A young woman named Daphne Shelby appears in Perry Mason's office asking for help. Upon returning from a six month trip to the Orient, she finds a letter waiting for her from her uncle. Until the trip, she had cared lovingly for her wealthy uncle. The letter tells her to contact Mason and not to return home. Enclosed in the letter is a check she is to cash as soon as she can. When she goes to the bank she discovers that a half-brother and his wife have taken control of the uncle's fortune and committed him to an institution claiming he is unable to manage his affairs. The checking account is closed. Daphne finds herself penniless and is told to move her belongings from the house. Convinced that her uncle is as mentally competent as when she left she asks Mason for help.
I love vintage mysteries and, in particular, the Perry Mason series. This is one of the best I've read. It's complex and full of surprises often unearthed in court. The enscounced relatives tell the court that Daphne isn't the uncle's niece. She is the illegitimate daughter of his deceased housekeeper but that is only half the story which the reader discovers at the novel's close. Her uncle was drugged so that he appeared unbalanced, verifying the claim that he can no longer manage his affairs.
Using the Drake detective agency, Perry and Della Street work to find the answers. When a murder occurs, Daphne becomes the number one suspect. Furthermore, Mason finds Daphne is a difficult client. She kidnaps her uncle and takes other actions that keep him in the dark and make his investigation difficult. Still believing in her innocence he persists. With the help of Lt. Tragg of Homicide, the plot is uncovered.
I love vintage mysteries and, in particular, the Perry Mason series. This is one of the best I've read. It's complex and full of surprises often unearthed in court. The enscounced relatives tell the court that Daphne isn't the uncle's niece. She is the illegitimate daughter of his deceased housekeeper but that is only half the story which the reader discovers at the novel's close. Her uncle was drugged so that he appeared unbalanced, verifying the claim that he can no longer manage his affairs.
Using the Drake detective agency, Perry and Della Street work to find the answers. When a murder occurs, Daphne becomes the number one suspect. Furthermore, Mason finds Daphne is a difficult client. She kidnaps her uncle and takes other actions that keep him in the dark and make his investigation difficult. Still believing in her innocence he persists. With the help of Lt. Tragg of Homicide, the plot is uncovered.
