Customer Reviews

The Case of the Deadly Toy (Perry Mason Mysteries (Fawcett Books))

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3 star:		(1)
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and that's good! Of course, I am talking about the old black and white one hour episodes, which , even though before my time, I enjoy immensely in syndication. This was the first Perry Mason I have read and I was amazed how well it stacked up to the show. Or, I should say how well the show measures up to the book. As I was reading the story I could visualize Perry Mason (a la Raymond Burr), and his cast of Paul Drake and Della Street as if I was watching the book as a movie. There are plenty of nasty characters, convaluted motives, and a slick attorney in Perry Mason. If you liked the show, the book follows the same pattern of developing the storyline. Nasty person that no one likes, murder, many suspects, wrongfully charged heroine, and the savior Perry Mason. Lot's of fun!

When I first read this book, I was going through a book store, looking for Agatha Christie, when I stumbled upon this book. At first I was sceptical, not sure how good it would be, after all, it was about a lawyer. As soon as started the first chapter I fell in love with the book! The different characters. The smooth talking Perry Maon. The reliable, feminine Della Street. Paul Drake, the detective relying on soggy hamburgers to fill in for steak dinners. A very compelling book to read!

This Perry Mason book is a suspenseful action thriller and a spectacular page turner. "The Case of The Deadly Toy" is about a woman, Norda Alison who is convicted of murder after her ex-fiancé is found dead and the murder weapon is found hidden under her pillow. This book is very well written and keeps you clueless of the real murderer until the last few pages in the book. Norda Allison is the victim of a conspiracy between her ex-fiancés former wife and her husband. Perry Mason does a great job keeping the reader active and having new suspenseful ideas on every page. Perry, his secretary Debra, his close friend and detective Paul Drake do a great job solving the mystery after all hope is lost. The book is very exciting after Norda's ex-fiancés former wife's son fires a gun shot heard early in the morning and Norda's ex-fiancé is found dead the next morning. I recommend this book to anyone who likes mystery books and I think everyone will love and cherish this book.

the title sounds a little like the movie series, "chukie"... well... it's similar in that both are suspenseful thrillers... readers will wonder why Norda's ex-finace wants to hurt her badly... however, they won't find out until the very end, which will keep readers glued to the page every minute of the hour...

The 'Foreword' is dedicated to Lester Adelson, M.D. who was then working with the coroner of Cuyahoga County in Cleveland Ohio. Legal medicine and autopsies help the living. Dr. Adelson believes his allegiance is to the TRUTH, not to the side that hired him. A Medical Examiner should study the dead to help the living. Murder cases are but a small fraction compared to accidental deaths (traffic, industrial, or at home). Suicide is much more frequent than murder. Sudden deaths can appear to be suicide, homicide, or accidental. Unsuspected infectious diseases are one threat to the community. The forensic pathologist is important to the public interest, and should be an impartial fact-finder.

Mervin Selkirk is conversing with Norda Allison when he slaps his seven-year old son Robert for interrupting. Suddenly Norda sees the sadistic streak behind the mask of smiling politeness and affability over the selfish personality. Norda dislikes this discipline but Mervin says she's a "softie". The result is the breaking of their engagement. A few days later Mervin punches Norda's boyfriend, Nate Benedict, in a restaurant. Mervin explains it as self-defense and his friends there back his story. Later Norda gets anonymous letters about suitors who killed former fiancees. The postal authorities couldn't catch the sender. Mervin's previous wife, Lorraine Selkirk Jennings, tells of a toy printing machine; this is enough for a search warrant on Mervin. The toy printing press doesn't match. His first wife tells of Mervin's ruthlessness and cleverness, and the power of his family. Then Lorraine sends a flight ticket to arrange for a meeting in person. The Jennings surprise Norda with their plans; is this some sort of trick? They have an excuse for Robert's absence. [Did you suspect anything?]

Something happens during the night, Norda packs and leaves, then visits Perry Mason to tell of the problems. The investigation does not agree with Norda's claims. Something's wrong here. The mystery deepens when a gun is found in the bed where Norda Allison slept. The police were called and took Norda in for questioning. We soon learn the reason for this activity: Mervin Selkirk was found shot dead in his car, parked at the Country Club. Perry is visited by Nate Benedict, who has a permit to carry the gun he brought on his flight from San Francisco. Nate also owns a gun like the murder weapon. Perry meets Mervin's father Horace Livermore Selkirk, as unscrupulous as he is powerful, and he is very powerful. Perry and Della use a ruse to interview Robert's baby-sitter. By following Barton Jennings they find a clue to where Robert was taken. New facts are discovered to complicate the mystery. Chapter 12 starts to uncover the mystery and the disappearance of Robert. Perry meets the young woman who was placed in charge, and talks to her about the laws and her actions.

