different character. He thinks nothing of holding people in custody and violating their constitutional rights and has no problem with illegal search and seizure. His methods alone would be enough to get any case thrown out of court. In one scene he holds Della against her will, incommunicado, and Mason has to threaten him with legal action before he releases her. The officers serving under him adhere to the same illegal tactics. Book-Tragg would make a fine Gestapo agent. I can't stand the guy in either medium.
CASE OF THE CROOKED CANDLE has a complicated plot which the TV episode tossed out and turned into a bigamy case. Justice is served after much talking, only I never did understand the point about the defendant's shoe print in the companionway. ***POSSIBLE SPOILER*** It's stated the print was made by a different woman coming abord the boat, so how the defendent wound up with the shoe in her possession was left unexplained. Unless I missed something. I could go back and reread but PM cases are the sort of thing you run through quickly and try not to analyze. I know with the TV show they play fast and loose and at the end I always go, "Hey, wait. What about...?" It's the characters that make both mediums work.
Della Street shows a remarkable insight, perhaps anticipating the TV series here, when asked a question: "B-r-r-r!" she said and laughed.
CASE OF THE CROOKED CANDLE has a complicated plot which the TV episode tossed out and turned into a bigamy case. Justice is served after much talking, only I never did understand the point about the defendant's shoe print in the companionway. ***POSSIBLE SPOILER*** It's stated the print was made by a different woman coming abord the boat, so how the defendent wound up with the shoe in her possession was left unexplained. Unless I missed something. I could go back and reread but PM cases are the sort of thing you run through quickly and try not to analyze. I know with the TV show they play fast and loose and at the end I always go, "Hey, wait. What about...?" It's the characters that make both mediums work.
Della Street shows a remarkable insight, perhaps anticipating the TV series here, when asked a question: "B-r-r-r!" she said and laughed.
August 14, 2022
A ghostwriter?
Perry Mason lost me in the courtroom scene. This never happens. The editor must have gotten confused, too, because a diagram of the murder scene is included in the book.
The Case of the Crooked Candle features qualities not typically found in Perry Mason mysteries:
1. The characters are more fully developed.
2. The author makes good use of place. Locations are well-described and feel authentic.
3. Mason reflects on his own feelings and thoughts about being a lawyer.
4. Della Street is put in legal jeopardy.
5. The characters have last surnames connected to geographical locations. There are Burbanks, Van Nuys, Newark, etc.
6. No one stands up in the courtroom scene and confesses.
These additions provide engaging variations from Gardner's typical formula.
The Case of the Crooked Candle doesn't meet the standard, though.
Perry Mason novels always include a final chapter that explains the who, what, when, where, how and why of the crime. It's common in these mysteries for a random fact to appear for the first time, squeezed in at the last moment to make the mystery work. That's expected and forgivable. You can still figure out who did it and see why or how all the strands connect. The explanation chapter in this book includes so many of these facts not in evidence, though, it seems like a desperate attempt to make a satisfying whodunit after the fact.
Most Perry Mason novels are much, much better mysteries.
Perry Mason lost me in the courtroom scene. This never happens. The editor must have gotten confused, too, because a diagram of the murder scene is included in the book.
The Case of the Crooked Candle features qualities not typically found in Perry Mason mysteries:
1. The characters are more fully developed.
2. The author makes good use of place. Locations are well-described and feel authentic.
3. Mason reflects on his own feelings and thoughts about being a lawyer.
4. Della Street is put in legal jeopardy.
5. The characters have last surnames connected to geographical locations. There are Burbanks, Van Nuys, Newark, etc.
6. No one stands up in the courtroom scene and confesses.
These additions provide engaging variations from Gardner's typical formula.
The Case of the Crooked Candle doesn't meet the standard, though.
Perry Mason novels always include a final chapter that explains the who, what, when, where, how and why of the crime. It's common in these mysteries for a random fact to appear for the first time, squeezed in at the last moment to make the mystery work. That's expected and forgivable. You can still figure out who did it and see why or how all the strands connect. The explanation chapter in this book includes so many of these facts not in evidence, though, it seems like a desperate attempt to make a satisfying whodunit after the fact.
Most Perry Mason novels are much, much better mysteries.
October 26, 2016
Disappointing.
I guess because I had watched many of the TV shows and heard so much about Gardner’s writing my expectations were quite high and this missed it. The plot was good enough. The characters were as bland as chalk. Mason was perfect, and nearly clairvoyant. Burger and underling were pointlessly petty and ridiculously stupid. Della was blindly worshipful, and perpetually ready. The Client is an obnoxious liar, but oh so smart. Every conversation was rife with double meanings and pointed looks. Still, it was boring.
There were no real surprises. No, I didn’t solve it, but I really didn’t care to either. It just failed to grab my attention. Maybe the first Perry Mason stories were better. However, the language in this one was such that I won’t be trying any others. There was lots of mild swearing. It spoiled what little enjoyment was left after the poor writing and annoying characters.
