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Charlie Chan #6
Keeper of the Keys
In the 6th and final book in the mystery series featuring the Chinese-American detective Charlie Chan, we find our hero in Lake Tahoe, California. Chan has been invited as a house guest. He meets a glamorous opera singer, Ellen Landini, and she is murdered by a gunshot during a party. Her servants and four of her ex-husbands are suspects in the case, all with weak alibis. It is up to Chan to solve the murder. The clues are cryptic and misleading by the singer's own revolver, two scarves, two cigarette boxes with mismatched lids, and the actions of a little dog named Trouble. Part of the solution to the mystery involves an elderly Chinese servant named Ah Sing—the keeper of the keys. Chan solves the case in his usual understated, spectacular fashion.
224 pages, Mass Market Paperback
Published January 1, 1975
23 people are currently reading
214 people want to read
About the author
Earl Derr Biggers
246 books87 followersEarl 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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews
May 10, 2018
"Man who buries treasure in the snow, forgets that summer is coming." -- Charle Chan
Hawaii's Charlie Chan gets his first look at snow in Keeper of the Keys. In another first for the Chinese detective from Honolulu, this mystery will move Chan to facilitate the flight of someone involved deeply in a murder and its aftermath. Not a first by any means in this old-fashioned series, Chan will also facilitate a budding romance.
As Charlie travels by train through the snow-clad mountains all the pieces for mystery and murder are put in place because the passenger list includes the ex-husbands of singer Ellen Landini. Ellen joins them at Dudley Ward's estate overlooking the blue lake and pine trees, bringing with her young Hugh Beaton, her latest conquest. Charlie's attempt to discover if rumors of a man's offspring are true quickly take a dark turn, and he is soon helping investigate a murder.
As Charlie assists Sheriff Holt in his investigation, it is not lost on Charlie that the young man has a blind spot where the lovely Leslie Beaton is concerned. As Charlie reminds the young sheriff to remained focused, Charlie has trouble doing so himself. When evidence begins to mount against one of his own race, the suspect makes it clear to Charlie that he no longer considers Chan a true Chinese, because of his American ways, which pains Charlie greatly.
An unsigned will points to one person, blackmail to another, and a seemingly "essential" clue only serves to muddy the waters further. When a second murder occurs the case takes on great urgency. Everywhere Charlie turns points toward China, which will lead our favorite Hawaiian detective to do the unthinkable.
Reporter Bill Rankin from an earlier entry, Behind that Curtain, makes a welcome appearance in Keeper of the Keys. For Chan, however, Bill's arrival is not nearly so welcome when he spills the beans on some of Charlie's activities! It ain't over till it's over in this one, with Biggers wrapping up both the mystery and the romance quite nicely. This one is quite fun for Charlie Chan fans, and a must if you've missed this entry in the Charlie Chan series.
Hawaii's Charlie Chan gets his first look at snow in Keeper of the Keys. In another first for the Chinese detective from Honolulu, this mystery will move Chan to facilitate the flight of someone involved deeply in a murder and its aftermath. Not a first by any means in this old-fashioned series, Chan will also facilitate a budding romance.
As Charlie travels by train through the snow-clad mountains all the pieces for mystery and murder are put in place because the passenger list includes the ex-husbands of singer Ellen Landini. Ellen joins them at Dudley Ward's estate overlooking the blue lake and pine trees, bringing with her young Hugh Beaton, her latest conquest. Charlie's attempt to discover if rumors of a man's offspring are true quickly take a dark turn, and he is soon helping investigate a murder.
As Charlie assists Sheriff Holt in his investigation, it is not lost on Charlie that the young man has a blind spot where the lovely Leslie Beaton is concerned. As Charlie reminds the young sheriff to remained focused, Charlie has trouble doing so himself. When evidence begins to mount against one of his own race, the suspect makes it clear to Charlie that he no longer considers Chan a true Chinese, because of his American ways, which pains Charlie greatly.
An unsigned will points to one person, blackmail to another, and a seemingly "essential" clue only serves to muddy the waters further. When a second murder occurs the case takes on great urgency. Everywhere Charlie turns points toward China, which will lead our favorite Hawaiian detective to do the unthinkable.