The Preliminary Hearing starts in Chapter 14. Perry's cross-examination of Sgt. Holcomb raises questions about the prosecution's theory of the crime. Other facts are brought out in the testimonies to clarify the question of guilt. But there is a new fact that connects Norda to the dead body of Mervin! The judge calls for a conference at the noon recess and there is a new development that could free Perry's client. But a shocking surprise shakes Horace Selkirk. Hamilton Burger brings in his surprise witness who was at the Country Club parking lot (Chapter 17). Perry's cross-examination of Millicent Bailey neutralizes her testimony. Then Barton Jennings appears as a witness, and tells of what he knows. Perry's cross-examination has this witness contradicting his testimony. Then another witness is recalled so Perry can question her. Now there is another material fact that is brought out. Norda is released from custody. The last chapter resolves the outstanding questions and explains the unknown events. Erle Stanley Gardner describes the corrupt and powerful people who run society, albeit in fiction. Like other novels, the courtroom scenes are the dramatic high points.

This Perry Mason book is a suspenseful action thriller and a spectacular page turner. "The Case of The Deadly Toy" is about a woman, Norda Alison who is convicted of murder after her ex-fiancé is found dead and the murder weapon is found hidden under her pillow. This book is very well written and keeps you clueless of the real murderer until the last few pages in the book. Norda Allison is the victim of a conspiracy between her ex-fiancés former wife and her husband. Perry Mason does a great job keeping the reader active and having new suspenseful ideas on every page. Perry, his secretary Debra, his close friend and detective Paul Drake do a great job solving the mystery after all hope is lost. The book is very exciting after Norda's ex-fiancés former wife's son fires a gun shot heard early in the morning and Norda's ex-fiancé is found dead the next morning. I recommend this book to anyone who likes mystery books and I think everyone will love and cherish this book.

This is a wonderful mystery laced with humor. And the solution to the mystery is impossible to figure out...however, when you finish the book, and go back over some passages, you have to admit that all the clues were there.

Whenever I finish a Perry Mason, I want to start another (with the determination that this time I will solve the mystery before Mason.)
I feel the same way about Nero Wolfe mysteries such asBlack Orchids (Nero Wolfe Mysteries).

This work of Gardner is so great! Gardner was able to combine suspense with a tinge of humor. It will keep you glued to your seat and keep you guessing who is the real murderer.

Mervin Selkirk is a wealthy man used to getting what he wants. He uses a campaign of terror to intimidate his ex-fiancé Norda Allison. He is in a protracted fight with his ex-wife, Lorraine Jennings, over their seven-year-old son. He also set up an ambush that allowed him to sucker punch a man with a pair of brass knuckles and break his jaw. Yes, Mervin is quite a guy, and it is not much of surprise when he turns up dead. The police decide to point the finger at Norda Allison, but she has Perry Mason on her side. With the help of Paul Drake and Della Street, Perry slowly uncovers the truth of what really happened to Selkirk.

This book is a classic mystery tale with excellent courtroom scenes. The setup is quick and interesting, and the investigation uncovers a terrific maze of clues and red herrings. Perry is obviously the star character and he is highly intelligent, driven to succeed, and quite funny at times. The author was an attorney himself, and that undoubtedly helps make the courtroom scenes so entertaining. The plot moves along briskly, at just over 200 pages there is little room for fat in the story.

Reading a Perry Mason novel is kind of like going to a Holiday Inn. They're all pretty much the same, and if you like one you'll probably like them all. That's no insult, because I happen to enjoy the series. For newcomers, this volume is as good as any for an entry point. If you're a fan, then you'll be perfectly at home with Perry, Della, Paul Drake, and even the ever-ineffectual Hamilton Burger. This book is not likely to help you think deep thoughts, but it's a highly enjoyable read that will entertain for several hours.

This Perry Mason book is a suspenseful action thriller and a spectacular page turner. "The Case of The Deadly Toy" is about a woman, Norda Alison who is convicted of murder after her ex-fiancé is found dead and the murder weapon is found hidden under her pillow. This book is very well written and keeps you clueless of the real murderer until the last few pages in the book. Norda Allison is the victim of a conspiracy between her ex-fiancés former wife and her husband. Perry Mason does a great job keeping the reader active and having new suspenseful ideas on every page. Perry, his secretary Debra, his close friend and detective Paul Drake do a great job solving the mystery after all hope is lost. The book is very exciting after Norda's ex-fiancés former wife's son fires a gun shot heard early in the morning and Norda's ex-fiancé is found dead the next morning. I recommend this book to anyone who likes mystery books and I think everyone will love and cherish this book.