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stevem0214's review against another edition
5.0
I love reading these old books! You almost always know how it's going to end, but it's the journey that makes them great!
tobyyy's review against another edition
4.0
This was the first Perry Mason book I've read, and I have to say, I enjoyed it quite a bit! It was humorous, and although it took me a bit to figure out the character-type of Perry Mason (kind of in D&D style - i.e., lawful/neutral/chaotic good/neutral/evil), I did get into the swing of the story eventually.
It is a bit dated, but it's not like I wasn't expecting that, since I knew that Gardner wrote Perry Mason novels from the early 1930s to the mid 1970s. This particular novel was published in 1965 and reflects views/stereotypes that I expect coming from that time. I did read a few reviews of The Case of the Beautiful Beggar prior to writing my own review, and there was a reviewer who said that there was (my words, not his/hers) some swearing and indecent exposure. I have absolutely no idea what that was referring to. I can't recall any swearing in particular, which doesn't mean a whole lot since swearing only catches my attention if the F-bomb is dropped every other sentence or so, but intellectually I know that really the only swear word seen in popular books in the 1960s was "damn" (and related "mild" swear words). And IMO there wasn't anything inappropriate or indecent... so anyway. Just wanted to throw that out there because I found it curious.
I'm on vacation right now and will have a lot of time to read tomorrow when I'm flying home/in layovers at the airport, so maybe I can finish the other Perry Mason book I packed! :)
It is a bit dated, but it's not like I wasn't expecting that, since I knew that Gardner wrote Perry Mason novels from the early 1930s to the mid 1970s. This particular novel was published in 1965 and reflects views/stereotypes that I expect coming from that time. I did read a few reviews of The Case of the Beautiful Beggar prior to writing my own review, and there was a reviewer who said that there was (my words, not his/hers) some swearing and indecent exposure. I have absolutely no idea what that was referring to. I can't recall any swearing in particular, which doesn't mean a whole lot since swearing only catches my attention if the F-bomb is dropped every other sentence or so, but intellectually I know that really the only swear word seen in popular books in the 1960s was "damn" (and related "mild" swear words). And IMO there wasn't anything inappropriate or indecent... so anyway. Just wanted to throw that out there because I found it curious.
I'm on vacation right now and will have a lot of time to read tomorrow when I'm flying home/in layovers at the airport, so maybe I can finish the other Perry Mason book I packed! :)
madisonreadsbooks's review against another edition
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
mindsplinters's review against another edition
3.0
I always love any time I can watch Perry, Della, and Paul hang out and be adorable and charming. Even when they're being a bit stage-y. Even when the client is a bit dippy. This was a fast, fun read with plenty of twists and turns and some of those good old "Dammit, Perry, you're gonna get yourself arrested" hijinks... And who doesn't love those?
inkweed's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.75
stephang18's review
3.0
I was surprised at how much dialogue and how little action there was. The book reads exactly like the TV series.
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