Reporter Bill Rankin from an earlier entry, Behind that Curtain, makes a welcome appearance in Keeper of the Keys. For Chan, however, Bill's arrival is not nearly so welcome when he spills the beans on some of Charlie's activities! It ain't over till it's over in this one, with Biggers wrapping up both the mystery and the romance quite nicely. This one is quite fun for Charlie Chan fans, and a must if you've missed this entry in the Charlie Chan series.
May 11, 2014
Do you know who Charlie Chan is? Or his creator, Earl Derr Biggers? Over the years the Charlie Chan character has not held up in terms of being a positive image. I won't go into some deep discussion as to why---but let me just say it's all wrong.
The REAL Charlie Chan character is a Chinese/Hawaiian police detective who is just pretty damn smart. He's an astute observer of the human condition, a humane and compassionate soul, and (in my opinion) can rival a Sherlock Holmes in solving a complex homicide or two.
I think you should read the book. Read it, and remember to keep it in context in that it was written long before you were born; in an American society who had yet to wake up and become more inclusive when it relates to racial stereotyping. With that in mind, I think you'll discover Charlie Chan and Earl Derr Biggers were pioneers in the field of racial equality long before the concept became popular.
And oh, by the way . . . the book itself is a nice little mystery filled with interesting characters. You'll like it.
The REAL Charlie Chan character is a Chinese/Hawaiian police detective who is just pretty damn smart. He's an astute observer of the human condition, a humane and compassionate soul, and (in my opinion) can rival a Sherlock Holmes in solving a complex homicide or two.
I think you should read the book. Read it, and remember to keep it in context in that it was written long before you were born; in an American society who had yet to wake up and become more inclusive when it relates to racial stereotyping. With that in mind, I think you'll discover Charlie Chan and Earl Derr Biggers were pioneers in the field of racial equality long before the concept became popular.
And oh, by the way . . . the book itself is a nice little mystery filled with interesting characters. You'll like it.
October 12, 2011
I've completed my highly enjoyable journey with Inspector Charlie Chan, and I will miss this wise and witty detective. In this offering, Chan is invited to Lake Tahoe to help find the missing possible son of his client. "Possible" because his client doesn't even know if his son exists at all. His ex-wife, a world renown singer, seems to have kept his birth secret from her husband for almost 20 years. Now he wants the truth, and thinks he will get it with Charlie by his side (not to mention the woman's 3 other ex-husbands, her old lover, her new lover, and a contingent of servants, law enforcement officers and sundry other characters). But Death makes a surprise visit to the lake house, and Charlie must use all his powerful skills to ferret out the truth and expose the murderer.
Are the Charlie Chan mysteries formulaic? Yes, but in no way boring or unchallenging. You know upon opening a Charlie Chan mystery that you will get a relatively gore-free murder, a cast of intriguing characters both good and bad, red herrings galore, a spunky female (and a lovelorn male longing to woo her), and a slew of wise and funny sayings from the Buddha-like Chan.
It is a real loss to detective fiction that writer Earl Derr Biggers died just one year following the pulication of this novel in 1932. Had he lived, I can only imagine what other crimes Charlie would have engaged his mighty intellect toward solving.
I will most definitely miss reading this series.
Are the Charlie Chan mysteries formulaic? Yes, but in no way boring or unchallenging. You know upon opening a Charlie Chan mystery that you will get a relatively gore-free murder, a cast of intriguing characters both good and bad, red herrings galore, a spunky female (and a lovelorn male longing to woo her), and a slew of wise and funny sayings from the Buddha-like Chan.
It is a real loss to detective fiction that writer Earl Derr Biggers died just one year following the pulication of this novel in 1932. Had he lived, I can only imagine what other crimes Charlie would have engaged his mighty intellect toward solving.
I will most definitely miss reading this series.
August 3, 2010
Alas! I have come to the end of the Charlie Chan mystery novels. Charlie has come to feel like a good friend. He is bright, modest, quick, clever, and very human.
This book is every bit as good as its predecessors. Plenty of potential suspects. Lots of hints and allusions. A final twist at the end.
