May Read/5

Title: The Case of the Careless Cupid

Author: Gardner, Erle Stanley

Genre: Mystery

Book Description (from the inside flap):

            A widow in distress, her attentive, very wealthy swain, and his overly-protective nieces and nephews provide Perry Mason with one of the most challenging cases of his brilliant legal career.

            It all began when the attractive Mrs. Anson came to Perry Mason for advice on how to handle a shadow-a real, live shadow, that is. Mason figured that where there was a shadow of any description, there was substance. The point was how much substance, and what kind?

My Read:

            I enjoyed so much at this part when Perry Mason chased down his running away client and had to improvise how to get his client out of the mess she had created. “Inspiration,” said Mason when asked “Just what are we looking for?” by his confidential secretary, Ms Della Street. “That’s our baby” said Mason when he learned about the meeting of the International Exchange Club held in the same hotel in which his client was registered. This is Perry’s counteroffensive tactics to save his client who might have violated the law of “flight is the evidence of guilty” when she took off and ran away from LA.

            This part also shows the ingenuity of the shrewd lawyer: “You’re a good egg,” Mason interrupted. “You’re also intelligent. You have a good pair of ears. You’ve heard what I said. Under the circumstances, I’d hardly feel that it was proper for me to advise your uncle. Well, I must be getting back into court, Daphne, and see what’s happening with my client.” Mason walked to the door, turned, smiled at Daphne, who was sitting openmouthed at the table.-page 201

“Give Pinky my regards in case you happen to see her,” he said, and walked out.

Perry Mason adroitly, indirectly, yet masterly gave Daphne advice how to proceed. He couldn’t advise the uncle or the niece what to do. But he found way to deliver his advice and what to do next. Genius, isn’t he?