It may sound like heresy, but…the TV show was better.
I guess because I had watched many of the TV shows and heard so much about Gardner’s writing my expectations were quite high and this missed it. The plot was good enough. The characters were as bland as chalk. Mason was perfect, and nearly clairvoyant. Burger and underling were pointlessly petty and ridiculously stupid. Della was blindly worshipful, and perpetually ready. The Client is an obnoxious liar, but oh so smart. Every conversation was rife with double meanings and pointed looks. Still, it was boring.
There were no real surprises. No, I didn’t solve it, but I really didn’t care to either. It just failed to grab my attention. Maybe the first Perry Mason stories were better. However, the language in this one was such that I won’t be trying any others. There was lots of mild swearing. It spoiled what little enjoyment was left after the poor writing and annoying characters.
It may sound like heresy, but…the TV show was better.
June 30, 2018
This Perry Mason mystery was quite interesting. These all have some of the same elements: a murder, several people who look guilty, some schemers (men and women) and a few twists and turns. I like reading these now for all the details that smack of days gone by. Descriptions that are from another time. They get into an elevator and there is some commentary about an elevator operator who is so new at the job that he can't stop at the floors properly. What would now be called a legal pad is described: he pulled out some sheets of foolscap. A quick read, kind of fun!
November 12, 2012
While most mysteries novels are Meh, IMO! Perry Mason turned out to contain a totally outside-the-box aspect to mystery novella. Not to forget that Perry Mason is a lawyer and not your traditional PI.
The Case of the Crooked Candle remains to be my all time favorite of the few Perry Mason novels I've read.
The Case of the Crooked Candle remains to be my all time favorite of the few Perry Mason novels I've read.
October 17, 2013
Excellent one among all the perry mason series ! The way he knocked out the case just by judging on a candle's angle is just brilliant. It gives a different feel while reading about the world where less electronic equipments but more IQ and logic is involved in solving a case ! Loved it thoroughly !
October 25, 2011
one of his toughest cases. everything's got to do with the timing of the tides and the position of the dead body. And yes, also the extent of the candle's burning. mason's reconstruction of the crime scene is the pivotal part of the novel, described to the last painstaking detail.
July 27, 2019
I am a huge fan of Perry Mason books and this is one of his most ingenious cases. But somehow I found it boring and a bit confusing. Nevertheless all Perry Mason books are entertaining and intriguing. So its worth a read!
April 4, 2021
This is a 1944 book by Erle Stanley Gardner and is the 24th book in the long-running famous LA defense lawyer Perry Mason series. The setting is in Los Angeles in early 1940s. This is one story where Perry’s competent secretary, Della Street, plays quite an active role in the case. As in all Perry Mason books, this story has a complex plot. However, I feel there is less than the usual amount of legal gamesmanship than in the usual Perry Mason stories. It is compensated, however, by quite a lot of action. Overall, it is a satisfying quick read.
Spoiler Alert. The story starts out with a minor fender bender by Perry’s client Arthur Brickler. When the other driver, who was driving a truck belonging to Skinner Hills Karakul Company, reacted violently to Arthur’s taking down the truck’s number and the truck driver’s employer subsequently very quickly settled for a high price, Perry got curious. It turns out somebody have discovered there is oil in the Skinner Hills neighborhood, which is currently used for cheap sheep land. A financier, Roger Burbank, has been secretly financing the land acquisitions of all the land in the neighborhood. Roger’s front men are Fred Milfield and Harry Van Nuys. Perry soon figured out oil is what they are after.
Soon thereafter, Roger’s daughter Carol Burbank approached Perry for help. Initially, she tried to deceive Perry as to what she really wanted Perry to do but ultimately Perry were able to get the truth out of her. It turns out ten years ago Roger was in a fistfight with a man in New Orleans. The man fell when Roger hit him and he died. Roger escaped punishment and left New Orleans for LA. Fred Milfield’s wife, Daphne, knew Roger when he was in New Orleans and knew of the scandal. Daphne and Fred then blackmailed Roger to finance the Skinner Hills project. Later, however, when Roger found out Fred has been embezzling money from him by overstating the actual price Fred paid for the various land purchases and pocketing the difference, Roger wanted to meet with Fred on his boat on a Friday afternoon. The two argued and fought. Roger hit Fred on the chin and Fred fell. Roger then left the boat. A few hours later, Fred’s partner Harry joined Fred on the boat (who has recovered by then). Realizing that Roger is now onto their embezzlement scheme, the two argued and Harry killed Fred by hitting him with a poker in the back of the head. Harry, who knew of Roger’s past in New Orleans, tried to frame Roger by placing Fred’s body in a such a way to look like Fred hit his head on a sharp object after being hit by Roger in a fist fight, just like years ago in New Orleans. Lieutenant Tragg of LA Homicide, of course, suspected Roger and arrested him for the murder. Then came one of the classic courtroom scenes where Perry did his magic against poor District Attorney Hamilton Burger.
