Reckless divorcer; Pretty female beggar: Pretty female beggar

Author: Erle Stanley Gardner
Publisher:
Publication Date: 2002-01-01
Features: You may have watched "Law & Order" on TV or seen the movies "The Accused" or "The Untouchable," and been captivated by the intense debates between prosecutors and defense attorneys in court. In fact, the courtroom also holds a significant place in mystery novels. In traditional romantic mystery novels, the unprecedented (trick) may be thrilling to read, but the strong game-like elements often give a sense of unreality, with the mysteries tending to lean more towards theoretical explanations. In courtroom mysteries, the author must not only emphasize the criminal's methods but also focus on how the detective role, whether a prosecutor or lawyer, constructs the case theory and the process of gathering evidence—after all, convincing evidence is absolutely essential to convict a suspect or exonerate a defendant, not just by a famous detective spouting theories. However, the mystery genre has its own famous prosecutors and lawyers in courtroom mysteries, and here’s an introduction.
First and foremost is the famous lawyer Perry Mason. He was created by the American courtroom novel king, Erle Stanley Gardner, and is categorized as a cool character. I’ve read about a dozen Mason mysteries, and most of the plots follow the same pattern: a client comes to Mason for help, and Mason not only begins collecting favorable evidence but sometimes also has to clean up the mess made by an ignorant defendant who inadvertently violated the law, helping him out of a tight spot. In the end, he faces the prosecutor in court, presents astonishing evidence, and delivers a courtroom reversal—the murder case actually had a different culprit, and the original defendant was just a scapegoat, unable to speak up. While this plot is quite cliché, the most appealing charm of this series lies in the final courtroom showdown. We can see Mason showcasing his exceptional oratory skills, sharp questioning, and answers in court, and the truth behind the reversal is often surprising, making us admire Mason’s meticulous reasoning process.
Another intriguing aspect is Mason’s quick-wittedness in navigating the edges of the law, leaving detectives speechless and unable to do anything about him. At the same time, although Mason is known as a cool character, he shows deep compassion when taking cases, working tirelessly to fight for the defendant’s justice and uphold the truth. Later, the rights to the Perry Mason series were acquired by Thomas Chastain, who continued to write new Perry Mason mysteries.