The Case of the Dangerous Dowager Author:Erle Stanley Gardner "I haven't killed anyone," said Matilda Benson, "not yet, I haven't. But don't think I'm a peaceful old lady, because I'm not." — "How long have you been smoking cigars?" Mason asked. — "Ever since my husband died and I kicked over the traces. Now I drink, swear, smoke cigars and do as I damn please. I have enough money to allow me to do things... more » the way I want."
"Are you in trouble?"
"Not yet."
"But you expect to be?"
"I want you to go up against a crook who is smart as a steel trap and absolutely ruthless. I don't want a detective, I want you. You see, I know all about the person with whom I'm dealing. And," Matilda Bension added with a chuckle, "that's more than you can say."« less
I really liked this book a lot. The Dowager in the title was a real character, and I much enjoyed the legal hi-jinks that a lawyer simply cannot get away with these days.