The Case of the Caretaker's Cat
by Erle Stanley Gardnerliterary work· published 1998
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The 7th Perry Mason book, published in 1935. From FFB: "**In his will, Peter Laxter guaranteed his faithful caretaker a job and a place to live for life. But Laxter’s grandson Sam says the deal doesn’t include the caretaker’s cat. On a whim, Perry Mason takes the case, against the advice of his assistant and his secretary, Della Street. Mason’s reply is “A man only has a lease on life. All that really counts is a man’s ability to live, to get the most out of it as he goes through it. I get a kick out of playing a no-limit game.” What is at stake in this one isn’t just whether a cat can stay in a house, there’s more: a million dollars in cash and some diamonds.
Adaptations (1)
The Case of the Caretaker's Cat was adapted into a 1936 film.
The Case of the Black Cat1936 · film · 66 min · dir. William C. McGann, Alan Crosland · IMDb ↗IMDb6.3Lawyer Perry Mason is summoned to the Laxter mansion in the dead of night to write granddaughter Wilma out of invalid Peter Laxter's will, to keep her from marrying suspected fortune hunter Doug. Peter dies in a mysterious fire and Laxter's two grandsons, Sam Laxter and Frank Oafley, inherit his estate on the condition old caretaker Schuster and his cat Clinker are kept on. When cat-hating Sam threatens Clinker, Perry steps in and learns Laxter's death was suspicious and the family fortune and diamonds are missing. Schuster's found dead in his basement apartment, Laxter's nurse Louise is murdered with Schuster's crutch, and circumstantial evidence brings Doug to trial for Louise's death. Mason's investigation produces a surprise witness who turns the trial around. Written by Sister Grimm
