Charlie Chan

The sublime beauty of Hawaii nearly a century ago is captured in this first book featuring the fictional Honolulu police detective, Charlie Chan. Author Biggers was staying at a hotel on Waikiki Beach in the 1920s when he was inspired to write the book. The Chan role at first was relatively minor, and he didn't say anything until several chapters had gone by. However, the concept caught on when the literary public wanted more of him. That prompted five subsequent books as the character became more prominent. Altogether, Chan developed into a personality that fascinated mystery fans of all eras. In addition to the print episodes, more than four dozen successful movies eventually followed in the 1930s and 1940s. The overall idea is a pleasure to read, or to hear, as we invite you now to listen to this novel that established a completely new pattern for mysteries.

Back around 1920, Earl Derr Biggers went to Hawaii on vacation and got an idea for a new kind of fictional hero. About four years later, he put the notion to work as he developed the character of Charlie Chan, a Chinese detective who was eventually featured in five different films over a thirty-year period. He first emerged in the Saturday Evening Post Magazine as the minor character's role grew to being the leading player in the ensuing installments. The story you're about to hear is the second “Charlie Chan” novel, and it features a parrot named Tony who is witness to a crime. The unusual bird spoke Chinese and had a less-than-perfect use of English grammar but was killed by the criminals as a precaution. Chan himself was a friend of a family selling jewels and agreed to deliver them on his first trip to mainland California. While there he masquerades as a pidgin-speaking cook during his undercover investigation. His profound and original intelligence offers genial humor and witty dialogue. Although the series originated nearly a century ago, it still has a fresh and modern feel.

Inspector Duff works with the Scotland Yard. He is called in to investigate a mysterious murder that occurred at a famous local London hotel. A deaf old man, traveling on pleasure trip from America with his daughter and granddaughter, has been murdered during the night. At first, the investigation seems to be pointing towards Doctor Lofton, the leader of the tour group, as the culprit. Much to the chagrin of the other travelers in the group, they are all subjected to questioning and investigation by Inspector Duff. A few look good for the murder - an infamous Chicago gangster, an exceedingly nervous man, a few people in the wrong place at the time of the murder. Without evidence, Duff is unable to detain the group from continuing on with their tour. He finds himself wishing for the assistance of his old friend, Charlie Chan, who now resides in Hawaii. The plot thickens when one of the suspects is found dead at a further stop on the trip. Duff finds himself traveling to investigate the new murder, quickly followed by another murder. Duff plans to meet with the group again when they arrive in Hawaii, hoping to get the help of Charlie Chan, as well. When they arrive in Hawaii, Charlie Chan not only helps; he finds himself taking over the investigation.