Perry Mason: The Case of the Waylaid Wolf – Why This 1960 Classic Still Hits Hard

Ever had that gut feeling that a "nice guy" was actually a shark in a suit? That’s exactly what kicks off Perry Mason: The Case of the Waylaid Wolf. It’s one of those stories that feels weirdly modern despite being written in 1959. Erle Stanley Gardner, the mastermind behind Mason, really leaned into the "predatory boss" trope way before we had a common vocabulary for it.

Honestly, the setup is a nightmare scenario. Arlene Ferris, a hard-working stenographer, gets stranded on a rainy night. Her car won’t start. Enter Loring Lamont, the rich, "charming" son of her boss. He offers her a ride, but instead of taking her home, he detours to a remote country house. You can guess where this is going. Arlene has to fight him off and escape into the night, but the real trouble starts the next morning.

What Actually Happens in The Case of the Waylaid Wolf

Most people remember the TV version with Raymond Burr, but the book is where the grit lives. Arlene doesn’t just hide; she goes to Perry Mason because she wants to stand up for herself. She’s tired of "wolves" like Lamont getting away with it.

The twist? By the time she’s ready to sue, Lamont is dead.

He was found stabbed in the back at that same country house. Since Arlene was the last one seen with him, and she left her belongings behind in her frantic escape, the police—led by the ever-persistent Lieutenant Tragg—pivot straight to her. It’s a classic Mason setup: a client who looks 100% guilty but is actually just a victim of terrible timing and a dead predator.

The Book vs. The TV Episode

If you're a fan of the 1957-1966 TV series, you might have seen this adapted in Season 4, Episode 16. It aired in February 1961. While the show is great, it sanitizes things. The book, which was serialized in The Saturday Evening Post in 1959, is much more explicit about the power dynamics.

• The Defendant: Arlene Ferris is portrayed as exceptionally gutsy for the time.
• The Victim: Loring Lamont isn't just a "playboy"; he’s a serial harasser who used his father’s wealth as a shield.
• The Legal Strategy: Perry uses a "skirt" as a piece of evidence to confuse an eyewitness. It's a bit of classic Mason theatricality that involves a car and a specific parking spot.

Why the "Waylaid Wolf" Title Matters

The title is a bit of a pun. A "wolf" is old-school slang for a predatory man. To be "waylaid" usually means to be stopped or interrupted. In this case, the predator becomes the prey.

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Gardner was obsessed with the idea that eyewitnesses are basically useless. He believed circumstantial evidence was actually better, provided you interpreted it right. In Perry Mason: The Case of the Waylaid Wolf, he proves this by showing how a single piece of clothing or a muddy tire track tells a truer story than a witness who thinks they saw Arlene at the scene.

Key Characters You’ll Meet

1. Arlene Ferris: The stenographer who refuses to be a victim.
2. Loring Lamont: The "Wolf" who ends up with a knife in his back.
3. Madvig: Lamont’s father, who tries to use his millions to bury the scandal.
4. Edith Bristol: The loyal secretary who knows more than she’s letting on.
5. The Big Three: Perry, Della Street, and Paul Drake, who spend most of the book dodging the police while trying to find the real killer.

The Courtroom Climax and That "Aha!" Moment

Hamilton Burger, the District Attorney who loses more cases than anyone in history, really thinks he has Mason trapped this time. The evidence is staggering. Arlene’s fingerprints are everywhere. Her motive is clear—revenge for the assault.

But Perry does that thing he always does. He looks at the physical evidence through a different lens. He focuses on the "small" stuff: the way the car was parked, the timeline of the rain, and a specific check stub.

The real killer isn't who you’d expect, but once Perry lays it out, it makes perfect sense. It’s usually someone lurking in the background of the rich family’s drama. In this case, it’s a mix of blackmail and desperation that leads to Lamont’s end.

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Actionable Insights for Perry Mason Fans

If you're looking to dive into this specific case, here’s how to get the most out of it:

• Read the book first. The 1959/1960 editions (published by William Morrow or Walter J. Black) have a faster pace and more "legal talk" than the TV episode.
• Watch for the "Skirt" Trick. When watching the TV episode, pay close attention to the courtroom scene where Perry uses a piece of clothing to debunk a witness. It's a masterclass in cross-examination.
• Look for the Social Commentary. This story is a great look at how the legal system in the 1950s treated women who fought back. Arlene is an outlier for her time, and Mason’s respect for her is a big part of why the character remains a hero.

For those tracking down physical copies, look for the Walter J. Black "three-in-one" editions. They are usually cheap at thrift stores and often include The Case of the Waylaid Wolf alongside two other Gardner mysteries. It's the most efficient way to build a collection.

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Next Steps for Readers:
Check your local used bookstore for the 1960 Walter J. Black hardcover edition. If you prefer digital, the TV episode is currently available on most streaming platforms that carry the original Perry Mason series. Pay special attention to the performance of Rebecca Welles, who plays Edith Bristol—she brings a nuance to the role that bridges the gap between the book's grit and the TV show's polish.