I wish Charlie good fortune in his home on Punchbowl Hill.
This book is every bit as good as its predecessors. Plenty of potential suspects. Lots of hints and allusions. A final twist at the end.
I wish Charlie good fortune in his home on Punchbowl Hill.
June 18, 2019
ENGLISH: In this novel Biggers tries by all means to mislead the reader by making almost all the characters appear as suspects. In the end, as expected, the simplest solution (the first one that came to my mind) turned out to be correct. But I confess he made me doubt more than once.
ESPAÑOL: En esta novela Biggers intenta por todos los medios despistar al lector haciendo aparecer como sospechosos a casi todos los personajes. Al final, como era de prever, la solución más sencilla (la primera que se me ocurrió) resultó ser la correcta. Pero reconozco que me hizo dudar más de una vez.
ESPAÑOL: En esta novela Biggers intenta por todos los medios despistar al lector haciendo aparecer como sospechosos a casi todos los personajes. Al final, como era de prever, la solución más sencilla (la primera que se me ocurrió) resultó ser la correcta. Pero reconozco que me hizo dudar más de una vez.
April 27, 2013
The last in the series (a short series) of the famous Charlie Chan mysteries. An interesting mystery that has the extra element of a Chinese servant in an American household butting heads with Chan. The mystery is great, but the element of watching two individuals with Chinese backgrounds coming to the US and deciding how to embrace (or not embrace) American culture. Well worth the read.
June 4, 2024
Charlie Chan in Tahoe, Truckee, and Reno! Loved this glimpse into what they were like almost 100 years ago. Characters traveling by horse, train, flivver (model T) - and boat to get to lakefront homes. Descriptions of snow (novel to Honolulu's Charlie Chan) and the tall trees I know from visits there myself.
Sixth and final book in Charlie Chan series.
I recently paid another visit to the grave of Chang Apana at the Chinese Cemetery in Manoa (Honolulu)... The sprawling bromeliad atop his grave was in bloom. I'd forgotten I had one more original Charlie Chan story to read. It's like he guided me to it. More admiration for qualities in Chinese culture (similar to though different from that in also recently-read Steinbeck's East of Eden). For the Chinese contribution to places like Truckee to have been erased from history though slowly being reclaimed, it is heartening that someone like Earl Derr Biggers - Harvard Lampoon alumnus no less - by contrast displayed admiration rather than rejection of the Chinese.
Sixth and final book in Charlie Chan series.
I recently paid another visit to the grave of Chang Apana at the Chinese Cemetery in Manoa (Honolulu)... The sprawling bromeliad atop his grave was in bloom. I'd forgotten I had one more original Charlie Chan story to read. It's like he guided me to it. More admiration for qualities in Chinese culture (similar to though different from that in also recently-read Steinbeck's East of Eden). For the Chinese contribution to places like Truckee to have been erased from history though slowly being reclaimed, it is heartening that someone like Earl Derr Biggers - Harvard Lampoon alumnus no less - by contrast displayed admiration rather than rejection of the Chinese.
July 13, 2023
Book #: 51
Title: Keeper of the Keys
Author: Earl Derr Biggers
Series: Charlie Chan #6
Format: 224 pages, ebook, own, part of omnibus
Pub Date: First published January 1, 1932
Started: 6/25/23 Ended: 7/12/23
Awards: none
Categories: Mystery, Book published in 1930's, Next Book in a Series
Rating: ***** five out of five stars
A Hollywood starlet has been invited to a retreat under false pretences. All six of her ex-husbands are there to ask her about the rumor that she gave up a son for adoption, and who is the father? Charlie Chan was hired to come along and discover the truth, but she's murdered in her bedroom that night. Who's the killer? Who's the father? Chan is on the case.
I'm sorry that this is the LAST Charlie Chan novel. Earl Biggers died shortly after it was published. I've been greatly enjoying the series and I intend to read all the non-Chan novels in the omnibus as well.
