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Perry Mason #2
Cô gái cau có
Frances phải phụ thuộc hoàn toàn về tài chính vào quyết định ông chú, cho dù cô được thừa hưởng một gia tài kếch xù. Cô đến nhờ Perry Mason can thiệp pháp lý, để cô có thể lấy chồng ngay mà vẫn có tiền. Nhưng vấn đề là ngay lúc đó lại có một vụ án mạng xảy ra trong gia đình cô.
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First published January 1, 1933
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About the author
Erle Stanley Gardner
1,348 books806 followersErle Stanley Gardner was an American lawyer and author of detective stories who also published under the pseudonyms A.A. Fair, Kyle Corning, Charles M. Green, Carleton Kendrake, Charles J. Kenny, Les Tillray, and Robert Parr.
Innovative and restless in his nature, he was bored by the routine of legal practice, the only part of which he enjoyed was trial work and the development of trial strategy. In his spare time, he began to write for pulp magazines, which also fostered the early careers of Dashiell Hammett and Raymond Chandler. He created many different series characters for the pulps, including the ingenious Lester Leith, a "gentleman thief" in the tradition of Raffles, and Ken Corning, a crusading lawyer who was the archetype of his most successful creation, the fictional lawyer and crime-solver Perry Mason, about whom he wrote more than eighty novels. With the success of Perry Mason, he gradually reduced his contributions to the pulp magazines, eventually withdrawing from the medium entirely, except for non-fiction articles on travel, Western history, and forensic science.
See more at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erle_Sta...
Innovative and restless in his nature, he was bored by the routine of legal practice, the only part of which he enjoyed was trial work and the development of trial strategy. In his spare time, he began to write for pulp magazines, which also fostered the early careers of Dashiell Hammett and Raymond Chandler. He created many different series characters for the pulps, including the ingenious Lester Leith, a "gentleman thief" in the tradition of Raffles, and Ken Corning, a crusading lawyer who was the archetype of his most successful creation, the fictional lawyer and crime-solver Perry Mason, about whom he wrote more than eighty novels. With the success of Perry Mason, he gradually reduced his contributions to the pulp magazines, eventually withdrawing from the medium entirely, except for non-fiction articles on travel, Western history, and forensic science.
See more at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erle_Sta...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 234 reviews
September 8, 2024
I am pretty much addicted to the Perry Mason series. In my adolescent years I read all the books I could get my hands on in my native language (Hungarian), and was absolutely thrilled to realise how many books were there in the original.
Apart from the first book in the series, we are invariably presented with the same scenario: Perry Mason, a shrewd, astute defense attorney, specialises in apparently hopeless cases. His clients are always bang to rights, but turn out to be innocent. At the end the truth is revealed by Mason in a dramatic & gripping courtroom coup de theatre.
His "sidekicks" are his loyal secretary, Della Street (his only, though mostly unacknowledged romantic interest) & private detective Paul Drake. His legal adversaries are district attorney Hamilton Burger (or someone else from the DA office) & Sergeant Holcomb (thick-headed, biased & antagonistic cop) or Lieutenant Tragg (clever & shrewd) from the Homicide Squad.
Apart from the first book in the series, we are invariably presented with the same scenario: Perry Mason, a shrewd, astute defense attorney, specialises in apparently hopeless cases. His clients are always bang to rights, but turn out to be innocent. At the end the truth is revealed by Mason in a dramatic & gripping courtroom coup de theatre.
His "sidekicks" are his loyal secretary, Della Street (his only, though mostly unacknowledged romantic interest) & private detective Paul Drake. His legal adversaries are district attorney Hamilton Burger (or someone else from the DA office) & Sergeant Holcomb (thick-headed, biased & antagonistic cop) or Lieutenant Tragg (clever & shrewd) from the Homicide Squad.
April 11, 2024
Another well-done Perry Mason. I'm hoping to eventually get through this whole series, but who knows since there are so many.
I listened to some audiobook of this as well narrated by Alexander Cendese and I can't recommend those highly enough - available on Scribd and his voice complements the story well with suitable speed. Unfortunately I had seen the episode recently on the show (available streaming on Amazon), so it didn't have all its surprises to offer. - I will have to say his narration improves in later books
Perry is a likable lawyer who seems half brain courtroom guru, half investigative private-eye muscle. There's character ambience easily loaned to the story thanks to his assistants and secretary who act as supportive, realistic characters. The author uses scenes with them to have Perry "think aloud" and use them as soundboards, but also to show his mental prowess and what's he really after on the case. The writing is not introspective - we may hear Perry's thoughts, but the author focuses primarily on his mannerisms, face expression descriptions, and can hold back some of the reveals of the storyline and what the lawyer is really thinking until the right time in the plot.
So far with both books of this series there is a beautiful and manipulative dame pulling the strings - the girl in question in this book, Frances, is similar in ways to the client in the first book. Indeed, Perry tells Della that all clients lie the first meeting, but when asked further he says, well, the women anyway. Ouch! However, this goes with the old-school almost noirish feel. Della offers her opinion on the sulkiness and impressions of the girl when she's waiting in the outer office to meet him, while the first book had the same carry-out --- in that case, Della disliked the other one was manipulative almost immediately. Note to self: If ever in a lawyer's office, watch how I act around their secretaries.
