The Case Of The Careless Cupid

Perry Mason #79

by Erle Stanley Gardner

Selma Arlington is engaged to a wealthy widower. His heirs don’t want him to tie the knot. Perry Mason is asked by Selma to prove she is neither a gold digger nor a murderer of her first husband, but incriminating evidence comes to light.

Genres: Mystery, Crime, Fiction, Detective, Legal, Thriller, Classics

180 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 1968

About the author

Erle 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...

Reviews

[Mai · Rating 4 out of 5]

Crafty

This one was a delightful surprise. It had so many layers of emotion woven together in just the right way , subtle but effective. I really appreciated how gently the main suspect was treated; she came across as a kind, well-mannered woman, and that added a touch of warmth to the entire story.

What truly elevated the book, though, was the brilliant craftsmanship behind the case. The amount of trickery, clever setups, and classic Perry Mason twists that Erle Stanley Gardner packed in? Chef’s kiss. It made the experience so much richer and a lot more fun to read.

A cozy case with a wicked edge and I loved every bit of it.

[Newly Wardell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I freaking love Perry Mason novels. At some point we will acknowledge that every fictional defense attorney willing to go above and beyond to prove their clients innocence is a shadow of Perry Mason. I'm looking at you Jake Brigance to Phoenix Wright all of them. Boy were the decks ever stacked against him in this one. I was hooked from the end of the first chapter. No one creates characters like Erle Stanley Gardner. No one! Chapter 1 A woman finishes her breakfast and an unassuming guy finishes his as well and follows her out of the dining room. They get in the hallway. She pause turns to dude and basically say I have noticed you following me. I don't appreciate it. If you don't stop I'm gonna slap you and every time I see you after today I'm gonna slap you. He say you better get a lawyer cause I'll sue you. He run away and then she go see Perry Mason because she might have to slap somebody. It gets even crazier after this. Just entertainment from the first page to the last. Perry and the incomparable Della Street gotta go all the way to Texas in this one

[Sharon Barrow Wilfong · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great Perry Mason. I gobble these up so rapidly it's a wonder I don't get heartburn. Luckily, books don't give you heartburn and Mason novels aren't Jane Austin to be savored and contemplated. They are that bowl of Hershey chocolates that you really shouldn't be scarfing down but can't stop, which is why I was able to run through this story in one sitting.

The plot: A distressed woman comes to Mason (aren't they always distressed woman?) because of a complicated situation. She is in love with and engaged to be married to man who is wealthy and also has a gaggle of nieces and nephews who are jealously guarding their Uncle against any gold diggers.

Mrs. Anson is a widow, wealthy in her own right, and is not a gold digger but that has not stopped at least one niece and her fiance from attempting to sabotage Mrs. Anson's plans to marry the Uncle whose name is Mr. Anderson.

How do they go about this? Mrs. Anson's husband died the previous year from food poisoning at a party given by Mr. Anderson due to a crab salad that had been left out all afternoon in warm weather. All the party got food poisoning, which included Mr. Anderson, Mrs. Anson and the nieces and nephews, but only Mrs. Anson's husband died from it.

Or did he? The niece and her fiance say they believe that Mrs. Anson killed her husband and demand that the body be exhumed and examined for poisoning. Because the insurance company would get back the sizeable settlement received by Mrs. Anson, they are more than willing to pursue an investigation. The body is exhumed and sure enough, traces of arsenic are found.

Did Mrs. Anson kill her husband? Perry Mason is going to find out. What follows is an interesting thread on how detectives work through shadowing and what the actual purpose of lie detectors are for as well as how a crime trial is operated through prosecution and defense.

While Mason's mysteries might be a little formulaic, they are certainly satisfying and the best part is how Gardner describes the legal system and function of each player in that system.

Finally I can gobble as much Mason as I want and never get fat.

[Girard Bowe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another reliable entry in the Perry Mason ouevre. They make nice palate cleansers between weightier tomes. The later books are better than the much earlier ones, though those are enjoyable too. This is 79th of 82. I can also recommend Gardner's Cool & Lam series.

