| This book is another entry in the long line of Perry Mason Mysteries. The book opens with Lauretta Trent in the hospital because of stomach problems .Lauretta Trent is extremely rich and has a lot of relatives living with her. All of these relatives livefor the day when she will die and they will inherit her money.
The Trent residence is a big mansion with Lauretta's sisters and husbands, plus housekeeper, maid, cook, chauffeur, and nurse. Lauretta's Doctor Alton warns her that gastroenteric upsets can damage her heart. There have been three stomach incidents in a short space of time. Are these attacks natural or is a more sinister force at work? Virginia Baxter arrives at the airport. The police got a tip, opened her baggage, and found narcotics! So, she calls Perry Mason. The presence of a photographer makes this a lot more sinister. Virginia did not give permission for the search. More important, the contraband narcotics put her bags over the recorded weight limit! Judge Albert dismisses the case. More photographs are take to give publicity to the dismissal. Perry learns that Virginia refused to give her husband a divorce, and advises her to wipe the slate clean by ghranting the divorce. But a stranger asks questions about her former law firm, and the story takes a new turn. When Virginia learns of interest shown in the records from her former law firm, she calls Perry Mason again. | ||
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Plot & Themes Tone of story - suspenseful (sophisticated fear) Time/era of story: Kid or adult book? - Adult or Young Adult Book descript. of violence and chases - 20 % Planning/preparing, gather info, debate puzzles/motives - 60 % Feelings, relationships, character bio/development - 20 % How society works & physical descript. (people, objects, places) - 0 % Crime Thriller Yes Murder Mystery (killer unknown) Yes Main Character Gender - Female Profession/status: Age: - 20's-30's Ethnicity/Race Main Adversary Identity: - none Setting United States Yes Writing Style Accounts of torture and death? - generic/vague references to death/punishment |
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