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Perry Mason #22
The Case of the Buried Clock
After catching his shady son-in-law, Jack Hardisty, in the act of embezzling, wealthy banker Vincente Blane plans to hang him out to dry. Then murder turns Blane’s restful mountain retreat into Hardisty’s final resting place.
When the evidence points to wronged wife Millicent, her father makes a point of calling in Perry Mason. And it’s up to the legendary legal eagle to unravel the case’s most baffling a buried clock at the murder scene. But as time runs short, the ticking of the clock sounds more and more like the rattling of family skeletons that everyone wants silenced…
When the evidence points to wronged wife Millicent, her father makes a point of calling in Perry Mason. And it’s up to the legendary legal eagle to unravel the case’s most baffling a buried clock at the murder scene. But as time runs short, the ticking of the clock sounds more and more like the rattling of family skeletons that everyone wants silenced…
226 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1943
154 people are currently reading
515 people want to read
About the author
Erle Stanley Gardner
1,354 books806 followersErle Stanley Gardner was an American lawyer and author of detective stories who also published under the pseudonyms A.A. Fair, Kyle Corning, Charles M. Green, Carleton Kendrake, Charles J. Kenny, Les Tillray, and Robert Parr.
Innovative and restless in his nature, he was bored by the routine of legal practice, the only part of which he enjoyed was trial work and the development of trial strategy. In his spare time, he began to write for pulp magazines, which also fostered the early careers of Dashiell Hammett and Raymond Chandler. He created many different series characters for the pulps, including the ingenious Lester Leith, a "gentleman thief" in the tradition of Raffles, and Ken Corning, a crusading lawyer who was the archetype of his most successful creation, the fictional lawyer and crime-solver Perry Mason, about whom he wrote more than eighty novels. With the success of Perry Mason, he gradually reduced his contributions to the pulp magazines, eventually withdrawing from the medium entirely, except for non-fiction articles on travel, Western history, and forensic science.
See more at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erle_Sta...
Innovative and restless in his nature, he was bored by the routine of legal practice, the only part of which he enjoyed was trial work and the development of trial strategy. In his spare time, he began to write for pulp magazines, which also fostered the early careers of Dashiell Hammett and Raymond Chandler. He created many different series characters for the pulps, including the ingenious Lester Leith, a "gentleman thief" in the tradition of Raffles, and Ken Corning, a crusading lawyer who was the archetype of his most successful creation, the fictional lawyer and crime-solver Perry Mason, about whom he wrote more than eighty novels. With the success of Perry Mason, he gradually reduced his contributions to the pulp magazines, eventually withdrawing from the medium entirely, except for non-fiction articles on travel, Western history, and forensic science.
See more at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erle_Sta...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 80 reviews
October 4, 2020
Written in 1943, this novel is set against the backdrop of the nation's involvement in World War II. One of the main characters is Harley Raymond, a wounded vet who has returned home to the Los Angeles area. Tires are being rationed (which provides Mason with an important clue), and so on. Much of the action takes place in a cabin in a heavily wooded area high in the mountains which, somewhat miraculously, seems to be only about a twenty-minute drive from downtown L.A. even when forty miles an hour was making pretty good time.
The story is even more implausible than many of the others in the series, but the reader just has to close his or her eyes and go along for the ride, which is often the case in these books. We have a man who's embezzled $10,000 from the bank owned by his father-in-law and who, when discovered, helps himself to $80,000 more. He's then killed after apparently burying the money somewhere near the aforementioned cabin.
The victim's wife is the prime suspect, and her father calls in Perry Mason to bail both him and his daughter out of the jam. There's a fairly large cast of odd, strange, and curious characters and, as often happens, Perry will have to skate right up to the edge of the law if he's going to sort this out.
And too, there's a buried clock that may or may not be set to sidereal time and which keeps appearing and disappearing. It's going to take a mastermind to get this all figured out and, even when Perry explains the solution to his faithful secretary, Della Street, both Della and the reader may still be shaking their heads trying to make sense of it all.
The Case of the Buried Clock is one that completionists will want to look for, but casual readers of the Mason series will probably be better served looking for other entries in the series.
The story is even more implausible than many of the others in the series, but the reader just has to close his or her eyes and go along for the ride, which is often the case in these books. We have a man who's embezzled $10,000 from the bank owned by his father-in-law and who, when discovered, helps himself to $80,000 more. He's then killed after apparently burying the money somewhere near the aforementioned cabin.
The victim's wife is the prime suspect, and her father calls in Perry Mason to bail both him and his daughter out of the jam. There's a fairly large cast of odd, strange, and curious characters and, as often happens, Perry will have to skate right up to the edge of the law if he's going to sort this out.
And too, there's a buried clock that may or may not be set to sidereal time and which keeps appearing and disappearing. It's going to take a mastermind to get this all figured out and, even when Perry explains the solution to his faithful secretary, Della Street, both Della and the reader may still be shaking their heads trying to make sense of it all.
The Case of the Buried Clock is one that completionists will want to look for, but casual readers of the Mason series will probably be better served looking for other entries in the series.
