Erle Stanley Gardner

Easton Press Erle Stanley Gardner books

Centennial Edition Perry Mason set including titles:
1. The Case of the Velvet Claws and The Case of the Rolling Bones
2. The Case of the Stuttering Bishop and The Case of the Gold Digger's Purse
3. The Case of the Crooked Candle and The Case of the Lame Canary
4. The Case of the Sulky Girl and The Case of the Lucky Legs

Franklin Library Erle Stanley Gardner books

The D.A. Calls it Murder - Library of Mystery Masterpieces - 1989

Author Erle Stanley Gardner

Erle Stanley Gardner, born on July 17, 1889, in Malden, Massachusetts, was an American author best known for creating the iconic fictional lawyer Perry Mason. Gardner's prolific career spanned several decades, and he became one of the most widely read and successful authors of detective fiction in the 20th century. Growing up in California, Gardner had a diverse range of jobs before finding success as a writer. He worked as a typist, mining engineer, salesman, and even studied law, eventually passing the bar in 1911. His experiences in law and the courtroom significantly influenced his later career as a writer, providing the groundwork for the legal dramas that would make him famous.

Gardner's literary journey began with pulp fiction, where he wrote under various pseudonyms, producing stories for magazines and pulps in a variety of genres. In 1933, he created the character Perry Mason, a brilliant defense attorney with a knack for solving crimes. The first Perry Mason novel, The Case of the Velvet Claws, was published in 1933, and it marked the beginning of a highly successful series. The Perry Mason series, consisting of over 80 novels, captivated readers with its intricate plots, courtroom drama, and the charismatic and shrewd character of Mason. Gardner's legal background lent authenticity to the legal proceedings depicted in his novels, and he became known for his meticulous research and attention to detail.

Aside from the Perry Mason series, Gardner wrote under various pen names and explored different genres, including espionage, mystery, and adventure. His versatility as a writer allowed him to appeal to a wide audience, and his works were adapted into radio programs, television series, and movies. Gardner's impact on the legal thriller genre cannot be overstated. His novels were known for their fast-paced narratives, unexpected twists, and the strategic brilliance of Perry Mason. The character became a cultural icon, and Gardner's influence extended beyond literature, shaping the portrayal of lawyers and legal proceedings in popular media. Erle Stanley Gardner continued to write until his death on March 11, 1970, leaving behind a lasting legacy in the world of mystery and detective fiction. The Perry Mason character endured as a symbol of legal acumen and justice, and Gardner's contributions to the genre have left an indelible mark on the literary landscape.

The D.A. Calls It Murder - Doug Selby Series Book 1

The little clergyman had died peacefully in bed in the Madison Hotel. But Douglas Selby, recently elected District Attorney, suspected there was more to this death than meets the eye, and soon knew that something was definitely wrong.

So Doug finds himself faced not only with a wily murderer, but with virulence from a hostile press, reluctant witnesses, and a film star unwilling to explain why she was on the spot.

Doug Selby starred in nine novels, beginning with The D.A.Calls it Murder which traces Selby's investigation into the mysterious death of a clergyman at the Madison Hotel. Selby suspects foul play although the signs point to suicide.

The following 8 books in the Doug Selby Series include:
The D.A. Holds a Candle
The D.A. Draws a Circle
The D.A. Goes to Trial
The D.A. Cooks a Goose
The D.A. Calls a Turn
The D.A. Breaks a Seal
The D.A. Takes a Chance
The D.A. Breaks an Egg

The Case of the Velvet Claws - Perry Mason Book 1

California lawyer Perry Mason takes on a client, Eva Belter, who is described and instantly hated, as “all velvet and claws” by his secretary Della Street.

Eva's husband George is behind tabloid editor Frank Locke’s blackmail of Congressman Harrison Burke. The politician and Eva had been together at a restaurant when there was an attempted robbery. It's not long before George takes a bullet to the heart as he's getting out of his bath. There's a forged will too. It benefits his nephew Carl, who is engaged to the daughter of Mrs. Veitch, the Belters’ secretive housekeeper. Is this complicated or what!

At least Eva Belter had brains; she was smart enough to consult Perry Mason.

The Case of the Sulky Girl - Perry Mason Book 2

Unable to marry due to a stipulation in her late father's will which states that she will lose his millions if she does wed headstrong Frances hires Perry Mason to get around the clause, and soon he ends up solving a family murder.

The Case of the Lucky Legs - Perry Mason Book 3

Here's a Perry Mason entry with 21st century overtones!

Frank Patton was a promoter. Tall and dignified, he was a handsome and persuasive con-man. A crook. His racket of running contests for young women with beautiful legs was carefully planned. But, when Perry Mason finally caught up with him he had a nine inch knife in his chest. It wasn't long before his client, Marjorie Clune, stood accused of the deed.

The Case of the Stuttering Bishop - Perry Mason Book 9

When a stuttering bishop comes to Perry Mason's office for help, Mason becomes involved in a battle of wills with a woman and the long-lost daughter she believes to be a fraud. The key to the puzzle lies in the bishop who, unfortunately, has disappeared.

The Case of the Lame Canary - Perry Mason Book 11

When a murdered man is found in the home of shady insurance adjustor Walter Prescott, a simple divorce case turns into a courtroom puzzler, as Perry Mason follows the clues to catch a killer.

The Case of the Rolling Bones - Perry Mason Book 15

Years ago Alden Leeds found a rich vein of gold in the Klondike. Now his greedy relatives fear he's planning to throw his fortune away on a gold-digging spouse, Emily Milicant. So to prevent the two from joining in holy matrimony, they commit their affluent kin to a sanitarium on a trumped-up charge. Then Leeds escapes, only to end up in the company of Emily's blackmailing brother, John, a manufacturer of fixed Dice, rolling bones that always come up seven. But when John is murdered with Leeds's fingerprints found all over the apartment Perry Mason must crack a baffling case before his client bumps from the nuthouse to the jailhouse.

The Case of the Crooked Candle - Perry Mason Book 24

An insurance claim after a traffic accident alerts Perry Mason to the possibility of double-dealing concerning a parcel of land. He negotiates a very large settlement for his client, but then a wealthy businessman is found dead on his yacht and Perry is asked to defend against a charge of murder.

The Case of the Gold Digger's Purse - Perry Mason Book 26

In order to help her seriously ill boyfriend, gorgeous Sally Madison sets out to separate wealthy Harrington Faulkner from some of his money by offering him a cure for his ailing exotic fish, but her plan goes awry when the fish mysteriously vanish and Faulkner turns up dead.