The Case of the Drowsy Mosquito (Perry Mason, #23) in Perry Mason

Sep 16, 2014 Bob rated it liked it

Shelves: mystery

Over the last thirty-five years I've read all of the Mason novels at least once, and most several times. This one was written during the War Years (1943), 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 any more.

Gardner was never a really good writer in the literary sense, Over the last thirty-five years I've read all of the Mason novels at least once, and most several times. This one was written during the War Years (1943), 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 any more.

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. This book has several wonderful evocative descriptions of the desert, a habitat that Gardner knew well and loved. It shows in his writing.

The plot here is centered on a pair of old desert gold prospectors. A number of years earlier they struck it rich. One, Salty Bowers, quickly ran thorough most of his money. The other, Banning Clarke, wisely invested his and became wealthier. He got married, but his wife died after only a few years. He owns a large house and estate. He and Salty are still good friends. Clarke is ill with a heart condition, and Salty is trying to get him well by having him sleep outside, not inside his nice house where it is too "soft."

The plot becomes very complicated quickly with the introduction of a lot of characters: Clarke's mother-in-law and her son, a nurse (for Clarke) and housekeeper, the house-keeper's husband, a doctor, a mining agent, a lawyer. There is a complicated story about a lost mine (which actually exists) and a swindle involving some other mines. Frankly, I found it too complicated to really follow.

Soon four people are poisoned with arsenic, including Perry and Della! They recover, but a bit later Clarke does not. It's murder. Clarke was both poisoned and shot! If that's not enough, there are two wills and a stock certificate that Mason forges Clarke's name to. It seemed innocent at first, but soon Mason is in trouble for it.

Drowsy mosquito? The nurse is awakened during the night by an odd buzzing sound that she takes for a mosquito flying around in her room. But it's really something else.

Lieutenant Tragg and Paul Drake are in it only briefly. No Hamilton Burger, no courtroom scenes, although there is the taking of a deposition, an unfriendly local sheriff, and a friendly local DA.

Notable indeed is that Perry proposes to Della near the end! She declines, saying she wants to remain his secretary and not become a stay-at-home wife with a family.

This is one of the few Mason novels (from before 1960) that I really didn't like. It's too complex, has too many characters, and none of them are all that sympathetic. Mason never has a client who's accused of murder! Recommended only for the descriptions of the desert. ...more

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May 05, 2019 Richa rated it liked it · review of another edition

One of the few cases where Mason is an incidental lawyer. He is a detective here who just happens to be in the legal profession. There are no courtroom examinations and no arrests. It almost seems like just another whodunit! Nevertheless, the case is interesting and fast moving with a plausible, if predictable, end that Mason very adroitly serves up, finished and well garnished, for the reader and the official detective to partake (a la Hercule Poirot or Sherlock Holmes or Agatha Christie to nam ...more

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Oct 31, 2014 Evelyn rated it liked it

Shelves: mystery

This is one of the longest, most verbose Perry Mason mysteries that I have read. It is also notable for the absence of any court room scenes and that most of the investigation is undertaken by Perry Mason with the assistance of Della Street; Paul Drake makes a brief appearance and unlike the other mysteries, his character is not fleshed out. It takes some time to get into the story, but once one does, it is fairly interesting. The novel written in the 1940s appears to be transitioning from the e ...more

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