March 14, 2018
I studied this a bit to learn a little about the background of the Perry Mason stories. This is one of the favored ones according to the things I read.
It was written during the War Years, one of Gardner's best eras. The film feel of the early novels (1934 - 39) was fading. Mason (and Gardner) were mellowing. Mason was no longer the dogged fighter in a world of men scrambling for money and power. He didn't always skate around and over the edge of the law.
Not bad. After around 1954, one would be hard pressed indeed to find anything like that in Gardner's writing, as it became quite mechanical and stilted. But the plots were always very good.
The plot here mostly occurs high in the mountains not too far from LA, one of Gardner's favorite locales. The story concerns a wounded soldier, home from WWII, his girl friend Adele, her sister, and the sister's husband Jack, who has been embezzling money from his rich father-in-law. Jack is soon found murdered in a mountain cabin. Jack's widow is eventually arrested for the crime. Later, quite a few other characters are introduced. One thing I did not like was that some significant characters were introduced rather late in the story.
Eventually found not too far away is a buried alarm clock, which seems to be 25 minutes slow. Or is there a more mysterious explanation for the time it is keeping?
This is one of my favorite Mason novels. I love the appealing mountain setting. Mason is not really in command of things as the complicated story unfolds. He does not trick witnesses or mix up the evidence -- but a character named Dr. Macon does! There are excellent court room scenes. It is one of the most complex and ingenious of all the Mason stories, yet reasonable when all is revealed at the end. Recommend.
It was written during the War Years, one of Gardner's best eras. The film feel of the early novels (1934 - 39) was fading. Mason (and Gardner) were mellowing. Mason was no longer the dogged fighter in a world of men scrambling for money and power. He didn't always skate around and over the edge of the law.
Not bad. After around 1954, one would be hard pressed indeed to find anything like that in Gardner's writing, as it became quite mechanical and stilted. But the plots were always very good.
The plot here mostly occurs high in the mountains not too far from LA, one of Gardner's favorite locales. The story concerns a wounded soldier, home from WWII, his girl friend Adele, her sister, and the sister's husband Jack, who has been embezzling money from his rich father-in-law. Jack is soon found murdered in a mountain cabin. Jack's widow is eventually arrested for the crime. Later, quite a few other characters are introduced. One thing I did not like was that some significant characters were introduced rather late in the story.
Eventually found not too far away is a buried alarm clock, which seems to be 25 minutes slow. Or is there a more mysterious explanation for the time it is keeping?
This is one of my favorite Mason novels. I love the appealing mountain setting. Mason is not really in command of things as the complicated story unfolds. He does not trick witnesses or mix up the evidence -- but a character named Dr. Macon does! There are excellent court room scenes. It is one of the most complex and ingenious of all the Mason stories, yet reasonable when all is revealed at the end. Recommend.
February 18, 2022
Over the last forty years I've read all of the Mason novels at least once, and most several times. This is one of the best.
It was written during the War Years, one of Gardner's best eras. The film-noir feel of the early novels (1934 - 39) was fading. Mason (and Gardner) were mellowing. Mason was no longer the dogged fighter in a world of men scrambling for money and power. He didn't always skate around and over the edge of the law.
Gardner was never a really good writer in the literary sense, but at least during this era he could write good descriptions and set the scene. Here is an example:
"The coupe purred up the winding highway. Adele Blane's dark eyes, usually so expressive, were now held in a hard focus of intense concentration as she guided the car around the curves. ... A few hundred feet below the car, jumping from foam-flecked rocks to dark, cool pools, a mountain stream churned over boulders, laughed back the sunlight in sparkling reflections, filled the canyon with the sound of tumbling waters."
Not bad. After around 1954, one would be hard pressed indeed to find anything like that in Gardner's writing, as it became quite mechanical and stilted. But the plots were always very good.
The plot here mostly occurs high in the mountains not too far from LA, one of Gardner's favorite locales. The story concerns a wounded soldier home from WWII, his girl friend Adele, her sister, and the sister's husband Jack, who has been embezzling money from his rich father-in-law. Jack is soon found murdered in a mountain cabin. Jack's widow is eventually arrested for the crime. Later, quite a few other characters are introduced. One thing I did not like was that some significant characters were introduced rather late in the story.
Eventually found not too far away from the murder is a buried alarm clock, which seems to be 25 minutes slow. Or is there a more mysterious explanation for the time it is keeping? Who would bury an alarm clock in a virtual wilderness environment?
Twenty-first century readers may not remember the old type of alarm clock. They were wound up, needing no electricity. When they went off, a mechanical rod swung back and forth between two bells, making the noise. Also, during WWII there was rationing of many items, including tires. A car having two brand new tires was rare. Cameras then were, of course, film cameras. Furthermore, the best ones had one large piece of film (the negative) good for one high quality photo.
This is one of my favorite Mason novels. I love the appealing mountain setting. Mason is not really in command of things as the complicated story unfolds. He does not trick witnesses or mix up the evidence -- but a character named Dr. Macon does! There are excellent court room scenes. It is one of the most complex and ingenious of all the Mason stories, yet reasonable when all is revealed at the end.
