Perry Mason Books in Order: All 84 Novels and the Classic Courtroom Mysteries
Perry Mason is one of crime fiction’s most recognizable defense attorneys. Created by lawyer-turned-author Erle Stanley Gardner, Mason is famous for taking on clients who appear hopelessly trapped by the evidence, investigating the details that others overlook, and exposing the truth through sharp questioning and courtroom strategy.
The series began in 1933 and continued for four decades. Most books feature a new client and a new mystery, so readers do not need to remember every earlier case to understand the next one. Still, reading in publication order is a satisfying way to watch Mason’s fictional world develop, from his earliest investigations with secretary Della Street to the later cases involving familiar colleagues such as private investigator Paul Drake.
Perry Mason Books in Publication Order
The following list covers all 82 original novels by Erle Stanley Gardner, followed by the two posthumous continuation novels written by Thomas Chastain. Publication years refer to the original book editions.
Perry Mason Books from the 1930s
1. The Case of the Velvet Claws (1933)
A woman who calls herself Eva Griffin hires Perry Mason because she fears blackmail. The case quickly turns dangerous when she becomes connected to a murder and Mason himself risks being drawn into the accusations.
This is the first Perry Mason novel and the best place to begin.
2. The Case of the Sulky Girl (1933)
A young heiress wants to marry without losing control of her inheritance, but her family’s financial arrangements complicate her plans. When a murder enters the picture, Mason must untangle the competing interests behind the case.
3. The Case of the Lucky Legs (1934)
Mason becomes involved with a woman caught up in a questionable promotional scheme. What looks like a dispute involving a dishonest businessman soon becomes a murder investigation.
4. The Case of the Howling Dog (1934)
A client approaches Mason with an unusual question about a howling dog and a will connected to a man convicted of murder. The strange circumstances lead Mason into a case where an animal may hold an important clue.
5. The Case of the Curious Bride (1934)
A woman asks Mason for help after a man believed to have died in a plane crash unexpectedly reappears. Her complicated marital situation becomes the starting point for a mystery involving identity and deception.
6. The Case of the Counterfeit Eye (1935)
A distinctive artificial eye becomes a crucial clue when it is found at a murder scene. Mason must work through conflicting evidence while his own fingerprints threaten to connect him to the crime.
7. The Case of the Caretaker’s Cat (1935)
A caretaker wants to keep a cat after the death of his employer, but a dispute over the estate takes a darker turn. When the caretaker is murdered, Mason defends the person accused of killing him.
8. The Case of the Sleepwalker’s Niece (1936)
A house-party murder appears to implicate a sleepwalker who may have attacked the wrong person. Mason investigates the circumstances surrounding the death and challenges the assumptions on which the accusation rests.
9. The Case of the Stuttering Bishop (1936)
A man claiming to be a bishop contacts Mason and offers to testify for his client. Mason suspects that the man’s identity is not what it seems and must establish who he really is.
10. The Case of the Dangerous Dowager (1937)
A wealthy older woman hires Mason to retrieve gambling IOUs involving her granddaughter. The matter becomes more serious when a murder aboard a gambling ship enters the investigation.
11. The Case of the Lame Canary (1937)
A canary with unusually short claws provides a clue in a case involving an affair and murder. Mason pieces together the significance of details that other people have overlooked.
12. The Case of the Substitute Face (1938)
A man disappears during a stormy night aboard a ship, while a photograph is mysteriously altered. Mason follows the trail of identity clues to solve the case.
13. The Case of the Shoplifter’s Shoe (1938)
Mason defends an elderly woman accused of shooting a man. Her apparent lack of motive, combined with questions about her behavior, leads him to examine the evidence more closely.
14. The Case of the Perjured Parrot (1939)
A murdered millionaire, two parrots, and conflicting testimony create an unusual investigation. Mason uses the birds and the people around them to challenge the accepted version of events.
15. The Case of the Rolling Bones (1939)
A murder linked to the Alaska gold-rush era has consequences in the present. Mason must connect the past and present to understand the crime.
Perry Mason Books from the 1940s
16. The Case of the Baited Hook (1940)
Mason receives an unusual retainer from a mysterious woman who plans to consult him in the future. The arrangement becomes a puzzle in itself as he tries to identify the person he is supposed to represent.
