Norda Allison realises that she is marrying the wrong man, when she saw him slapping his son for interrupting their conversation. She is terrified and calls off the wedding, only to earn his wrath. She starts receiving anonymous clippings in her mail, of stories in which suitors killed their former fiancees.
A few days later, Mervin slaps Norda's boyfriend Nate Benedict, and claims it to be self defense. Mervin's previous wife, Lorraine Selkirk Jennings, tries to warn Norda against him and arranges for Norda to spend a night at her house. When Norda meets her, Lorraine tries to cover up the absence of her son. However, Norda hears a barking dog followed by a gun shot, while she is staying with Lorraine, and rushes to Perry Mason, the lawyer for help. The next morning, Melvin Selkirk is found dead in his car, and the murder weapon is found below Norda's pillow at Lorraine's house. Norda is arrested and new facts surprise both parties in the Preliminary hearing. Perry Mason's investigation, surmises, and the courtroom scenes are the highlights of the novel. | ||
Plot & Themes Tone of story - very upbeat How difficult to spot villain? - Very difficult--no foreshadowing/clues Time/era of story: What % of story relates directly to the mystery, not the subplot? - 60% Special suspect? - lover Murder of certain profession? Misc. Murder Plotlets - "All in the family" murder - Proving innocence of very obvious suspect - Big focus on autopsies Kind of investigator Kid or adult book? - Adult or Young Adult Book Any non-mystery subplot? descript. of violence and chases - 10 % Planning/preparing, gather info, debate puzzles/motives - 70 % Feelings, relationships, character bio/development - 10 % How society works & physical descript. (people, objects, places) - 10 % Crime Thriller Yes Murder Mystery (killer unknown) Yes Main Character Gender - Male Profession/status: Age: - 20's-30's Ethnicity/Race Main Adversary Identity: - none Profession/status: How sensitive is this character? Sense of humor - Mostly serious with occasional humor Intelligence - Average intelligence Setting United States Yes The US: - West Writing Style Accounts of torture and death? - generic/vague references to death/punishment Amount of dialog - significantly more dialog than descript |