For the Love of Perry Mason and New Releases

Raymond Burr as Perry Mason and Barbara Hale as Della Street

Today I have several things I want to share with you. First, up is my reviews of two books by Erle Stanley Gardner. Then I want to tell you about two amazing books that were released yesterday.

My love of Erle Stanley Gardner’s work began when I was a child and my mother and godmother both collected his books. When Gardner’s protagonist Perry Mason was brought to life on TV through the talents of Raymond Burr I decided right then I wanted to be a lawyer. Life took some turns and I didn’t pursue law but my fondness for the character endures (Mason Canyon, get it). When I learned Gardner’s books were available in audio, I was delighted.

◊ THE CASE OF THE VELVET CLAWS by Erle Stanley Gardner

◊ Series: Perry Mason Series, Book #1

◊ Narrator: Alexander Cendese

◊ MP3 CD, 1 Disc

◊ Listening Length: 6 hours and 1 minutes

◊ Program Type: Audiobook

◊ Genre: Mystery, Thriller, Suspense

◊ Version: Unabridged

◊ Publisher: Brilliance Audio

◊ Release Date: October 5, 2016

◊ Language: English

◊ ASIN: BO1M1C703F

◊ ISBN-10: 1531826814

◊ ISBN-13: 978-1531826819

SYNOPSIS:

Criminal lawyer and bestselling mystery author Erle Stanley Gardner wrote nearly 150 novels that have sold 300 million copies worldwide. Now, the American Bar Association is bringing back his most famous and enduring novels―featuring criminal defense lawyer and sleuth Perry Mason―in striking trade paperback editions.

Married Eva Griffin has been caught with a prominent congressman, and is ready to pay the editor of a sleazy tabloid hush money to protect the politician. But first Perry Mason tracks down the publisher of the blackmailing tabloid and discovers a shocking secret, which eventually leads to Mason being accused of murder.

This is the first Perry Mason mystery and our introduction to secretary Della Street, detective Paul Drake, and the great lawyer himself.

The story is dated in the manner in which the characters act and talk, but it is still filled with intrigue and suspense to keep you guessing.

Narrator Alexander Cendese does a good job giving distinct voices to the characters. His timing and mannerisms are spot on.

The characters are realistic and give readers/listeners a look back at how life was during this era. With a Sam Spade tone, the story moves at a steady pace featuring Gardner’s pulp fiction style.

The setting is not a focal point in this story as it deals more with the core characters and their actions. If you’re a fan of the TV Perry Mason, you may be a little surprised at the character revealed in this first installment in the series. Here Mason comes off more as a bit more hands on than he does in later stories.

With a blend of murder, suspense, and colorful characters this story has twists and turns to hold your attention.

The Case of the Velvet Claws by Erle Stanley Gardner, Perry Mason Series (Book #1), Narrated by Alexander Cendese, Brilliance Audio, @2016, ISBN: 978-1531826819, Unabridged, MP3 Disc, Run Time: 6 Hours and 1 Minutes

FTC Full Disclosure – A copy of this audio book was sent to me by the publisher. However, receiving the complimentary copy did not influence my review. The thoughts are completely my own and given honestly and freely.

◊ THE CASE OF THE SULKY GIRL by Erle Stanley Gardner

◊ Series: Perry Mason Series, Book #2

◊ Narrator: Alexander Cendese

◊ MP3 CD, 1 Disc

◊ Listening Length: 6 hours and 35 minutes

◊ Program Type: Audiobook

◊ Genre: Mystery, Thriller, Suspense

◊ Version: Unabridged

◊ Publisher: Brilliance Audio

◊ Release Date: October 11, 2016

◊ Language: English

◊ ASIN: BO1M10HSQJ

◊ ISBN-10: 1531826857

◊ ISBN-13: 978-1531826857

SYNOPSIS:

Her Uncle was healthy, but in order to get wealthy did she plot his demise? Is there evil in the heir?

Frances Celane has good reason to pout. Thanks to a provision in her late father’s will administered by her uncle, she’s caught in the middle of a family feud between matrimony and money. If she chooses marriage, she loses a million. But beautiful young Frances has a strong will of her own that she’s not afraid to use. One way or another, she means to hear wedding bells and cash registers making beautiful music together. Her first move: hire Perry Mason to orchestrate things.