Ultimately, Perry was able to figure out the time sequence of events and there have been intervening events to the timeline. The critical clue in the case is that the boat is anchored off shallow water near a marina. It floats at high tide but it sinks into the mud flat at low tide and even tilt over after a period of time. The title of the book came from Perry finding an important clue that the candle on the boat was placed at 17 degrees from the perpendicular but yet the burnt wax run down both sides equally. Roger’s boat has no electricity so candle is the only form of illumination after dark. Perry concluded then there were people who approached the boat at low tide at a point when the boat has first sunk to the mud flat and then tilted. It also explains the location of the body, which has moved as the boat tilted. Having worked out a detailed timeline involving high tide and low tide schedule, and how that matches up with people’s alibis, Perry was able to uncover that it is Harry, Fred’s partner, who murdered Fred and tried to frame Roger.
Spoiler Alert. The story starts out with a minor fender bender by Perry’s client Arthur Brickler. When the other driver, who was driving a truck belonging to Skinner Hills Karakul Company, reacted violently to Arthur’s taking down the truck’s number and the truck driver’s employer subsequently very quickly settled for a high price, Perry got curious. It turns out somebody have discovered there is oil in the Skinner Hills neighborhood, which is currently used for cheap sheep land. A financier, Roger Burbank, has been secretly financing the land acquisitions of all the land in the neighborhood. Roger’s front men are Fred Milfield and Harry Van Nuys. Perry soon figured out oil is what they are after.
Soon thereafter, Roger’s daughter Carol Burbank approached Perry for help. Initially, she tried to deceive Perry as to what she really wanted Perry to do but ultimately Perry were able to get the truth out of her. It turns out ten years ago Roger was in a fistfight with a man in New Orleans. The man fell when Roger hit him and he died. Roger escaped punishment and left New Orleans for LA. Fred Milfield’s wife, Daphne, knew Roger when he was in New Orleans and knew of the scandal. Daphne and Fred then blackmailed Roger to finance the Skinner Hills project. Later, however, when Roger found out Fred has been embezzling money from him by overstating the actual price Fred paid for the various land purchases and pocketing the difference, Roger wanted to meet with Fred on his boat on a Friday afternoon. The two argued and fought. Roger hit Fred on the chin and Fred fell. Roger then left the boat. A few hours later, Fred’s partner Harry joined Fred on the boat (who has recovered by then). Realizing that Roger is now onto their embezzlement scheme, the two argued and Harry killed Fred by hitting him with a poker in the back of the head. Harry, who knew of Roger’s past in New Orleans, tried to frame Roger by placing Fred’s body in a such a way to look like Fred hit his head on a sharp object after being hit by Roger in a fist fight, just like years ago in New Orleans. Lieutenant Tragg of LA Homicide, of course, suspected Roger and arrested him for the murder. Then came one of the classic courtroom scenes where Perry did his magic against poor District Attorney Hamilton Burger.
Ultimately, Perry was able to figure out the time sequence of events and there have been intervening events to the timeline. The critical clue in the case is that the boat is anchored off shallow water near a marina. It floats at high tide but it sinks into the mud flat at low tide and even tilt over after a period of time. The title of the book came from Perry finding an important clue that the candle on the boat was placed at 17 degrees from the perpendicular but yet the burnt wax run down both sides equally. Roger’s boat has no electricity so candle is the only form of illumination after dark. Perry concluded then there were people who approached the boat at low tide at a point when the boat has first sunk to the mud flat and then tilted. It also explains the location of the body, which has moved as the boat tilted. Having worked out a detailed timeline involving high tide and low tide schedule, and how that matches up with people’s alibis, Perry was able to uncover that it is Harry, Fred’s partner, who murdered Fred and tried to frame Roger.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 29, 2020
The Case of the Crooked Candle is my first Perry Mason story and it was... A mixed bag but quite a good mixed bag.
Lemme explain.
But there is a few things wrong with this book. First off, we NEED to talk about the characters. They are archetypes and nothing else. Mason himself is the epitome of cliche. His methods are unique, He's fast talking, he's insanely smart, ladies like him, and he seems to be devoid of any weakness whatsoever. Della Street is the caring secretary. Paul Drake is the quiet detective. Jackson is the workaholic nerdy guy. Tragg is the cop who's always hard on the detective/lawyer. Van Nuys is the charismatic suspect. Burwell is the dumb guy who gets used by the criminal. Roger Burbank is the guilty looking guy who didn't do it. Daphne Milfield is the somewhat unassuming one who was the mastermind all along. Carol Burbank was the woman who has 'both beauty and brains' but not in any meaningful way.
