The Case of the Troubled Trustee (Perry Mason, #75) by Erle Stanley Gardner

The Case of the Troubled Trustee (Perry Mason, #75) Reviews

• 
  Kieran McAndrew

  When the young trustee of an estate comes to Perry Mason with a delicate legal problem, it doesn't take long for Mason to realise that the situation may be more dire than he first realised. Hiring Paul Drake to tail his client, it comes as something of a shock when he crosses the Mexican border, which can be seen as evidence of guilt under California law.
  
  Gardner's knowledge of his principal characters allows this novel to spin out into a thrilling case where everyone must work together to unmask the culprit.
• 
  Rajan

  Why o why?? Why Mason has to manipulate?
  
  Though I know the answer. He says for him client's interest is first and foremost.
  
  However, some of his tricks seem unnecessary.
  
  
  
  
  "Now, I'm willing to bet that you made a stop at a culvert, got out of your car and tossed the murder weapon and perhaps some other incriminating evidence into the culvert."
  
  "And the police have that?" Dutton asked in dismay. "The police have that." "Then there's nothing left for youto do," Dutton said, "except have me plead guilty and put myself on the mercy of the court." "Did you kill him?" Mason asked. "No, I didn't kill him," Dutton said, "but I did find a gun by the body. I picked it up and when I got to my car, I examined it by flashlight and found it was my gun." "You had a flashlight in the car?" "Well, it was the dash light," Dutton said. Mason said, "You're indulging in the most expensive luxury a man can indulge in." "What's that? Being tried for murder?" "No, lying to your lawyer."
  
  "I'm not lying." Mason said, "Don't be silly. A detective was watching you when you came out of the club. You jumped in your car and drove away at high speed. You went a mile and three-tenths, passed over a culvert, slammed on your brakes so you left tire marks on the surface of the pavement, put your car in reverse; went back, got out and tossed something under the culvert. You didn't turn on the dash light; you didn't use any flashlight."
  
  "A detective was watching me?" "Yes." "Then why wasn't I arrested?" "It was a private detective and no one knew anything about the murder, as yet." "All right," Dutton said. "You have me convicted in your own mind and-" "I don't have you convicted in my mind," Mason said. "I simply suggested that you had better tell your lawyer the truth. How did you know it was your gun?"
• 
  Mahoghani 23

  Kind of threw me off my love of Perry Mason. I didn’t get the build up that usually precedes the ending. Nor did I ever perceive the killer to be whom it turned out as. An okay read on a gloomy Tuesday.
• 
  Ron Zack

  Erle Stanley Gardner’s “The Troubled Trustee” is a typical Perry Mason formula novel. It opens with an unscheduled potential client showing up at the office and paying Mason a lot of money to represent him in a questionable matter. Mason hesitatingly takes the case, unsure of the sincerity and/or innocence of his new client. Other people, vaguely related to the “client” show up and thicken the plot. Mason struggles with the ethical implications of his new case and client and hires private detective Paul Drake to investigate the client.
  
  Here, the plot evolves from embezzlement to murder. Mason skates the ethical line and becomes deeply involved in the investigation. Suddenly, the trial begins and Mason is being trounced by District Attorney Hamilton Burger. Again, Mason risks his bar card by becoming involved in questionable trial tactics, even potentially making himself a witness. He then plays a wild hunch and saves his client at the 11th hour.
  
  This formula repeats in every Perry Mason novel, yet each one is interesting, suspenseful, fresh, and enjoyable. Gardner accurately portrays the law – in this case dealing with the handling of a spendthrift trust. The courtroom scenes have crisp dialogue, demonstrating examination and cross-examination, objections, and judicial input.
  
  Mason also provides insight into the profession and practice of law. He tells his client, “You’re indulging in the most expensive luxury a man can indulge in.” “What’s that? Being tried for murder?” “No, lying to your lawyer.” At another point, Mason says, “a lawyer is, or should be, an expert in the field of high-pressure salesmanship.”
  
  Another masterful Perry Mason novel, part of Erle Stanley Gardner’s enduring legacy.
• 
  Roger

  A little shorter than the average Perry Mason case, Troubled Trustee doesn't have quite as many twists, clues or tricks (the only reason I gave it 4 instead of 5 stars). Otherwise it's as absorbing as always; I finished it in one day.
  There is an interesting observation by Mason about District Attorney Hamilton Burger:
  

  Mason shook his head. "Usually Hamilton Burger doesn't have a chance to strut his stuff. I get the witness on cross-examination and uncover some point which enables me to prove that the prosecution's theory of the case is erroneous. Before he's ready to rest his case, he doesn't have any case left.
  "This time I've had to go ahead and put witnesses on the stand. Burger has had a chance to cross-examine them. The roles have been reversed. He's ripped my witnesses to pieces."

