The Case of the Lucky Loser

Perry Mason #53

by Erle Stanley Gardner

The voice on the phone was young and silky. The woman it belonged to touched something soft in Perry Mason's cool, legalistic mind. The offer she made was too intriguing to pass up. But what began as a request for a simple courtroom visit turned into an intrigue of baffling complexity — as well as one of the most cleverly rigged frame-ups of Perry's career.

Its a case of a family blessed with millions and, riddled with scandal, a case of accidental manslaughter that explodes into a charge of airtight murder, a case of a corpse dying not once, but twice. To save his client, Perry will have to break all the rules-and more than one law.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Crime, Detective, Classics, Legal, Murder Mystery

180 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 1957

About the author

Erle 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...

Reviews

[Henry Avila · Rating 4 out of 5]

Perry Mason, the illustrious California attorney finds himself knee -deep in a perplexing case in fact two, one leads to another, they are intertwined in a complicated affair, this could destroy his career. An attractive young lady contacts Mr. Mason, an acquaintance of hers from a wealthy family Ted Balfour, has been charged with hit -and- run, Della, Perry's secretary believes the girl Marilyn Keith, is in love with him. An automobile accident claims the life of a shadowy man .This ensures Mason's interest even as the defendant is convicted of manslaughter with another , as his lawyer ...Case closed, right...a suspended sentence , all back to normal...Except new evidence emerges...this now is murder. A second trial for Balfour but this time with the great Mr. Perry Mason defending the accused, Della Street his most capable private secretary helping and investigator Paul Drake digging up the dirt. A pair of rich uncles, Guthrie, married recently to the gorgeous young Dorla and Addison, the brains of the family hire Perry to get their nephew, just released from the army an unlucky gambler too out of the jam, they own a vast corporation, anything needed will be at Mason's disposal. But not all is clear, was Ted driving the vehicle while intoxicated that night, he is not quite sure understandably so...who is the mysterious woman Balfour says took him home in his car. A witness at the first trial disappears, his very beautiful uncle's young wife Dorla acts suspicious, a trouble shooter for the family's corporation Banner Boles , with a relentless reputation for success, has secrets he doesn't reveal to Mason. The irritated police, the gloating D.A. Hamilton Burger, his big rival look forward at long last beating him , and ruining the distinguished lawyer, his jealous colleagues are not sad either. This is an ingenious story written by a former attorney who knew everything about the law and the legal process...warts and all. Superior entertainment, these books sold hundreds of million of copies...Well worth taking a peek.

[Melindam · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have now reached book #61 in my reading challenge of Perry-Mason-stories-in-chronological-order, but I have returned to the Lucky Loser as a special favourite. I thoroughly enjoy the story’s tight & fast pace (I am not one for the long-winded, guilt-ridden, gritty detective fiction of the present) and the big legal/whodunnit bang at the end.

Also, this is almost the first time that Perry Mason encounters an adversary that is in the same league as himself. Banner Boles, trouble shooter for the mighty, rich and powerful Balfour Company, is smart, smooth, highly efficient, very dangerous to cross paths with and moreover, he is also a lawyer knowing perfectly well what he is about. Boles seems to be the other side of the coin, so to speak & makes you think PM may have become someone like him, had he been less fair/ethical & had he chosen another (morally questionable) career path. It feels like Mason is actually up against his own, darker self, which is very interesting to behold (beware of the dark side of the law, Perry! :) ) .
Almost till the very end, no matter what Perry Mason does, Boles seems to anticipate his actions and is always one step ahead of him & manages to entangle him in such a legal knot that may well end his career & defame his character. This makes the whole story wrought with even higher tension than usual, so the ending - Mason explains the solution of the mystery to the judge and to the district attorney in their office- feels restrained & I feel I got robbed of the last glorious bang of the fireworks: Mason declaring himself a true jedi, I mean, defense attorney, & throwing away light sabre and all. :)

Despite this minor complaint, this is my favourite Mason book.

[H (trying to keep up with GR friends) Balikov · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't believe 1 reader in 100 will come close to selecting the true facts of what happened.

Perry Mason #53

This book gives us one of the best beginnings of any in the voluminous Perry Mason series. Mason gets an anonymous call asking him to attend a criminal trial for one day and give his opinion on what is going on. A check is sent and Mason goes to listen to a case involving a hit-and-run homicide.

Mason has a client; then, he has another client. Several people believe that Mason is/should be working for their interests. Lots of different versions of what happened and when it happened challenge us and Mason.

The usual supporting cast: Della Street and Paul Drake have critical roles.

This was a very good mystery and courtroom drama.