Need i go on?? My second qualm is simple, but I am conflicted on this. In a 250-or-so-page book, it was disappointing to see only a fifth (50 pages ) of the novel dedicated to the courtroom scene, excluding the few at the end in the chambers, which aren't really courtroom scenes. I did find myself wanting more of that, but i also understand, in retrospect, that there couldn't possibly be more of those scenes without affecting the overall quality of the story. So I'm not cutting any points off of the final score for that.
Positives next, i guess. The plot was intriguing, and the presentation of the story kept me interested throughout, with initially Carol Burbank, Daphne Milfield, and Adelaide Kingman all being kept somewhat separate (for example, Drake would be investigating Milfield while Mason was with Burbank). These parts come together well at around the halfway point with the spectacularly written courtroom scene. Gardener's skill in writing with momentum is on full display during this short but sweet section. I felt Mason slowly turning the jury to his side of the fence. I could see Maurice Linton, the opposing counsel, grow more desperate and lose steam. Chapter 16 onwards in my opinion, is by far the best part of the book, first as we see Mason in action in court, and later as his deductive capabilities are put on full display. The conclusion is satisfying, or at least was for me, and the whole narrative was rewarding to read. It was fun to experience a fender-bender evolve into a whodunnit.
Maybe it's my fault, but despite having fun reading this and clearly recognizing the merit in this novel, something about it seems clunky, like it isn't quite sitting right.
Keeping all that in mind, I'm giving this thing three stars. Enjoyable, yet overall unremarkable, for lack of a more suitable word.
Lemme explain.
But there is a few things wrong with this book. First off, we NEED to talk about the characters. They are archetypes and nothing else. Mason himself is the epitome of cliche. His methods are unique, He's fast talking, he's insanely smart, ladies like him, and he seems to be devoid of any weakness whatsoever. Della Street is the caring secretary. Paul Drake is the quiet detective. Jackson is the workaholic nerdy guy. Tragg is the cop who's always hard on the detective/lawyer. Van Nuys is the charismatic suspect. Burwell is the dumb guy who gets used by the criminal. Roger Burbank is the guilty looking guy who didn't do it. Daphne Milfield is the somewhat unassuming one who was the mastermind all along. Carol Burbank was the woman who has 'both beauty and brains' but not in any meaningful way.
Need i go on?? My second qualm is simple, but I am conflicted on this. In a 250-or-so-page book, it was disappointing to see only a fifth (50 pages ) of the novel dedicated to the courtroom scene, excluding the few at the end in the chambers, which aren't really courtroom scenes. I did find myself wanting more of that, but i also understand, in retrospect, that there couldn't possibly be more of those scenes without affecting the overall quality of the story. So I'm not cutting any points off of the final score for that.
Positives next, i guess. The plot was intriguing, and the presentation of the story kept me interested throughout, with initially Carol Burbank, Daphne Milfield, and Adelaide Kingman all being kept somewhat separate (for example, Drake would be investigating Milfield while Mason was with Burbank). These parts come together well at around the halfway point with the spectacularly written courtroom scene. Gardener's skill in writing with momentum is on full display during this short but sweet section. I felt Mason slowly turning the jury to his side of the fence. I could see Maurice Linton, the opposing counsel, grow more desperate and lose steam. Chapter 16 onwards in my opinion, is by far the best part of the book, first as we see Mason in action in court, and later as his deductive capabilities are put on full display. The conclusion is satisfying, or at least was for me, and the whole narrative was rewarding to read. It was fun to experience a fender-bender evolve into a whodunnit.
Maybe it's my fault, but despite having fun reading this and clearly recognizing the merit in this novel, something about it seems clunky, like it isn't quite sitting right.
Keeping all that in mind, I'm giving this thing three stars. Enjoyable, yet overall unremarkable, for lack of a more suitable word.
February 10, 2024
In "The Crooked Candle Conundrum," Erle Stanley Gardner delivers another thrilling installment in the Perry Mason series that will keep readers eagerly turning pages until the very end. Set against the backdrop of bustling mid-century Los Angeles, this novel plunges readers into a tangled web of intrigue, deception, and murder that only Perry Mason can untangle with his trademark wit and legal acumen.
The story begins innocuously enough when Perry Mason is approached to handle an insurance claim arising from a seemingly straightforward traffic accident. However, as Mason delves deeper into the case, he uncovers a labyrinth of double-dealing and suspicion surrounding a valuable parcel of land. Gardner expertly lays the groundwork for a mystery that will keep readers guessing at every turn.
But the plot thickens when a wealthy businessman is found dead on his yacht, and Mason is thrust into the heart of a high-stakes legal battle. Charged with murder, Mason's client turns to him for defense, trusting in his ability to navigate the complexities of the courtroom and uncover the truth. With the odds stacked against them, Mason and his team must race against time to uncover the real culprit and clear their client's name.
Gardner's storytelling prowess shines in "The Crooked Candle Conundrum," as he skillfully blends suspense, intrigue, and legal drama to create a narrative that is as gripping as it is captivating. The pacing is brisk, with each chapter building upon the tension and keeping readers on the edge of their seats until the final revelation.
