Customer Reviews:
 The Missing Heir Racket July 28, 2005
Acute Observer (Jersey Shore USA)
The Case of the Blonde Bonanza, by Erle Stanley Gardner
The 'Foreword' dedicates this book to the American Academy of Forensic Sciences for their work in developing professional witnesses with scientific objectivity. Gardner hopes that the public will appreciate the importance of legal medicine. Gardner did not live to see "Quincy M.E.",or "CSI".
Della Street has gone on vacation, and Perry Mason stops by to join her on the beach. Della tells Perry of a mystery about a young voluptuous blonde woman. She is eating a huge lunch as if to desperately put on weight, and is always alone. Perry is intrigued by this situation. Della's aunt Mae Kirby introduces Perry to Dianne Alder, the blonde woman. Over dinner Dianne explains why she wants to gain weight - she is being paid for this! Dianne will model a new style for women who are not as thin as a fashion model. Perry tells Della there is something wrong about Dianne's contract, and ask her to find out more. The next morning Dianne meets Perry with her contract. It seems completely reasonable; but Dianne has agreed to share any money she should receive from any source. Perry thinks of an explanation (pp.23-24), and decides to have Harrison T. Boring investigated as well as Dianne Alder. Then Dianne finds that her contract has been broken, and now must take the weight off. Perry tells Boring that he must see him ASAP. Boring explains that he is a Hollywood promoter whose plans didn?t work out, and can't pay a cent. After he leaves, Perry realizes the contract is a variation of a known racket: find someone who has inherited unknowingly and get them to sign over half.
So Perry has Paul Drake investigate the persons involved. The information gathered is given to Perry, who decides on a course of action. Perry goes to visit George D. Winlock, a wealthy real estate developer. In Chapter 8 Winlock tells Perry what Perry has surmised, and explains his activities. The situation is coming to a boil. Soon the dead body of Boring is found.
When the police come to talk to Dianne Alder, Perry Mason refuses their request because Dianne is emotionally upset (p.137). George D. Winlock arrives, talks to Perry, then telephones the Chief of Police (p.150); George has political connections. Another visitor tells Perry that Winlock's home was wired to monitor conversations, and offers a deal. There are penalties for not reporting a crime, or not reporting an injured person (p.157-157). Mrs. Winlock offers Perry a deal for his client Dianne, quid pro quo. What can be surmised from an empty motel room (p.161)? Chapter 15 has the critical testimony at the Preliminary Hearing. Perry converses with Mrs. Winlock by telephone, and Mr. Winlock in person. Could they have worked out a shrewd and clever stunt (p.202)? Perry Mason's brilliant cross-examination of a recalled witness brings out the truth (Chapter 17). Dianne is saved, the Winlocks are spared notoriety, so Dianne will receive a windfall inheritance (Chapter 18). Like some other of these stories, they subtly critique the rich and powerful.
I picked up the hint as to the guilty party much earlier. There's a convention to murder mysteries where the guilty person earlier admits to some wrongdoing. The reader can't say they weren't warned.
 Quick, Entertaining Reading February 14, 1999
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
The only reason I'm giving this 4 stars instead of 5, is that the solution to the mystery seems a little contrived compared to Gardner's other Perry Mason stories. But don't take that to mean the book is bad or has a disappointing ending. Gardner, as always, managed to create another unique murder mystery that leaves you wishing he were still around to create more.
The book review of ' The Case of the Blonde Bonanza ' . October 15, 2002
Ho yueu ying (Hong Kong)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
"The Case of the Blonde Bonanza" is one of the popular crime fiction write by Erle Stanley Gardner .
Beautiful blonde Dianne Alder signed a contract that she would get a hundred dollars a week to put on weight so as to promote a new line of fashion for "firm flesh " ladies . In return , the modeling agency would get 50% of whatever income she might get in her future career as a model .
Perry Mason , the famous American lawyer who sense the contract has a trap . Dianne was a friend of Perry Mason , he did not want to see naive Dianne who was taken advantage by the bad modeling agency , so he interfered in this case to protect her interest . As Perry Mason was investigated into the man who signed the contract with Dianne , Dianne was involved in a case of murder . Because of Perry Mason clever plans and reason , he was found out the real murderer .
This is a typical Perry Mason fiction ---- the story is simple but the plot is attractive . The readers can¡¦t guess who is the murderer if they do not finish the whole story .
Gardener could successfully created a powerful character ---- Perry Mason , because he was a lawyer before be a author . The fiction was written before forty years ago , therefore , some method used in the story may be old fashion and out date today , nevertheless , the wisdom show on Perry Mason like his debates skill in the court was the things that I am very appreciate .
|
