Jacob Mandra had a million-dollar apartment on the fringe of Chinatown - and a reputation. Early one morning they found him dead. And a few hours later Terry Clane found himself in the District Attorney's office - by request.
Terry Clane is one of the most exciting and successful characters Mr. Gardner has created...
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4.0 out of 5 stars
The Amateur Detective Solves the Murders,
By Acute Observer (By the Shore NJ) - See all my reviews
This review is from: This is Murder (Hardcover)
This Is Murder, by Charles J. Kenny
Sam Moraine is playing draw poker with D.A. Phil Duncan and chief investigator Barney Morden. The telephone rings with news about the Hartwell case. Was Ann Hartwell murdered and her body hidden (Chapter 1)? Political connections make Duncan investigate personally. Two powerful men contend for control of the city. Political machines rule the city and county. Doris Bender, Ann's half-sister, got a ransom demand in the mail. Or could this be a racket to chisel in on the disappearance? The next day Tom Wickes visits Sam Moraine's office to ask him to be a go-between and meet the kidnappers (Chapter 2). Does Sam want adventure? Sam goes out with the ransom money and returns with Ann Hartwell(Chapter 3). [The amount dates this story.] Will Sam and Ann be arrested by Federal officers? Sam's secretary Natalie Rice tells about her background (Chapter 4). Sam will use her to gather information. Then a man with a gun comes into the office (Chapter 5). Sam visits Doris Bender and meets Carl Thorne, who asks about the kidnapping (Chapter 6). We learn about that young woman who takes a taxi at night (Chapter 7). "Party girl"? Natalie found a clue. Duncan tells Sam the Feds are watching him, they could pick him up on suspicion. The kidnapping may have a political background (Chapter 8). But the Hartwells and Doris Bender have disappeared. Who took those shorthand books with confidential information? There is a surprise at Sam's door. Sam meets Natalie and learns of a murder (Chapter 9). Can a candle tell about the time of death? Did Natalie tell everything? Phil Duncan makes an official call on Sam, and takes him to the morgue for a shocking surprise! They suspect Sam (Chapter 10). There is another surprise witness (Chapter 11). He has a suitcase full of evidence of crimes, and is related to Natalie. How did a man know about that death (Chapter 12)? Sam uses a trick to learn more about the case. Alton Rice explains the politics of justice to Sam (Chapter 13). Sam advises Duncan to break away from Carl Thorne (Chapter 14). Barney Morden takes Sam in for questioning (Chapter 15). Carl Thorne offers Sam a deal; no sale. Sam visits a woman in Colter City and learns more (Chapter 16). Does "Gertrude" play a trick? How did Tom know where Doris was hiding (Chapter 17)? Sam gets the upper hand with them (Chapter 18). But people arrive and a new situation results. People and documents are summoned for the Grand Jury by Phil Duncan. The Grand Jury will investigate corruption, and ruin lives (Chapter 19). What about those documents? There is surprise testimony before the Grand Jury (Chapter 20). Sam uncovers a new fact about the time of death. Another witness is questioned (Chapter 21). Was this person the only one who had no interest in those political documents? This witness confesses, and boasts of the murders! The last chapter ties up the loose ends. Natalie's father will get a pardon. Sam explains his reasoning. There is a happy ending for the good guys. This is very similar to a typical "Perry Mason" story of that era. Sam gets involved with a crime, investigates it, then solves it in front of a jury. Gardner's stories often featured the political corruption rarely mentioned in Chandler or Hammett. Erle Stanley Gardner's father was named Charles, his brother was named Kenneth. You can read about the life of Earl Rogers to find dramatic examples from actual events.
3.0 out of 5 stars
Death in Foggy Frisco,
By Acute Observer (By the Shore NJ) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Murder Up My Sleeve (Perry Mason) (Paperback)
Murder Up My Sleeve, by Erle Stanley Gardner
This 1937 novel introduced Terry Clane, a lawyer, who visited China to study their culture. Upon his return to San Francisco he is summoned to meet Parker Dixon, the district attorney. The questions tell of Terry's past and his friends. Terry knew Jacob Mandra the bail-bond broker. Mandra has been murdered, the D.A. wants information. We later learn an old friend of Terry's is a suspect. The murder weapon was a sleeve gun, like the one missing from Terry's collection. Was it Terry's weapon? Terry can't say, they are handmade and have their unique markings. Mandra had many enemies. Was Mandra involved with blackmail and other rackets? Chapter 6 explains the phony accident racket (does it still go on?). Terry meets Mandra's estranged wife and widow (Chapter 7). The following chapters contain the rest of the story. The police arrest a suspect for "questioning" (Chapter 11). Terry continues his investigation and learns something new about the murder. So do the police (Chapter 13). Terry talks to Cynthia's lawyer (Chapter 14). It looks bad for Cynthia and Terry. There is a meeting at the D.A.'s office with all the witnesses. Terry brings up a fact that elicits an admission from a person that solves the case and frees Cynthia. Will there be a happy ending? There was a subtle clue in Chapter 14. This story was a change from the earlier Perry Mason novels. It was not as successful.
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