The Case of the Dangerous Dowager Paperback – Large Print, November 1, 2000

As usual, the books are always much more interesting and provide more suspense and questions than the TV movies. Not that I don't love the TV series of the first few seasons. This novel is no different. And though this novel was the basis of one of the series shows, it is quite different with the exception of the general characters and related environment of gambling casinos.While the plot advances in a somewhat convoluted fashion, that only adds to the questions of 'who dunnit.' One notable trait of Gardner and his books, he successfully puts the reader in the setting as an observer. You find yourself experiencing the uncomfortable, if not miserable, night time boat trips to and from the gambling ship.I don't do book reports in my reviews. That's why you read the book. You find yourself in the scenes and interpret and visualize your own experience. Why would you want to hear me tell it?While I believe that the Cool & Lam novels are by far the greatest works Erle Stanley Gardner created, I love the Perry Mason novels. In some of the PM novels you'll note irritating contradictions, but most are great reading and all are worth reading. The Dangerous Dowager is no exception.I've read most of Gardner's books, and probably all of those I've read, two or three times.

I enjoy all the Perry Mason books. Dangerous Dowager is no exception. Good characterization, good plot, good writing. Easy to see why Gardner sold so many Mason books.

ESG usually has one main clue in a book. That clue is presented fairly to the reader, but is presented with the rush of action contained in all his books. The reader is usually so caught up in the action they overlook it. That is true with this book as well, however the confession at the end does help the case as Mason saw it, otherwise the reader would have been left with the idea of a cover up. The title character beautifully drawn.

I liked it because of the moral lesson it teaches which is truth is more important than getting lost in rules and regulations.

The writing is always good and surprisingly not dated. Perry Mason takes off on an attempt to help a client maintain custody of a child against a devious husband whose interest is mostly in getting control of a trust fund. Good clean story with a twist at the end.

This is a very early Perry Mason novel. He is a little more hard-boiled, and a little less respectable. Both he and Della are younger, and there's a distinct romantic angle, though it isn't fully developed. Surprisingly, Mason never enters the courtroom. I think this is one of only a couple Mason novels where he doesn't.

We love the Perry Mason books -

I fully enjoyed this book. It kept me guessing as to who did or commented the killing of the gambler and black mailer.