The Case of the Buried Clock
Cover Artist: Barye PhillipsBy: Gardner, Erle Stanley
Publisher: Pocket Books, Inc. (678)
Place of Publication:New York, NY
Catalog #: Kelley Box 248: PS3513 .A6322 C2258 1950
Contributor: S. Roe
General
Era: 1940sAuthor as on Cover: Erle Stanley Gardner
Publication:1950
Original Date: 1943
Setting: urban and rural (isolated mountain cabin)
Plot Summary
Harley Raymand, just returned from the World War II front and recovering from an injury, finds himself in the midst of a murder investigation. The body of Jack Hardisty is discovered in an isolated cabin that Harley has agreed to watch for the owner, Vincent Blane. Who killed Hardisty and why?? His wife for the love of another?? His employer for the stolen $90,000?? The local nature photographer or other characters, also found on the scene?? How does the buried clock fit into the mystery?? Even Perry Mason has a time sorting out this one!Major Characters
Perry Mason "Chief" adult male, tall, well-built, defense attorneyDella Street adult female, 30s, pretty, smart, Perry Mason's legal secretary
Paul Drake adult male, tall, lanky private investigator and owner of the Drake Detective Agency
Jack Hardisty adult male, husband of Milicent Blane Hardisty, narrow across the shoulders, pinched face, prominent nose that supported bowless glasses, married but "chasing around" with a milliner behind his wife's back, banker, thief
Adele Blane adult female, sister of Milicent
Harley Raymand adult male, just released from the Army; recovering after an injury received in the Army
Milicent P. Blane adult female, rimless spectacles, widow of the victim, sister of Adele Blane, registered nurse
Vincent P. Blane adult male, middle-aged, widowed, father of two daughters, bushy eyebrows, keen grey eyes, close-clipped gray mustache, had high blood pressure, pouches under his eyes and a haunted expression; banker and department store owner
Burton Strague adult male, whimsical smile, well-formed mouth, black tangled hair, short, slender, hard-muscled body; writer
Lola Strague adult female, tall and slender, cultured voice, blonde, spoiled, Burton Strague's sister
Rodney Beaton "Rod", adult male, tall and powerful, loose-jointed, not fat but thick, firm jaw, five-gallon hat; artist, naturalist and wildlife photographer
Myrna Payson adult female, wide-spaced laughing eyes; full, vivid red lips; she has taken care of her figure, her skin, her hands and her dark hair. Her nose was perhaps a bit too upturned; cattle rancher, the "local glamour girl", widow with inherited money
Martha Stevens adult female, Vincent P. Blane's housekeeper
Dr. Jefferson Macon adult male, the Blane family physician