Ashton, a 65-year-old man, hires Perry Mason to help him keep his cat. The man's employer recently died stipulating in his will that Ashton could live in his house until he died. The lawyer in charge of the estates refuses to let Ashton keep his cat and threatens to poison the cat if he stays with him.
Intrigued by the idea of protecting a cat, Mason takes the case but discovers that there is much more to the situation than protecting the cat. Clues indicated that the employer was murdered. When Ashton and a woman who has seen evidence that the employer was murdered are both killed, Mason must put the clues together, not only to protect the cat, but also the find out who committed the murders. As usual, this reader didn't find the answers until the author revealed them as the murderer is not evident. Good mystery!
Intrigued by the idea of protecting a cat, Mason takes the case but discovers that there is much more to the situation than protecting the cat. Clues indicated that the employer was murdered. When Ashton and a woman who has seen evidence that the employer was murdered are both killed, Mason must put the clues together, not only to protect the cat, but also the find out who committed the murders. As usual, this reader didn't find the answers until the author revealed them as the murderer is not evident. Good mystery!
This is Gardner's 7th book about Perry Mason. And it shows it---meaning Gardner hadn't yet gotten into his groove writing these novels. He still, among many cliches, has people smoking almost constantly, has Della Street driving a car like a NASCAR racer, and Mason violating one law after another in solving the case. I won't even mention Mason leering at Della's legs..... Oh, drat! I just did.
As for the case itself, Gardner has Mason solving the case in an almost preposterous manner. For example, when Mason needs to know something, detective Paul Drake's agents have already discovered it. Even the FBI isn't this efficient.
My 1958 copy also had a problem with the story, as the pages kept falling out as I read it.
As for the case itself, Gardner has Mason solving the case in an almost preposterous manner. For example, when Mason needs to know something, detective Paul Drake's agents have already discovered it. Even the FBI isn't this efficient.
My 1958 copy also had a problem with the story, as the pages kept falling out as I read it.
