The Case of the Glamorous Ghost

The Case of the Glamorous Ghost, by Erle Stanley Gardner The `Foreword' dedicated this book to George Burgess Magrath, M.D. who blazed a trail in homicide investigations that many have followed to examine unexplained deaths. Dr. Magrath's devotion to the truth was his greatest contribution. A young woman was seen in the park late at night, nearly nude. The police were called, and find the woman, an apparent amnesia victim. Della shows Perry this news article, then tells him the half-sister wants Perry to represent Eleanor Corbin, the subject of that story. The half-sister warns Perry that Eleanor must be in another jam, after taking off with Douglas Hepner two weeks ago. We learn that Eleanor met Douglas on a return cruise from Europe, and their family is wealthy. Eleanor tells Perry that she married Douglas, they were in an automobile accident, and she remembers nothing. But Douglas has disappeared and can't be found. The investigation finds out a number of hidden facts in the background of this newly married couple. But were they in fact married? Other statements don't check out, and lead to new people who are connected to this pair. Soon a dead body shows up, and the found evidence points to Eleanor. Her story sounds incrimination, and her only witness is the murder victim! But Perry figures out where the loose ends are, and unravels the cloak over the mystery in order to free his client. Like other stories, one fact leads to another until the case is closed. The innocent is cleared, the guilty are revealed in another dramatic court trial. Another example where murder is used to try to hide other crimes. Note how Perry draws the right conclusion from the contents of the dead man's pockets.

Very well plotted mystery. The Glamorous Ghost is trapped by a deadly web of circumstantial evidence. It is partly her fault; she piles up so many lies that even Mason can't believe her. But, as Mason points out, Hamilton Burger, the rival District Attoney, is not a thorough thinker. He often overlooks and/or deliberately ignores some evidence "to keep from confusing the issues". It is superb how Mason digs out such buried evidence through the persistent cross-examination.

For those out there whose only knowledge of Perry Mason comes from the old Raymond Burr series, I implore you to find the books! They're loads of fun, with snappy dialogue, complex plots, and sharply drawn characters. Perry's relationship with Della Street, his confidential secretary, is extremely interesting, not at all the innocent friendship as one might think. THE CASE OF THE GLAMOROUS GHOST has all the aforementioned elements plus more: beautiful women, murder, misdirection, Perry's client trapped within a web of circumstantial evidence. But it is the trial sequence in this book, which is over 100 pages long, that elevates this novel. Slowly we learn exactly what happened in these people's lives and who REALLY is the villian of the piece. As is true with most Mason books, no one is who they seem.This is an exciting work, with an above average puzzle. Gardner never, EVER lets the action drag (one of his primary trademarks) and I feel that it will appeal to modern tastes as much as it appealed to those in the 40s and 50s. Let Perry light the way for you in one of his more interesting adventures. You'll love it!

One of Earl Stanley Gardner's less formulaic efforts in the Perry Mason series, this one has an ending that should surprise TV fans who think the killer always confesses in the end. The story features diamond smugglers, a con artist, a voyeur hiding in closets watching beautiful women bathe, and of course, Mason, Della Street, and Paul Drake forming an unbeatable trio.