Highly recommended.
Recurring theme: Mountain cabin. Local county sherriff. Unlike in the Perjured Parrot, this one is not treated sympathetically.
Very little Hamilton Burger. There is an assistant DA who does most of the courtroom scenes. No Tragg, no Holcomb.
Harley Raymand, wounded soldier home from the war to recuperate.
Adele Blane, young woman driving Harley Raymand up to her father's mountain cabin for a little R&R.
Milicent Hardisty, sister of Adele.
Jack Hardisty, husband of Milicent, and an embezzler.
Vincent P. Blane, father of Adele and Milicent.
Burton Strague, writer, staying in a cabin close to that of Vincent Blane's.
Lola Strague, sister of Burton, fond of
Rodney Beaton, naturalist photographer, also living in the area of the Blane cabin.
Myrna Payson, young widow who lives in the same mountain area as the cabin; friend of Adele.
William Jameson, deputy sheriff.
Martha Stevens, housekeeper for Vincent P. Blane.
Dr. Jefferson Macon, provides medical care and more for Milicent Hardisty.
Too bad Raymand drops out of the story half way.
Kudos to Gardner for thinking this up!! This is really ingenious.
It was written during the War Years, one of Gardner's best eras. The film-noir feel of the early novels (1934 - 39) was fading. Mason (and Gardner) were mellowing. Mason was no longer the dogged fighter in a world of men scrambling for money and power. He didn't always skate around and over the edge of the law.
Gardner was never a really good writer in the literary sense, but at least during this era he could write good descriptions and set the scene. Here is an example:
"The coupe purred up the winding highway. Adele Blane's dark eyes, usually so expressive, were now held in a hard focus of intense concentration as she guided the car around the curves. ... A few hundred feet below the car, jumping from foam-flecked rocks to dark, cool pools, a mountain stream churned over boulders, laughed back the sunlight in sparkling reflections, filled the canyon with the sound of tumbling waters."
Not bad. After around 1954, one would be hard pressed indeed to find anything like that in Gardner's writing, as it became quite mechanical and stilted. But the plots were always very good.
The plot here mostly occurs high in the mountains not too far from LA, one of Gardner's favorite locales. The story concerns a wounded soldier home from WWII, his girl friend Adele, her sister, and the sister's husband Jack, who has been embezzling money from his rich father-in-law. Jack is soon found murdered in a mountain cabin. Jack's widow is eventually arrested for the crime. Later, quite a few other characters are introduced. One thing I did not like was that some significant characters were introduced rather late in the story.
Eventually found not too far away from the murder is a buried alarm clock, which seems to be 25 minutes slow. Or is there a more mysterious explanation for the time it is keeping? Who would bury an alarm clock in a virtual wilderness environment?
Twenty-first century readers may not remember the old type of alarm clock. They were wound up, needing no electricity. When they went off, a mechanical rod swung back and forth between two bells, making the noise. Also, during WWII there was rationing of many items, including tires. A car having two brand new tires was rare. Cameras then were, of course, film cameras. Furthermore, the best ones had one large piece of film (the negative) good for one high quality photo.
This is one of my favorite Mason novels. I love the appealing mountain setting. Mason is not really in command of things as the complicated story unfolds. He does not trick witnesses or mix up the evidence -- but a character named Dr. Macon does! There are excellent court room scenes. It is one of the most complex and ingenious of all the Mason stories, yet reasonable when all is revealed at the end.
Highly recommended.
Recurring theme: Mountain cabin. Local county sherriff. Unlike in the Perjured Parrot, this one is not treated sympathetically.
Very little Hamilton Burger. There is an assistant DA who does most of the courtroom scenes. No Tragg, no Holcomb.
Harley Raymand, wounded soldier home from the war to recuperate.
Adele Blane, young woman driving Harley Raymand up to her father's mountain cabin for a little R&R.
Milicent Hardisty, sister of Adele.
Jack Hardisty, husband of Milicent, and an embezzler.
Vincent P. Blane, father of Adele and Milicent.
Burton Strague, writer, staying in a cabin close to that of Vincent Blane's.
Lola Strague, sister of Burton, fond of
Rodney Beaton, naturalist photographer, also living in the area of the Blane cabin.
Myrna Payson, young widow who lives in the same mountain area as the cabin; friend of Adele.
William Jameson, deputy sheriff.
Martha Stevens, housekeeper for Vincent P. Blane.
Dr. Jefferson Macon, provides medical care and more for Milicent Hardisty.
Too bad Raymand drops out of the story half way.
Kudos to Gardner for thinking this up!! This is really ingenious.
September 3, 2019
This is getting a kind of low rating, but allow me to explain...
This book is okay. It's decent. But it's not one of the better Perry Masons.
I would usually give a Perry Mason novel a 3-4 star rating. They're quick reads, most aren't incredibly memorable, but they're interesting and relaxing and I enjoy them!
