The Case Of The Sleepwalker's Niece by Erle Stanley Gardner

Perry Mason Mystery #8

THE SLEEPWALKER'S MURDER

Pretty Edna Hammer asked Perry Mason an odd question: "Is a person who sleepwalks criminally responsible for what he does?" Edna claimed she was worried about her sleepwalking uncle, Peter Kent. Several nights later, a white-robed figure silently glided across the patio of the Kent home. The moonlight glinted on a deadly carving knife clutched in the sleepwalker's hand. Before dawn, a man lay stabbed to death. Later, the bloodstained knife appeared under Peter Kent's pillow. 

The evidence was to pat for Perry Mason. He suspected the knife had been purposely planted. Was Peter Kent's pretty little niece, Edna, trying to frame her uncle? Who killed Philip Rease? Peter Kent was known to be a sleepwalker and a bloodstained knife was found under his pillow. There were people who would like to see Peter Kent out of the way, but would they frame him for murder? And would that explain the reason for Rease's death? It was another case full of traps for Perry Mason.

Printing History

Written by Erle Stanley Gardner (1889-1970)

William Morrow 

March 1936

Pocket Books

#35040

November 1944

April 1965