The Case of the Counterfeit Eye

Hero: Perry Mason

This book is an excellent demonstration of trouble creating suspense.  There were a couple of instances where Perry made super dumb decisions.  Normally, he's pretty smart, so I was disappointed by his choices.  The troubles he got himself into led to suspense, which led to me turning the pages, eager to discover how he was going to get himself out of the mess.

He cleverly solved the mystery and sidestepped one of his mistakes with a simple maneuver.  He prevailed once again.  Despite my earlier concerns that this story would be mediocre, it ended quite well.

I don't like rating books by a star or number system, so here's my rating system:
Bad=Quit reading the book
Fair=It was okay; I finished it
Good=I liked it
Great=I loved it; definitely would enjoy re-reading it someday

Rating for The Case of the Counterfeit Eye: Great

The Case of the Curious Bride

Hero: Perry Mason
Heroine: Della Street

It's not a romance.  It's a Perry Mason mystery.  I love these books.  I've never read one I didn't like.

In this one, Rhoda Montaine is arrested for murdering her first husband, Gregory Moxley.  Her current husband Carl is ready to testify against her.  Rhoda walks into the D.A.'s trick, and claims she was ringing the doorbell outside when the murder allegedly took place.  Since a defense of self-defense is off the table, Perry must use his wit and wiles to come out a winner in the end.  He's so smart; that's why I love him.

I don't like rating books by a star or number system, so here's my rating system:
Bad=Quit reading the book
Fair=It was okay; I finished it
Good=I liked it
Great=I loved it; definitely would enjoy re-reading it someday

Rating for The Case of the Curious Bride: Great