The Case of the Velvet Claws by Erle Stanley Gardner
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

While I grew up watching the Perry Mason TV series, featuring Raymond Burr in the title role, I'd never seen the earlier Mason films of the 1930's or read any of the novels by Gardner. The Burr version was the one I recognized and thought to be how the character was to be portrayed.

The Mason introduced in Gardner's original novel, never even appears in court. He is much more hard-boiled than I expected, having more of the attributes of detectives like Marlowe and Spade. He's not afraid to get physical at times, not even hesitating in grabbing the arm or shoving aside a woman if she angers him. His relationship with his secretary, Della Street, has a more sexual undertone than it ever did in the TV series. The earlier film series went with a more "Thin Man" vibe between the characters and had them married.

Perry is approached by a married woman who is afraid that her relationship with a political figure may become public, through possible pressure from a tabloid paper. The publication is not above 'selling advertising space' to individuals as cover for halting the release of stories that could injure the reputations of celebrities or the well-to-do. Mason takes the case, despite warnings from Della, and things become more complicated when the husband of the woman is killed and it appears the wife is the murderer. When she then fingers Perry as the possible shooter Mason, with the aid of P.I. Paul Drake must clear himself and his client if possible.

Well written, if dated, story that nicely introduced the characters. From trailers, it looks as if the Robert Downey, Jr. produced Mason limited series on HBO, will be sticking closer to the original books than the portrayal most of us know.


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