Title: Keeper of the Keys
Author: Earl Derr Biggers
Series: Charlie Chan #6
Format: 224 pages, ebook, own, part of omnibus
Pub Date: First published January 1, 1932
Started: 6/25/23 Ended: 7/12/23
Awards: none
Categories: Mystery, Book published in 1930's, Next Book in a Series
Rating: ***** five out of five stars
A Hollywood starlet has been invited to a retreat under false pretences. All six of her ex-husbands are there to ask her about the rumor that she gave up a son for adoption, and who is the father? Charlie Chan was hired to come along and discover the truth, but she's murdered in her bedroom that night. Who's the killer? Who's the father? Chan is on the case.
I'm sorry that this is the LAST Charlie Chan novel. Earl Biggers died shortly after it was published. I've been greatly enjoying the series and I intend to read all the non-Chan novels in the omnibus as well.
January 13, 2015
"Le buone maniere non bastano a far un uomo giusto"
Il titolo “I sepolti vivi (Scene dalla ‘Casa morta’)” mi aveva sempre intrigato. È quello della copia in mio possesso pubblicata nel 1932 dalle Edizioni A. Barion di Sesto San Giovanni. Sapevo che in italiano quest’opera ha titoli molto mutevoli, e quando l’ho scovata quest’estate, lisa, sbrindellata, ingiallita e pigmentata , su una bancarella ho capito che aspettava me. Il non averla mai comprata, nonostante del Dosto abbia quasi al completo l’opera summa, non era che il segno del destino che aveva predisposto il giorno e il luogo:-)
Immaginavo altro. Non certo la denuncia antizarista sapendo come il “rivoluzionario” Fedor si fosse trasformato in un avversario implacabile dell’uomo nuovo russo.
Piuttosto mi aspettavo un percorso simile a quello di Raskolnicov in Siberia: una rinascita spirituale dopo il trauma di essere stato catapultato in quel mondo abitato da scarti umani.
“Come avrei potuto immaginare - scrive il suo alterego, il narratore interno - quale spaventosa tortura sarebbe stato il non potermi mai trovar solo, neppure per un momento, nel corso dei dieci anni d’ergastolo a cui ero condannato? Al lavoro, sempre sotto gli occhi della scorta, in casa sempre in compagnia di centinaia d’altri reclusi, e mai solo, mai!”. Mi ha ricordato la scena di Gesù tra i lebbrosi in Jesus Christ Superstar, quando tenta di sfuggirli tanta è l’angoscia di essere sopraffatto.
Ma non appena entra in contatto con quella gente, che a pensarla da fuori fa paura, ecco che dimentica i suoi guai e scruta i suoi compagni, narrandoci la vita che avevano condotto prima della deportazione. “In generale, i forzati parlavano poco del loro passato; rifuggivano dal raccontarlo, ed evidentemente cercavano di non ricordarsene neppure”.
Dostoevskij impara a conoscerne tutte le debolezze: la vanità, l’invidia, la violenza, la tendenza a rubare anche agli amici, la vigliaccheria, e tuttavia li salva. “... il tono di tutti consisteva, esteriormente, in una specie di dignità tutta propria, di cui era penetrato quasi ogni ospite della casa di pena. C’era da pensare che il titolo di forzato fosse un grado onorifico. Non una traccia di vergogna o di pentimento in alcuno. Si notava, comunque, nei detenuti, una specie di docilità apparente, un certo calmo, rassegnato modo di ragionare: ‘Siamo gente perduta’, dicevano”.
Dosto ha messo la sofferenza dell’uomo al centro dei suoi pensieri, sofferenza che si coagula in un luogo di reclusione, totalitario per definizione. Qualsiasi atto della vita viene regolato senza che si lasci nessuna libertà all’individuo. “Tutti i forzati di Russia sanno che le persone che più mostran loro compassione sono i medici. I medici non fanno mai distinzione fra i detenuti e gli altri, come involontariamente fanno quasi tutti, tranne, forse, la gente del popolo. Un popolano non rimprovera mai al detenuto il suo delitto, per quanto terribile esso sia, e gli perdona tutto in considerazione della pena che subisce e, in generale, della sua disgrazia”
Il forzato, però, si ritaglia il suo spazio di libertà, attraverso un lavoro utile sia per conto del penitenziario che clandestinamente, con la finalità di scambiare o vendere il prodotto delle proprie mani.