[Richa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this one. Really liked it, even though the trial part wasn't much. This one had a nice long explanation provided about the polygraph test. One of my reasons for getting hooked to this series was the way Gardner educates or informs about legal practice and terminology in a nice, easy to understand, tale narrative. He makes it really simple for lay people and also legal professionals, to understand quite a few technicalities. Some of the books in the series are whodunnits simpliciter, but once in a while, you get a book that is a little different. I will say that this one is among the little different category.

[Yue · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was nice that in this one the murderers were kind of obvious right from the beginning. There is actually no mystery about who were the killers, or why they did it but how it happened. Selma Anson was accused of murdered her husband. Delane Arlington's nephews and nieces were expecting to inherit his money, but he fell in love with Selma. So of course one of them wanted to incriminate her. I read this one faster than the previous one.

Read in Spanish.

[ben · Rating 4 out of 5]

My first Perry Mason story and this one was quite good. I love the feel of older novels that give a glimpse into how things were back in the day, and the speed of this one keeps the action moving as you might not expect a lawyer story to be. I am definitely looking forward to the other stories I have by this author and recommend to anyone who enjoys a good crime or mystery novel.

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one was good, but I was able to guess the mystery pretty early. Still love these mysteries though because you can read them in an afternoon and they are not violent or have a ton of sex. I like those novels too but it is nice to take a break.

[Bailey Marissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

An intriguing story that is not only complicated but also involves Perry pulling some stunts with human psychology and a polygraph test.

Recommended 13+ for murder, language, poisoning, and mild romance from secondary characters.

[Daniele Palma · Rating 4 out of 5]

Il mio primo Mason, ero sempre titubante a leggerne in quanto mi ricordavo la serie televisiva che vista da bambino mi pareva molto noiosa, invece devo sostenere che il libro è molto bello, il racconto intelligente ma non un rompicapo estremo è piacevole, si legge in un paio di giorni e si rimane incollati alle pagine come spesso accade con gli scrittori americani.
Spesso penso che leggendo gli americani ci si privi di contenuti complessi, introspezioni russe avvolte nel gelo e protette da cappottoni e colbacconi fatte lungo le vie semi oscure di una citta... Però servono anche gli americani, del sole, dell'estate permanente, del vince sempre il buono...
Son belli tutti... Adoro leggere

[WT Sharpe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Happily this was much better than the last Mason I read. Very enjoyable.

[Ed · Rating 4 out of 5]

#79 in the Perry Mason series. Widow Selma is afraid to wed rich widower, Delane Arlington , because of the enmity of his nieces and nephews. Selma is accused of insurance fraud in the case of her husband's death and the fiancé of on e of Delane's nieces scares her into fleeing the state. Perry catches on and, beating Lt. Tragg to El Paso, manages to turn her trip from a flight to a publicized trip for philanthropic purposes. She still winds up being prosecuted for premeditated murder. But in pointing out the hopelessness of her case, Perry is asked "Who else had a reason to poison her husband?" When the question is answered "No one", a light goes on and the case is on its way to a successful conclusion.

Perry Mason series - A woman whose husband dies as a result of tainted crab salad is accused of poisoning her him with arsenic. She was a bird watcher who had progressed to trapping, killing and mounting species - a hobby she developed to fill her time because her husband was gone so often. The product she used was called Featherfirm and was loaded with arsenic. To complicate matters, she falls in love with the man at whose home her husband is poisoned. The man is wealthy, single, and lives with nieces and nephews, some of whom fear that he will marry the woman and leave his wealth to his new wife rather than to them. Did the woman murder her husband for his insurance or did someone else? The case against her looks rock solid but Perry Mason believes that she is innocent and is determined to help her.

[Rusty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Erle Stanley Gardner is one of my favorite mystery writers. He is so clever when it comes to writing a unique mystery tale. In this one, a woman whose husband dies as a result of tainted crab salad is accused of poisoning her him with arsenic. She was a bird watcher who had progressed to trapping, killing and mounting species - a hobby she developed to fill her time because her husband was gone so often. The product she use was called Featherfirm and was loaded with arsenic. To complicate matters, she falls in love with the man at whose home her husband is poisoned. The man is wealthy, single, and lives with nieces and nephews, some of whom fear that he will marry the woman and leave his wealth to his new wife rather than to them. Did the woman murder her husband for his insurance or did someone else? The case against her looks rock solid but Perry Mason believes that she is innocent and is determined to help her.