17. The Case of the Silent Partner (1940)
A businesswoman faces the possibility of losing control of her flower shop, while poisoned candy and a nightclub hostess complicate the case. Mason must protect his client’s interests while investigating a possible crime.
18. The Case of the Haunted Husband (1941)
A woman leaves San Francisco abruptly and becomes involved in a car accident. She later finds herself facing an accusation connected to the death of the man involved.
19. The Case of the Empty Tin (1941)
A curious observer discovers coded messages hidden inside empty tins. Mason follows the clues after a murder turns the apparently ordinary objects into evidence.
20. The Case of the Drowning Duck (1942)
While Mason and Della are vacationing in Palm Springs, a wealthy businessman seeks advice about his daughter’s boyfriend. A strange incident involving drowned ducks leads toward a murder investigation.
21. The Case of the Careless Kitten (1942)
Della Street becomes involved in a case after a witness or suspect disappears from a crime scene. The behavior of a kitten and a case of mistaken identity provide clues to the mystery.
22. The Case of the Buried Clock (1943)
A returning war veteran discovers a buried clock in an unusual rural setting. The discovery leads to a murder case in which the local residents’ nighttime activities become important.
23. The Case of the Drowsy Mosquito (1943)
A wealthy prospector, an attempted poisoning, and an unusual insect sound all become part of Mason’s investigation. The smallest detail may prove essential to solving the crime.
24. The Case of the Crooked Candle (1944)
A body is discovered aboard a boat stranded on a beach. Mason examines the evidence surrounding the vessel and a candle positioned at an unusual angle.
25. The Case of the Black-Eyed Blonde (1944)
A woman suffers an assault at the hands of her employer’s son, and her roommate is later murdered. Mason must separate the violence and personal conflicts from the evidence that points to a killer.
26. The Case of the Golddigger’s Purse (1945)
A seemingly minor question about a sick goldfish draws Mason into a case involving a secret formula, a questionable business partner, and a woman accused of murder.
27. The Case of the Half-Wakened Wife (1945)
A dispute over the sale of an island becomes entangled with an oil lease and a murder during a pleasure cruise. Mason must determine whether the wife accused of the crime is truly responsible.
28. The Case of the Borrowed Brunette (1946)
A young woman is hired to impersonate someone whose appearance closely matches her own. The deception becomes dangerous when her employer’s plans lead to a murder accusation.
29. The Case of the Fan Dancer’s Horse (1947)
Two performers share the same name, and a series of strange clues includes bloodstained fans, a samurai sword, and an unusual horse saddle. Mason must make sense of the peculiar evidence.
30. The Case of the Lazy Lover (1947)
A husband claims his wife has run away with his best friend, but the friend’s behavior raises questions. When a murder occurs, footprints and conflicting accounts become central to Mason’s defense.
31. The Case of the Lonely Heiress (1948)
Mason is hired to identify a woman who has advertised herself as an heiress in a lonely-hearts publication. The search takes an unexpected turn when she becomes a murder suspect.
32. The Case of the Vagabond Virgin (1948)
A man gives a hitchhiker a ride, only to find himself caught in a dangerous situation when his business partner is murdered. Mason investigates the circumstances surrounding the young woman and the crime.
33. The Case of the Dubious Bridegroom (1949)
A strange encounter with a burglar leads into a wedding trip to Tijuana. The trip becomes connected to a murder, leaving Mason to investigate the people involved.
34. The Case of the Cautious Coquette (1949)
A hit-and-run case becomes more complicated when witnesses identify different drivers and a mysterious letter arrives with a key. Mason must establish what happened and why the evidence conflicts.
Perry Mason Books from the 1950s
35. The Case of the Negligent Nymph (1950)
A young woman swimming to escape a dangerous dog becomes involved in a jewel-theft accusation and a murder case. The dog provides a clue that helps Mason challenge the allegations.
36. The Case of the One-Eyed Witness (1950)
A mysterious woman hires Mason by telephone, and the case involves an adoption racket and the murder of her husband. A witness wearing an eyepatch becomes an important part of the investigation.
37. The Case of the Fiery Fingers (1951)
Mason defends a woman first accused of theft and later accused of murder. The two accusations force him to examine how the evidence connects the separate charges.
