Book dossier

The case of the stuttering bishop

by Erle Stanley Gardner

From the University of Buffalo's Special Collections webpage: "Bishop William Mallory of Sydney, Australia consults with Perry Mason about the statute of limitations in a manslaughter case that took place in California twenty-two years ago. Curiosity about the bishop's stutter prompts Mason to question the man's true identity, and he decides to launch an investigation of the manslaughter case. Mason learns that Julia Brownley, the woman charged in the case, is now desperately trying to prove that her daughter, whom she gave up for adoption, is actually the rightful granddaughter of wealthy businessman Renwold Brownley, and that the girl currently living in Brownley's home is an imposter. There is an enormous fortune at stake, and when Brownley is found dead, Julia becomes the prime suspect in his murder. Mason, with the assistance of Della Street and Paul Drake, follows a twisting maze of clues, false leads and mistaken identities before he unmasks the real killer and exposes the group of clever conspirators who are after the Brownley fortune."