House Without A Key (Hardcover)

~ (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Review

The House Without a Key is a novel that was written in 1925 by Earl Derr Biggers. It is the first of the Charlie Chan mysteries written by Biggers.

The novel is perhaps the best-written of the entire series, and is very well-crafted. Its solution is nearly identical with that used in the final Perry Mason novel by Erle Stanley Gardner, The Case of the Postponed Murder (1970).

--This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.

Product Description

In a facsimile edition of their 1925 debut, Charlie Chan and his oldest son search for the murderer of a wastrel from a respected Boston family. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 316 pages
• Publisher: Otto Penzler; Facsimile edition (July 8, 1996)
• ASIN: B000023VWQ
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #2,538,357 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Introducing Charlie Chan, March 30, 2005

By	Gary F. Taylor "GFT" (Biloxi, MS USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 50 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

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

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best of the Chan series, May 3, 2003

By	A reader (VA) - See all my reviews

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, July 9, 2002

By	J. D Suggs (Atlanta, Georgia United States) - See all my reviews

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.