‘That’s what I get for trying to be ethical and prevent a murder – a divorce case, which I don’t like; conference with a pettifogging lawyer, which is a routine I despise, and an agreement of property settlement, which is a damned chore!’ “(Della Street), stretching forth a coolly, capable hand, picked up the check … Continue reading A GOOD NIGHT’S SLAYING: The Case of the Sleepwalker’s Niece

“’Chief,’ (Della) said, ‘why don’t you do like the other lawyers do?’ “’You mean plant evidence, and suborn perjury?’ “’No, I don’t mean that. I mean, why don’t you sit in your office and wait until the cases come to you? Let the police go out and work up the case, and then you walk … Continue reading GAMS AND PINS AND SHANKS, OH MY! The Case of the Lucky Legs

If the opening chapters of 1933’s The Case of the Sulky Girl emit for me a faint “been-there-read-that” whiff, I must remind myself that this was only Erle Stanley Gardner’s second Perry Mason adventure. That’s what comes of trying to read 80+ cases out of order. Fran Celane resembles half the female clients who will walk into Mason’s hallowed office … Continue reading NAUGHTY BUT NICE: The Case of the Sulky Girl

Yes! Yes! Yes!!! I confess it!! I love you, Perry Mason! More than that, I need you!! I need my monthly fix of history’s best defense attorney to cope with this life. Your formula works for me: take one downtrodden client and shove them through the doors of Mason’s office, where secretary Della Street and … Continue reading PERRY MASON ’26! The Case of the Unveiled Theme

Can I just say how much this animal lover has enjoyed our year-long excursion through the Perry Mason Menagerie! Heck, any chance to hang out with Perry, Della, Paul, Lieutenant Tragg, and even D.A. Hamilton Burger are just the cure for what ails you in these troubling times. Are the Mason books formulaic? You bet they are … Continue reading “WHO’S AFRAID OF THE BIG BAD . . . ?” The Case of the Waylaid Wolf

Our penultimate visit to the Mason Menagerie also completes our extended stay in the Monkey House. Except here we’ll find no gorillas, grinning or otherwise; this time, the monkeys are purely metaphorical. However, if you are craving some real-life apes, then have I got a true story for you! It’s even a Thanksgiving tale, as … Continue reading MASON IN THE MONKEY HOUSE, PART II: The Case of the Mythical Monkeys

Della to Perry: “Well, you certainly took a button and sewed a vest on it!” On my journey through the Perry Mason Menagerie, I approached the Hall of Monkeys with some trepidation. Part of this had to do with a personal experience that I’ll share with you next month, but mostly it was all about timing. … Continue reading MASON MONKEY BUSINESS, PT. 1: The Case of the Grinning Gorilla

Over the past eight months, I’ve led you by the snout through the Perry Mason Menagerie to witness the hijinks of assorted household pets and various fowl (plus one foul but sleepy mosquito.) This time, we’re changing up the sub-genus - and this time it’s personal. I know you may scoff at first because The Case … Continue reading THE NIGHT THEY DROVE OLD DIXIE DOWN: The Case of the Moth-Eaten Mink