Now this one wasn't bad, it wasn't absolute trash. It just wasn't anything new or particularly thrilling. And what bothered me the most? The court scenes. Now I won't be spoiling anything, but for those who haven't read any Perry Masons there are a few things you should know:
1. Perry is a criminal defense lawyer in the US.
2. The first half is usually developing the crime, finding evidence, talking to witnesses, etc.
3. The second half of the novels (or at least the final third) are usually court room scenes, in which Perry generally arrives at an alternative explanation for the crime that doesn't include or incriminate his client, and then proves it to the satisfaction of the judge and jury.
4. He can be somewhat of a morally grey character, as he occasionally puts to use unethical means to clear his clients.
His court scene in this was BORING.
There weren't the same twists and turns as there usually are. When I read a book in this series I'm absolutely riveted during these scenes, I can't put the book down because I need to know what happens. That just was lacking in this book. I wasn't gripped, I wasn't pulled in. It wasn't bad, but I also wasn't particularly infatuated with it, and that was just a tad disappointing for me.
This book is okay. It's decent. But it's not one of the better Perry Masons.
I would usually give a Perry Mason novel a 3-4 star rating. They're quick reads, most aren't incredibly memorable, but they're interesting and relaxing and I enjoy them!
Now this one wasn't bad, it wasn't absolute trash. It just wasn't anything new or particularly thrilling. And what bothered me the most? The court scenes. Now I won't be spoiling anything, but for those who haven't read any Perry Masons there are a few things you should know:
1. Perry is a criminal defense lawyer in the US.
2. The first half is usually developing the crime, finding evidence, talking to witnesses, etc.
3. The second half of the novels (or at least the final third) are usually court room scenes, in which Perry generally arrives at an alternative explanation for the crime that doesn't include or incriminate his client, and then proves it to the satisfaction of the judge and jury.
4. He can be somewhat of a morally grey character, as he occasionally puts to use unethical means to clear his clients.
His court scene in this was BORING.
There weren't the same twists and turns as there usually are. When I read a book in this series I'm absolutely riveted during these scenes, I can't put the book down because I need to know what happens. That just was lacking in this book. I wasn't gripped, I wasn't pulled in. It wasn't bad, but I also wasn't particularly infatuated with it, and that was just a tad disappointing for me.
December 22, 2024
You can't go wrong with a good Perry Mason.
April 13, 2017
When Vincent Blane's larcenous son-in-law, Jack Hardisty, turns up dead at the family's cabin, Blane hires Perry Mason to look after the interests of Blane's two daughters, Milicent Hardisty (the dead man's widow) and Adele Blane, both of whom were at the cabin around the time that Jack died. At first, Mason isn't very enthusiastic:
Just another day at the office! However, Mason changes his mind when Della gives him a little bit more information about the case:
Mason finds himself with a twisty, confusing case involving an uncooperative client who seems to be hiding something from him, a murder victim whom a lot of people wanted dead, the above-mentioned buried clock, a large sum of stolen money, and an overly ambitious deputy DA who thinks he has a slam dunk case.
The story keeps you guessing till the end. The only person you know for a fact is innocent is Mason's client. The story has not aged, though there are references to the late war (World War II). Gardner has a light touch and a sense of humor. Things never get too grim and as usual, it's a great deal of fun to watch the authorities - including the arrogant Deputy DA McNair - scramble when they realize they've screwed up again.
"...it sounds like a legal chore, one of those uninspiring, routine family murders."
Just another day at the office! However, Mason changes his mind when Della gives him a little bit more information about the case:
"A buried clock," she said, "which is running about twenty-five minutes slow. It's buried somewhere near the cabin where the murder was committed, a small-edition alarm clock in a lacquered box."
He called to Della Street as he grabbed his hat. "The clock does it....Come on. Let's go!"
Mason finds himself with a twisty, confusing case involving an uncooperative client who seems to be hiding something from him, a murder victim whom a lot of people wanted dead, the above-mentioned buried clock, a large sum of stolen money, and an overly ambitious deputy DA who thinks he has a slam dunk case.
The story keeps you guessing till the end. The only person you know for a fact is innocent is Mason's client. The story has not aged, though there are references to the late war (World War II). Gardner has a light touch and a sense of humor. Things never get too grim and as usual, it's a great deal of fun to watch the authorities - including the arrogant Deputy DA McNair - scramble when they realize they've screwed up again.
August 16, 2018
Not my favorite Perry Mason so far (I am reading the series in order). The story is too long, and there are too many central characters. There are also a couple of riffs on sidereal time which I found more or less incomprehensible, though definitely pedantic.
The characterizations, even Mason's, are pretty generic and bland. This one is almost entirely all about plot, and the plot did not engage me as fully as I would have wished.
Finally, the writing is unusually weak, often awkward, and this Gardner lacks the repartee between Mason and others which makes the earlier books lively reading. There is almost no chemistry between him and Della Street (which is partially not bad, since for a change he does not seem to be wooing her). Hamilton Burger is repeatedly described as ponderous.
