{"product_id":"the-case-of-the-velvet-claws-by-erle-stanley-gardner","title":"The Case Of The Velvet Claws by Erle Stanley Gardner [rare books]","description":"\u003ch2 data-start=\"124\" data-end=\"171\"\u003eBook Summary: \u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"173\" data-end=\"372\"\u003e\u003cem data-start=\"173\" data-end=\"203\"\u003eThe Case of the Velvet Claws\u003c\/em\u003e (1933) is the first novel in the Perry Mason series, introducing the character of Perry Mason, the criminal defence lawyer‑sleuth. \u003cspan class=\"\" data-state=\"closed\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"ms-1 inline-flex max-w-full items-center relative top-[-0.094rem] animate-[show_150ms_ease-in]\" data-testid=\"webpage-citation-pill\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"374\" data-end=\"920\"\u003eThe plot begins when a woman calling herself \u003cstrong data-start=\"419\" data-end=\"434\"\u003eEva Griffin\u003c\/strong\u003e comes to Perry Mason seeking help. She fears a scandal sheet called \u003cem data-start=\"503\" data-end=\"515\"\u003eSpicy Bits\u003c\/em\u003e will publish photographs of her leaving an illegal gambling club with a prominent politician, Harrison Burke, which could ruin her. She offers hush money and asks Mason to intervene. Mason takes on the case, only to discover that Eva Griffin is not who she claims — her real name is Eva Belter, and the publisher she fears is actually her own husband, George Belter. \u003cspan class=\"\" data-state=\"closed\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"ms-1 inline-flex max-w-full items-center relative top-[-0.094rem] animate-[show_150ms_ease-in]\" data-testid=\"webpage-citation-pill\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"922\" data-end=\"1339\"\u003eAs the mystery unfolds, George Belter is found murdered, and Perry Mason becomes himself a suspect. Mason must untangle a web of deception, false identities, blackmail, and betrayal. Alongside his loyal secretary Della Street and the detective Paul Drake, Mason pursues clues, confronts lies, and uses legal strategy and detective work to clear his name and find the true killer. \u003cspan class=\"\" data-state=\"closed\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"ms-1 inline-flex max-w-full items-center relative top-[-0.094rem] animate-[show_150ms_ease-in]\" data-testid=\"webpage-citation-pill\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1341\" data-end=\"1738\"\u003eThis book establishes themes that recur in the series: courtroom drama, the ethical (and sometimes murky) boundaries of legal defense, the role of justice versus public image, and Perry Mason’s drive to uncover truth. It also shows a somewhat different, younger version of Mason than in later books — some of his later iconic traits are still being developed. \u003cspan class=\"\" data-state=\"closed\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"ms-1 inline-flex max-w-full items-center relative top-[-0.094rem] animate-[show_150ms_ease-in]\" data-testid=\"webpage-citation-pill\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 data-start=\"1745\" data-end=\"1786\"\u003eAbout the Author: \u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1788\" data-end=\"2540\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eErle Stanley Gardner\u003c\/strong\u003e (1889‑1970) was an American lawyer-turned-authors, best known for creating Perry Mason, one of the most enduring characters in detective fiction. Born in Malden, Massachusetts, he spent part of his youth in the West during periods of family moves (including in California) and became a lawyer in California in 1911, often defending the disenfranchised (like Chinese and Mexican immigrants) in trial courts. He began writing short stories for pulp magazines to supplement his income, and in 1933 published \u003cem data-start=\"2390\" data-end=\"2420\"\u003eThe Case of the Velvet Claws\u003c\/em\u003e, his first Perry Mason novel — after which writing became his full‑time career. \u003cspan class=\"\" data-state=\"closed\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"ms-1 inline-flex max-w-full items-center relative top-[-0.094rem] animate-[show_150ms_ease-in]\" data-testid=\"webpage-citation-pill\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Erle-Stanley-Gardner?utm_source=chatgpt.com\" rel=\"noopener\" alt=\"https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Erle-Stanley-Gardner?utm_source=chatgpt.com\" class=\"flex h-4.5 overflow-hidden rounded-xl px-2 text-[9px] font-medium transition-colors duration-150 ease-in-out text-token-text-secondary! bg-[#F4F4F4]! dark:bg-[#303030]!\" target=\"_blank\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"relative start-0 bottom-0 flex h-full w-full items-center\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"flex h-4 w-full items-center justify-between\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"max-w-[15ch] grow truncate overflow-hidden text-center\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eGardner was tremendously prolific: he produced dozens of Perry Mason novels, wrote under several pseudonyms (e.g. A. A. Fair for the Cool \u0026amp; Lam series), and also delved into non‑fiction, travel writing and forensic\/justice issues. He was also socially conscious: he founded \u003cem data-start=\"2854\" data-end=\"2880\"\u003eThe Court of Last Resort\u003c\/em\u003e, an organization to help wrongfully convicted people. Gardner’s writing is known for its fast‑paced plots, clever legal twists, and courtroom confrontations. His work has had a lasting influence — Perry Mason remains a popular cultural figure, and Gardner is counted among the greats of detective\/mystery fiction.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Best Of Used Books","offers":[{"title":"Used","offer_id":46119963164929,"sku":"33K9DLUYP-Used","price":199.0,"currency_code":"INR","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0421\/4299\/0495\/files\/rtszt.jpg?v=1741585073","url":"https:\/\/bestofusedbooks.com\/products\/the-case-of-the-velvet-claws-by-erle-stanley-gardner","provider":"Best Of Used Books","version":"1.0","type":"link"}