When Gardner set aside being a lawyer for being an author, he did not give up on his commitment for seeking justice. The forward to my edition of this book contains mention of Gardner’s pet project: The Court of Last Resort. Both Gardner and Perry Mason have an abiding sense of seeing justice served.

[your morbid obsession Minerva🖤 · Rating 4 out of 5]

4⭐️

I got the 1965 copy of this book as a gift and I’m so glad for it! To be honest I haven’t heard of Earle Stanley Gardner prior to this and you maybe haven’t either, and that would be a great loss. This author wrote an insane amount of amazing lawyer/detective mysteries, and this is one of them. I will definitely read more of his work, and suggest you do too🖤

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

A hit and run, marital infidelity, crochety millionaire Uncles, and a drugged defendant complicate a trial that ends in double jeopardy, or doesn't it? And who, indeed, is the deam man?

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Heavy on the litigation and technicalities of law. I had to look a few things up to figure out what was happening. Light on the tricky-mystery that I can ... Understand. Oh, well. I'll still read them all.

[Kurt Reichenbaugh · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fast, enjoyable Perry Mason novel, in which you'll learn all about Double Jeopardy. Suitably brilliant villain who gives Mason a tight challenge. I read it while down with a cold, and it was a perfect compliment to the vitamins, orange juice and chicken soup.

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

First sentence: Della Street, Perry Mason's confidential secretary, picked up the telephone and said, "Hello."

Premise/plot: The novel opens with a mystery woman calling to hire Perry Mason to sit in on a trial occurring later that day. Ted Balfour has been charged with manslaughter--a hit and run accident. At the time of this trial, the man hasn't even been identified yet. After the trial--while the jury is debating Mr. Balfour's fate--Mason receives a few more phone calls about the case. He ends up being hired as a replacement lawyer when the jury is hung. The victim is identified after the trial in a shocking way: he was hit with a car and dragged, no doubt, but it was a BULLET in the head that killed him. New trial, new lawyer. Same victim. This novel has dozens of twists and turns.

My thoughts: I remember this episode from the television show. But knowing what was coming didn't rob me of enjoying it thoroughly every step of the way. In fact, I think this might be my favorite Perry Mason novel that I've read this year.

"I have one weapon," Mason said. "It's a powerful weapon. But sometimes it's hard to wield it because you don't know just where to grab hold of it."
"What weapon is that?" Della Street asked.
"The truth," Mason said.

[cEe beE · Rating 4 out of 5]

After running out of Nancy Drew and Dana Girls books to read, I opened one of the pulpy '60s Perry Mason paperbacks from my father's library - the ones with barely clad women on the covers - and was promptly addicted.

These non-PC series were a huge part of my childhood reading and I'm so glad they have them on Kindle. This particular volume is one of my favorites.

Since my father's collection is long gone, I'm currently collecting the vintage paperbacks for my own library.

[Prasanna · Rating 3 out of 5]

About the story: A young man from an affluent family, Ted Balfour, has been arrested on the charges of hit-and-run accident and killing a drifter in the middle of the night. Perry Mason is dragged into the case when he receives an anonymous call requesting that he be present during the hearing of the case. When the ingenious detective sits through the arguments of the prosecutor and the defense, he realizes that there is much more to the case than what meets the eye.

He agrees to take on the case for Ted Balfour, when during the course of investigation it comes to light that the case is actually a first degree murder and that the victim was shot dead with a gun before purposefully being run over by a car. Perry Mason has to not only prove that his client is innocent but also deflect any bad publicity for the Balfour family.

Will Perry Mason be able to free the young Balfour? Will he able to save the family blessed with millions from scandal and disgrace?

Review: Perry Mason books are always a delight to read. They are short, crisp and filled with twist and turns that keeps you guessing the actual murderer right till the very end of the book.

At 180 pages, this book is a quick read but it definitely does not fall short in action and suspense elements. Erle Stanley Gardner is unquestioningly the master of crime and whodunit novels.

[Deane · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very convoluted mystery...it seemed none of the people involved was telling the truth and when the truth was finally revealed, it was a great surprise.

The Perry Mason books have to read completely and in a short time for me or I would never remember the characters or the theme of the plot. Each character seems to play so many roles so unless I kept notes, I would find it hard to remember who did what and who said what.

Again the ending was a surprise but made sense when all the evidence was revealed.

[Indu · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just love these books. Full of court room drama, excellent sleuth work and a wonderful twist in the plot. These books are some of the best entertainment reads that you can lay your hands on. This one is right up there with all the incredible Perry Mason cases.
Ted Balfour has no recollection of a hit and run that he was involved in. A loyal secretary, a dubious wife, two rich business men and one overly smart trouble shooter. All of them put together try to get Mason into a plot that may cause him to lose his license and his reputation. Nail biting finish and perfect plot!!