The least effective character is the assistant district attorney Thomas McNair. He is described as a hotshot from the East, but it is hard to imagine how the person described in this book could have been successful in court. He actually sneers (I mean, who sneers, anyway?) in court half a dozen times, or speaks "sneeringly" (if there is such a word), he smirks and is also described as truculent.
The trial phase of this book actually is more than a quarter of its length, which seemed auspicious, but it is the least interesting trial I have read so far in the series. And the solution to the puzzle is remarkably simple to the extent that I was slightly disappointed. Oh well.
The characterizations, even Mason's, are pretty generic and bland. This one is almost entirely all about plot, and the plot did not engage me as fully as I would have wished.
Finally, the writing is unusually weak, often awkward, and this Gardner lacks the repartee between Mason and others which makes the earlier books lively reading. There is almost no chemistry between him and Della Street (which is partially not bad, since for a change he does not seem to be wooing her). Hamilton Burger is repeatedly described as ponderous.
The least effective character is the assistant district attorney Thomas McNair. He is described as a hotshot from the East, but it is hard to imagine how the person described in this book could have been successful in court. He actually sneers (I mean, who sneers, anyway?) in court half a dozen times, or speaks "sneeringly" (if there is such a word), he smirks and is also described as truculent.
The trial phase of this book actually is more than a quarter of its length, which seemed auspicious, but it is the least interesting trial I have read so far in the series. And the solution to the puzzle is remarkably simple to the extent that I was slightly disappointed. Oh well.
May 17, 2014
A really good Perry Mason mystery. Includes a complex (for me) discussion of sidereal (star) time. And Perry almost outwits himself. Pretty sure this was made into a TV episode.
July 10, 2020
I have been watching the new Perry Mason series on HBO and have found it to be a very different take on the Mason character. It takes place in the early 1930s and Mason is an investigator for an attorney getting involved in a very noirish kidnapping and murder case. The series is very dark and so unlike the Mason that I grew up with -- the TV series starring Raymond Burr -- but I am enjoying it very much and look forward to each new episode.
A few years ago, I bought several hardcover Perry Mason novels at a thrift store for about a dollar apiece. Since I am enjoying the HBO series, I thought I would read one of these to see how they compare. Buried Clock was the oldest of these books written in 1943 during the height of WWII so decided to read it. This is the second Perry Mason that I have ever read (I did read a Mason novel back in the 70s that I really don't remember too well, The Case of the Fabulous Fake).
Buried Clock was very enjoyable but it definitely was more along the lines of the old Raymond Burr series than the current HBO version. Mason gets hired by a wealthy banker, Vincent Blane, when his son-in-law, Jack Hardesty, embezzles $90,000 from a bank where Blane had given him a position. Hardesty is subsequently murdered in a mountain cabin and his wife, Milicent, Blane's daughter, is a suspect. Before the murder occurred, Blane's other daughter, Adele, was visiting the cabin with her friend, Harley Raymand, an injured war veteran and an alarm clock was found buried near the cabin. So what was the clock doing there? Was it somehow tied to the later murder of Hardesty? This is a rather baffling clue for Mason and his PI, Paul Drake. Along with the Blanes, there are other locals that could also be suspects in the murder. It takes Mason pretty much the whole book up to the last chapter to figure out what happened and how the buried clock fit in to the murder.
I enjoyed this one. I liked that it was written during the WWII time period and there were several things that fit into that time period including rationing of automobile tires which turned out to be another clue. Also it was mentioned that they were on Pacific War Time. I guess this was similar to Daylight Saving Time because the time had been moved forward an hour from regular "sun" time. The cars all had clutches and one was started by rolling it down a hill and popping the clutch. I remember doing that when I was in high school in the 60s when my battery had died. Also, they had to drive to find a pay phone. All of this was rather nostalgic. I'll be looking forward to reading more of Gardner's Mason series.
A few years ago, I bought several hardcover Perry Mason novels at a thrift store for about a dollar apiece. Since I am enjoying the HBO series, I thought I would read one of these to see how they compare. Buried Clock was the oldest of these books written in 1943 during the height of WWII so decided to read it. This is the second Perry Mason that I have ever read (I did read a Mason novel back in the 70s that I really don't remember too well, The Case of the Fabulous Fake).
Buried Clock was very enjoyable but it definitely was more along the lines of the old Raymond Burr series than the current HBO version. Mason gets hired by a wealthy banker, Vincent Blane, when his son-in-law, Jack Hardesty, embezzles $90,000 from a bank where Blane had given him a position. Hardesty is subsequently murdered in a mountain cabin and his wife, Milicent, Blane's daughter, is a suspect. Before the murder occurred, Blane's other daughter, Adele, was visiting the cabin with her friend, Harley Raymand, an injured war veteran and an alarm clock was found buried near the cabin. So what was the clock doing there? Was it somehow tied to the later murder of Hardesty? This is a rather baffling clue for Mason and his PI, Paul Drake. Along with the Blanes, there are other locals that could also be suspects in the murder. It takes Mason pretty much the whole book up to the last chapter to figure out what happened and how the buried clock fit in to the murder.