Great series so far- the mystery is mentally-stimulating enough, but it's the back and forth banter, mini surprises, and ironic tension that give it the bulk of its shine. As I said, not all was a surprise to me since I watched the episode, but it's still a fun book.
I listened to some audiobook of this as well narrated by Alexander Cendese and I can't recommend those highly enough - available on Scribd and his voice complements the story well with suitable speed. Unfortunately I had seen the episode recently on the show (available streaming on Amazon), so it didn't have all its surprises to offer. - I will have to say his narration improves in later books
Perry is a likable lawyer who seems half brain courtroom guru, half investigative private-eye muscle. There's character ambience easily loaned to the story thanks to his assistants and secretary who act as supportive, realistic characters. The author uses scenes with them to have Perry "think aloud" and use them as soundboards, but also to show his mental prowess and what's he really after on the case. The writing is not introspective - we may hear Perry's thoughts, but the author focuses primarily on his mannerisms, face expression descriptions, and can hold back some of the reveals of the storyline and what the lawyer is really thinking until the right time in the plot.
So far with both books of this series there is a beautiful and manipulative dame pulling the strings - the girl in question in this book, Frances, is similar in ways to the client in the first book. Indeed, Perry tells Della that all clients lie the first meeting, but when asked further he says, well, the women anyway. Ouch! However, this goes with the old-school almost noirish feel. Della offers her opinion on the sulkiness and impressions of the girl when she's waiting in the outer office to meet him, while the first book had the same carry-out --- in that case, Della disliked the other one was manipulative almost immediately. Note to self: If ever in a lawyer's office, watch how I act around their secretaries.
Great series so far- the mystery is mentally-stimulating enough, but it's the back and forth banter, mini surprises, and ironic tension that give it the bulk of its shine. As I said, not all was a surprise to me since I watched the episode, but it's still a fun book.
June 28, 2017
this is a story that just couldn't hold my interest. Maybe it was the generation misogyny; maybe it was the pacing but it just couldn't hold my interest. This is the second Perry Mason mystery published and was strange.
February 5, 2017
I always imagine if Perry Mason was to be played by someone in Hollywood, it would be Matthew McConaughey. The second Perry Mason story begins again with a female client coming to him and lying, but I like the way he handles her and the different characters in the story. The rough and confident lawyer seems eager to enter my list of favourite sleuths. The story was undoubtedly good, with a touch of drama and suspense, it was a complete package.
September 1, 2025
“The Case of the Sulky Girl” is the second of the more than 80 Perry Mason novels Gardner published over a forty year period, mainly after retiring from the practice of law. The “sulky girl” of the title is one Fran Celane, the seeming heiress to a small fortune except that her father left the money in a trust controlled by her uncle. The trust has a clause, probably an illegal one, limiting her to $5,000 at her uncle’s discretion if she marries before age 27. But even if she doesn’t, it leaves Uncle Ed Norton with pretty much complete discretion over the estate anyway. Mason explains to Celane that, given the terms of the trust, even if he successfully challenged the marriage clause, the uncle would still have complete discretion. Celane, nevertheless, prevails on Mason to speak with her uncle, who is obstinate and nearly has the butler toss Mason out on his ear.
All of this ends up being background as Mason gets a hysterical call from Celane that she just got back to the estate after taking a wild drive in her uncle’s car, that her uncle reported the car stolen, and her uncle was murdered while she was gone. Mason hightails it over there, but believes none of what his client says, particularly given that he’d been told that Celane was being blackmailed, and just none of it makes sense.
Mason has Celane institutionalized temporarily while he tries to sort things out with various witnesses, who keep changing their stories, some willing to say whatever he wants if well paid. All the evidence, including that of an eyewitness, who saw something from a rear window of a car driving away through the office window, seems to indicate that Celane is in big trouble and in desperate need of legal help.
The story climaxes in a manner that would eventually become Gardner’s fingerprint in these Mason novels — a full trial from void dire of the jury through testimony and closing arguments. Of course, everyone present thinks Mason is flubbing his representation of Celane, including all the newspapers, until he masterfully pulls a cat out of the hat and gets to the truth, saving the day. More so than the first novel in the series, “Sulky Girl” lays out the blueprint for what the Perry Mason novels would become.
All of this ends up being background as Mason gets a hysterical call from Celane that she just got back to the estate after taking a wild drive in her uncle’s car, that her uncle reported the car stolen, and her uncle was murdered while she was gone. Mason hightails it over there, but believes none of what his client says, particularly given that he’d been told that Celane was being blackmailed, and just none of it makes sense.
Mason has Celane institutionalized temporarily while he tries to sort things out with various witnesses, who keep changing their stories, some willing to say whatever he wants if well paid. All the evidence, including that of an eyewitness, who saw something from a rear window of a car driving away through the office window, seems to indicate that Celane is in big trouble and in desperate need of legal help.
The story climaxes in a manner that would eventually become Gardner’s fingerprint in these Mason novels — a full trial from void dire of the jury through testimony and closing arguments. Of course, everyone present thinks Mason is flubbing his representation of Celane, including all the newspapers, until he masterfully pulls a cat out of the hat and gets to the truth, saving the day. More so than the first novel in the series, “Sulky Girl” lays out the blueprint for what the Perry Mason novels would become.
