Published in 1950, this is one of the more polished Perry stories. Perry isn't as aggressive as in some of the earlier stories, and I enjoy that more than the earlier ones.
In this story, Della Street, Perry's secretary, is having dinner with Perry when he gets a phone call form a woman, telling him she is sending him a package containing money. They eat dinner, listen to the life story of their waitress, and wait for the money. Then it arrives, and Perry starts to investigate, starting with a strange old man at his home. Later that evening, the house burns, and the old man dies.
During the course of the story there is blackmail, mistaken identities, and the usual court room scene where Perry does his best to cross examine the witnesses to solve the crime, and a lot of twists and turns before Perry discovers the truth.
I enjoyed the book, but the main reason for the blackmail wouldn't be a big deal in today's society, but the book was written and takes place just after World War II, and there were different attitudes at that time.
This is part of my 2014 Vintage Mystery BINGO Challenge--Golden--O--book with number in title.
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