I enjoyed this one. I liked that it was written during the WWII time period and there were several things that fit into that time period including rationing of automobile tires which turned out to be another clue. Also it was mentioned that they were on Pacific War Time. I guess this was similar to Daylight Saving Time because the time had been moved forward an hour from regular "sun" time. The cars all had clutches and one was started by rolling it down a hill and popping the clutch. I remember doing that when I was in high school in the 60s when my battery had died. Also, they had to drive to find a pay phone. All of this was rather nostalgic. I'll be looking forward to reading more of Gardner's Mason series.
January 24, 2020
Well my friends, we are back in the cozy world of Perry Mason, who always wins (OK, maybe there is that one time on TV, but haven't read it yet). And for me, a So. Cal. native, one of the chief charms of this series is a world I vaguely remember. So this is written in 1943, and I was not around yet, but my mom was. She was 15, just moved from Brooklyn to San Pedro, and in her junior year of high school. The war was on, and it was a time of black-outs and rationing, one of which plays a role in this book.
Part of the fun of a Perry Mason book, for me, that does not happen in Los Angeles, is figuring out the pseudonyms. Palm Springs (spoiler alert - my home town) is always Palm Springs, but Bay City is Santa Monica, El Templo is El Centro, etc. So my detective instincts kicked in immediately with this one. Murder happens in mountain cabin? Check. Steep roads and streams? Check. And key plot point is that the crime may have happened in Los Angeles County or Kern County? Bingo, we have a winner! Lockwood Valley. Kenvale, the closest town, is either Frazier Park or Lake of the Woods.
So now we know where we are. (And I do know where we are. This is where we always went to play in the snow when my sons were young.) And one of the clues? One of the cars that went up that mountain road had TWO NEW TIRES! In the mid-war years, that could only mean the owner was not only rich, but was a seriously important person in the community. Alright then!
OK, there was some nonsense about the nature of the clock that was buried, but all that really matters is that Mason actually figured it out four pages from the end, and the killer confessed all two pages from the end, and there you are. Dodged a bullet that time around, Mason, but it was a good ride. I'll allow it.
Part of the fun of a Perry Mason book, for me, that does not happen in Los Angeles, is figuring out the pseudonyms. Palm Springs (spoiler alert - my home town) is always Palm Springs, but Bay City is Santa Monica, El Templo is El Centro, etc. So my detective instincts kicked in immediately with this one. Murder happens in mountain cabin? Check. Steep roads and streams? Check. And key plot point is that the crime may have happened in Los Angeles County or Kern County? Bingo, we have a winner! Lockwood Valley. Kenvale, the closest town, is either Frazier Park or Lake of the Woods.
So now we know where we are. (And I do know where we are. This is where we always went to play in the snow when my sons were young.) And one of the clues? One of the cars that went up that mountain road had TWO NEW TIRES! In the mid-war years, that could only mean the owner was not only rich, but was a seriously important person in the community. Alright then!
OK, there was some nonsense about the nature of the clock that was buried, but all that really matters is that Mason actually figured it out four pages from the end, and the killer confessed all two pages from the end, and there you are. Dodged a bullet that time around, Mason, but it was a good ride. I'll allow it.
June 17, 2022
I pick up Erle Stanley Gardner books when I want something fun to read. There is a certain swashbuckling aura to the protagonist Perry Mason and an old world charm to these detective stories that is so entertaining. My knowledge about old Hollywood movies and its stars are limited and stereotypical at best but I feel like one of these movies is playing in my head when I read a Perry Mason book, especially during the courtroom scenes.
Crime fiction and detective stories take on a whole new meaning in a world where there are no smartphones, GPS, DNA technology or the Internet. So it's all the more enjoyable reading breakdowns of crime scenes, cases, motives and theories when the cops and lawyers don't have almost any of the forensic technology that we do these days. Hence, of course the case against a criminal can only be air-tight if one can manage to get a confession out of them, which Perry Mason always manages to do. The dramatic climaxes, twists and last minute brainstorming sessions among Mason, Della Street and Paul Drake are always so gratifying.
Compared to other books in the Perry Mason series that I have read so far, I feel like the portrayal of women overall was a little less sexist in The Case of the Buried Clock, which did not go unappreciated by me. Set against the backdrop of World War II, the book also manages to touch upon the difficulties of the wartime era for American citizens quite well.
Crime fiction and detective stories take on a whole new meaning in a world where there are no smartphones, GPS, DNA technology or the Internet. So it's all the more enjoyable reading breakdowns of crime scenes, cases, motives and theories when the cops and lawyers don't have almost any of the forensic technology that we do these days. Hence, of course the case against a criminal can only be air-tight if one can manage to get a confession out of them, which Perry Mason always manages to do. The dramatic climaxes, twists and last minute brainstorming sessions among Mason, Della Street and Paul Drake are always so gratifying.
Compared to other books in the Perry Mason series that I have read so far, I feel like the portrayal of women overall was a little less sexist in The Case of the Buried Clock, which did not go unappreciated by me. Set against the backdrop of World War II, the book also manages to touch upon the difficulties of the wartime era for American citizens quite well.
