At the time of his death, Erle Stanley Gardner was the best-selling American author of the 20th century, creator of crusading attorney Perry Mason and the hardboiled detective team of Cool and Lam, stars of 29 novels, and one that's never been published until now. Lost for more than 75 years, THE KNIFE SLIPPED is a glorious return to the heyday of private eyes and shady dames, of powerful criminals, crooked cops, blazing dialogue, and delicious plot twists.