What truly sets this novel apart is Gardner's knack for crafting compelling characters that feel both familiar and fresh. From Perry Mason's razor-sharp wit to the loyal support of his associates Della Street and Paul Drake, each character is brought to life with depth and authenticity, adding richness to an already engrossing story.
Furthermore, Gardner's attention to detail and meticulous research lend authenticity to the legal proceedings depicted in the novel. Whether it's cross-examining witnesses or presenting evidence in court, Mason's legal maneuvers are portrayed with accuracy and flair, drawing readers deeper into the world of courtroom drama.
Overall, "The Crooked Candle Conundrum" is a must-read for fans of classic mystery and legal thriller genres. With its compelling plot, well-drawn characters, and expertly crafted suspense, it's a testament to Erle Stanley Gardner's enduring talent as a storyteller. Prepare to be enthralled from beginning to end as Perry Mason once again proves why he's one of the most iconic figures in detective fiction.
The story begins innocuously enough when Perry Mason is approached to handle an insurance claim arising from a seemingly straightforward traffic accident. However, as Mason delves deeper into the case, he uncovers a labyrinth of double-dealing and suspicion surrounding a valuable parcel of land. Gardner expertly lays the groundwork for a mystery that will keep readers guessing at every turn.
But the plot thickens when a wealthy businessman is found dead on his yacht, and Mason is thrust into the heart of a high-stakes legal battle. Charged with murder, Mason's client turns to him for defense, trusting in his ability to navigate the complexities of the courtroom and uncover the truth. With the odds stacked against them, Mason and his team must race against time to uncover the real culprit and clear their client's name.
Gardner's storytelling prowess shines in "The Crooked Candle Conundrum," as he skillfully blends suspense, intrigue, and legal drama to create a narrative that is as gripping as it is captivating. The pacing is brisk, with each chapter building upon the tension and keeping readers on the edge of their seats until the final revelation.
What truly sets this novel apart is Gardner's knack for crafting compelling characters that feel both familiar and fresh. From Perry Mason's razor-sharp wit to the loyal support of his associates Della Street and Paul Drake, each character is brought to life with depth and authenticity, adding richness to an already engrossing story.
Furthermore, Gardner's attention to detail and meticulous research lend authenticity to the legal proceedings depicted in the novel. Whether it's cross-examining witnesses or presenting evidence in court, Mason's legal maneuvers are portrayed with accuracy and flair, drawing readers deeper into the world of courtroom drama.
Overall, "The Crooked Candle Conundrum" is a must-read for fans of classic mystery and legal thriller genres. With its compelling plot, well-drawn characters, and expertly crafted suspense, it's a testament to Erle Stanley Gardner's enduring talent as a storyteller. Prepare to be enthralled from beginning to end as Perry Mason once again proves why he's one of the most iconic figures in detective fiction.
September 8, 2020
Best-Selling American Author Of The Twentieth Century
In 1970, the New York Times called Erle Stanley Gardner "the best selling American author of the century," apparently based on the sales of 170 million copies of his books at that time. That alone makes his opus worth investigating, but I was particularly drawn to this novel by my recent interest in re-watching Perry Mason TV shows. I'm a retired trial lawyer who never really liked watching trial dramas on film or TV, but I've come to enjoy Perry Mason offerings as clever, witty and fairly accurate depictions of the life of a trial lawyer (albeit exaggerated a bit for dramatic purposes).
The Case Of The Crooked Candle did not disappoint me. The text is nearly all dialog, and the descriptions are spare, but the dialog is well-crafted. Mason of the book is exactly the way Raymond Burr depicted him: everyone's ideal of their lawyer. He appears to work twenty-four hours a day on his most recent client's case, apparently needing no sleep and aided by a a similarly tireless secretary (Della Street) and investigator (Paul Drake). He wins his cases predominantly at the preliminary hearing stage, wringing confessions from the guilty and thereby avoiding lengthy incarceration and the agony of trial for his client. He is more than willing to play fast and loose with the district attorney, investigating detective and courtroom evidence if that's what his client needs. We might deplore some of these tendencies, except that they would be a welcome relief if deployed on our own behalf!
Of course, these novels fit within the broad genre of pulp fiction, and I can't say that I'm interested in reading a dozen more, but I heartily recommend a dose of Erle Stanley Gardner to anyone who thinks they want to understand American fiction. This is the stuff people actually read.
In 1970, the New York Times called Erle Stanley Gardner "the best selling American author of the century," apparently based on the sales of 170 million copies of his books at that time. That alone makes his opus worth investigating, but I was particularly drawn to this novel by my recent interest in re-watching Perry Mason TV shows. I'm a retired trial lawyer who never really liked watching trial dramas on film or TV, but I've come to enjoy Perry Mason offerings as clever, witty and fairly accurate depictions of the life of a trial lawyer (albeit exaggerated a bit for dramatic purposes).