November 23, 2016
This Perry Mason book was a little different other Perry Mason books. The writing style was a little different as Gardner was more descriptive of scenery and locations than previous books. Much of the action takes place at a remote cabin outside Los Angeles. So, Gardner describes the woods, trails, and area around the cabin in colorful detail, instead of describing a crime scene.
The mystery revolves around a body found in the cabin by a vet. The story takes place during WWII and the vet is at the cabin to recover from injuries received in combat. He becomes acquainted with the locals plus the family that owns the cabin. All of them become suspects at one time or another in the book. To add to the mystery, a ticking clock is found buried near the cabin. Perry Mason and Paul Drake are stumped at how the murder occurred and what a buried clock has to do with it.
The whole thing is revealed in the last few pages. The true killer's motives are not explained until those last few pages, so the killer is the last one you would suspect. If you like to solve these murders as you read, you feel a little cheated that you weren't told these clues earlier in the book.
The book is a good read if you like Perry Mason mysteries. And it is interesting with the references to the war and events during that period. So, it makes a good WWII read.
The mystery revolves around a body found in the cabin by a vet. The story takes place during WWII and the vet is at the cabin to recover from injuries received in combat. He becomes acquainted with the locals plus the family that owns the cabin. All of them become suspects at one time or another in the book. To add to the mystery, a ticking clock is found buried near the cabin. Perry Mason and Paul Drake are stumped at how the murder occurred and what a buried clock has to do with it.
The whole thing is revealed in the last few pages. The true killer's motives are not explained until those last few pages, so the killer is the last one you would suspect. If you like to solve these murders as you read, you feel a little cheated that you weren't told these clues earlier in the book.
The book is a good read if you like Perry Mason mysteries. And it is interesting with the references to the war and events during that period. So, it makes a good WWII read.
October 18, 2023
Back to the WW2 era, after having read a few books written much later in the series. I was expecting a breath of fresh air and a taut, well drafted murder mystery. In the end, my high expectations ended up exasperating the multiple disappointments hidden in this way-too-convoluted plot.
My primary qualm is that a lot of activities take place within a short span of time and a lot of characters are involved, without anyone noticing anything suspicious or walking in on others. It points towards a bit of lazy writing and expects complete suspension of disbelief on the readers' behalf. Secondly, there's a lot of attention given to the central plot piece, an alarm clock, which, for no reason, a lot of significance is attached to, even before its relevance to the case is proven. Thirdly, I am woefully lacking in understanding of the gadgets of that time(early 1940s), making the eventual reveal less satisfying. There are a few plot holes that I could talk about, but I will avoid them to keep the review bereft of any spoilers.
My primary qualm is that a lot of activities take place within a short span of time and a lot of characters are involved, without anyone noticing anything suspicious or walking in on others. It points towards a bit of lazy writing and expects complete suspension of disbelief on the readers' behalf. Secondly, there's a lot of attention given to the central plot piece, an alarm clock, which, for no reason, a lot of significance is attached to, even before its relevance to the case is proven. Thirdly, I am woefully lacking in understanding of the gadgets of that time(early 1940s), making the eventual reveal less satisfying. There are a few plot holes that I could talk about, but I will avoid them to keep the review bereft of any spoilers.
June 24, 2019
I'm on a quest to read more of the classic authors of the mystery genre. This is my first read of Erle Stanley Gardner's Perry Mason mysteries, so I'm acquainting myself with his writing style ... so different from the writing style for the television series and from today's style of writing. It's also very interesting to note the differences in social norms, etc. due to when the books were written ... the 1930s and 1940s.
April 10, 2021
This is a good one. Written sometime during WWII. In this one Mason finds a clock buried in the ground beside the rock he is sitting on. And it's somehow involved with the murders that come along. The clock is almost a red-herring, sending Mason along on a mad trail that is exactly opposite where he should be.
A case where Mason out-thinks himself. Interesting.
A case where Mason out-thinks himself. Interesting.
August 21, 2021
Deception That Leads to Murder
There is no honor among thieves. Especially when it concerns ninety thousand dollars. From the beginning, it appeared the case was sealed shut but Perry just blew it straight it out the water.
Nothing like a good, classic mystery that still have you turning pages. Especially when something has Perry Mason stumped.
There is no honor among thieves. Especially when it concerns ninety thousand dollars. From the beginning, it appeared the case was sealed shut but Perry just blew it straight it out the water.
Nothing like a good, classic mystery that still have you turning pages. Especially when something has Perry Mason stumped.
December 26, 2018
Overloaded with characters and alibis, this dizzying mystery showcases Erle Stanley Gardner at his best. Faced with a cavalcade of incongruous facts, Perry Mason is brought as close to the brink of failure as any courtroom drama he has faced.