February 15, 2024
4 Stars. There's a modern expression for a leading character in this novel, Frances Celane. A spoiled brat. The only child of a rich and eccentric father, with mother long passed, she obviously missed one aspect of a good family life, discipline. Her temper is volatile, only a millimetre below the surface. Dad's final effort to develop maturity in his daughter was through his will. He left his millions to a trustee, her uncle, with the stipulation that she should only get an allowance. If, and only if Edward Norton thought she had matured would she be allowed to marry before turning 25 and inherit the bulk of her father's millions. Otherwise, most of it was destined for charity. What happens? She meets Robert Gleason and quietly but rashly marries him despite the stipulation of the will. Now she needs the best lawyer she can find to help her contest it. Perry Mason. Estates are not his specialty, but it's not long before the trustee of Carl Celane's estate is found murdered. Criminal law is where he excels. His clients, Frances and Robert, soon become suspects. The case appears bleak and then it goes to court. It's Perry Mason for the defence. Enjoy. (Ja2022/Fe2024)
January 26, 2019
The case of the sulky girl by Erle Stanley Gardner is the second book in the Perry Mason series. Perry Mason is hired to look into the terms of a trust being managed by his clients uncle which is preventing her from marrying. It soon turns into a murder case when the uncle is murdered and his client is arrested. I originally read this series over 30 years ago and I still love it. Perry Mason is brilliant as usual. A fast paced, interesting classical mystery.
February 10, 2025
4.5
'The Case of the Sulky Girl' (1933; the 2nd of Gardner's 80+ PM novels) is the first of three cases combined in the volume 'The Perry Mason Casebook'. The other two - 'The Case of the Careless Kitten' (1942) and 'The Case of the Fiery Fingers' (1951) - I'll review separately.
The girl of the title is indeed sulky; sulky, spoiled, with a temper and a pronounced air of entitlement. She doesn't want to wait until she's of the age required to get the Daddy Money that's coming to her - but someone holds tight to the purse strings. Until he's suddenly dead. But, by that time, Perry has already been hired.
Someone close to the girl warns Perry that he's going to have his hands full with her.:
Not sure if this makes me a PM fan but, for a 'case' that's close to 100 years old, there's a sustained freshness here. Gardner has established a solid hero. Now on to the next case.....
In man there is implanted a sporting instinct to side with the underdog, but this is in man, the individual. Mob psychology is different from individual psychology, and the psychology of the pack is to tear down the weaker and devour the wounded. Man may sympathize with the underdog, but he wants to side with the winner.When I was a young'un, I would sometimes watch the immensely popular Perry Mason tv series - but not much. Looking back, I may have found it all too 'legal' for a kid. The tangled specifics of legal proceedings become more interesting to an adult.
'The Case of the Sulky Girl' (1933; the 2nd of Gardner's 80+ PM novels) is the first of three cases combined in the volume 'The Perry Mason Casebook'. The other two - 'The Case of the Careless Kitten' (1942) and 'The Case of the Fiery Fingers' (1951) - I'll review separately.
The girl of the title is indeed sulky; sulky, spoiled, with a temper and a pronounced air of entitlement. She doesn't want to wait until she's of the age required to get the Daddy Money that's coming to her - but someone holds tight to the purse strings. Until he's suddenly dead. But, by that time, Perry has already been hired.
Someone close to the girl warns Perry that he's going to have his hands full with her.:
"I have talked with Miss Celane," said Mason.Frances Celane isn't exactly the femme fatale of noir-land. But then, Perry himself isn't the PI of the likes of Raymond Chandler, Dashiell Hammett or Ross Macdonald. He doesn't have to (at least here) go through the same noirish (and often violent) kind of cat-and-mouse stuff. But he does have a no-nonsense secretary to keep him steady.:
The woman's laugh was harsh and bitter.
"Oh no, you haven't," she said, "you've listened to her. Frances Celane is the best little liar in the world. Don't listen to her. *Talk* to her. Make her mad and *then* see what she says."
"I don't like it," she said.Minus the PI danger, 'Sulky Girl' may, at one point, begin to feel a little clinical (and occasionally repetitive). But, as our attention is diverted a few significant times, things slowly become twisty in a brain-teaser way. The writing - though quite punchy - can, at times, feel as though the intended readership is lawyers and judges. Author Gardner was said to be "in love with the law". He was apparently quite adept at breaking down the considerable number of those who attempt to weasel with it.:
"Don't like what?"
"Don't like the way you mix into these cases. Why can't you sit back and just do your stuff in a court room?"
"I don't know, I'm sure," he told her. smiling. "Maybe it's a disease."
"The skillful perjurer is he who sticks to so much of the truth as is possible, and only departs from it when it becomes absolutely necessary. These men who make up stories out of whole cloth usually leave a few loose threads somewhere."It's a little easy to take issue with one key component on which this murder trial hangs. But then along comes the book's penultimate chapter - Mason's lengthy summation - and it's a doozy (to say the least), making up for anything that went before that suggested 'predictable'.
Not sure if this makes me a PM fan but, for a 'case' that's close to 100 years old, there's a sustained freshness here. Gardner has established a solid hero. Now on to the next case.....
April 29, 2020
The second of the Perry Mason novels is the first to take on the familiar traditional approach of having lengthy courtroom scenes dominate the end of the book. An enjoyable plot revolving around Perry's client, a young woman who is accused of murdering her Uncle in order to get her full inheritance.
