Perry Mason in the Case of Too Many Murders

As an owner of most of the Perry Mason books and having read and re-read them through the years, I was very interested in the continuation, especially after the other reviews here. I've just finished "The Case of Too Many Murders" and wanted to get my thoughts down.The good news is that the book is very readable, and, except for certain "jarring" moments, I could easily believe I was reading an standard old-time Perry Mason story. The following are the things that jarred me:- This book is set in the future; it doesn't say how far, but, say, 20 years (and that is probably conservative -- see following). I find it very hard to believe that Paul Drake and Lt Tragg have retired, but Perry Mason is still working. I think the ESG books give Perry's age as around 40, which means that he may be in his 60s here. If you asked me which would be able to retire first: a lawyer, a policeman, or a private detective, I would pick the lawyer every time. 20 years may be too little, as Paul Drake has had time to marry, have a son, and have the son take over his business.- The description of the characters are missing: In nearly every book, ESG described Perry Mason ("granite-faced"), Paul Drake, Della, Tragg, and Hamilton Burger. All missing, and I would have liked to read Paul Drake, Jr's description.- Perry Mason had a car phone: I list this because the first time he used it, it surprised me, but then, on reflection, why not? Perry would certainly keep up with technology- Gertie is still the receptionist!?!?! Really? I didn't think receptionists would stay for 20+ years.- Not a word about Hamilton Burger; I guess he, too, retired or moved on.- Della's role has changed; she's not the confidante anymore; she doesn't sit in on meetings in his office (this was one of the BIG "jars" for me). She is no longer his "sounding board" for the cases. She seems to be more like the television move Della that did a lot of research. But her concern that he was getting in too deep is gone, and their respect and admiration for each other is often expressed in the older books; nothing here.- The tension between Perry Mason and the police is gone. Perry and Tragg respected one another, but Tragg believed that Perry would go too far in protecting his clients to the extent of interfering in a police investigation. Ray Dallas, the new man is a friend of Perry's. No one seems to bear Perry Mason any ill will on the force, and that tension is gone- Speaking of tension, there is little between the prosecutor and Perry Mason. Hamilton Burger, the DA, was always out to show up Mason, and it made for good drama. This is gone; there are some courtroom sparks, but people are more buddy-buddy.- Another big "jar" for me was the client calling Mason at home. In the ESG books, the point was repeatedly made that only Paul and Della had Perry's number, and that is was unlisted. Yet, the client just calls Mason up late at night. I certainly would expect Perry to keep an unlisted number.- Paul Drake, Jr. I don't know if this character was created after the TV movies with him or if he was created for these series, but in the book and in the series, they are different. In the moves, Perry and Paul, Jr, don't quite get along - they are fine in the book.- One of the typical hallmarks of the old books is Paul grumbling about the chores he's given, and whether or not he'll keep his license or the state of this stomach over soggy hamburgers -- this is gone, too.- In the ESG books, Mason is a fighter and the reader has no doubt that he could handle himself if things turned rough. It isn't clear if Mason is still this wayEven with the changes, the story moved along, and seemed to be a typical Perry Mason story.This is a kind of Perry Mason-lite tale -- much of the tension removed, and typical ESG material cleaned up. Would I read it again? Yes.

arrived on time and was just as described except that it wasn't written by the original author of the perry mason series but still enjoyable and the book was in good shape

Mr. Chastain doesn't write as well as Erle Stanley Gardner by a long shot. I'm reading it but not really enjoying it.Book in great condition so far.

good

I really enjoyed it. Seemed like it went along with the latest versions of Perry Mason TV series. It was written in great style!

Great stories and you don't want to put the book down. Wish there were more to the series.