The Case of the Haunted Husband

Rating:
Summary: Uncovering a False Identity
Review: Stephane Clair quits her job as a hat check girl, and hitch-hikes to Los Angeles. She is picked up by a wealthy man, who drinks and drives fast. There is an accident; people are injured and one dies. But Stephane is found alone in the car, and charged with manslaughter. A friend obtains Perry Mason's help. The owner of this car says it was stolen, and has an alibi. But did he loan this car to a friend? His insurance covers a stolen car, but not one driven by him, or an agent. The investigation of the owner reveals some curious facts, derived from telephone bills (long distance). This leads to a Mrs. Warfield in New Orleans. A promise of a job brings her to Los Angeles (Chapter VII). This chapter gives an example of proper behavior in a job interview, even one designed to investigate the applicant. Mason puts detectives to work on the witnesses. But Mrs. Warfield outsmarts Mason and Drake (Chapter X)! They find the missing driver, but he won't testify in court to clear Stephane.

Information is found that would clear Stephane. But the chauffeur becomes unavailable to testify, like the missing driver. The police and district attorney are wary of Hollywood influence (Chapter XIX). An interview in the hotel room with the widow points to the likely suspect, and confirms Mason's suspicions. Mrs. Warfield is found in hiding, and the story ends. The ending seems logically flawed to me. Its as if Gardner was afraid to offend Hollywood and the powers behind them. One interesting scene is where a person leaves their hotel room and doesn't lock the door; what a sense of security in those days.