I really enjoyed the way Erle Stanley Gardner combines two major mystery elements here. The first is the expected mystery of whodunit. But the second, more subtle mystery involves Perry Mason's courtroom tactics and trying to figure out how he is going to turn the tables on the huge pile of evidence against his client. Cleverly done, of course.
Looking forward to more of this series.
I really enjoyed the way Erle Stanley Gardner combines two major mystery elements here. The first is the expected mystery of whodunit. But the second, more subtle mystery involves Perry Mason's courtroom tactics and trying to figure out how he is going to turn the tables on the huge pile of evidence against his client. Cleverly done, of course.
Looking forward to more of this series.
October 26, 2020
The second Perry Mason novel. The first with a courtroom wrap-up. A bit odd for those who only know the tv series. Here Drumm is Assistant DA; on tv he is a a detective in the homicide department.
June 22, 2018
I'm really loving these Perry Mason books. Fast paced, great twists and actually I'm fond of Perry Mason himself - he remains cool under pressure and puts his clients first even when what they're telling him isn't the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. Though money seems to be a huge factor in determing if he takes on a case!
The first Perry Mason I read, 'The Case of the Velvet Claws', had no court scene, this did and it was terrific!
The first Perry Mason I read, 'The Case of the Velvet Claws', had no court scene, this did and it was terrific!
March 6, 2017
Not sure why it took me so long to read this book. I did enjoy it.
A sassy young woman is accused of killing her uncle, the manager of her father's estate. Perry Mason takes on the case.
A sassy young woman is accused of killing her uncle, the manager of her father's estate. Perry Mason takes on the case.
July 21, 2016
Continuing my very own "going back in time" (started in 2015) to discover old treasures like the Perry Mason Series, I raced through the 2nd book in the series.
"The Case Of The Sulky Girl" was the continued ecstasy for me in the series. It is yet another classic whodunnit. Perry Mason, a character written in 1930s, can easily be a part of 2016 and the author would need to change NOTHING (not even a word) to adjust to the advanced world since 1930s. Now, THAT, for sure is what is evergreen. The story telling has the same intensity now as it did then. The characters are well etched out, the plot well thought out, the investigations pretty well crafted and with rewarding twists.
Though Perry Mason is referred in this story as a "Old Fox Of The Courtroom", his skills are clearly that of a sleuth who uses the told of the legal system to hunt for the truth AND utilizes his devious mind to uncover pure evidence that would solve the case. Mr. Gardner continues to follow the KISS rule. 230 pages is all you get to race through a fantastic story. Till the last chapter you will keep wondering "What's Perry Mason playing at?". You will let go of your sleep to find the answer to "What's The Ace Up His Sleeve?" Till the last moment you wont know it and when you do you will sit up and say "Oh Damn, How Did I Miss That?" This episode continues to be a fine example of American Literature from the yesteryears. No wonder Gardner was one of the best selling writers of all times, and certainly one of the best-selling mystery authors ever.
But from the perspective of an individual who read his first Perry Mason in 2015, I enjoyed every bit of this 2nd book and am looking forward to savour the entire series. Mind you, there are a total 0f 82 novels (which I now fortunately own in my shelves). It's a treasure cove indeed!!
"The Case Of The Sulky Girl" was the continued ecstasy for me in the series. It is yet another classic whodunnit. Perry Mason, a character written in 1930s, can easily be a part of 2016 and the author would need to change NOTHING (not even a word) to adjust to the advanced world since 1930s. Now, THAT, for sure is what is evergreen. The story telling has the same intensity now as it did then. The characters are well etched out, the plot well thought out, the investigations pretty well crafted and with rewarding twists.
Though Perry Mason is referred in this story as a "Old Fox Of The Courtroom", his skills are clearly that of a sleuth who uses the told of the legal system to hunt for the truth AND utilizes his devious mind to uncover pure evidence that would solve the case. Mr. Gardner continues to follow the KISS rule. 230 pages is all you get to race through a fantastic story. Till the last chapter you will keep wondering "What's Perry Mason playing at?". You will let go of your sleep to find the answer to "What's The Ace Up His Sleeve?" Till the last moment you wont know it and when you do you will sit up and say "Oh Damn, How Did I Miss That?" This episode continues to be a fine example of American Literature from the yesteryears. No wonder Gardner was one of the best selling writers of all times, and certainly one of the best-selling mystery authors ever.
But from the perspective of an individual who read his first Perry Mason in 2015, I enjoyed every bit of this 2nd book and am looking forward to savour the entire series. Mind you, there are a total 0f 82 novels (which I now fortunately own in my shelves). It's a treasure cove indeed!!
January 31, 2020
Frances Celane and her husband (secretly married) are accused of murdering her uncle to obtain her trust fund. Perry Mason finds and exposes the killers in a courtroom scene.
March 14, 2023
"The Case of the Sulky Girl" by Erle Stanley Gardner is a classic mystery novel that will keep you engrossed from start to finish. The book is full of twists and turns, and it all comes to a head in the gripping courtroom scenes that make up the book's thrilling finale.
Perry Mason, the brilliant defense attorney, finds himself in the unenviable position of having to defend his client, Frances Celane, against a murder charge. As the trial unfolds, Mason uses his quick wit and keen intellect to outmaneuver the prosecution and uncover the truth behind the murder. The courtroom scenes are tense and dramatic, as Mason goes head-to-head with his legal adversaries in a battle of wits that will keep you on the edge of your seat.
