Book Review: The Case of the Long-Legged Models by Erle Stanley Gardner (1957)

Synopsis: When Stephanie Falkner comes to Perry Mason to discuss an offer she's been made on a casino she inherited from her murdered father, Mason's long-time client Homer Garvin, Sr., asks the attorney to also meet with the prospective buyer, both to protect Stephanie and to represent his 15 percent stake. The buyer, George Casselman, is later found murdered, Stephanie becomes the primary suspect with Garvin charged as an accessory, putting Mason in a position to defend both, something that becomes more complicated when Mason's attempt to create confusion over the murder weapon backfires and has him facing potential charges as well.

Review: I wasn't able to obtain a copy of The Case of the Long-Legged Models when I first read through Erle Stanley Gardner's Perry Mason series. So, when I was able to finally get it through my local library, I made sure to have it in time for my three-day weekend.

Unfortunately, while I have enjoyed most Perry Mason books, this one was one of the exceptions.

Let me put it this way, if this were the first Perry Mason book I ever read, it would have left me questioning just why the attorney is so famous. At minimum, he seemed to be losing a step.

I'll start with the case itself, which wasn't all that complicated to figure out. Sure, there was some mystery involving the shell game involving three guns and how Mason's client, Stephanie, ended up with the murder weapon (more on that in a bit). However, once the evidence revealed a killer was a woman and you ruled out Mason's client, there was really only one possible murderer, despite the last-second attempt at a red herring.

Despite the above, Mason needed a great deal of luck to come to the same conclusion. If it weren't for an 11th-hour discovery of evidence that were somehow missed by the police despite a "thorough" search, I'm not so certain his two clients and possibly Mason himself wouldn't have gone to prison. His plan to force Stephanie to take the stand seemed desperate at best and completely out of character for the attorney.

My bigger issue with the book was the moral line Mason seemed to be crossing or, at minimum, blurring. While this has been a recurring them throughout the series, Mason usually is able to prove he wasn't doing anything unethical. This time around, he didn't even attempt to show that. The failed attempt to dupe police by substituting guns was dubious while Mason looking the other way when Della Street stole evidence just seemed criminal. I'm still not so certain they shouldn't have been charged with something.

Final Opinion: It's an OK book and I didn't regret reading it. I just thought it was a step down from most other books in the series and doesn't portray the protagonist at his best.

My Grade: C

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Here are some reviews of other Perry Mason books:

Book Review: The Case of the Fabulous Fake by Erle Stanley Gardner (1969)

Book Review: The Case of the Careless Cupid by Erle Stanley Gardner (1968)

Book Review: The Case of the Beautiful Beggar by Erle Stanley Gardner (1965)

Book Review: The Case of the Foot-Loose Doll by Erle Stanley Gardner (1958)