38. The Case of the Angry Mourner (1951)
A playboy is murdered at a lakeside cabin. A mother and daughter who were both present begin to suspect one another and turn to Mason for help.
39. The Case of the Moth-Eaten Mink (1952)
A waitress leaves her restaurant job abruptly and is injured in a car accident. A message written in lipstick becomes an important clue in Mason’s effort to clear a man accused of murder.
40. The Case of the Grinning Gorilla (1952)
Mason buys the diary of a drowned woman at an auction, only to become involved in a murder case that features a hypnotized gorilla. The unusual circumstances conceal a more complicated mystery.
41. The Case of the Hesitant Hostess (1953)
A nightclub hostess appears determined to support the prosecution’s version of an armed robbery. Mason carefully examines her account to expose inconsistencies.
42. The Case of the Green-Eyed Sister (1953)
Mason is hired to protect a family from blackmail, but the situation changes when a woman is accused of killing the blackmailer. He must investigate the family’s secrets and the evidence against her.
43. The Case of the Fugitive Nurse (1954)
A recently widowed woman consults Mason about money hidden by her late husband and a nurse. When she becomes a murder suspect, the financial dispute turns into a criminal defense.
44. The Case of the Runaway Corpse (1954)
A woman is accused of poisoning her husband, even though witnesses report seeing the supposedly dead man leave through a motel window. Mason investigates the strange circumstances surrounding the apparent death.
45. The Case of the Restless Redhead (1954)
Mason first helps a young defense attorney obtain an acquittal for a woman accused of theft. Later, she faces a murder charge, and Mason must uncover the truth behind the new accusation.
46. The Case of the Glamorous Ghost (1955)
A woman claims to have amnesia and cannot explain her connection to jewel smuggling or murder. Mason works to discover her identity and what she remembers.
47. The Case of the Sun Bather’s Diary (1955)
The daughter of a convicted armed robber loses her trailer, possessions, and diary. Mason becomes involved as the missing diary and the people connected to it complicate a murder case.
48. The Case of the Nervous Accomplice (1955)
A woman asks Mason to interfere in her husband’s affair, but the personal dispute develops into a murder investigation. Her request becomes part of a case with much higher stakes.
49. The Case of the Terrified Typist (1956)
A temporary typist leaves Mason’s office in a hurry, and he and Della discover diamonds hidden beneath her desk. The woman’s connection to a murder case leads to an unusual courtroom outcome.
50. The Case of the Demure Defendant (1956)
A woman confesses to murder during a therapy session, prompting her doctor to consult Mason. The attorney must determine what the confession means and how to defend her.
51. The Case of the Gilded Lily (1956)
Mason defends a man suspected of killing his blackmailer. The case turns on the hidden motives and evidence surrounding the alleged blackmail.
52. The Case of the Lucky Loser (1957)
A man previously convicted of a fatal drunk-driving incident faces new questions when the victim is found to have been shot. Mason uses the changed evidence to challenge the prosecution’s case.
53. The Case of the Screaming Woman (1957)
A woman is accused of murdering a doctor who operates an illegal adoption agency. Mason investigates the people and practices connected to the doctor.
54. The Case of the Daring Decoy (1957)
A man involved in a stock dispute is accused of killing a business rival’s secretary. Mason must determine how a woman, a gun, and a confusing sequence of events fit together.
55. The Case of the Long-Legged Models (1958)
A woman is accused of murdering the man who killed her father. Mason examines the evidence and uses the confusing circumstances surrounding identical guns to challenge the accusation.
56. The Case of the Foot-Loose Doll (1958)
A woman with a history of theft and other troubling incidents faces accusations of two murders. Mason believes she may not be guilty of the killings and investigates the evidence.
57. The Case of the Calendar Girl (1958)
A man is accused of murdering a corrupt politician, and a model becomes implicated as Mason investigates. The case forces him to defend more than one person as the evidence develops.
58. The Case of the Deadly Toy (1959)
A child’s toy printing press and a gun become clues in a murder case involving his parents. Mason must protect a woman accused of killing her husband while confronting a wealthy relative determined to see her convicted.
59. The Case of the Mythical Monkeys (1959)
A secretary attends an appointment on behalf of her employer and spends the night with a man who later disappears. A scarf depicting the three mythical monkeys becomes a significant clue.
