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The Case of the Fabulous Fake (Perry Mason Mysteries (Fawcett Books))

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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.