[👀 · Rating 5 out of 5]

"It was a sorry day for law enforcement when Perry Mason was admitted to the bar." Indeed it was. When a wealthy widow Selma Anson spots the same man everywhere she goes, she decides to confront him. She doesn't end up going to Mason's office because of accidental killing of the "detective," but to make sure she in the clear if she should punch him in the face anytime in the future.
I really enjoyed reading it, even though I've just discovered I'd already read it few years ago. Perry is on top of his game. There're some intrigues, plot twists, poisoning, fast thinking, fortune hunters and pretty nice trial scenes even though they're relatively short.

[Chazzi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a big fan of Perry Mason, the original in print and Raymond Burr from the TV series.

This case involves a widow and the suspicion that she poisoned her husband over a year ago to get the payout on his life insurance.

Who started this rumour? Is it true? Why was it started?

Selma Anson hires Perry Mason to help solve these questions and more. Along with his secretary, Della Street, and P.I. Paul Drake, Mason comes through in true style.

[Robert A Keene · Rating 4 out of 5]

This 1968 late Erle Stanley Gardner was far better than I anticipated. I do like the earlier Perry Mason books better, but this held my interest to the end, mostly trying to figure out how he would get this woman off when so much evidence was against her.

[Karan Shah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Erle Stanley Gardner is my favorite mystery murder writer.
His books are very fast paced and witty. This book is one of his best

[Girish · Rating 2 out of 5]

Perry Mason at his theatrical best. Gets into a bit of lecture mode in the middle, but all ingredients of Perry Mason.
Simple, non complicated read.

[Snowynight · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting comfortable read

[James Vest · Rating 4 out of 5]

A solid entry into the Perry Mason cannon, but ultimately, a pretty straightforward dash to the truth.

[Serdar Poirot · Rating 3 out of 5]

Selma Arson adında bir kadın aylar önce kocası ölmüş, onun sigortasından kalan parayı iyice değerlendirmiş ve şu anda Delane Arlington ile yakınlaşmış bir kadındır. Biri süreki onu takip eder ve devam ederse ona tokat atacağını söyler. O da Mason'a gelir. Mason Paul Drake ile araştırma yapar ve takipçiyi Delane'nin yeğeni olan Mildred'in nişanlısının tuttuğunu öğrenir. Selma'nın kocası Delane'nin barbekü partisinde zehirlenip ölmüştür. Buna yengeç salatası sebep olmuştur. En başta gıda zehirlenmesi olduğu sanılır ama sonra arsenik ile öldürüldüğü ortaya çıkar. Selma bunu duyunca uçakla başka bir yere gider. Mason onu takip eder ve kaçıyormuş gibi görünmesin diye oteldeki genç girişimcilere bağışta bulunuyor gibi gösterir. Otele gelen Tragg bu akıllıca manevra yüzünden onu sorgulayamaz. Döndüklerinde de bir yalan Makinası testine sokar ve burada Selma'nın doğru söylediğini söyler test yapan. Ancak Tragg yine de tutukla onu. Mason kefalet ile serbest kalmasını sağlar. Burada Daphne Arlington yani diğer yeğen, Selma aleyhine delil üretileceğini söyler. Selma kuş doldurmak için arsenik almıştır. Ve gerçekten de arsenik dolu bir kap ele geçer barbekünün saklandığı odada. Mason çaktırmadan Delane ve Selma evlenirse Selma aleyhimde ifade veremeyeceğini söyler. Kefalet geçerli olduğu için Selma ve Delane evlenir. Peki arsenik kutusunu kim koymuştur? Bill Arson neden zehirlenmiştir? Yoksa biri Delane'yi mi öldürmek istemiştir o akşam? Mason bu olayı çözebilecek midir? Keyifle okunan bir roman.

