Gardner was proud that he wrote to entertain the broad mass of readers.

His techniques reflect his effort to please the ordinary reader. The Case of the Grinning Gorilla features a clear narrative. There are no literary tricks such as flashbacks or the omission of details to be revealed as surprises later.

All clues are presented up front, without any vagueness. The injured Benjamin Addicks's clean-shaven face is clearly described; so is the grinning gorilla; so is the relationship between Addicks and his brother in Australia.

When Mason discovers something, so does the reader. This creates the sensation of being a partner in Mason's investigations, and it does not strain one's mind. The mystery is fun and not taxing.

Although critics nearly always denigrate Gardner's writing, noting that it is awkward and filled with trite descriptions, Gardner excels at one important element of fiction: he writes realistic dialogue...