60. The Case of the Singing Skirt (1959)
A woman loses her job after refusing to participate in a scheme to cheat a casino patron. She later faces a murder accusation, and Mason must unravel the circumstances surrounding the case.
Perry Mason Books from the 1960s
61. The Case of the Waylaid Wolf (1960)
A woman steals a car while escaping a man who has attacked her. When the man is found dead, Mason defends her against a murder charge.
62. The Case of the Duplicate Daughter (1960)
A murder scene involves a woman in a nightgown and uncertainty about who was seen leaving a garage. Mason investigates the identities and financial details connected to the case.
63. The Case of the Shapely Shadow (1960)
A secretary suspects that her employer is being blackmailed and hires Mason to gather evidence. When the employer is murdered, she becomes a suspect herself.
64. The Case of the Spurious Spinster (1961)
A box filled with money and the disappearance of an elderly mine owner lead to a murder accusation against a secretary. Mason investigates the strange financial circumstances and the missing man.
65. The Case of the Bigamous Spouse (1961)
A door-to-door saleswoman becomes implicated in the murder of her best friend’s new husband. Mason must determine what happened within the complicated relationships surrounding the victim.
66. The Case of the Reluctant Model (1962)
An art dealer challenges the authenticity of a painting, and Mason becomes involved in a dispute over slander. The case takes a darker turn when he discovers a dead body at the home of a key witness.
67. The Case of the Blonde Bonanza (1962)
A beautiful woman is paid to gain weight, a seemingly absurd arrangement that raises questions about her identity. Mason investigates whether she is a missing heiress or someone involved in murder.
68. The Case of the Ice-Cold Hands (1962)
A gambling-related financial dispute becomes connected to a murder investigation. Trout preserved in dry ice provides an unusual detail in the case.
69. The Case of the Mischievous Doll (1963)
A woman worries that her resemblance to an heiress could lead to her arrest. Mason investigates their identities before the heiress becomes the subject of a murder accusation.
70. The Case of the Stepdaughter’s Secret (1963)
Blackmail, a yacht, and a murder become connected through a purse filled with money and a gun recovered from the ocean. Mason follows the evidence to uncover the truth.
71. The Case of the Amorous Aunt (1963)
A young woman hires Mason to stop her aunt from wasting money on a con man. The situation becomes more serious when the aunt is accused of murder.
72. The Case of the Daring Divorcee (1964)
A purse containing thousands of dollars and a gun that has been fired is left in Mason’s office. The disappearance of the potential client makes it difficult to establish what happened.
73. The Case of the Phantom Fortune (1964)
Mason devises a plan to protect a woman from an unknown blackmailer. When the man behind the scheme is prosecuted for murder, the attorney must defend him.
74. The Case of the Horrified Heirs (1964)
A woman faces accusations involving drug smuggling and murder. Mason must examine both cases to establish what the evidence actually proves.
75. The Case of the Troubled Trustee (1965)
An investment adviser admits to taking a large amount of money from a client, supposedly for her own benefit. When murder enters the story, Mason must determine the adviser’s real motives.
76. The Case of the Beautiful Beggar (1965)
A wealthy uncle disappears, leaving his niece with an unusual check and a number of unanswered questions. Mason investigates whether the niece has been involved in a kidnapping or murder.
77. The Case of the Worried Waitress (1966)
A waitress is accused of stealing money from a wealthy relative, while an apparently unrelated blind pencil seller raises questions of his own. Mason examines the details to determine how the people and events connect.
78. The Case of the Queenly Contestant (1967)
A former beauty-pageant contestant faces renewed attention when someone tries to revive an old story about the competition. The situation eventually leads to a murder accusation.
79. The Case of the Careless Cupid (1968)
A wealthy widow is accused of murdering her husband. Mason investigates the circumstances surrounding the death and the evidence against his client.
80. The Case of the Fabulous Fake (1969)
A woman attempts to protect her brother from a blackmailer, but her efforts place her in danger. When the blackmailer is murdered, Mason must determine who is responsible.
The Final Two Original Perry Mason Novels
81. The Case of the Fenced-In Woman (1972)
A bizarre property dispute involving a fence running through a house leads Mason to a body found in a swimming pool. The strange physical arrangement becomes part of the puzzle he must solve.