The Case Of The Crooked Candle did not disappoint me. The text is nearly all dialog, and the descriptions are spare, but the dialog is well-crafted. Mason of the book is exactly the way Raymond Burr depicted him: everyone's ideal of their lawyer. He appears to work twenty-four hours a day on his most recent client's case, apparently needing no sleep and aided by a a similarly tireless secretary (Della Street) and investigator (Paul Drake). He wins his cases predominantly at the preliminary hearing stage, wringing confessions from the guilty and thereby avoiding lengthy incarceration and the agony of trial for his client. He is more than willing to play fast and loose with the district attorney, investigating detective and courtroom evidence if that's what his client needs. We might deplore some of these tendencies, except that they would be a welcome relief if deployed on our own behalf!
Of course, these novels fit within the broad genre of pulp fiction, and I can't say that I'm interested in reading a dozen more, but I heartily recommend a dose of Erle Stanley Gardner to anyone who thinks they want to understand American fiction. This is the stuff people actually read.
July 6, 2023
Bir gün Perry Mason'a Bickler adında bir adam karısı ile gelir. Yolda bir Koyun yünü firmasının kamyonuyla kaza yaptıklarını ve adamın aniden gittiğini söylerler. O sırada Della'nın telefonu çalar ve bir adam konuşur. Bickler ailesi 500 dolara razıyken 2000 dolar tazminat ister ve alır. Ancak bu kasaba firmasının başka işler peşinde olduğunu düşünür. Daha önceden Frank Palermo ile takılan başka bir müvekkili de haber beklemektedir. Bu yüzden firmanın araştırılmasını ister. Drake incelemeleri yapar ve Van Nuys ve Fred Milfield ismine ulaşır. Ama esas işin arkasındaki Roger Burbank'tır. Fred'i bulamayınca karısı Daphne'nin yanına giden Mason konuşurken Teğmen Tragg gelir ve kocasının öldürüldüğünü söyler. Ofise dönen Mason burada bir telefon alır. Carol Burbank onunla buluşmak istemektedir. Beraber bir otele giderler ve sonra bir restoranda Roger'ın Tragg tarafından yakalandığını görürler. Otelde bir traş bıçağı bulmuşlardır ve Carol babasının otel odasında olduğunu iddia eder. Anahtar da cebinden çıkınca bir şey olmaz. Ancak Carol'u saklamak isteyen Mason onu ve Della'yı bir otele yollasa da yakalanır. Bir biletten kanlı bir ayakkabıya ulaşılmıştır ve Fred'i öldüğü teknedejş atak izi o ayakkabıya aittir. Daphne'nin hoşlandığı çocuğu ve mektupları da bulan Mason, Van Nuys'un Daphne'yi olay gecesi SF'e gitmesini engellediğini öğrenir. Mahkeme başlar. Carol ve Roger zor durumdadır. Ama Hamilton Burger ve yardımcısı Linton'a karlı başarılı savunmalar verir. Teknede eğik duran mumun yanış şekli, med cezir konularını kimse düşünmemiştir. Hakimi ikna eder ve o gece tekneye çıkar. Ancak biri tekneye bir şey bırakır ve tekne havaya uçar. Cameron zamanında gelip Mason ve Della'yı yardım etmiştir. Fred, Daphne ve Van Nuys Roger'ın geçmişinde yaşanan bir olayı bilmektedir. Acaba bombayı bırakan ve Fred'i öldüren kimdir? İşbirlikçisi kimdir? Tanıklıklarda kim yalan söylemiştir? Mason baba kızı kurtarabilecek midir? Keyifle soluksuz okunan bir roman.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 2, 2022
The Case Of The Crooked Candle (1944) (P. Mason #24) by Erle Stanley Gardner, Perry Mason is the brilliant, determined star of the most popular book series of the 20th century. This time Perry is looking out for the interests of an auto accident victim that has some smelly elements to it. On a hunch he goes after a far greater settlement than is called for, and when he gets it knows something stinks. Investigating further he discovers a scam being run on property owners with oil rights the object of the small syndicate behind it.
So much for the set-up, but when one of the syndicate is killed on a boat, Perry has to figure out why the obvious culprit is innocent. Once again he goes against Lt. Trask and the D.A.’s office to find the real killer. The case, set on a yacht in a shallow lagoon, involves the tides, the position of the body, what is quite possibly the killer’s bloody footprint, and the mystery of the crooked candle.
Reading this novel almost 80 years after its debut I still found it compelling. Mason, Della Street, Paul Drake and the entire cast act with a sense of style that is very often lacking in a modern novel. Having seen so many of the television dramas (including this case) I am perhaps reading with Raymond Burr et.al. in mind, which isn’t a bad thing. The puzzle herein needs close examination to follow the logic, but Perry is an adept guide and takes us through what is a bewildering series of events to the truth.
