A Perry Mason Casebook

Erle Stanley Gardner published his first novel at age 44 and he still managed to author 82 novels featuring Perry Mason and numerous other works. Gardner was a man with an amazing work ethic who became the most read mystery writer in the world. At age 32, Gardner, a practicing attorney, began writing fiction for the pulps for a minimal amount per word. His output was in the range of a one million words year - a stunning level by any measure. By the time he started writing the Perry Mason novels, he had the right systems and support staff to allow an incredible output. Part of the reason for Gardner's incredible popularity was that he never added the extensive descriptions that most readers skip in mystery novels. Gardner never wastes words on characterization or the psychological motivation of the villain. Gardner's novels have tight plots, snappy dialog and an abundance of action. Gardner prefers dialogue over description, action over analysis. His novels emphasize physical movement - dashing from one place to another, full-throttle car trips, chartered airplane flights. Gardner's clients in these works are innocent and fail to reveal the full truth to Perry Mason. Mason, with brilliant and flamboyant courtroom tactics (aided by the extensive resources of Paul Drake's detective agency), proves his client innocent and reveals the identity of the real murderer. The plots have good consistency and plausibility. "The Case of the Lucky Loser" has perhaps the most appealing plot, but the other three works also have story lines that will hold your interest. These are not thrillers or novels of terror since there is seldom any strong or immediate danger to Mason or his clients. These are plot-driven stories of action. (To the Mason fanatics, I recommend the insightful biography of Gardner, "The Case Of The Real Perry Mason," authored by mystery writer Dorothy B. Hughes.) Buy and read this volume if you enjoy classic American entertainment. Each of its novels is a quick and fun read. I also recommend and sometimes prefer Gardner's earlier writings, which can be even more energetic.

A Perry Mason Casebook Erle Stanley Gardner was a trial attorney who turned to writing fiction and used his experiences for the "Perry Mason" series. These novels are designed to be fast-paced, using dialogue to tell a story. Few words are spent on characterization or describing the surroundings. Gardner did not want to date his novels, but the backgrounds and dollar figures do just that. Gardner's stories usually involve some new technical or scientific development, or some fact of law. These novels can educate you about technicalities, like not leaving a back trail. Some of the legal issues, like habeas corpus, have become obsolete since the 1960s due to the decisions of the Warren Supreme Court (which had a libertarian bias in curbing abuses of authority). * "The Case of the Velvet Claws". "Eva Griffin" visits Perry Mason with her problem. She had stepped out with a politician and a scandal sheet has the story. Can she get the story squashed? This was the first in the series and seems up-to-date. Or human nature has remained the same. * "The Case of the Demure Defendant". When Nadine Farr visited her psychiatrist and was given sodium pentothal she talked about poison. Is she legally liable? The police investigated from a copy of that tape. Perry Mason clears Nadine of murder and himself of faking evidence. A very interesting story! * "The Case of the Sunbather's Diary". Arlene Duvall calls to tell her clothes and her trailer have been stolen while she was getting an even tan. Perry Mason will investigate her imprisoned father's conviction. Her father's co-worker is found murdered, and Arlene is arrested. Perry must clear Arlene and himself as well.