“Un giorno mi venne in mente che, se si volesse schiacciare, annichilire totalmente un uomo, infliggergli la più terribile delle punizioni, una punizione tale da far inorridire, da atterrire il più feroce assassino, basterebbe infondere al suo lavoro un carattere di perfetta inutilità e di assoluta assurdità. Se i lavori forzati, così come son oggi, riescono privi di interesse ed uggiosi per gli ergastolani, essi hanno tuttavia, come lavori in sé, una loro ragion d’essere, non sono assurdi: il forzato fabbrica mattoni, scava la terra, dà l’intonaco, costruisce: tutti lavori che hanno un senso e uno scopo. (…) Ma si obblighi, per esempio, a versar acqua da una tinozza in un’altra, e da questa in quella, a pestar la sabbia, a trasportare un mucchio di terra da un posto all’altro, e poi di nuovo a quello, e così via, continuamente: credo che in capo a qualche tempo il disgraziato finirebbe per appiccarsi, o commettere delitti su delitti, tanto da poter essere messo a morte, questa essendo molto preferibile a quello stato di umiliazione, di avvilimento, di sofferenza.”
Questo passo mi ha terrorizzato per la visionarietà: come faceva Fëdor, quasi cent’anni prima a sapere che l’uomo, un gruppo di indegnamente uomini, sarebbe arrivato a tanto?
Ecco dove sta la differenza tra il lager e il gulag. Basta leggere “Una giornata di Ivan Denisovič” di Solgenitsin e confrontarla con “I sepolti vivi” e “Se questo è un uomo”. Senza scambiare l’oro col piombo ( l’essere dissidente di un regime deprecato dall’occidente non ha potuto trasformare il santone russo in un grande, nonostante il nobel smaccatamente politico) i primi due sono molto simili, il terzo è un parto demoniaco: la vita nei due gulag, infatti, ha ancora la parvenza di vita, bandita con ferocia dal lager nazista il cui unico scopo era la disumanizzazione.
Il titolo “I sepolti vivi (Scene dalla ‘Casa morta’)” mi aveva sempre intrigato. È quello della copia in mio possesso pubblicata nel 1932 dalle Edizioni A. Barion di Sesto San Giovanni. Sapevo che in italiano quest’opera ha titoli molto mutevoli, e quando l’ho scovata quest’estate, lisa, sbrindellata, ingiallita e pigmentata , su una bancarella ho capito che aspettava me. Il non averla mai comprata, nonostante del Dosto abbia quasi al completo l’opera summa, non era che il segno del destino che aveva predisposto il giorno e il luogo:-)
Immaginavo altro. Non certo la denuncia antizarista sapendo come il “rivoluzionario” Fedor si fosse trasformato in un avversario implacabile dell’uomo nuovo russo.
Piuttosto mi aspettavo un percorso simile a quello di Raskolnicov in Siberia: una rinascita spirituale dopo il trauma di essere stato catapultato in quel mondo abitato da scarti umani.
“Come avrei potuto immaginare - scrive il suo alterego, il narratore interno - quale spaventosa tortura sarebbe stato il non potermi mai trovar solo, neppure per un momento, nel corso dei dieci anni d’ergastolo a cui ero condannato? Al lavoro, sempre sotto gli occhi della scorta, in casa sempre in compagnia di centinaia d’altri reclusi, e mai solo, mai!”. Mi ha ricordato la scena di Gesù tra i lebbrosi in Jesus Christ Superstar, quando tenta di sfuggirli tanta è l’angoscia di essere sopraffatto.
Ma non appena entra in contatto con quella gente, che a pensarla da fuori fa paura, ecco che dimentica i suoi guai e scruta i suoi compagni, narrandoci la vita che avevano condotto prima della deportazione. “In generale, i forzati parlavano poco del loro passato; rifuggivano dal raccontarlo, ed evidentemente cercavano di non ricordarsene neppure”.