And Perry Mason appears more of a bad-ass in print than in the T.V. series, which is also a good thing.
So much for the set-up, but when one of the syndicate is killed on a boat, Perry has to figure out why the obvious culprit is innocent. Once again he goes against Lt. Trask and the D.A.’s office to find the real killer. The case, set on a yacht in a shallow lagoon, involves the tides, the position of the body, what is quite possibly the killer’s bloody footprint, and the mystery of the crooked candle.
Reading this novel almost 80 years after its debut I still found it compelling. Mason, Della Street, Paul Drake and the entire cast act with a sense of style that is very often lacking in a modern novel. Having seen so many of the television dramas (including this case) I am perhaps reading with Raymond Burr et.al. in mind, which isn’t a bad thing. The puzzle herein needs close examination to follow the logic, but Perry is an adept guide and takes us through what is a bewildering series of events to the truth.
And Perry Mason appears more of a bad-ass in print than in the T.V. series, which is also a good thing.
December 14, 2020
This is one of the Perry Mason books published during the World War 2 years that didn't have any mention of the war, and also one of the rare cases where a murder is committed on a yacht/ship, revealing the incompetence of the police force in handling a kind of murder less heard of, something Perry Mason explains in the book as well.
Coming to the plot, it was a fairly technical one, Mason having to depend on the concept of tides and some neat drawings to explain the chain of events as they happened. The crooked candle, as mentioned in the title, does play a pivotal role in the story, whether as a clue or as a red herring, I leave that up to the reader. I felt the pace of the story to be easy going and a bit rushed at the end, without Mason really having to race against time to reveal the facts, unlike some other books where you feel like you are part of a fast paced action sequence with no time to breathe.
There is some strange accent used by a character at a point, which, as someone not from the place or the time, I felt a bit tough following. It was noticeable only because of the slow pace at which the plot was moving at that point. Also something worth noticing is the cost of a rowboat rental in that era, being in cents rather than dollars.
Overall, the characters were well drawn, the plot didn't have any major holes and there was a detailed court scene, always the most action packed part of any Perry Mason book.
Coming to the plot, it was a fairly technical one, Mason having to depend on the concept of tides and some neat drawings to explain the chain of events as they happened. The crooked candle, as mentioned in the title, does play a pivotal role in the story, whether as a clue or as a red herring, I leave that up to the reader. I felt the pace of the story to be easy going and a bit rushed at the end, without Mason really having to race against time to reveal the facts, unlike some other books where you feel like you are part of a fast paced action sequence with no time to breathe.
There is some strange accent used by a character at a point, which, as someone not from the place or the time, I felt a bit tough following. It was noticeable only because of the slow pace at which the plot was moving at that point. Also something worth noticing is the cost of a rowboat rental in that era, being in cents rather than dollars.
Overall, the characters were well drawn, the plot didn't have any major holes and there was a detailed court scene, always the most action packed part of any Perry Mason book.
January 22, 2023
Quick question for any of you nautical types out there. You can see from the title that a key clue involves a candle. Said candle has been burning in an interior cabin on a small yacht, completely unattended for a period of time. Is this a thing, even in the 1940s? Seriously, Gardner? Aren’t those vessels infamously, well, woody? SMH.
OK, aside from blatant safety violations, this case had to do with a lot of trotting back and forth along the Ventura coastline, with the occasional trip down to Woodland Hills for Mexican food at a restaurant that I suspect is no longer around. I do recognize the seaside motel, the “Surf and Sun”, but actually well known as the Cliff House Inn. Not too sure where the boat would have been docked, since the Port Hueneme/Oxnard coast is much more developed these days, but somewhere thereabouts. Also some wandering about in the sheep-herding Basque settlements in the Buttonwillow area.
OK, now that my nerd obsession with sussing out the actual locations of the Perry Mason books has been satisfied, the actual mystery was rather hum-drum. A matter to do with disguised plots to snap up valuable land on the cheap, a very common thing in this era of California history. And criminal under-use of Paul Drake, especially after his star turn in the preceding Drowsy Mosquito. Not even any canoodling with Della in the desert under the stars. Step up your game, Perry!
OK, aside from blatant safety violations, this case had to do with a lot of trotting back and forth along the Ventura coastline, with the occasional trip down to Woodland Hills for Mexican food at a restaurant that I suspect is no longer around. I do recognize the seaside motel, the “Surf and Sun”, but actually well known as the Cliff House Inn. Not too sure where the boat would have been docked, since the Port Hueneme/Oxnard coast is much more developed these days, but somewhere thereabouts. Also some wandering about in the sheep-herding Basque settlements in the Buttonwillow area.
OK, now that my nerd obsession with sussing out the actual locations of the Perry Mason books has been satisfied, the actual mystery was rather hum-drum. A matter to do with disguised plots to snap up valuable land on the cheap, a very common thing in this era of California history. And criminal under-use of Paul Drake, especially after his star turn in the preceding Drowsy Mosquito. Not even any canoodling with Della in the desert under the stars. Step up your game, Perry!