One of the things I appreciated most about the book was Gardner's attention to detail in the courtroom scenes. He does an excellent job of conveying the legal procedures and tactics used by the attorneys, while still keeping the story moving at a brisk pace. The dialogue is sharp and snappy, and the characters are all well-drawn and distinct.
It's always great to read Classics, although they become predictable while you are reading, but they do provide some different pleasure of reading. Less Technical and pure mystery.
Overall, "The Case of the Sulky Girl" is a fantastic mystery novel that is sure to satisfy fans of the genre. The courtroom scenes are particularly thrilling, and Gardner's skillful writing will keep you engaged and guessing until the very end.
goodReadsssss.
Perry Mason, the brilliant defense attorney, finds himself in the unenviable position of having to defend his client, Frances Celane, against a murder charge. As the trial unfolds, Mason uses his quick wit and keen intellect to outmaneuver the prosecution and uncover the truth behind the murder. The courtroom scenes are tense and dramatic, as Mason goes head-to-head with his legal adversaries in a battle of wits that will keep you on the edge of your seat.
One of the things I appreciated most about the book was Gardner's attention to detail in the courtroom scenes. He does an excellent job of conveying the legal procedures and tactics used by the attorneys, while still keeping the story moving at a brisk pace. The dialogue is sharp and snappy, and the characters are all well-drawn and distinct.
It's always great to read Classics, although they become predictable while you are reading, but they do provide some different pleasure of reading. Less Technical and pure mystery.
Overall, "The Case of the Sulky Girl" is a fantastic mystery novel that is sure to satisfy fans of the genre. The courtroom scenes are particularly thrilling, and Gardner's skillful writing will keep you engaged and guessing until the very end.
goodReadsssss.
June 21, 2021
Eight dozen stories of his star lawyer were written by Earl Stanley Gardner. And this is despite the fact that in addition to him and in parallel with him, he launched eleven (!) book series with end-to-end characters. Yes, the fertility is incredible. And given the work in his own law office and the foundation of the human rights organization " The Court of Last Hope-simply unthinkable.
Only Perry really fired the shot, though the twenty-nine novels about Donald Lamb and Bert Cool speak for themselves, but back to The Case of the Grim Girl. This is the second case of Mason - all the novels in the series have the first word of the title "The Case..." with necessarily playful, ambiguous or disturbing continuation: "The Case of the Velvet Claws", "The Case of the Shoplifter's shoe", "The case of the screaming martin".
A huge amount of money, as a motive for the crime, and a substantial lawyer's fee. Let me remind you that the series began in the thirty-third, at the height of the Great Depression, when most readers were beating fish on ice for every dollar, and here are these million-dollar fortunes inherited and forty thousand rewards for a job well done. Would you refuse to read-to dream that there will be a holiday on your street someday? They did not refuse either, the reader voted for Gardner in paperbacks with their cents.
Суд последней надежды
Я столкнулся с очень серьезной проблемой. Я не сомневался, что смогу представить свою теорию достаточно обоснованно, чтобы в головах присяжных зародились сомнения, но я четко осознал, что, если не подготовлю ловушку убийцам таким образом, чтобы они сделали роковую ошибку, на ваших именах до конца жизни останется пятно и на вас все равно будут за спиной показывать пальцем.
За что полюбила Перри Мейсона, треть века назад, так это за неустанную заботу о дальнейшей репутации клиента. Как хотите. а одно дело добиться оправдательного приговора, что само по себе превосходно, но совсем другое - высший пилотаж, так выстроить защиту, чтобы после не говорили: "то ли он украл то ли у него украли"
Все же приподняться на волне хайпа, не особенно переживая, положительные или отрицательные эмоции вызовешь у окружающих, в значительной мере примета новейшего времени. Неважно, что Ольгу Бузову любят двадцать миллионов ее подписчиков, а остальные сто сорок четыре миллиона россиян кривятся при ее упоминании как от мгновенного приступа зубной боли. Она медиалицо и знают ее все.
Или ближе к теме, мюзикл "Чикаго" с дуэтом лихих джазисток-мокрушниц, где время и место действия почти совпадают с мейсоновскими детективами, но все же это взгляд из нашего времени и из мира шоу-бизнеса, где движ важнее репутации. Для простого человеческого счастья важно, чтобы не показывали пальцами и не шептались за спиной,
Перри Мейсон заботится об этом неукоснительно, отчасти в том секрет его немыслимого успеха - восемь десятков историй своего звездного адвоката написал Эрл Стенли Гарднер. И это при том, что помимо него и параллельно с ним запускал одиннадцать (!) сериалов со сквозными персонажами. Да, плодовитость невероятная. А учитывая работу в собственной адвокатской конторе и основание им правозащитной организации "Суд последней надежды - просто немыслимая.
По-настоящему выстрелил только Перри, впрочем, двадцать девять романов о Дональде Лэме и Берте Кул говорят сами за себя, однако вернемся к "Делу о мрачной девушке". Это второе дело Мейсона - все романы серии имеют первым словом заглавия "Дело..." с непременно игривым, двусмысленным или тревожным продолжением: "Дело о бархатных коготках", "Дело о туфельке магазинной воровки", "Дело о кричащей ласточке".
