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Title: The Case of the Hesitant Hostess

Subtitle: Perry Mason, Book 41

Author: Erle Stanley Gardner

Narrator: Alexander Cendese

Format: Unabridged

Length: 6 hrs and 15 mins

Language: English

Release date: 01-09-17

Publisher: Brilliance Audio

Ratings: 5 of 5 out of 5 votes

Genres: Mysteries & Thrillers, Classic Detective

Publisher's Summary:

Perry Mason had no hesitation in defending Albert Brogan, a broke ex-salesman against a charge of robbery. He's counting on the testimony of the nightclub hostess Martha Lavina to clear him. She had most of the requirements for a good professional hostess, and one was an innocent face. That, plus various other attractions, made her a formidable challenge as she faced Perry Mason on the witness stand. She was also deadly clever and she held the jury spellbound. When Mason sprang his bombshell they stayed that way, for the hoped-for explosion was a dud.

That was just the beginning of a smashing, freewheeling attack with no holds barred on either side. Then another hostess, his key witness, fled. Failure to find the missing witness in forty-eight hours could cost an innocent man his liberty and his life, when the prosecution serves up a shocking new charge of murder. But the high-tailing hostess has a host of her own secrets, and a cast of shady characters - from Los Angeles to Las Vegas. She seems determined to keep them and herself hidden. It all leads Perry Mason down the trail of an amazing crime that might have gone undetected.

Members Reviews:

Perry's client is found guilty, but only before Perry is on the case

So there is an interesting discussion regarding double jeopardy. This is a confusing case since we are not sure who the victim is and there are 4 competing theories of guilt with a different murderer and sometimes different victim in each. And the title is puzzling. Who is the lucky loser? I guess it is Perry's client who loses his case then is lucky to get Perry as a lawyer. But since Gardner introduces characters and plotlines, then loses them, maybe the lucky loser is the reader.

The Hesitant Hostess

I enjoyed reading this book. The way Perry Mason would not give up on his client even though he was not being paid to defend him. He knew that was not guilty.

Another perry mason puzzle.

Here is another great mystery with many twists.

I don't know how the author thinks up all the many twists in his mysteries, bit I ejoy them all and you will to.

Not quite right

There is something wrong with this book. Either Gardner was writing on a word count or the characters were not talking to him. In any case every other line seems to have been repeated half a dozen times, the plot was a 5-minute idea that did not work on any level and the attempt at characterization (Dell's and Perry in Las Vegas) with a public report they were to be married was tossed out like a bone. After a brief congratulations from Paul, the matter was utterly dropped. Also, the typesetting or e-book conversion was especially bad. There is no excuse for this type of sloppiness (Harry and Hairy, for example) or dialogue running into the next quote so you cannot follow who is speaking. A poor effort all the way around.

Always an intriguing read.

Although this was not my favorite of Gardner's, I have never read one of his books that I regretted the value of the purchase. Like all of his Perry Mason books, this one keeps your brain churning until the very end, and then fills in a lot of blanks all at once. Although I did not look at the publication date, it appeared to be one of his earlier novels--not as polished as most--but it is always a good read for fans familiar with and devoted to his works and his cast of characters.