Sun 11 Sep 2016
Reviewed by William F. Deeck: ERLE STANLEY GARDNER – The Case of the Golddigger’s Purse.
Posted by Steve under Reviews[5] Comments
William F. Deeck
ERLE STANLEY GARDNER – The Case of the Golddigger’s Purse. William Morrow, hardcover, 1945. Pocket #812, paperback, 1951. Reprinted many times.
Dining innocently in a restaurant, Perry Mason is approached by a man who wants to discuss the legal problems of bis goldfish and also, incidentally, their medical condition. The fish are a specially bred Veiltail Moor Telescope, sometimes known as the Fish of Death because they arc black, not gold.
Though not interested in the fish’s problem, Mason’s curiosity is piqued by this prospective client and his golddigger date. As might be expected, one of them does become a client after the other becomes a corpse.
The goldfish run, not that such a thing is possible, throughout the novel, both alive and ill and dead. They are also a clue in a standard, which is not high but also never low, Perry Mason novel.
September 12th, 2016 at 8:56 am
I’ve read a lot of Gardner, but don’t think I’ve ever read this one.
The plot sounds completely unfamiliar. And fun!
It has now been added to my reading queue.
September 13th, 2016 at 5:56 pm
Even in a minor key Mason usually entertained and kept you turning pages.
September 13th, 2016 at 7:36 pm
I was sure I remembered reading this, but after reading Bill’s synopsis, I wasn’t so sure anymore. The thing is, I don’t remember the goldfish. Maybe Bill overemphasized their role in order to fit it into the theme of that particular issue of MYSTERY JOURNAL.
Or maybe I never read it, and I only think I did.
September 14th, 2016 at 12:16 am
I read this just over a month ago, and it’s definitely a below par Perry Mason. The plot is quite complicated and doesn’t really make sense. The tv episode on which it is based ditched over half the plot and was also only average. I wouldn’t recommend it.
I am going through a Perry Mason phase at the moment. It began with watching the tv episodes online (not on YouTube). I watch only the episodes IMDb users rate above 8 out of 10, and I agree that they are all of a high standard. I am now up to my fifth Perry Mason novel, using good reads ratings to guide me.
I’ve just finished the case of the lucky loser, which is one of the best I’ve ever read. Moth eaten mink and Amorous Aunt also good.
September 14th, 2016 at 1:34 am
My impression has always been that the PERRY MASON shows not based on one of the books are usually better than those that are. If they’re based on books, there’s no way they can get one of Gardner’s ultra-complicated plots shoehorned into a single 60 minute episode, less commercials.