Непременные громадные деньги, как мотив преступления, и солидный гонорар адвоката. Напомню, начиналась серия в тридцать третьем, в разгар Великой депрессии, когда большинство читателей билось рыбой об лед за каждый доллар, а тут эти миллионные состояния в наследство и сорок тысяч вознаграждения за отлично сделанную работу. Вот вы бы отказались почитать-помечтать, что и на вашей улице будет когда-нибудь праздник? Они тоже не отказывались, читатель голосовал за Гарднера в мягких обложках своими центами.
Хотя главное, конечно, не это. Главное история. Затейливая, с кропотливой адвокатской работой по сбору улик и виртуозно выстроенной защитой в суде. И, как ни странно для не претендующих на звание серьезной литературы детективов - динамика. На протяжении чтения меняется персонаж и наше к нему отношение. Когда заносчивая взбалмошная наследница миллионного состояния впервые приходит в контору, у читателя к ней ничего, кроме классовой вражды. Гляди-ка, цаца хочет замуж, а дядя-опекун против, в то время, как по завещанию, брак до двадцати пяти - времени полного вступления в права наследования, с кандидатом, не одобренным дядей, лишает ее всего.
А к финалу, каким бы искушенным читателем ты ни была, как бы ни морщилась от стилистической и описательной слабости, меняешь отношение на противоположное. Иначе говоря, умеет Гарднер. А для тех, кто неровно дышит к классическому детективу, без маньяков, расчлененки, без клочков по закоулочкам и прочего "кровь-кишки-доброта", есть замечательный сюрприз. Игорь Князев на сайте ABookee выложил в свободный доступ аудиоверсию этой книги.
Еще раз: безвозмездно, то есть - даром. И всякий теперь может послушать. Каковой возможностью я не преминула воспользоваться. Заодно вспомнив давнюю любовь к Перри Мейсону и его неизменной умнице секретарше Делле Стрит.
Only Perry really fired the shot, though the twenty-nine novels about Donald Lamb and Bert Cool speak for themselves, but back to The Case of the Grim Girl. This is the second case of Mason - all the novels in the series have the first word of the title "The Case..." with necessarily playful, ambiguous or disturbing continuation: "The Case of the Velvet Claws", "The Case of the Shoplifter's shoe", "The case of the screaming martin".
A huge amount of money, as a motive for the crime, and a substantial lawyer's fee. Let me remind you that the series began in the thirty-third, at the height of the Great Depression, when most readers were beating fish on ice for every dollar, and here are these million-dollar fortunes inherited and forty thousand rewards for a job well done. Would you refuse to read-to dream that there will be a holiday on your street someday? They did not refuse either, the reader voted for Gardner in paperbacks with their cents.
Суд последней надежды
Я столкнулся с очень серьезной проблемой. Я не сомневался, что смогу представить свою теорию достаточно обоснованно, чтобы в головах присяжных зародились сомнения, но я четко осознал, что, если не подготовлю ловушку убийцам таким образом, чтобы они сделали роковую ошибку, на ваших именах до конца жизни останется пятно и на вас все равно будут за спиной показывать пальцем.
За что полюбила Перри Мейсона, треть века назад, так это за неустанную заботу о дальнейшей репутации клиента. Как хотите. а одно дело добиться оправдательного приговора, что само по себе превосходно, но совсем другое - высший пилотаж, так выстроить защиту, чтобы после не говорили: "то ли он украл то ли у него украли"
Все же приподняться на волне хайпа, не особенно переживая, положительные или отрицательные эмоции вызовешь у окружающих, в значительной мере примета новейшего времени. Неважно, что Ольгу Бузову любят двадцать миллионов ее подписчиков, а остальные сто сорок четыре миллиона россиян кривятся при ее упоминании как от мгновенного приступа зубной боли. Она медиалицо и знают ее все.
Или ближе к теме, мюзикл "Чикаго" с дуэтом лихих джазисток-мокрушниц, где время и место действия почти совпадают с мейсоновскими детективами, но все же это взгляд из нашего времени и из мира шоу-бизнеса, где движ важнее репутации. Для простого человеческого счастья важно, чтобы не показывали пальцами и не шептались за спиной,
Перри Мейсон заботится об этом неукоснительно, отчасти в том секрет его немыслимого успеха - восемь десятков историй своего звездного адвоката написал Эрл Стенли Гарднер. И это при том, что помимо него и параллельно с ним запускал одиннадцать (!) сериалов со сквозными персонажами. Да, плодовитость невероятная. А учитывая работу в собственной адвокатской конторе и основание им правозащитной организации "Суд последней надежды - просто немыслимая.
По-настоящему выстрелил только Перри, впрочем, двадцать девять романов о Дональде Лэме и Берте Кул говорят сами за себя, однако вернемся к "Делу о мрачной девушке". Это второе дело Мейсона - все романы серии имеют первым словом заглавия "Дело..." с непременно игривым, двусмысленным или тревожным продолжением: "Дело о бархатных коготках", "Дело о туфельке магазинной воровки", "Дело о кричащей ласточке".
Непременные громадные деньги, как мотив преступления, и солидный гонорар адвоката. Напомню, начиналась серия в тридцать третьем, в разгар Великой депрессии, когда большинство читателей билось рыбой об лед за каждый доллар, а тут эти миллионные состояния в наследство и сорок тысяч вознаграждения за отлично сделанную работу. Вот вы бы отказались почитать-помечтать, что и на вашей улице будет когда-нибудь праздник? Они тоже не отказывались, читатель голосовал за Гарднера в мягких обложках своими центами.