[B.R. Stateham · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good Mason novel. When Earle Stanley Gardner plotted his novels thru from beginning to end, they are a fast-paced, quite interesting to read filled with more action than you would think. Lots of times, it seems Gardner had the first half of as book planned out, but basically fell off the wagon after that and just hurried to find an end.

Not this one. It was an entertaining, fast read.

[Isaac Macfarlane · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is great just like all Perry Mason books. I find that he is a better detective than some of the PIs that had series. The twist at the end as to who the murderer was was interesting. Thinking back, you can see the clues, but I had missed them as I had read.

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I realized too late in reading this to realize that it might have been possible for the reader to "solve" the case. This makes me interested in reading other Perry Mason stories. I enjoyed the discussion of legal ethics and evidence rules.

[Lori · Rating 3 out of 5]

I did not figure this one out until the end, love these stories. Quick and easy afternoon reads.

[Monica Willyard Moen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I particularly liked the plot of this novel. I couldn't guess who the villains were in this one.

[Ashish Ahsan · Rating 5 out of 5]

All of Perry Mason books are great suspense and full of unexpected turns of events. This one seems to stand out even among them.

[MajerEmma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, I did not see that end coming!
This was a very exciting story & I thank my friend Melindam for recommending it.
I will definitely check out other Perry Mason stories.

[coolwind · Rating 4 out of 5]

I finished this book in half a day. Very good pace and characters. The plot is complex but the story is simple. There are things to learn: how to make the simple story complex and interesting.

[4cats · Rating 5 out of 5]

Entertaining legal crime that ticks the boxes of classic crime.

[Bob · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've been reading Gardner's Perry Mason books for many years. Those who are used to really fine mystery writers (in the literary sense) may find Gardner's writing style a bit dry, and the dialog a bit unrealistic. Nonetheless, I still love the general setting: the characters of Perry, Della, Paul, Lt. Tragg, and Hamilton Berger. That, and the ingenious plots, are why I read Perry Mason.

On the whole, the ones written by about 1953 are the best. This is from 1957. It was
serialized in The Saturday Evening Post, September 1 – October 20, 1956.

A young woman telephones Mason's office saying she wants Perry to go the court house and attend a certain trial going on that day. She doesn't want to give her name. After some discussion Perry becomes intrigued and agrees to go. It is a fatal hit-and-run case in which the corpse has not been identified. The defendent is young Theodore "Ted" Balfour, only heir to a large fortune. Eventually Perry finds out that the young woman is in love with Ted, and is the secretary for one of Ted's uncles, Addison Balfour.

Ted has two uncles, Guthrie and Addison, who run Balfour industries. Addison especially is very wealthy, but terminally ill. Guthrie is much more interested in archaeology than business. He, and perhaps second wife Dorla too, are about to go off to the wilds of Mexico on an expedition.

Ted Balfour had been at a going-away party for Guthrie given by Guthrie's old "friend" Florence Ingle. He became ill (or maybe drunk), and during the drive home he struck and killed a man -- or so say the police and the assistant district attorney. At the trial Mason listens to some testimony. The key witness, Myrtle Anne Haley, seems to have seen and noted more than is humanly possible. Eventually a plea bargain is arranged. Ted pleads guilty to manslaughter, and receives a suspended sentence. Perry plays no role in any of that.

But that's not the end of it. Oh my no! Addison Balfour is angry at the outcome as he doesn't want Ted's name fouled by a conviction. Being too ill to move much, he sends Dorla to come and talk to Perry to get Perry to reopen the case. The case immediately becomes much more complicated. The corpse is identified as one Jackson Eagan, and it is realized that he was really killed by a bullet, so the hit-and-run was just a ruse to hide a murder. Ted is rearrested and tried for first-degree murder. Perry agrees to defend him.

This is one of the most complicated of all the Perry Mason stories. It is hard to write a short synopsis, but here goes:

Briefly, Perry soon talks to Ted, Dorla Balfour, Florence Ingle, and Banner Boles, the so-called "sharpshooter" or "fixer" for the Balfour Company. Each story is different. Was Ted really the driver of the car? Who exactly is this Jackson Eagan? Who fired the fatal bullet? What happened at the Sleepy Hollow Motel? Banner Boles tells Perry to play ball with the way he tells it, or else not only won't Perry be paid, but Perry will be implicated in a cover-up!

There is a genuine, interesting legal point. At the first trial, Ted Balfour pled guilty to manslaughter and was sentenced. He was therefore "in jeopardy" for that crime, the death of the person. Perry says he therefore cannot be tried for murder of the same person as he has already been tried for that! Apparently this is a real and subtle situation. The judge here, though, says he will let the murder trial continue and a higher court can rule on that point.

