Thomas F. (hardtack) - , reviewed Perry Mason Solves the Case of the Terrified Typist on + 2540 more book reviews
This is Gardner's 49th Perry Mason novel. As such, it has a better plot than many of his earlier novels, and I'm glad Perry Mason is smoking a lot less than he did in the earliest novels. In fact, I think he only lit up twice in this one. I was concerned about his health.
That doesn't mean there wasn't any filler, which is what I thought his earlier chain-smoking was used for. There was an entire chapter devoted to fingerprint cameras and how to take photographs. What made it interesting was Perry Mason was afraid the owner of the camera shop where Della Street bought the camera and film might wonder why Della bought the camera and pass that information on to the police. So he told Della to tell them another story as to why the camera was purchased. Sometimes I think Perry suffers from paranoia. He should seek professional counseling.
Still, the plot kept me reading and the ending, just like on the TV show, was a surprise. I think the poor District Attorney, who lives for the day he can win a case against Perry, is going to start drinking heavily. That would create a terrible burden for his family.
Yes, I know. It's only a novel. :-)
That doesn't mean there wasn't any filler, which is what I thought his earlier chain-smoking was used for. There was an entire chapter devoted to fingerprint cameras and how to take photographs. What made it interesting was Perry Mason was afraid the owner of the camera shop where Della Street bought the camera and film might wonder why Della bought the camera and pass that information on to the police. So he told Della to tell them another story as to why the camera was purchased. Sometimes I think Perry suffers from paranoia. He should seek professional counseling.
Still, the plot kept me reading and the ending, just like on the TV show, was a surprise. I think the poor District Attorney, who lives for the day he can win a case against Perry, is going to start drinking heavily. That would create a terrible burden for his family.
Yes, I know. It's only a novel. :-)