Хотя главное, конечно, не это. Главное история. Затейливая, с кропотливой адвокатской работой по сбору улик и виртуозно выстроенной защитой в суде. И, как ни странно для не претендующих на звание серьезной литературы детективов - динамика. На протяжении чтения меняется персонаж и наше к нему отношение. Когда заносчивая взбалмошная наследница миллионного состояния впервые приходит в контору, у читателя к ней ничего, кроме классовой вражды. Гляди-ка, цаца хочет замуж, а дядя-опекун против, в то время, как по завещанию, брак до двадцати пяти - времени полного вступления в права наследования, с кандидатом, не одобренным дядей, лишает ее всего.
А к финалу, каким бы искушенным читателем ты ни была, как бы ни морщилась от стилистической и описательной слабости, меняешь отношение на противоположное. Иначе говоря, умеет Гарднер. А для тех, кто неровно дышит к классическому детективу, без маньяков, расчлененки, без клочков по закоулочкам и прочего "кровь-кишки-доброта", есть замечательный сюрприз. Игорь Князев на сайте ABookee выложил в свободный доступ аудиоверсию этой книги.
Еще раз: безвозмездно, то есть - даром. И всякий теперь может послушать. Каковой возможностью я не преминула воспользоваться. Заодно вспомнив давнюю любовь к Перри Мейсону и его неизменной умнице секретарше Делле Стрит.
February 27, 2024
Good ending!
March 30, 2024
Another fun read, I will definitely be picking up these books for fun every once in a while they are quick read, and extremely entertaining.
June 15, 2024
I am really enjoying this series!
April 14, 2020
It has been forever since I picked up a Perry Mason book. When I was in high school, the lending library outside my school (we did not have public libraries) had tons of them, and they were relatively cheaper than the others. Over time I moved on from them but listening to this book brought back the reasons why I liked them in the first place.
The covers and titles are usually off-putting, to say the least, but I guess it gets people's attention although the trend then and now are vastly different when it comes to the cover art (thankfully). The cover makes us guess that the focus is all on a woman (at least that's what I thought), but the story is about more. The language or turn of phrase is not elegant or even unique, but there is this sense of drama and palpitating tension throughout the narrative that it felt so much...fun! A woman comes into Perry Mason's office in a hurry and tries to play a part of a damsel in distress, which does not last. She needs legal council about money that should rightfully be hers. This ends up taking a whole day of Perry Mason's as he is continuously speculating what ulterior motives were hidden behind all this chaos. More players are added to the fray as the events unfold. Immediately after that day, the man holding the purse strings is found dead, and everyone seems to want to 'help' this woman but are they?
The story moves at a breakneck pace taking us along all the way. Perry Mason triumphs at the end, but he does it in a very straightforward manner during this case. Della Street is voiced in a more simpering fashion that I imagined her to be in my younger days, but otherwise, the narration kept the mood up!
The covers and titles are usually off-putting, to say the least, but I guess it gets people's attention although the trend then and now are vastly different when it comes to the cover art (thankfully). The cover makes us guess that the focus is all on a woman (at least that's what I thought), but the story is about more. The language or turn of phrase is not elegant or even unique, but there is this sense of drama and palpitating tension throughout the narrative that it felt so much...fun! A woman comes into Perry Mason's office in a hurry and tries to play a part of a damsel in distress, which does not last. She needs legal council about money that should rightfully be hers. This ends up taking a whole day of Perry Mason's as he is continuously speculating what ulterior motives were hidden behind all this chaos. More players are added to the fray as the events unfold. Immediately after that day, the man holding the purse strings is found dead, and everyone seems to want to 'help' this woman but are they?
The story moves at a breakneck pace taking us along all the way. Perry Mason triumphs at the end, but he does it in a very straightforward manner during this case. Della Street is voiced in a more simpering fashion that I imagined her to be in my younger days, but otherwise, the narration kept the mood up!
January 4, 2018
I wasn't aware of this wonderful series until last year, I was just browsing through the bookshelves of my college's library and I found a stack of books made up of low-quality paper, the cover was also unattractive. I picked up the first book and got it issued. I thoroughly loved the first book, fell in love with the protagonist Perry Mason (criminal defense attorney who will go beyond limits to protect his clients), Della Street (these two reminds me of Harvey and Donna), Frank Everly and Paul Drake. Eventually, I fell in love with the author and read all about him.
The Case Of the Sulky Girl.
The second book of the series. Classic whodunnit. Perry Mason's client Frances (short-tempered and rich) is accused of murdering her uncle who also manages her father's estate. This book very well shows the skills of Perry as a brilliant lawyer in the legal battle, no wonder he was called "Old Fox Of The Courtroom".
Now the climax, Boy oh boy, I was not expecting that! while reading the last chapter I was really impressed. I will give it 4/5 stars. Although I missed Della and Frank, they have a very little contribution to the story in this one.
Planning to pick up the 3rd book soon.
I will recommend this series to those who love old courtroom dramas, crime and detective stories and murder mysteries.
The Case Of the Sulky Girl.
The second book of the series. Classic whodunnit. Perry Mason's client Frances (short-tempered and rich) is accused of murdering her uncle who also manages her father's estate. This book very well shows the skills of Perry as a brilliant lawyer in the legal battle, no wonder he was called "Old Fox Of The Courtroom".
