The Case of the Fabulous Fake (Perry Mason Mysteries (Fawcett Books)) [Mass Market Paperback]

Erle Stanley Gardner (Author)

Book Description

Series: Perry Mason Mysteries (Fawcett Books) | Publication Date: October 31, 2000

SILENCE IS MURDER

Perry Mason's beautiful new client isn't giving anything away, not even her name, and he suspects that what she does choose to reveal is mostly lies. Certainly the bag full of cash she carries isn't shopping money. All the mystery woman asks is that Mason make himself available for a few days in case she needs him--for what purpose, she remains silent as the grave.

In fact, his headstrong client, who identifies herself only as "36-24-36," is headed for disaster--not only into a blackmailer's clutches but into a lethal trap from which not even Perry Mason's brilliant courtroom sorcery may be able to extricate her. Alive, anyway . . .

THE ORIGINAL COURTROOM NOVELS

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Gardner [is] humorous, astute, curious, inventive--who can top him? No one has yet."
--Los Angeles Times

From the Inside Flap

SILENCE IS MURDER

Perry Mason's beautiful new client isn't giving anything away, not even her name, and he suspects that what she does choose to reveal is mostly lies. Certainly the bag full of cash she carries isn't shopping money. All the mystery woman asks is that Mason make himself available for a few days in case she needs him--for what purpose, she remains silent as the grave.

In fact, his headstrong client, who identifies herself only as "36-24-36," is headed for disaster--not only into a blackmailer's clutches but into a lethal trap from which not even Perry Mason's brilliant courtroom sorcery may be able to extricate her. Alive, anyway . . .

THE ORIGINAL COURTROOM NOVELS

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Fawcett (October 31, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0345437853
• ISBN-13: 978-0345437853
• Product Dimensions: 6.9 x 4.2 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,560,358 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Love and Money Lead to Murder, July 27, 2004

By 

Acute Observer (By the Shore NJ) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Case of the Fabulous Fake (Mass Market Paperback)

The Case of the Fabulous Fake, by Erle Stanley Gardner

This book is dedicated to Jack Cadman, the Director of the Orange County Sheriff's Criminalistics Laboratory. Cadman invented a method to detect alcohol in the blood stream quickly and accurately, thereby advancing forensic science. Two examples in determining the cause of death are given.

A visitor consults with Perry Mason, but refuses to give her name. Her payment buys credibility (like for Spade & Archer in "The Maltese Falcon"). Perry has Paul Drake investigate her, after reading her coded ad in the classified section. Chapter 3 educates the reader on the weakness of eyewitness evidence [when the person identified is a complete stranger]. Paul Drake investigates her backtrail, and identifies Diana Douglas. Perry visits Diana to tell of the 'routine audit' at her company (imports items that are paid in cash only). There is a need to remove Diana and send her home; a substitute replaces her when the stranger visits. There is a request for a pay-off that Perry refuses. Later this blackmailer is found murdered, Diana's credit card is in his room. The murder weapon is traced to Diana, and she is arrested and brought back to Los Angeles.

Perry and Paul continue the investigation. Bit by bit the truth is extracted from Diana. She did visit the blackmailer, but found him dead. She took the gun because she recognized it as belonging to her now dead brother! Just when you think its curtains for her, Perry summons and questions a few of her coworkers. The unusual fact of an old coat among new clothes is explained. Diana is freed once the facts point to a new suspect. Again, "murder is caused by love or money, to get it or to keep it". The scandal that led to the murder is revealed at the end. Its not a good idea to spread workplace gossip around. This story says carrying a pistol on an airplane was not unusual then. This is Erle Stanley Gardner's last work. He died just after it was published.