82. The Case of the Postponed Murder (1973)
A young woman asks Mason to find her missing sister, but her request conceals further complications. Questions surrounding a yacht and a suspicious death bring Gardner’s original Perry Mason novel sequence to a close.
These are the final two Perry Mason novels written by Gardner and published after his death.
Perry Mason Books Written by Thomas Chastain
After Gardner’s death, author Thomas Chastain wrote two additional Perry Mason novels with authorization from Gardner’s estate. They continue the fictional world but should be distinguished from Gardner’s original 82 novels.
83. Perry Mason: The Case of Too Many Murders (1989)
A businessman appears to have been in two places at once, seemingly both a murder victim and a murderer. Mason investigates the contradictions at the heart of the case.
84. Perry Mason: The Case of the Burning Bequest (1990)
Mason’s client is connected to a disturbing death involving the family of his fiancée. The case becomes increasingly complicated as the client refuses to clear himself, forcing Mason to investigate the tangled history.
Perry Mason Short Stories and Collections
The Perry Mason bibliography also includes short stories that were published in magazines and later gathered into collections. These are supplementary reading rather than additional full-length novels.
Notable short stories include:
- The Case of the Crying Swallow (1947): A short Perry Mason mystery first published in The American Magazine.
- The Case of the Crimson Kiss (1948): Another short case that later appeared in a collection.
- The Case of the Suspect Sweethearts (1950): A story published under Della Street’s byline.
- The Case of the Irate Witness (1953): A courtroom-oriented mystery later included in story collections.
Collections and editions can package these stories differently. If you are building a reading checklist, avoid counting a short story collection as another novel when the same story is already included in a novel edition or anthology.
What Is the Best Order to Read Perry Mason?
For a first-time reader, publication order is the most straightforward choice. Start with The Case of the Velvet Claws and continue through The Case of the Postponed Murder. If you want to read beyond Gardner’s original work, add Chastain’s two continuation novels afterward.
You can also choose individual titles based on their unusual clues or settings. Many Perry Mason mysteries are self-contained, so you can enjoy a single case without completing the entire series. However, beginning with the first book introduces Mason, Della Street, and the style of investigation that defines the series.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Perry Mason books are there?
Erle Stanley Gardner wrote 82 original Perry Mason novels. Thomas Chastain later wrote two authorized continuation novels, bringing the total to 84 full-length novels in this combined reading list. Short stories and collections are separate.
What is the first Perry Mason book?
The Case of the Velvet Claws, published in 1933, is the first Perry Mason novel. It introduces Mason and his secretary, Della Street, and establishes the series’ mix of investigation, deception, and legal strategy.
What is the last Perry Mason book written by Erle Stanley Gardner?
The Case of the Postponed Murder, published in 1973, is the final original Perry Mason novel by Gardner. Two later continuation novels were written by Thomas Chastain.
Do Perry Mason books need to be read in order?
No. Most books revolve around a new case, so they can be read individually. Publication order is still a good choice for readers who want to experience the series from its beginning and see its recurring characters develop.
Who wrote the Perry Mason books after Erle Stanley Gardner died?
Thomas Chastain wrote The Case of Too Many Murders and The Case of the Burning Bequest after Gardner’s death. These books continued the character’s fictional adventures with authorization from Gardner’s estate.
Are Perry Mason books legal thrillers or detective mysteries?
They combine both genres. Mason is a defense attorney, but he frequently investigates the facts behind a case himself, uncovering evidence and challenging the assumptions that led to his client’s accusation.
Who are Perry Mason’s most important recurring characters?
Della Street is Mason’s trusted secretary, while Paul Drake is the private investigator who frequently helps gather information. Other recurring characters include District Attorney Hamilton Burger and police lieutenant Arthur Tragg.
Can I read the Perry Mason short stories separately?
Yes. The short stories can generally be read independently. If you want the complete bibliography, read them as supplementary material after or alongside the novels, taking care not to count duplicate editions as new stories.
Final Note
Perry Mason’s appeal comes from the combination of legal ingenuity and detective work. Erle Stanley Gardner built a long-running series around a lawyer who refuses to accept a convenient explanation when the evidence does not add up, and the 82 original novels offer decades of classic mystery fiction.
Start with The Case of the Velvet Claws, follow the original books in publication order, and explore the short stories or later continuations once you have found your favorite kind of Mason case.
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