| Title | : | The Case of the Caretakers Cat (Perry Mason, #7) |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | 0345321561 |
| ISBN-10 | : | 9780345321565 |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | Mass Market Paperback |
| Number of Pages | : | 224 |
| Publication | : | First published March 1, 1935 |
In his will, Peter Laxter guaranteed his faithful caretaker a job and a place to live for life. But Laxter's grandson Sam says the deal doesn't include the caretaker's cat. When Perry Mason takes the case, he finds there's much more at stake than an old man's cat -- a million dollars to be exact. And as he investigates, he finds a web of greed and treachery among the heirs. But which one actually pulled off the almost perfect crime?
The Case of the Caretakers Cat (Perry Mason, #7) Reviews
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First published in 1935, this is a very early entry in the Perry Mason series, back in the day when there were still cuspidors in the courtroom and when both the police and the lawyers could still cut the kind of corners that would get them arrested, disbarred and jailed in this day and age.
Perry is fresh off an exhausting murder case when Charles Ashton, a cantankerous, frail, elderly caretaker comes into the office and insists on seeing him. Curious, Perry sees the man who wants him to defend his cat, Clinker. Ashton's employer has recently died in a fire, but the employer's will provides that the caretaker has a job for life, looking after the place.
The dead employer's grandchildren move into the home, but one of them hates the cat and insists that the caretaker get rid of it. Otherwise, the snotty grandkid says he will poison it. The will does not specify that the caretaker gets to keep the cat, who is, naturally, the caretaker's best friend in the world.
Of course Perry will take the case; of course, someone will soon be murdered; of course the case will be convoluted beyond all belief; of course Clinker the Cat will turn out to be the most important witness, and of course just when Perry's client seems headed for a certain date with the hangman, Perry will pull a rabbit out of the hat and save the day.
If you've ever read any of these books, you'd expect nothing less and you won't be disappointed. These earlier books are among my favorites of the eighty-five novels that would ultimately detail Perry's adventures. The characters and the formula were still new, and Perry had a lot more freedom to maneuver, with his skeleton keys and a lot of other devices that the law and the Bar Association prohibited him from using in later years. The Case of the Caretaker's Cat is a quick, fun read and an enjoyable trip back to the early days of pulp fiction crime. -
The Case of the Caretaker's Cat by Erle Stanley Gardner is the 7th book in the Perry Mason Mystery series. According to Peter Laxter's will, his caretaker has been guaranteed a job and place to live for life, but when his cat is threatened by the heirs, Perry Mason is hired. Fast paced, with plenty of twists and manoeuvres that we have come to expect. I have been a Perry Mason fan for a long time and love these books. Always fun and entertaining.
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It's quite fun to be an Erle Stanley Gardner fan, and of course can't forget my special kitty. This was a very good example of a good read. I enjoyed it very much. How fun to see my library branch with a couple more copies. Yea!!!
Peter Baxter's family are shocked to learn that he prepared a new will shortly before his death in a tragic fire leaving everything to his caretaker, James Hing. Kenneth Baxter and his cousin Stuart Baxter are particularly distressed and have every intention of challenging the validity of the will in court. James Hing approaches Perry Mason to help him defend the will and his inheritance but he isn't being entirely truthful with him. In fact, James is arrested for Baxter's murder, and the convoluted truth finally emerges. Wanting to test his heirs' loyalty and respect, Baxter planned to fake his death. Hing admits to setting the fire, but Baxter was not supposed to die. Perry takes on the case knowing that someone other than his client made it impossible for Baxter to leave the burning house.
The solution to this early Perry Mason mystery (his seventh book, which was released in 1935) is so convoluted that it takes Perry three pages of nonstop exposition to explain it all. But, Perry Mason books are not about trying to figure out whodunit before Perry does, its about the methodical approach to putting the pieces together and the fun byplay between the characters of Perry, Della Street and Paul Drake. Della actually has to pretend to be on her honeymoon with Perry in this outing.
The 7th novel down my "journey into time" (started in 2015) to discover old treasures like the Perry Mason Series, is, once again, a complete page-turner. However, this particular episode is probably the weakest as compared to the last 6 novels.
