The Case of the Nervous Accomplice

The Case of the Nervous Accomplice The 'Foreword' dedicates this book to Dr. Joseph W. Spelman, the state pathologist of Vermont and an associate professor in Pathology at the University of Vermont. He is a member of the group qualified to investigate deaths in a scientific manner to determine the cause and time of death. Gardner has spent years in writing to make people aware of the importance of forensic medicine. Mrs. Enright A. Harlan visits Perry Mason to discuss the "domestic difficulties" of a cheating husband. Sybil doesn't want a divorce, separate maintenance, community property, or alimony; she just wants her husband back. Sybil wants Perry to buy stock in a real estate development company, and then create difficulties that will affect Enright's affair with Mrs. Roxy Claffin (Chapter 1). Perry goes to buy the stock from George Lutts, paying $32,750 for 2,000 shares, and learns more about this property that is a run-down residential district. Perry finds that Roxy owns adjoining property (Chapter 2). Mrs. Harlan then tells Perry about this property, how the new freeway will be close and increase the worth of this run-down property. They drive to the neglected old mansion which had been partitioned for small businesses. They observe Roxy by her swimming pool (Chapter 3). Perry attends the director's meeting, and says Roxy has invaded their "right of lateral support" by removing fill dirt, and could be sued (Chapter 4). Late in the afternoon Perry gets an emotional phone call from Sybil; when she was at the old house with George Lutts someone shot Lutts. Earlier Lutts bought 3,000 shares of the stock for $24,000 from another director. After Sybil tells all at Perry's office, they find that the gun in Sybil's car is now missing! Perry gives instructions to Sybil that must be followed (Chapter 5). Paul Drake monitors taxicabs by their radio frequency. Sybil calls Perry to tell him she followed his advice (Chapter 6). In Chapter 7 Perry calls Herbert Doxey and asks to inspect the property. They find Lutts' car, and then the body. The police are called. Sergeant Holcomb suspects something from Perry's presence. Roxy's problems and complaints to Enright have sent him back to Sybil. Paul tells Perry the police found the murder weapon; it was sold to Enright A. Harlan! The taxidriver reported picking up a woman near the murder scene, another taxidriver brought the woman to Enright A. Harlan's home (Chapter 8). Perry goes to visit Sybil Harlan in jail. Perry then assigns his detectives to get information on the other people who are involved (Chapter 9). The preliminary hearing begins, the details about the death are given (Chapter 10). [Did you notice anything?] The taxidriver's testimony is contradicted by the printed receipt! Next we learn that some woman other than the defendant signed to buy the murder weapon. The case is dismissed and Sybil is released from custody. Perry and Della perform an experiment to test the testimony (Chapter 11).

The 'Foreword' dedicates this book to Dr. Joseph W. Spelman, the state pathologist of Vermont and an associate professor in Pathology at the University of Vermont. He is a member of the group qualified to investigate deaths in a scientific manner to determine the cause and time of death. Gardner has spent years in writing to make people aware of the importance of forensic medicine. Mrs. Enright A. Harlan visits Perry Mason to discuss the "domestic difficulties" of a cheating husband. Sybil doesn't want a divorce, separate maintenance, community property, or alimony; she just wants her husband back. Sybil wants Perry to buy stock in a real estate development company, and then create difficulties that will affect Enright's affair with Mrs. Roxy Claffin (Chapter 1). Perry goes to buy the stock from George Lutts, paying $32,750 for 2,000 shares, and learns more about this property that is a run-down residential district. Perry finds that Roxy owns adjoining property (Chapter 2). Mrs. Harlan then tells Perry about this property, how the new freeway will be close and increase the worth of this run-down property. They drive to the neglected old mansion which had been partitioned for small businesses. They observe Roxy by her swimming pool (Chapter 3). Perry attends the director's meeting, and says Roxy has invaded their "right of lateral support" by removing fill dirt, and could be sued (Chapter 4). Late in the afternoon Perry gets an emotional phone call from Sybil; when she was at the old house with George Lutts someone shot Lutts. Earlier Lutts bought 3,000 shares of the stock for $24,000 from another director. After Sybil tells all at Perry's office, they find that the gun in Sybil's car is now missing! Perry gives instructions to Sybil that must be followed (Chapter 5). Paul Drake monitors taxicabs by their radio frequency. Sybil calls Perry to tell his she followed his advice (Chapter 6). In Chapter 7 Perry calls Herbert Doxey and asks to inspect the property. They find Lutts' car, and then the body. The police are called. Sergeant Holcomb suspects something from Perry's presence. Roxy's problems and complaints to Enright have sent him back to Sybil. Paul tells Perry the police found the murder weapon; it was sold to Enright A. Harlan! The taxidriver reported picking up a woman near the murder scene, another taxidriver brought the woman to Enright A. Harlan's home (Chapter 8). Perry goes to visit Sybil Harlan in jail. Perry then assigns his detectives to get information on the other people who are involved (Chapter 9). The preliminary hearing begins, the details about the death are given (Chapter 10). [Did you notice anything?] The taxidriver's testimony is contradicted by the printed receipt! Next we learn that some woman other than the defendant signed to buy the murder weapon. The case is dismissed and Sybil is released from custody. Perry and Della perform an experiment to test the testimony (Chapter 11). The District Attorney presents new

Very well-plotted mystery. Every small details were combined to the truth. Trial scenes took larger part in this novel and I like trial scenes. Highly recommended.