March 22, 2017
Mystery - Perry Mason series
January 11, 2022
Less court time than usual but as always ticks the boxes for an entertaining read
December 2, 2023
An okay Perry Mason story. Unusual for the series, this begins with the other characters, showing the set up and then the discovery of a dead body. Perry Mason gets involved, and begins his typical duel with the police (just once I'd like to see him working with and getting along with the cops, they aren't the prosecution and are not the enemy of the defense).
A body is found in a cabin, a clock is found partly buried, and a list of suspects shows up. Mason is hired to help a banker deal with an extortionist and embezzler, but ends up (without at any point apparently being hired by anyone) defending the chief suspect. For some reason the police do not at any point suspect the man who woke up in the cabin with the dead body.
The clock features pretty strongly in the story but in a way that for the most of the book is deliberately misleading but the actual suspect wasn't tough to spot. Things are absurdly complicated and messy, but Perry works it out in the end at the last moment, then explains how he had it figured out earlier than that despite being clearly worried he had no case.
A body is found in a cabin, a clock is found partly buried, and a list of suspects shows up. Mason is hired to help a banker deal with an extortionist and embezzler, but ends up (without at any point apparently being hired by anyone) defending the chief suspect. For some reason the police do not at any point suspect the man who woke up in the cabin with the dead body.
The clock features pretty strongly in the story but in a way that for the most of the book is deliberately misleading but the actual suspect wasn't tough to spot. Things are absurdly complicated and messy, but Perry works it out in the end at the last moment, then explains how he had it figured out earlier than that despite being clearly worried he had no case.
November 25, 2024
My husband and I have been reading through the Perry Mason books in chronological order but this one really fell flat for me. All of his books are convoluted with lots of red herrings--I expect that and enjoy it. This one was ridiculously abstruse but beyond that, if it wasn't for a couple of Deus ex Machina in the last two chapters, the entire mystery would never have been solved. A completely new character with important evidence shows up by happenstance at the end, and then a detail comes out at the trial that stuns everyone but left me saying, "huh??" It's all explained in the last chapter but certainly not to my satisfaction. This was the rare story that I actually felt the TV show did better because it cleaned up the weird loose ends, got rid of a lot of extraneous characters, and was actually a better solution, I felt.
I've really been enjoying this series but this one just left me shaking my head.
I've really been enjoying this series but this one just left me shaking my head.
December 14, 2023
An Intriguing Red Herring
The solution wasn’t a mystery to me because I had read the book more than 60 years ago and recalled the name of the killer. However, I couldn’t remember anything about the plot or how the buried clock figured into it.
It’s fascinating discovering how all the clues fit together.
The solution wasn’t a mystery to me because I had read the book more than 60 years ago and recalled the name of the killer. However, I couldn’t remember anything about the plot or how the buried clock figured into it.
It’s fascinating discovering how all the clues fit together.
May 16, 2024
I found myself getting a little bored with most of the main or important characters, of which there are many. It feels like a lack of development in some scenes. Despite that, I did get into the story and enjoyed the twisty ending. Parts of the plot felt a bit like filler. Still, for fans, it’s one of the good ones.
January 2, 2025
I liked the amateur sleuth, Harley Raymand. His character was interesting and his role was over too soon for me.
It was funny that Perry got tripped up by his own extrapolations. I can't say more than that without giving it away but it all has something to do with a clock.
The ending was quite simple for a Perry Mason story.
It was funny that Perry got tripped up by his own extrapolations. I can't say more than that without giving it away but it all has something to do with a clock.
The ending was quite simple for a Perry Mason story.
May 12, 2024
sidereal time
Mason explained it twice, and I think I was beginning to understand. But was the time the clock was set to, sidereal time - or something else? Even Mason doesn’t it figure out till it’s nearly too late. You decide how the couples sort put at the end.
Mason explained it twice, and I think I was beginning to understand. But was the time the clock was set to, sidereal time - or something else? Even Mason doesn’t it figure out till it’s nearly too late. You decide how the couples sort put at the end.
October 7, 2024
Twisty and Mysterious
I forgot how this plot varied drastically in comparison to the tv series. The buried clock enters in the beginning of the book. In the show the clock enters in the end.
I forgot how this plot varied drastically in comparison to the tv series. The buried clock enters in the beginning of the book. In the show the clock enters in the end.
April 30, 2025
Perry Mason defends woman accused of her husband murder. Buried clock found near the murder scene confuses him, but he solves the mystery just in time. I wish there would be more court proceedings and less Perry Mason playing PI, but I guess that's how all these books are structured.
August 4, 2025
Why would someone bury a clock near a family cabin? And why was the time wrong?
Solving this case will involve wrong turns, mixed up evidence, a client who won't even talk to her lawyer, and the brilliant (if occasionally confused by his own tampering with the case) mind of Perry Mason.
Solving this case will involve wrong turns, mixed up evidence, a client who won't even talk to her lawyer, and the brilliant (if occasionally confused by his own tampering with the case) mind of Perry Mason.
September 12, 2024
Always leaves you guessing ...
April 10, 2025
3.5 Stars. It was the 1st Perry Mason story I've read. It was highly entertaining, enough so to keep me interested. I enjoyed this.
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