The Case Of The Caretaker’s Cat has possibly the most convoluted plot of the books in the series so far. In his will, Peter Laxter guaranteed his faithful caretaker a job and a place to live for life. But Laxter’s grandson Sam says the deal doesn’t include the caretaker’s cat. On a whim, Perry Mason takes the case, against the advice of his assistant and his secretary, Della Street. Mason’s reply is “A man only has a lease on life. All that really counts is a man’s ability to live, to get the most out of it as he goes through it. I get a kick out of playing a no-limit game.” What is at stake in this one isn’t just whether a cat can stay in a house, there’s more: a million dollars in cash and some diamonds. Mason finds a web of greed and treachery among the heirs, and has to put up with a most repulsive attorney who represents some of them. Who murdered Laxter? What has the cat got to do with it? The answers are both less and more than the unsuspecting reader might expect, and certainly Mason makes a very unusual move in the courtroom near the end of the book, one that just might win him the case, or might end up in his being disbarred.
Perry Mason is a man who enjoys his work. He likes his cases but the real pleasure for him lies in pitting his wits against criminals, against the police and against the DA. The joy he takes in this is communicated to the reader and helps make each Perry Mason novel just so much fun. Perry Mason is referred as a "Wizard Of The Court Room", more a sleuth than a lawyer, who uses the fold of the legal system to hunt for the truth, takes calculated risks AND utilizes his devious mind to uncover pure evidence that would solve the case. Mr. Gardner continues to follow the KISS rule. 201 pages are all you get to race through this riveting story. Till the very end you will keep gasping "What is Perry Mason up to?" You will, once again, let go of your sleep to get to the bottom of things.
Perry Mason, a character created in 1930s, can easily be a part of 2019/2020 and the author would need to change NOTHING (not even a word) to adjust to the advanced world since 1930s. Now, THAT, for sure is what is evergreen. The story telling has the same intensity now as it did then. This episode continues to be a fine example of American Literature from the yesteryears. No wonder Gardner was one of the best-selling writers of all times, and certainly one of the best-selling mystery authors ever. There are a total of 82 novels (which I now fortunately own in my shelves). It's a treasure cove indeed!!
Though I did enjoy this book, I must say that this novel, while interesting and having an unusual ending. I enjoyed this book very much. Highly Recommend. -
Best of the (about eight) Perry Mason murder mysteries I've read so far - 3.5+ stars. Listened to this one on Youtube - most articulate, thus easy going for the non-native speaker - kudos to the reader.
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More Perry. Good stuff but this one was a bit complicated and far fetched. I still enjoyed it but this one # 7 (I'm taking them in order) and the furthest out so far.
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Rather convoluted, but still extremely readable and fun.
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I have been reading nothing but history and biography for months and decided to treat myself to a good mystery, and Erle Stanley Gardner never disappoints! He was not a great stylist, but his plots are the best! I can never figure them out. He keeps me turning the pages, and isn't that what a good mystery does?
I practiced law for 30 years and I never met a lawyer like Perry Mason. First, he is more of a detective than an attorney. (In fact, a character in this novel, I think it was Hamilton Burger, the long suffering D.A. who always loses to Mason, even tells Mason that he is a good lawyer but a better detective.) Second, Mason always skates on the ethical line -- or just plain crosses it. Finally, in real life, the guilty party seldom comes forward and confesses in time to acquit the defendant. In sum, I sometimes suspend my disbelief when I read these books.
But I love the Perry Mason series! I hope to read them all. -
One of the wilder rides in the Perry Mason oeuvre, and that's saying a lot. There's a green Packard, a brand new Buick, a couple of cats, and waffles. This book is so early in the series that in the last few pages it teases the next one. Mason's law clerk enters to share some details foreshadowing the case of the sleepwalker's niece (footnote promises "will be published early in 1936"). A swell read from the golden age of paperback books.
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Peter Laxter's will guaranteed his caretaker a place to live for life but the nephew inheriting says the will doesn't cover the caretaker's cat which he wants evicted. Perry Mason quickly finds out that more than a cat is involved. Vintage Gardner.
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Review to come
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Actually would be 3.5 stars if goodreads.com allowed that. A fun read, but a bit too convoluted (though the clues are there for the most part) and littered with corpses (even one which is exhumed).