May 19, 2018
While I waited for Amazon to deliver the next bundle of books, I looked through the extensive library of Perry Mason books my father amassed 40 years ago and I added to 15 years ago. There was a time I frequently took the train to Ernakulam from Kottayam and routinely bought a Perry Mason from the vendor at the station. I don’t think I have read a Perry Mason in the last 12 years or so and it was fun to revisit. Though I remember the plot in several of his stories, my mind was blank about this one so it was all the more fun.
A usual Perry Mason where the case starts off as a fender bender but leads to a murder. The usual mish mash of suspects, and clients who drag Mason in. Lt. Tragg is still not the friend he is in the later books. Drake, Street and Mason are not the intimate friends they are in later so evidently one of the earlier books. The solution is not easy to understand and it is quite technical with the tilting of the boat in tides and the speed with which the corpse rolls across the boat in the low tide. And there is a bomb blast which doesn’t make sense. But all in all a very enjoyable read. Does this make me want to read all the Perry Mason books again, maybe not. But enjoyable as a break from other ‘more serious’ books.
A usual Perry Mason where the case starts off as a fender bender but leads to a murder. The usual mish mash of suspects, and clients who drag Mason in. Lt. Tragg is still not the friend he is in the later books. Drake, Street and Mason are not the intimate friends they are in later so evidently one of the earlier books. The solution is not easy to understand and it is quite technical with the tilting of the boat in tides and the speed with which the corpse rolls across the boat in the low tide. And there is a bomb blast which doesn’t make sense. But all in all a very enjoyable read. Does this make me want to read all the Perry Mason books again, maybe not. But enjoyable as a break from other ‘more serious’ books.
March 10, 2025
We're up to 1941 in the chronological reading of this series. This was much better than the last one that had to do with a ridiculously convoluted mining issue. This one also had to do with a convoluted mining issue (I guess mining in California was a big thing in the later 1930s-early 1940s) but a much more interesting case that truly requires paying attention to the evidence presented. (Some of these books are not "solvable" as mysteries because something comes up at the last minute that there's no way the reader could have known.) I thought the solution to this one was rather clever!
There is a whole weird angle of a secret meeting at a hotel (really?) and the usual 1940s ESGardner bigotry towards an immigrant (illuminating and horrific to consider in today's world) but I'm still enjoying the series as far as the glimpse of CA of 80 years ago.
And why isn't Mason serving in WW2?
There is a whole weird angle of a secret meeting at a hotel (really?) and the usual 1940s ESGardner bigotry towards an immigrant (illuminating and horrific to consider in today's world) but I'm still enjoying the series as far as the glimpse of CA of 80 years ago.
And why isn't Mason serving in WW2?
October 19, 2018
This is a fun installment of the Perry Mason series. The plot is well-constructed and intricate but can be sorted out if you pay attention carefully. (I did not quite achieve that so I have to admit I found it a bit complicated). Anyway, you have the usual cast of characters playing their usual roles, including the pseudo-romantic connection between Perry and Della.
One plot device which does not quite work for me is how the police once again suspect Mason of being a criminal. Given his reputation and their experience with him, this seems to stretch credibility bit.
I enjoy these older mysteries for their conveying cultural history. In 1944, 25 cents was apparently a reasonable tip for a taxi driver. And I had forgotten how common cuspidors were.
Anyway, nothing memorable or significant here, but a fun, light read.
One plot device which does not quite work for me is how the police once again suspect Mason of being a criminal. Given his reputation and their experience with him, this seems to stretch credibility bit.
I enjoy these older mysteries for their conveying cultural history. In 1944, 25 cents was apparently a reasonable tip for a taxi driver. And I had forgotten how common cuspidors were.
Anyway, nothing memorable or significant here, but a fun, light read.
February 5, 2021
I freaking love Perry Mason, and I love Della Street and they're both in this one. It did feel a little repetitive because once again Della was in law trouble to teach Mason a lesson. But I read it in one sitting, and loved every second of it.
In this one, the timing of the murder and the setting (at sea) challenge the local authorities while leaving Perry Mason to figure out what really happened. I adore that he and Della visit the scene of the crime. A boat, in the fog, in the middle of the night, where a murder happened? Erle Stanley Gardner added an unusual level of spookiness to this one. It was a welcome addition.
A solid 4 stars. I can see why Gardner was such a successful author in his day.
In this one, the timing of the murder and the setting (at sea) challenge the local authorities while leaving Perry Mason to figure out what really happened. I adore that he and Della visit the scene of the crime. A boat, in the fog, in the middle of the night, where a murder happened? Erle Stanley Gardner added an unusual level of spookiness to this one. It was a welcome addition.
A solid 4 stars. I can see why Gardner was such a successful author in his day.
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