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About the author: Erle Stanley Gardner (1889 – 1970) was an American lawyer and author. He is best known for the Perry Mason series of detective stories. The best-selling American author of the 20th century at the time of his death, Gardner also published under numerous pseudonyms, including A.A. Fair, Kyle Corning, Charles M. Green, Carleton Kendrake, Charles J. Kenny, Les Tillray and Robert Parr. (wikipedia)
Major characters:
- Jane Keller, owner of an island, a widow
- Martha Stanhope, her sister, a landlord
- Marjorie Stanhope, Martha's daughter
- Frank Bomar, Marjorie's fiancé
- Lawton Keller, Jane's brother-in-law
- Scott Shelby, holding an oil lease on the island
- Marion Shelby, his wife
- Ellen Cushing, real estate agent, Shelby's "girlfriend"
- Parker Benton, millionaire
- Perry Mason, attorney
- Della Street, his secretary
- Paul Drank, his investigator
Locale: Los Angeles area
Synopsis: Widow Jane Keller is owner of an island in the middle of a river near Los Angeles. She is selling the island to millionaire Parker Benton, to build a new home upon. The island had an oil lease against it, which had apparently expired for non-payment. Promoter Scott Shelby tries to pay the back lease payments to reinstate the lease, but there is a legal question whether he can do so. Parker Benton would prefer to buy the island free and clear, so invites all the parties - including Perry Mason, representing Jane - for a cruise on his yacht to sit down and try to come to an agreement.
Due to fog, the yacht anchors for the night. A commotion is heard, and a MAN OVERBOARD alarm is raised. A shot had been heard at the same time, and Scott's wife Marion Shelby is found holding a gun. Scott is missing and assumed the one overboard. A search fails to find his body. Mason is suspicious he staged the incident and is now running off with his girlfriend, real estate agent Ellen Cushing - leaving his wife suspected of his "murder".
Review: This is from the most enjoyable period of the Perry Masons - the mid 1940's - when Mason is more of a rough and tumble character, not hesitating to literally throw an opposing lawyer out of his office, and even dust off his hands afterward. We also have a romantic interlude with Della Street, the most - ahem - detailed I have found in his books.
The actions on the yacht are well done and enjoyable. There is the usual big cast, a bit larger than necessary, so it does require attention to keep track of the players. A big point in the story is the two separate telephone systems on the yacht, which could be confusing, but is explained well so even a non-techy person sees how it operates.
One scene has Mason taking a deposition in his office. It was interesting to see how that was done, and how many of the courtroom procedures were duplicated.
An unusual aspect is that Mason has a tough time throughout the case. He builds up a circumstantial case to find it totally incorrect. His supposition on the fate of Shelby also turns out wrong. The case builds to a gradual resolution, without the usual courtroom theatrics.
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