The writing has gotten a bit smoother, but still has clunkers like yet another woman (Winifred, this time) with "blazing black eyes," "a quick twist of [Della's] lithe body," and Mason speaking with "a savage impatience."
This is a somewhat softer and more caring Mason than in the earlier books, though the gruffness
and control-freak qualities remain. I was uncomfortable with his asking Della to fake a honeymoon, given the ambiguity of their relationship (they hold hands twice in this story). Still, she handles this as well as she handles everything. And her driving is memorable aggressive.
Anyway, a fast and fun read, though hardly memorable. -
Clever plotting, playful interaction between great characters, and a court room reveal. This is Perry Mason at his best. Well done.
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O Dr. Mason resolve mais um caso, que tem um gato no meio da trama.
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This is an exciting and satisfying mystery.
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Complex story of people fighting over their grandfather's estate. The cat belongs to Ashton, and seems to be the only one who doesn't murder someone! Perry, Della, and Paul work to find outwhere the money and the diamonds went after the country house burns and grandpa is burned to death, or is he?
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The solution to this early Perry Mason mystery (his seventh book, which was released in 1935) is so convoluted that it takes Perry three pages of nonstop exposition to explain it all. But, Perry Mason books are not about trying to figure out whodunit before Perry does, its about the methodical approach to putting the pieces together and the fun byplay between the characters of Perry, Della Street and Paul Drake. Della actually has to pretend to be on her honeymoon with Perry in this outing.
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The devoted caretaker of Peter Laxter was guaranteed his job and a place to live for his entire life. Yet, Sam, the grandson of the wealthy Laxter says the deal does not include the cat. There is much more at stake when Perry Mason takes the case. There is several millions of dollars that brings out the greed in the heirs. This story takes some strange turns, and truthfully, it surprised me who committed the murder.
Made into a television episode.
💥 Recommended.
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I'm a bit Perry Mason fan, can't help it. This was the first one I ever read. I reread it later and loved it just as much. What can I say, I'm a sucker for any romantic moments between Perry and Della!
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This was my first experience of Perry Mason and I thought it was a good. It was lacking in drama during "dramatic courtroom finish" but I thought the mystery was interesting enough that I'd recommend this to anyone beginning to get into early mystery novels!
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And Mason suggests acting as a honeymoon couple as a cover to Della Street? He's just messing with her now, right?
Well, Della gets a few jabs in. Good on her. Oh, and of course, Mason solves the dilemma, once they sort out the cats. -
I enjoyed this mystery, especially the fun bits between Perry and Della. The mystery was good. I guessed some of it, but not all of it. My only critique is it ended abruptly without a reaction mentioned from the guilty and not much of a denouement. I would have liked to have more of a wrap up.
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This was an extremely fun mystery novel which was solved despite the many moving parts of the story, which the protagonist can see and deduce to the court room's shocking reveal. It was a very fun novel to read.
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Another Perry Mason...more murders than usual. Della and Perry pretend to go on a honeymoon! Perry save the classy car in case he ever wants to go on a honeymoon for real!!
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Perry and Della at their pre-1940 best.
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It is always a joy to read a Perry Mason mystery.
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Ամենա-ամենա <3
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Readers can enjoy this seventh book in the Perry Mason series without having read any of the first six.
Mason explains his personal code of deciding which cases to accept to Della Street: 'To hell with the money! If a man's accused of murder and has money, I want a big slice of it as a fee. If people who are living their lives the best they can get into trouble and are accused of committing crimes of which they're innocent, I want to give them a break." In a later conference with Paul Drake and Della Street, he claims, "All that really counts is a man’s ability to live life, to get the most out of it as he goes through it, and he gets the most kick out of it by playing a no-limit game.” Paul Drake replies, "Perry, you're a cross between a boy and a philosopher, an impractical, hard-hitting visionary, a damned altruistic cynic, a credulous skeptic...and, dammit, how I envy you your outlook on life!"
After winning the primary case and having charges against his client (Douglas Keene) dropped, Mason admits to Della Street, "I wanted to grandstand," also admitting "I don't go into court representing a client unless I feel that client is entitled to a verdict of 'not guilty.' I want to build up that reputation with the public and with the district attorney's office. I want to get them to a point where they'll fight shy of coming into court against me."
