Title: The Case of the Velvet Claws
Author: Erle Stanley Gardner
First published January 1, 1933
215 pages, Mass Market Paperback
ISBN: 9780345323170 (ISBN10: 0345323173)
Rating: 3.86
Overview
In Erle Stanley Gardner’s The Case of the Velvet Claws, California attorney Perry Mason finds himself representing Eva Belter, a woman who is just as sharp as she is alluring – earning her the nickname “velvet and claws.” After her husband George is murdered and a forged will surfaces, Mason must navigate a complex web of suspects and motives to uncover the truth. With the help of his trusty secretary Della Street, Mason races against time to solve the case and bring justice to his client.
Will he be able to untangle the mystery before it’s too late? Find out in this gripping legal thriller.
About the Author
Erle Stanley Gardner was an American lawyer and author, known for his detective stories. He published under various pseudonyms, including A.A. Fair, Kyle Corning, Charles M.
Green, Carleton Kendrake, Charles J. Kenny, Les Tillray, and Robert Parr.
Gardner was not content with the routine of legal practice and found trial work and strategy development to be the only enjoyable aspects of it. To fill his spare time, he began writing for pulp magazines, which also launched the early careers of Dashiell Hammett and Raymond Chandler.
Gardner created several series characters for the pulps, such as Lester Leith, a “gentleman thief” in the tradition of Raffles, and Ken Corning, a crusading lawyer who served as the archetype for his most successful creation, the fictional lawyer and crime-solver Perry Mason. Gardner wrote over eighty novels featuring Perry Mason.
With the success of Perry Mason, he gradually decreased his contributions to pulp magazines, eventually ceasing to contribute entirely, except for non-fiction articles on travel, Western history, and forensic science.
Editoral Review
Erle Stanley Gardner’s The Case of the Velvet Claws transports readers to the hard-boiled world of 1930s detective novels. Gardner, known for creating the iconic character of Perry Mason, crafts a complex plot full of twists and turns that will keep readers on the edge of their seats throughout the entire novel.
First published in 1933, it has since become a classic of the genre and an essential read for any mystery or detective novel enthusiast. The novel follows Perry Mason as he takes on a case that seems simple enough: his client, Eva Griffin, is being blackmailed by her ex-lover, a powerful and ruthless attorney.
But as Mason begins to dig deeper, he discovers a web of lies, deceit, and corruption that threatens to destroy his career and reputation. Along the way, he meets memorable characters such as the charming and cunning Eva Griffin and the dangerous and violent district attorney, Hamilton Burger.
The setting of the novel, Los Angeles in the 1930s, adds to the book’s atmosphere, as Gardner portrays a vivid and gritty image of the city during that time. Gardner excels at creating believable characters with complicated motives, and The Case of the Velvet Claws is no exception.
Mason himself is a flawed protagonist, often bending the rules and flirting with the law to achieve his goals. Eva Griffin is equally complex, using her charm and beauty to manipulate those around her.
Hamilton Burger, Mason’s nemesis, is also portrayed as more than just a one-dimensional villain, and his actions are driven by a deep-seated hatred of Mason rather than mere greed or selfishness. The writing style of the novel is dense and intricate, which can make it a challenge for some readers to follow.
However, Gardner’s attention to detail is what makes the book so engrossing, and his use of dialogue and description helps to create a vivid picture of the world he has created. One of the strengths of The Case of the Velvet Claws is its ability to explore larger themes that are still relevant today.
The abuse of power, corruption, and the complicated nature of human relationships are all explored in the novel. Gardner’s treatment of these themes is nuanced and thought-provoking, and readers will find themselves reflecting on them long after the last page has been turned.
Although The Case of the Velvet Claws is a classic of the genre, it is not without its flaws. Some readers may find the pacing too slow, and the intricate plot can be confusing at times.
However, these issues do not detract from the overall quality of the novel, and Gardner’s strengths as a writer far outweigh any weaknesses. Overall, The Case of the Velvet Claws is a must-read for anyone interested in detective novels or mysteries.
It is a masterful work of fiction that is both entertaining and thought-provoking, and it stands the test of time as a testament to Gardner’s talent as a writer. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good mystery or crime novel and is looking for a novel that will keep them engaged from beginning to end.
On a scale of 1 to 10, I would rate The Case of the Velvet Claws an 8 for its excellent writing, complex characters, and compelling plot.