Unfortunately, stubbornness runs in Frances Celane’s family, as Mason discovers when he confronts her Uncle Edward Norton. After Perry’s powers of persuasion fail to penetrate his hard head, someone decides the only way of cashing in is by bashing in the uncooperative uncle’s skull. But when the blood spills, so do the secrets. Then it’s Mason’s turn to brood, as he tries to figure out if a girl as pretty as his client could have a hand in something so ugly.…

This is another story that gives a nod to life of yesteryear. While dated in some of its references and actions, the book is intriguing.

Narrator Alexander Cendese comes through with unique vocals for the various characters. His excellence pacing adds depth to the story. He captures the emotions of the characters.

The story moves at a good pace with a few twists and turns along the way to keep you guessing. The characters are interesting and give a unique look at how life was dealt with differently in years past.

The protagonist continues to evolve while the author still displaying traces of his pulp fiction background. More court procedures are included giving readers/listeners glimpses of the courtroom force the protagonist will come to be.

Another interesting case for a character that becomes a legend.

The Case of the Sulky Girl by Erle Stanley Gardner, Perry Mason Series (Book #2), Narrated by Alexander Cendese, Brilliance Audio, @2016, ISBN: 978-1531826857, Unabridged, MP3 Disc, Run Time: 6 Hours and 35 Minutes

FTC Full Disclosure – A copy of this audio book was sent to me by the publisher. However, receiving the complimentary copy did not influence my review. The thoughts are completely my own and given honestly and freely.

JUST RELEASED ….

Yesterday was the release day for books written by two amazing ladies I am honored to call friends and blogging buddies.

The very talented author Margot Kinberg released the third installment in her Joel Williams series with PAST TENSE. Here’s a brief synopsis of the book:

A long-buried set of remains…a decades-old mystery Past and present meet on the quiet campus of Tilton University when construction workers unearth a set of unidentified bones. For former police detective-turned-professor Joel Williams, it’s a typical Final Exams week – until a set of bones is discovered on a construction site... When the remains are linked to a missing person case from 1974, Williams and the Tilton, Pennsylvania police go back to the past. And they uncover some truths that have been kept hidden for a long time. How much do people really need to know?

It’s 1974, and twenty-year-old Bryan Roades is swept up in the excitement of the decade. He’s a reporter for the Tilton University newspaper, The Real Story, and is determined to have a career as an investigative journalist, just like his idols, Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein. He plans to start with an exposé article about life on the campus of Tilton University. But does everything need to be exposed? And what are the consequences for people whose lives could be turned upside down if their stories are printed?

As it turns out, Bryan’s ambition carries a very high price. And someone is determined not to let the truth out.

Margot blogs at Confessions of a Mystery Novelist … You can read about the launch day celebrate for PAST TENSE here. Be sure to visit Margot’s blog as she is a wiz at crime fiction information.

The other release I have had the pleasure of helping to promote through MC Book Tours. The talented author Joylene Nowell Butler released Mâtowak Woman Who Cries, a follow-up to her BROKEN BUT NOT DEAD novel. Here’s the synopsis of the book:

A murder enveloped in pain and mystery...

When Canada's retired Minister of National Defense, Leland Warner, is murdered in his home, the case is handed to Corporal Danny Killian, an aboriginal man tortured by his wife's unsolved murder.

The suspect, 60-year-old Sally Warner, still grieves for the loss of her two sons, dead in a suicide/murder eighteen months earlier. Confused and damaged, she sees in Corporal Killian a friend sympathetic to her grief and suffering and wants more than anything to trust him.

Danny finds himself with a difficult choice—indict his prime suspect, the dead minister's horribly abused wife or find a way to protect her and risk demotion. Or worse, transfer away from the scene of his wife’s murder and the guilt that haunts him...

You can find Joylene blogging at Joylene Nowell Butler: Suspense Author as she enjoys the beautiful landscape of Canada or the lovely scenery of Mexico. She talked about her launch day experience with Mâtowak Woman Who Cries here.

Thanks so much for stopping by today. I hope I’ve enticed you to check out these amazing books (both new and old). Do you have a series or an author you’ve followed for years?