Near the end of the trial Hamilton Burger comes in, smelling a defeat for Mason. There is good use of Paul Drake, who again seems to be able to discover things very quickly.

This is a very complex plot -- really too complex. There are a few loose threads. There seems to be really excellent airline service from LA to Phoenix and Tucson.

Recurring themes: action at a motel or hotel where various people go in and out of rooms. Perry in danger of being disbarred.

Characters who we meet:

Theodore "Ted" Balfour, nephew of Guthrie and Addison, heir to a fortune.
Guthrie Balfour, wealthy uncle of Theodore, spends most of his time digging around in Mexico.
Addison Balfour, older brother of Guthrie, dying patriarch and head of Balfour Industries.
Mortimer Dean Howland, noted trial lawyer.
Judge Cadwell, fair and impartial.
Myrtle Anne Haley, who makes a good witness -- too good.
Marilyn Keith, secretary to Addison, secretly in love with Theodore.
Mrs. Guthrie Balfour, Dorla, attractive second wife of Guthrie Balfour. Knows the lay of the land.
Florence Ingle, friend of Guthrie Balfour, who was widely expected to become the second wife of Guthrie Balfour, before Dorla came along.
Banner Boles, ace trouble shooter of Balfour Industries.
Jackson Eagan, a faceless corpse.

Still, definitely recommended!

[Ed · Rating 4 out of 5]

#52 in the Perry Mason series. Perry starts by being hired to watch a day of a trial and comment on testimony of a witness. The trial ends in a guilty verdict of manslaughter and a suspended sentence. The defendant's uncle's wife hires Mason to look out for the defendant which surprises Mason since the trial is over, but the corpse is exhumed and the defendant is rearrested on a trial of murder. The concept of double jeopardy is entertainingly explored before Mason pulls out his usual hat rabbit.

Perry Mason series - Mason is retained to attend a trial by a mysterious client--not as counsel for the defense, but to give an opinion about a particular witness. The case concerns Ted Balfour, a wealthy young man who has been accused of drunk driving that has resulted in a death. It all seems very open and shut, but Mason spots a few unlikely details, and when the case suddenly takes a very unexpected turn he finds himself acting as counsel for the defense indeed, and the charge is murder one. Plot details that range from a huge inheritance to a lovelorn secretary to an unexpected twist on the nature of double jeopardy.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

An old-fashioned mystery in a way. A complicated plot with lots of deception on the part of many characters. Some drug-induced amnesia. An evil, conniving villain and a beautiful but adulterous woman. A couple of innocents. And of course, Perry Mason, who gets into a situation that concerns even him, but finds his way out--and tears up the check for the fee that the young woman cannot afford--and turns down the hundreds of thousands of dollars the less innocent offer. And it was not terribly gruesome or bloody.

A fun read! I'll probably read more of these but maybe not immediately.

[Josh Hitch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed this one though I always enjoy the Mason novels. This was interesting in that he was hired to just sit in on a trial as a spectator and to give his opinion in the case. It was a hit and run manslaughter case and seemed pretty straightforward. However Mason thought the witness was lying. This ends up in the defendant's powerful family hiring him to reopen the case. However Mason won't bow down to every one of the family's whims when they try to throw his client to the wolves. Thus putting him in a terrible situation with a powerful enemy.

Highly recommended, one if the better ones I've read in a series where there are no bad ones.

[Kieran McAndrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

What starts off as a strange request to observe another defense counsellor soon develops into one of the most intriguing frame ups of Perry Mason's career. He must use all his famed legal skills to uncover the truth and unmask a killer.

'The Case of the Lucky Loser' has an interesting hook, but excels itself when Mason brings in an argument of double jeopardy, much to the chagrin of the judge.

A fairly well paced novel, the story is far more intricate than it first appears.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of his best. Mason is paid anonymously to sit for a day to observe a murder trial of a man accused of a hit-and-run and convey his thoughts. That night the trial ends up with a hung jury and a plea deal is formulated which involves a guilty plea, fine, and a suspended sentence. . The case involves double-jeopardy with Mason skirting the law once again.

[Freya · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loads of legal technicalities in this one. It took attentive reading and sometimes going back and re-reading to absorb the story. As always though a good one and in this one I definitely didn't guess the killer!

[Nancy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked this up because it was a title on my Mama's puzzle (Vintage Bestseller Book Covers) that I hadn't read. I'm glad I did! It was a very quick read, a great puzzle with a satisfactory ending. Nice and twisty. Lots of fun, a real page turner!

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

My copy is way cooler, from the 1950's with a hottie on the cover. Not this re-published modern crap cover design. Lame.