Gardner has the narrator present a caricature of a dishonest defense attorney, Nathaniel "Ned" Shuster. The similarity of his name with "shyster" is heavy-handed. His behavior with his clients and in the courtroom exaggerates Gardner's critique of such self-serving lawyers.
The novel sustains the sexual and personal tension of Mason and Della Street. She jokes with him in one scene, saying “I worry over you as a mother worries over a wayward child. You’re a combination of kid and giant. I know you’re going to mix into something devilish, and I feel like saying, ‘Don’t go near the water.’”
The novel includes two physical scenes. Mason devises a scene in a hotel lobby in which he and Street pose as newlyweds. On their way to the hotel Della is driving. She lets Mason out to walk. Before she drives away, Mason tells her not to call him “Chief”: “’Okay,” she said…’Darling,’ and, leaning forward, pressed her mouth close to his surprised lips. Then before he could move, she had shot back the clutch, stepped on the throttle and whizzed away from the curb like a bullet, leaving Perry Mason standing on the curb blinking with surprise, lipstick showing on his lips.” Later, in the hotel lobby, when Mason says goodbye, "She flashed across the distance between them a bundle of flying clothes and outflung arms. She clasped her arms around his neck, drew his head down to her savagely, clung against him while her lips sought his, found them, and held them in a long, close embrace."
In a far-fetched courtroom scene near the end of the novel, Burger's deputy (Dick Truslow) tries the case and puts Mason on the witness stand. While testifying, Mason narrates his view of the case at great length without any objections from the prosecutor.
This novel was the basis of episode #19 of season 2 of the television series (#58 overall). A Warner Brothers film in 1936 changed the name to The Case of the Black Cat. -
The 7th novel down my "journey into time" (started in 2015) to discover old treasures like the Perry Mason Series, is, once again, a complete page-turner. However, this particular episode is probably the weakest as compared to the last 6 novels.
The Case Of The Caretaker’s Cat has possibly the most convoluted plot of the books in the series so far. In his will, Peter Laxter guaranteed his faithful caretaker a job and a place to live for life. But Laxter’s grandson Sam says the deal doesn’t include the caretaker’s cat. On a whim, Perry Mason takes the case, against the advice of his assistant and his secretary, Della Street. Mason’s reply is “A man only has a lease on life. All that really counts is a man’s ability to live, to get the most out of it as he goes through it. I get a kick out of playing a no-limit game.” What is at stake in this one isn’t just whether a cat can stay in a house, there’s more: a million dollars in cash and some diamonds. Mason finds a web of greed and treachery among the heirs, and has to put up with a most repulsive attorney who represents some of them. Who murdered Laxter? What has the cat got to do with it? The answers are both less and more than the unsuspecting reader might expect, and certainly Mason makes a very unusual move in the courtroom near the end of the book, one that just might win him the case, or might end up in his being disbarred.
Perry Mason is a man who enjoys his work. He likes his cases but the real pleasure for him lies in pitting his wits against criminals, against the police and against the DA. The joy he takes in this is communicated to the reader and helps make each Perry Mason novel just so much fun. Perry Mason is referred as a "Wizard Of The Court Room", more a sleuth than a lawyer, who uses the fold of the legal system to hunt for the truth, takes calculated risks AND utilizes his devious mind to uncover pure evidence that would solve the case. Mr. Gardner continues to follow the KISS rule. 201 pages are all you get to race through this riveting story. Till the very end you will keep gasping "What is Perry Mason up to?" You will, once again, let go of your sleep to get to the bottom of things.
Perry Mason, a character created in 1930s, can easily be a part of 2019 and the author would need to change NOTHING (not even a word) to adjust to the advanced world since 1930s. Now, THAT, for sure is what is evergreen. The story telling has the same intensity now as it did then. This episode continues to be a fine example of American Literature from the yesteryears. No wonder Gardner was one of the best-selling writers of all times, and certainly one of the best-selling mystery authors ever. There are a total of 82 novels (which I now fortunately own in my shelves). It's a treasure cove indeed!!
Though I did enjoy this book, I must say that this novel, while interesting and having an unusual ending, contains some illogical motives, unlikely actions and a couple of red herrings so obvious they hardly deserve the name. This is perhaps the weakest of the first dozen Mason novels in my opinion.
