3 ( )

A bit of a convoluted mystery, with a thoroughly enjoyable conclusion. ( )

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? ( )

Della Street is really worried about her boss and is trying very hard to send him on a vacation. So when a guy shows up to ask Perry to help him save a cat, Perry decides not to give the job to one of his helpers and instead to handle the case on his own - and even Drake is involved.

Chances of that being an easy case are not too high of course and it does not take long for the bodies to start falling (none of them being that of the cat). And by the time it becomes clear that things are a lot more complicated, Mason has way too many clients in the game, his own tricks had been played and replayed and Sergeant Holcomb and DA Hamilton Burger are really sure that they finally caught Mason in the act. In the meantime, Della and Perry go on a vacation (well... let's call it that), more bodies appear and people end up where they are not supposed to be.

At the end, the solution ends up a trick that is considered a cliche these days but it worked here - eliminating all the impossible choices left only assumptions to be reexamined. And in a somewhat strange for these early books end, Mason ends up telling the whole story from the witness chair. Although 20 pages before the end I was really wondering how he will manage to pull it off this time.

I am having a lot more fun with this series than I expected. ( )

Pure Perry Mason in the days before Miranda warnings or the need for those problematic search warrants. Back when cars had running boards and rumble seats, and lawyers were denied access to their clients during police interrogations. A great way to see how life was lived in 1936. And, of course, enjoy it with Perry Mason and Della Street. ( )