Charlie Chan Volume 2: Behind that Curtain & The Black Camel

Charlie Chan #3-4 omnibus

by Earl Derr Biggers

Two classic mysteries for Charlie Chan to solve In this, the second volume of Leonaur's Charlie Chan series, the famous Chinese-Hawaiian detective finds himself grappling with the puzzle that lies 'Behind that Curtain'-the third of the six original novels by Earl Derr Biggers. Years ago in far away England, a solicitor is found murdered wearing silk Chinese slippers. Then a detective investigating a long cold case is also discovered murdered-wearing the same slippers! And what does this have to do with five missing young women? In Charlie Chan's fourth outing-The Black Camel-the 'camel', or death itself according to the Chinese proverb, has 'knelt by the gate' of a glamorous Hollywood actress who is visiting Honolulu. More accurately, she has been murdered-stabbed through the heart-and Inspector Chan must unravel the web of secrets and intrigue that surrounds her and the colourful cast of characters of her entourage-any one of whom could be a killer! These new editions of one crime fiction's most iconic detectives allow readers to join Charlie Chan as he creates progeny and triumphs of detection with equally inscrutable aplomb.

424 pages, Paperback

First published July 18, 2007

About the author

Earl Derr Biggers was born in Warren, Ohio on August 24, 1884. Years later, while attending Harvard University, Biggers showed little passion for the classics, preferring instead writers such as Rudyard Kipling and Richard Harding Davis. Following his graduation from Harvard in 1907, he worked briefly for the Cleveland Plain Dealer and at Bobbs-Merrill publishers. By 1908, Biggers was hired at the Boston Traveler to write a daily humor column. Soon, however, he became that paper's drama critic. It was at this time that he met Elanor Ladd, who would later become his wife and who would have a marked influence in his writing.

Reviews

[Lewis Attrib · Rating 4 out of 5]

Despite being reluctant to stay in San Francisco because of the birth of yet another son in Honolulu, Chan solves an intriguing crime modestly out-detecting both the dumb local detective and a visitor from Scotland Yard.