THE HOUSE WITHOUT A KEY: A CHARLIE CHAN MYSTERY (Charlie Chan Mysteries) [Paperback]

EARL DERR BIGGERS (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback: 270 pages
• Publisher: Academy Chicago Publishers; Reprint, 1st as such edition (October 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0897335791
• ISBN-13: 978-0897335799
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #342,168 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars "Hawaii's a little too much heaven to be altogether safe.", November 12, 2008

By 

Mary Whipple (New England) - See all my reviews
(COMMUNITY FORUM 04)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 100 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: THE HOUSE WITHOUT A KEY: A CHARLIE CHAN MYSTERY (Charlie Chan Mysteries) (Paperback)

When Bostonian John Quincy Winterslip is sent to Hawaii to retrieve his elderly Aunt Minerva, who has stayed with relatives in Hawaii long past the time she (and they) had originally intended, he fully expects to return home quickly. Though his family tree has long had "wanderers," one of whom has settled in Hawaii, John Quincy knows HE is far too sensible to succumb to Hawaii's charms. His Boston Brahmin roots, his successful investment business, and his "appropriate," family-approved fiancee are all luring him back home. Shortly after his arrival in Honolulu, however, his uncle Dan Winterslip, with whom he is staying, is murdered in his Waikiki home. Assigned to investigate this murder is Honolulu Detective Charlie Chan.

First published in 1925, the House Without a Key broke new ground in American publishing by starring an Asian detective. Charlie Chan is clever and thoughtful--and he is also committed to maintaining his own culture, not simply "passing" in the ha'ole world which has dominated Honolulu ever since American Sanford Dole and the "sugar barons" inspired the overthrow of the Hawaiian monarchy in the 1890s. Like most of the kama'aina (new residents) who have come to Hawaii since then, the Winterslips are somewhat arrogant, believing themselves entitled to privileges not accorded to native Hawaiians and those of other races.

As the investigation unfolds, author Earl Derr Biggers creates a vibrant picture of Honolulu in the 1920s, contrasting it, on several occasions with earlier less complicated, city life--before the army, navy, and merchant marine turned Honolulu into a busy port filled with foreigners and new residents. Definitely not hard-boiled in his style, he celebrates Hawaii in all its tropical splendor--its beaches and soft moonlight, its glorious flowers and lush growth, its warm and sensitive people, and its multicultural ambience. Some inherent racism, seen here on the part of the Winterslips when they meet Charlie for the first time, reflects the times. Biggers is more culturally sensitive than most other writers of the period, however, and in Charlie Chan he creates a unique "hero" who goes on to star in five more novels after this.

The murder investigation is surprisingly complex, and the mystery and suspense are fully developed. The narrative speeds along and keeps the reader completely absorbed. Though Biggers did not intend his novel to be read as a satire, his Boston Brahmin characters, read in the present day, however, are so extreme in their belief that Boston is the center of the universe that modern readers will chuckle, if not laugh out loud, at their sometimes absurd dialogue and behavior. Loads of fun to read, this mystery is surprisingly modern in its complex structure, with a unique and charming hero in Charlie Chan. n Mary Whipple

The Chinese Parrot: A Charlie Chan Mystery, 1926.
Behind That Curtain (Charlie Chan), 1928.
Charlie Chan: The Black Camel, 1929.
Charlie Chan Carries On, 1930.
Keeper of the Keys, 1932.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Honolulu Whodunit, December 1, 2008

By 

Jeannie Mancini "vernefan" - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: THE HOUSE WITHOUT A KEY: A CHARLIE CHAN MYSTERY (Charlie Chan Mysteries) (Paperback)

Never having read any Noir style murder mysteries, or a Charlie Chan novel before, I was expecting the book to feel dated, and corny. I was pleasantly very surprised to get only a tiny feel of that, and was greatly amazed at the great writing skill and the multi-layered complicated plot. I thought the whole package of story and language would be too simple. How nice to not only be misled in my assumptions, but to actually come away from the book totally loving it and impressed.

This is the first of six of the Charlie Chan novels Earl Derr Biggers started in 1925. The House Without a Key shines brightly as a wonderful introduction to the series, leaving the reader anxious for the next installment. Bravo too, to Academy Chicago Publishers for reissuing these old gems and for bringing back the cool pulp style art for the covers. This trend in the rejuvenation of old mysteries of the era is sure to take off, and start the pulp fiction rage all over again.

The story begins with a young Boston aristocrat, John Quincy Winterslip, on board a cruise ship bound for Honolulu. He is there to bring back his aunt who has for some reason remained longer than her original planned stay. Miss Minerva, the wayward aunt, arrived in Hawaii some time back for a short vacation, staying with her brother, Dan Winterslip, the blackest of the family sheep. Upon docking in the tropical land of Honolulu John Quincy disembarks, lands his proper Bostonian feet on Waikiki beach, and is immediately greeted by his aunt who informs him promptly that her brother Dan has been murdered.

Wishing he could turn full circle around and get back on the ship, John Quincy wishes he did not have to get involved, but for various reasons decides to assist the local police in the investigation in order to get revenge for his family name, now sundered and tarnished.

Enter Honolulu's key police detective, one very obese Chinese Charlie Chan. I can't imagine any reader of any genre of fiction, not falling instantly in love with this delightful, loveable, quirky, and wise, buddha-like sleuth. He has a way with words and phrases our Charlie, and I found myself smiling and giggling every time he stepped into a scene. I eagerly kept turning the pages quickly just waiting for another spot where Charlie would have dialogue.

This mystery offers a variety of key elements that makes a novel enjoyable. You will find an intricately thought out scheme that leads the reader down many twisted paths that continually keep you wondering who, what and why. Many interesting clues are presented, and an odd assortment of key suspects keep arriving. You also enjoy a very romantic atmosphere of a lush exotic setting of sandy beaches, tropical sunsets, cocoanut laden palm trees, scrumptious luaus and lovely flowered leis that drape the reader's mind with nothing but pure Hawaiian pleasure. By reading The House Without a key, you'll get murder, mystery, romance, and humor, a great recipe for wanting to read The Chinese Parrot, book two of Earl Derr Biggers Charlie Chan books. What fun!

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Undiscovered Treasure, January 9, 2009

By 

Book Lover "Savoy" (Vermont) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: THE HOUSE WITHOUT A KEY: A CHARLIE CHAN MYSTERY (Charlie Chan Mysteries) (Paperback)

I am currently trying to re-read my past and fill in the gaps at the same time. The idea is to re-read, for example, "To Kill a Mockingbird," to see what effect it has on me 40 years later. Or to read a Charlie Chan book when I saw some movies but never read the book. "The House Without a Key," is simply fabulous. Much better written than I would have ever imagined and with a better plot. The movies did a definite disservice to Earl Der Biggers' talents as a writer. This book is a definite must for any mystery fan.