Sat 14 Dec 2019
Mystery Review: ERLE STANLEY GARDNER – The Case of the Shapely Shadow.
Posted by Steve under Reviews[8] Comments
ERLE STANLEY GARDNER – The Case of the Shapely Shadow. Perry Mason #63. William Morrow, hardcover, 1960. Pocket 4507, paperback, 1962. Ballantine, paperback, 1982. Reprinted many times.
This one begins at Della’s strong suggestion. She notices that the woman who asking for Mason’s advice is deliberately toning down her appearance, making herself as unattractive as possible. Why? She’s the secretary of a successful businessman, and Della assumes (correctly) that she’s in love with him, and she doesn’t want his current wife to have any reason to have her fired.
What attracts Perry’s attention, though, is the suitcase full of money she has with her. She thinks that her employer is being blackmailed, and this is the money she’s to put into a train locker, with the key to be sent to an address he’s given her.
When the man ends up dead, however, Perry’s client is the number one suspect, along with the other two women in his life: his wife and his ex-wife, who it is obvious would like nothing nothing better than to win him back.
The case is so deliciously complicated that Perry figuratively throws up his hands. The evidence points directly to his client, but she is adamant that she didn’t do it. The fireworks in court is really what makes this book really sizzle, though. When the odds are so far against you, maybe the only thing to do, Mason decides, is to take a chance.
He does, he succeeds, and Hamilton Burger fails again. This one has what every Perry Mason reads Perry Mason books for.
December 14th, 2019 at 7:08 pm
This is a Perry Mason I haven’t read yet.
And your review makes it sound definitely like my cup of tea.
December 14th, 2019 at 7:16 pm
Knowing your reading tastes, Mike, I think you’ll like this one.
December 14th, 2019 at 8:05 pm
I’ll certainly track this one down and give it a try. The general wisdom I’ve always accepted is that by this time ESG was well past his prime, the writng and plots becoming more and more formulated and lacking the old pulp edge. But I’ve always felt there must be some hidden gems in that later run and so this recommendation is most appreciated
December 14th, 2019 at 8:54 pm
That was my expectation, also, Stephen, but I was pleasantly surprised with how well this one worked out.
December 14th, 2019 at 10:19 pm
That Gardner was still capable of doing this so well this late in the game is a tribute to the qualities we still read him for. He may not have been Agatha Christie, but he knew his way around a complex plot and a smart solution better than almost anyone.
The qualities that made him a super-star are all on display in this one despite the lateness of the entry.
December 15th, 2019 at 3:38 pm
Ah, this reminds me of a question I need to put to the brain-trust here. I have a friend who has –in ramshackle fashion –happened to have assembled what is likely, a *mighty* rare collection of early ESG stories. I don’t know enough about it to say one way or the other but from what he has been able to discover via chats with other ESG fans, its a special and unique compendium.
What he wants to know is how can he feasibly get it published in a new volume without getting himself in trouble? The rights issues are probably a nightmare.
December 16th, 2019 at 9:44 pm
Lazy, I have someone who may be able to answer your question. I’ll check to see if I have an email address for him and if so, I’ll be in touch with you directly.
December 18th, 2019 at 3:33 pm
Thank you! This could be a real boon for fans. As I understand it the stories have never been anthologized anywhere, ever. Much obliged (on behalf of my friend) for you taking an interest.