The Case of the Shapely Shadow

The Case of the Shapely Shadow Erle Stanley Gardner has tried to emphasize the importance of legal medicine by dedicating his Forewords to outstanding specialists in forensic pathology. Marshall Houts has worked for years in the Court of Last Resort, to educate attorneys in the importance of medical facts, and physicians about courtroom procedure (the tricks and traps of shrewd attorneys). Houts has been an FBI agent, WW II government investigator, college professor of criminal law, and author of several books. Janice Wainwright visits Perry Mason's office without an appointment for confidential advice. Her employer has given her a suitcase to deliver to a locker. Janice believes this is blackmail money. Perry takes her as a client, and gives her legal advice. Della Street will accompany her when she makes a delivery (Chapter 1). Perry calls Paul Drake to have an operative follow the man who picks up the letter with the key to the locker (Chapter 2). The next morning Janice calls with the news that her employer Morley Theilman has gone missing, and a detective has been there to look for him. They find that the suitcase has gone missing from the locker (Chapter 3). Perry explains how this trick works (duplicated keys). The police are investigating Theilman's disappearance, and question Paul Drake and Perry Mason, who know little (Chapter 4). So Perry Mason now begins to investigate this event with the help of Paul Drake. Perry talks to the current Mrs. Theilman, and gains information (Chapter 5). Now Janice Wainwright can't be found, and they discover the real name of the second Mrs. Theilman (Chapter 6). Perry discusses and summarizes the problem with Della (Chapter 7). Perry and Della fly to Las Vegas to surprise Janice; Paul Drake tracked her down. Now a shocking surprise occurs at the train station (Chapter 8). Janice apologizes to Perry and explains what she did. Then Lt. Tragg shows up to question Janice about the murder of Mr. Theilman (Chapter 9). When Perry tries to find Mrs. Theilman he finds that she was led away by a police officer. Perry then finds Mrs. Theilman and tries to question her, but the police show up and order him to leave the state (Chapter 10). Chapter 12 instructs the reader on the techniques used to match tires to tire treads. It shows the cross-examination of a medical examiner. Chapter 14 has another important cross-examination that negates some of the circumstantial evidence against Perry's client. This dramatic story continues to its conclusion by Chapter 17. A "shadow" is the term for a person who follows another. Like his other books, there is a description and implied criticism of the lifestyles of the rich and famous. Parts of this story read like they came from a gossip column. This is about as close as Perry Mason came to losing a case. One problem with a lone eyewitness is that they may be mistaken or lying and there is no corroboration for their statement.

Mason's client told the truth... but the police didn't believe her. They decided she was guilty of both blackmail and murder. But Mason came up with an idea...The idea was NO defense. He then proceeded to argue his case in a manner which took Hamilton Burger so frustrated he committed misconduct. But Mason wasn't about to let the district attorney a chance to get off the hook when his client was about to be aquitted of the charge against her...

When Janice Wainwright shows up in Perry Mason's office with a suitcase full of money and a story of her employer being blackmailed, Perry, Della, and Janice start recording the numbers of as many bills as possible. However, when her employer ends up murdered, the evidence points to Janice as a blackmailer and a killer. Even more surprising, Perry Mason puts on no defense evidence, effectively betting Janice's life on one small detail, a detail which sets off a firestorm of legal fireworks and has Hamilton Burger spitting nails.This is a novel that defines Perry Mason; one where he goes up against a mountain of evidence, but finds a different analysis of it, combined with legal tactics which run circles around the district attorney. Highly recommended.