A Charlie Chan Mystery
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Introducing Charlie Chan,
By
This review is from: House Without A Key (Hardcover)
Published in 1925, HOUSE WITHOUT A KEY was the first of six novels by Earl Derr Biggers to feature Charlie Chan, a character loosely based on the legendary Chang Apana (1887-1933), a Hawaiian police officer of Chinese heritage. Many consider it the best of the Chan novels--as much for the memorable way in which Biggers renders the Hawaii of the era as for the character and story he offers.The Winterslips are a socially formidable Boston family, the members of which are touched by occasional fits of wanderlust. Several members of the original Boston family, including Dan Winterslip, have settled in Hawaii, and he is visited by cousin Minerva--a woman in her fifties who is so taken with the islands that she prolongs her visit to the length of a year! The Boston family is scandalized, and dispatches Minerva's nephew John to retrieve his aunt. But even as John's ship floats placidly in the harbor, Dan is brutally murdered in his bachelor home. At Minerva's insistence, John takes a hand in the investigation, and comes face to face with the memorable Charlie Chan. Biggers is quite sly in his presentation, for both Minerva and John are shocked to find themselves dealing with a "Chinaman." But as the mysterious case progresses they soon find themselves, at times grudgingly, coming to respect him as both police detective and man. Like many of Biggers' novels, the plot is more adventure than actual mystery, but the characters are charming, and his portrait of Hawaii as it trembles between its ancient traditions and the modern world is remarkably effective. It is quite true that the novel is "tainted" by the common racism of the time, and from time to time Biggers uses terms that are no longer considered acceptable. But for all this, Biggers never shows his ethnic characters in a deliberately unflattering light; they are all part of the swirling Hawaiian society, Hawaiian, Chinese, Japanese, and WASP, layered together in an exotic array. It is a fun novel, and if taken within its proper context a very innocent one as well, among the most memorable of Biggers' Chan novels and indeed among the most memorable of Biggers' work in general. Quite charming and recommended. GFT, Amazon Reviewer
13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The best of the Chan series,
By A reader (VA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: House Without A Key (Hardcover)
I have read all of the Charlie Chan books, and this is by far the best. All of the novels are literate and well-plotted, but THE HOUSE WITHOUT A KEY is more complex than the others. And the solution to the crime is perhaps one of the most original, yet still plausible, to have been created in the history of the detective novel.A mystery gem. Good to see it back in print.
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Light And Lively,
By J. D Suggs (Atlanta, Georgia United States) - See all my reviews
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: House Without A Key (Hardcover)
This book is an excellent example of the polite, pre-Hammett, pre-hard-boiled era of the mystery novel. It's certainly a fun read, but it's the introduction of the Charlie Chan character that gives it a special place in the history of the genre. Chan is certainly an appealing and engaging character, and it's easy to see how such a successful franchise followed. Biggers also makes excellent use of his tropical setting, which along with Chan's presence, makes the reading experience memorable. As usual, the edition itself is beautiful and a great pleasure to own; many thanks to Otto Penzler for more time and money well spent.
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