  
  
• 
  Kelley

  Perry Mason, just the lawyer you want defending you when you are up against a charge of murder. That’s what Kerry Dutton, accused of a nefarious murder, faced while serving as a trustee of a fund bequeathed to the woman he loves. Author, Erle Stanley Gardner, delivers another thriller, albeit a little dated with wooden, two-dimensional characters with a splash of humor thrown in here and there. Yet one doesn’t read Perry Mason because they’re great literature. One reads them for an entertaining story. So The Case of the Troubled Trustee didn’t disappoint. I’ve been reading Perry Mason mysteries since I was in high school. While the last one I read was several years back, this shows why I have been a steadfast fan of Perry Mason novels for 40+ years now. A perfect summer mystery while on my vacation.
• 
  Rupesh Goenka

  Desere Ellis's father, Templeton Ellis, leaves behind a spendthrift trust for his daughter that will be handled by trustee, Kerry Dutton. Desere was associated with many individuals who her father didn't like around the time of his death. Although Kerry has had great success with the investments, he has broken a number of fiduciary obligations in an effort to safeguard the beneficiary’s interests. One of the investments in the original portfolio, The Steer Ridge Oil and Refining Company stock, never performed well. Now however, a conflict developing for the company’s control pushes up the stock price. A man named Rodger Palmer known to Kerry and involved in the proxy battle is killed. The young investment advisor is accused of committing the crime. Perry Mason defends him. This classic Perry Mason book is well-written and brief with strong characterization, courtroom drama and a murder plot that keeps you guessing until the very end. A DECENT MYSTERY FROM THE PAST.
• 
  Ashwin Dongre

  As usual a unique plot, great twists, and a satisfying ending.
  
  For the first time Hamilton Burger gets to cross-examine Mason's witnesses. I wish the climax was in court though. The culprit is not really very hard to guess, however the motive is. It is mentioned almost in passing at the beginning, and it is mentioned as pulled out o hat in the end. But it does not peeve you. I just wish the climax was in the courtroom.
  
  All in all a good Perry Mason mystery. Most reccomended.
• 
  Ebenezer Arvigenius

  In some ways the typical Perry Mason novel. Crisp, concise, writing, quick but effective characterization, courtroom and defence strategy dazzle and a murder plot that keeps you guessing at what really happened.
  
  On the downside the (pretty rushed) solution is rather obscure and in some regards unlikely. Furthermore it's not really arrived at by deduction but rather a rather far-fetched hunch that unexpectedly pays off.
  
  Would probably make a better TV episode than book. I still liked it for the smart writing but it's definitely one of the weaker "Masons". On the merits probably only two stars. Gave it three as it was exactly the brainless time-filler I needed right now.
• 
  Nancy Kilpatrick

  I like the plot, I like the story, but the conclusion is right from out of left field. Because I have read so many of these books, I know that many of them have the brain power of Mason to thank for the solution that is certainly nowhere near obvious. This is one of those stories. But it’s always good to read one of these books because they’re fun and interesting even if they’re wrapped up in a most unusual logic.
• 
  Khurshid Ali

  Reading Earle Stanley Gardener’s Perry Mason series reminds me where my love for the legal thrillers start. I have read so many authors and only a few can match up to to this author.
  
  Enter a man who misrepresents financial information.
  Enter into a world of unrequited love
  
  Add into this mix, murder, blackmail.
  
  We have a great book
• 
  Susan

  It probably should not have been my introduction to Erle Stanley Gardner's novels. I like the Perry Mason TV series but it feels like he's trying too hard to breathe life into an already tired formula. Two words: "beatnik endowment".
• 
  natha

  Mason espero hasta que la puerta se hubo vuelto a cerrar, luego ejecuto una pirueta, enlazo a Della Street por la cintura, dio con ella unos pasos de baile y la solto para ir a estrecharle calurosamente la mano a Paul Drake.
  
  me gusto
• 
  Avanti Acharya

  My first Perry Mason read. It was a lucid read. The premise of the book has been referenced in parts in several crime drama films. I liked the witty delivery of an otherwise dark tale of deception and manipulation.
• 
  Kathleen Knowles

  I have yet to read a Perry Mason novel that I didn't like, and I only have two left to read. I can well see why Gardner was the top selling mystery writing in his time. He writes an excellent book and the courtroom scenes are superb.
• 
  Amanda

  The story is good but this is the equivalent of “old man yells at cloud”. ESG is definitely out of touch at this point. The one star is because all these men are making decisions for this weak woman who needs to be handled. I miss the heroines from the early Perry Masons.
• 
  Jenell Blue

  Perry Mason was on television for years. The book was a good read with a great ending.
• 
  Jeff J.

  #75 in the Perry Mason series. Interesting case of a trust manager who is concealing some illegitimate transactions. The beatnik characters date the book.
• 
  James Vest

  A promising start leads to an outlandish finish in a rare trial that takes so long to play out, that Mason has to call witnesses whose testimony is quickly diced by Hamilton Burger.
• 
  Darel Krieger

  Another enjoyable read from Erle Stanley Gardner involving the whole Perry Mason gang.
• 
  Erin *Proud Book Hoarder*

  Interesting story, and the first I've read where Mason can't win at trial and it doesn't look good, has to seek outside sources.
• 
  Jeffrey

  Another great Perry Mason detective story
  
  All of Gardner's books are great and this one is no exception. Well written and hard to put down. Recommended.