Now the climax, Boy oh boy, I was not expecting that! while reading the last chapter I was really impressed. I will give it 4/5 stars. Although I missed Della and Frank, they have a very little contribution to the story in this one.
Planning to pick up the 3rd book soon.
I will recommend this series to those who love old courtroom dramas, crime and detective stories and murder mysteries.
July 1, 2019
My new project is to read Erle Stanley Gardner's series in order. This is number 2 (by publication date).
Copyrighted 1933, the characters are stereotypically portrayed. The men smoke, wear hats, and don't show emotion. The women are efficient, dutiful, and actually are the ones who solve the problems.
Della Street, ever loyal, is Perry Mason's confidante, receptionist and friend, and cohort to setting the figurative stage for cases to reach their climactic conclusions. Della is an accurate judge of character, and she knows how to give Perry the heads up if there is something he should know. Then there's Paul Drake, Private Investigator, who is just now introduced to the series.
The Sulky Girl is the nickname Della gave to his client. The Sulky Girl was mentioned at the end of book 1, as is the Lucky Legs, a premier of book 3, that was mentioned at the end of this one. Ah! The literary preview of coming attractions.
Gardner's writing style is that of a news reporter, ironic in view of the presence of a local news reporter in this book. The reporter conspires with Perry over the release of information concerning his current case. Deals are made. Favors are returned. Sometimes money changes hands.
The Case of the Sulky Girl involves death (murder!), inheritance, suspects, diversions, shady characters, and everything comes together in a dramatic court finale.
Copyrighted 1933, the characters are stereotypically portrayed. The men smoke, wear hats, and don't show emotion. The women are efficient, dutiful, and actually are the ones who solve the problems.
Della Street, ever loyal, is Perry Mason's confidante, receptionist and friend, and cohort to setting the figurative stage for cases to reach their climactic conclusions. Della is an accurate judge of character, and she knows how to give Perry the heads up if there is something he should know. Then there's Paul Drake, Private Investigator, who is just now introduced to the series.
The Sulky Girl is the nickname Della gave to his client. The Sulky Girl was mentioned at the end of book 1, as is the Lucky Legs, a premier of book 3, that was mentioned at the end of this one. Ah! The literary preview of coming attractions.
Gardner's writing style is that of a news reporter, ironic in view of the presence of a local news reporter in this book. The reporter conspires with Perry over the release of information concerning his current case. Deals are made. Favors are returned. Sometimes money changes hands.
The Case of the Sulky Girl involves death (murder!), inheritance, suspects, diversions, shady characters, and everything comes together in a dramatic court finale.
June 23, 2020
This character of Perry Mason I truly like. Don't get me wrong, Raymond Burr did an excellent job of depicting what the studio wished to reflect about Perry Mason. This character's part sleuth, part wizard, part theologian, and all lawyer. I was slightly dumbfounded concerning this story. The plot was never revealed until the absolute end of the book.
Erle Stanley Gardner had a way with diluting a storyline, building a strong case against suspects to only have Perry come in and manipulate the trial in his own fashion. This author had a few grammatical errors but overall it was not a hindrance to the story. A quick and satisfying read.
Erle Stanley Gardner had a way with diluting a storyline, building a strong case against suspects to only have Perry come in and manipulate the trial in his own fashion. This author had a few grammatical errors but overall it was not a hindrance to the story. A quick and satisfying read.
April 5, 2019
This was my first Perry Mason book, and since then I have come to love Erle's style of writing. Frantic, fast-paced and yet, building and carrying a great plot, this book won't disappoint most. It also reveals a lot about the trial techniques used in that era, which would be laughed at now. Also the words commonly used in this book are tough for a reader to understand, especially for someone outside the US, because many of those words have got more frequently-used synonyms. Overall an excellent read.
June 23, 2020
Quite interesting, but not too difficult to work out the answers.
The eponymous young lady is of that severely irritating type often portrayed in detective novels of the period, rich and entitled in today's terms.
The second of these I have read in succession. Easy to read, well-enough written and plotted to maintain interest, without exciting the detective senses too much.
3.5 stars
The eponymous young lady is of that severely irritating type often portrayed in detective novels of the period, rich and entitled in today's terms.
The second of these I have read in succession. Easy to read, well-enough written and plotted to maintain interest, without exciting the detective senses too much.
3.5 stars
June 19, 2015
I didn't see the end coming. The solution was a surprise. Just the way I like.
Though I missed Della Street and Paul Drake. There wasn't much they were doing here... Plus, a bit too many words given to Perry Mason's posture, expression, etc.
Though I missed Della Street and Paul Drake. There wasn't much they were doing here... Plus, a bit too many words given to Perry Mason's posture, expression, etc.
November 20, 2020
I believe I have read one or two of the books growing up but I can’t be sure.
I enjoyed the audiobook and could only see Raymond Burr as Perry in my mind. Will be reading/listening to more because they are addictive and familiar stories. Sometimes that’s a good thing.
I enjoyed the audiobook and could only see Raymond Burr as Perry in my mind. Will be reading/listening to more because they are addictive and familiar stories. Sometimes that’s a good thing.
May 19, 2014
Couldn't put it down!
July 19, 2019
A trip down memory lane with the best of the best when it came to courtroom drama and solving the mystery.
January 27, 2023
I like how it ends with the characters giving the title of the next book; very Nancy Drew.
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