[Tom Donaghey · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Case of the Careless Cupid (1968) (P. Mason #73) by Erle Stanley Gardner. There is some really great information about the polygraph testing that happens in this book. There is also a dedication to a top Forensic Pathologist in Texas, Mr. John Pilcher.
What happens when an older rich man falls in love with an attractive, wealthy widowed woman? As this is a Perry Mason book there is certain to be a crime. And as the man has nieces and nephews and their spouses, it too is certain that hatred hides behind every smile and gesture from them.
Selma Ansom is the widow. Her husband died from food poisoning while she and he were attending a barbecue dinner at the home of Dee Anderson, the rich man. Now a year later when there are sparks of romance between the two, the Anderson’s expectant heirs are doing their best to insinuate Mrs. Ansom used the crab salad to kill Mr. Ansom, making certain all the family was a little poisoned so as to hide the true crime.
She turns to Mason and the fun begins.
She does stupid things. Incriminating evidence is found by the family that points the finger of blame directly at her. Things look dim, even for the great Perry Mason as the evidence mounts. And the insurance company that paid out a $100,000 settlement to the widow is prying into all kinds of secrets,
Can true love survive this onslaught of hatred, even when it is Dee himself who finds the final evidential nail for her coffin, or can they manage to make it through together?
Well, I think you know the answer.

[Shalini M · Rating 2 out of 5]

This must be one of the blandest Perry Mason novels (and I have read them all, many of them recently, and a lot of them several times more than two decades ago).
There was hardly any tension; I kept expecting some key character turning up murdered, in the typical Gardner manner, but no ... not a single interesting event in the current timeline. The client resorting to flight, and Mason going plane-hopping to chase the client (in their own interests of course), is a prop too often used. The matter with the 'shadow' and the 'roper' was disposed off without a suitable conclusion. But the deciding blow was the murder itself - the 'who' and 'how' was rather obvious, but the 'why' was not given the due importance - the only reason seemed to be greed, which is not a sufficiently motivating factor for murder, at least in this kind of murder mysteries.

[Marina Gerrard · Rating 4 out of 5]

There is a kind of mystery that, as I say goes, in one eye and out the other. No disrespect meant. I love them. They're very easy on the eye ;-) The good thing is because I never remember who dunnit, I can read them again and again.
I'm sure I've read every single one of ESG's books in the past. Now I'm ready to go over them again one by one. I recently started with The Case of the Careless Cupid. Boy, did I enjoy it! I'm sure at some point the rest will follow!

[Kieran McAndrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Selma Arlington sees someone following her and threatens to punch him in the face if she sees him again. She decides to check with renowned lawyer Perry Mason what the ramifications of such a threat would be and suddenly she finds herself embroiled in a murder case.

Gardner's mystery thriller leaves readers guessing until almost the last page, safe in the knowledge that Mason will unmask the true culprit in court.

[Danny Reid · Rating 3 out of 5]

One of Gardner's more careless entries sees Mason sitting behind his desk entirely for the first third of the book. Even when he leaves, we get a tourist's view of El Paso for some reason? The book picks up near the end, even if it's never much of a mystery, but overall its one of the weaker Mason novels.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a terrific mystery and Perry Mason goes out of his way in this one to be more and more outrageous in his attempts to protect his client. He’s really skirting the law. A lot of characters appear in this plot, which makes it all the more interesting for readers of mysteries who like to figure out who-done-it.

[John Bunyan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty good story with some elements that differ from the repetitive elements found in many of the books.
The Perry and Della dynamic is so bland in the later stories - no spark there anymore.
This story also lacks the epilogue follow up (after the dramatic courtroom revelation) where Perry, Della, Paul and sometimes the client celebrate.

[Christopher Rowland · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the story, but a little appalled that an insurance company could claim the amazing investment earnings achieved by the defendant instead of perhaps simply the principal with interest. Left me wondering whether the law still allows that 50 years later.

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Perfect cozy read for me. I love figuring things out with Mason. This is one where I did have it figured out before the end but I still enjoyed it!