Dostoevskij impara a conoscerne tutte le debolezze: la vanità, l’invidia, la violenza, la tendenza a rubare anche agli amici, la vigliaccheria, e tuttavia li salva. “... il tono di tutti consisteva, esteriormente, in una specie di dignità tutta propria, di cui era penetrato quasi ogni ospite della casa di pena. C’era da pensare che il titolo di forzato fosse un grado onorifico. Non una traccia di vergogna o di pentimento in alcuno. Si notava, comunque, nei detenuti, una specie di docilità apparente, un certo calmo, rassegnato modo di ragionare: ‘Siamo gente perduta’, dicevano”.
Dosto ha messo la sofferenza dell’uomo al centro dei suoi pensieri, sofferenza che si coagula in un luogo di reclusione, totalitario per definizione. Qualsiasi atto della vita viene regolato senza che si lasci nessuna libertà all’individuo. “Tutti i forzati di Russia sanno che le persone che più mostran loro compassione sono i medici. I medici non fanno mai distinzione fra i detenuti e gli altri, come involontariamente fanno quasi tutti, tranne, forse, la gente del popolo. Un popolano non rimprovera mai al detenuto il suo delitto, per quanto terribile esso sia, e gli perdona tutto in considerazione della pena che subisce e, in generale, della sua disgrazia”
Il forzato, però, si ritaglia il suo spazio di libertà, attraverso un lavoro utile sia per conto del penitenziario che clandestinamente, con la finalità di scambiare o vendere il prodotto delle proprie mani.
“Un giorno mi venne in mente che, se si volesse schiacciare, annichilire totalmente un uomo, infliggergli la più terribile delle punizioni, una punizione tale da far inorridire, da atterrire il più feroce assassino, basterebbe infondere al suo lavoro un carattere di perfetta inutilità e di assoluta assurdità. Se i lavori forzati, così come son oggi, riescono privi di interesse ed uggiosi per gli ergastolani, essi hanno tuttavia, come lavori in sé, una loro ragion d’essere, non sono assurdi: il forzato fabbrica mattoni, scava la terra, dà l’intonaco, costruisce: tutti lavori che hanno un senso e uno scopo. (…) Ma si obblighi, per esempio, a versar acqua da una tinozza in un’altra, e da questa in quella, a pestar la sabbia, a trasportare un mucchio di terra da un posto all’altro, e poi di nuovo a quello, e così via, continuamente: credo che in capo a qualche tempo il disgraziato finirebbe per appiccarsi, o commettere delitti su delitti, tanto da poter essere messo a morte, questa essendo molto preferibile a quello stato di umiliazione, di avvilimento, di sofferenza.”
Questo passo mi ha terrorizzato per la visionarietà: come faceva Fëdor, quasi cent’anni prima a sapere che l’uomo, un gruppo di indegnamente uomini, sarebbe arrivato a tanto?
Ecco dove sta la differenza tra il lager e il gulag. Basta leggere “Una giornata di Ivan Denisovič” di Solgenitsin e confrontarla con “I sepolti vivi” e “Se questo è un uomo”. Senza scambiare l’oro col piombo ( l’essere dissidente di un regime deprecato dall’occidente non ha potuto trasformare il santone russo in un grande, nonostante il nobel smaccatamente politico) i primi due sono molto simili, il terzo è un parto demoniaco: la vita nei due gulag, infatti, ha ancora la parvenza di vita, bandita con ferocia dal lager nazista il cui unico scopo era la disumanizzazione.
August 13, 2017
Reread.
December 14, 2023
Visit JetBlackDragonfly (The Man Who Read Too Much) at www.edenthompson.ca/blog
Keeper Of The Keys is the sixth Charlie Chan novel written by Earl Derr Biggers.
I have the others but just picked this up one day and started reading. I own a beautiful old hardcover copy ~ It was written in 1932 and I have a Grosset & Dunlap edition. I don't mind knowing Grosset & Dunlap were a reprint firm, I just like it that I have a matching set of the series. It may be from my copy being about 60 years old, or sometimes they used cheaper paper, but the pages are a golden honey colour, and they have an imprint from the typeset. All things I enjoy as I hold the hardcover in my hands and tuck into a good yarn.
Charlie Chan has solved some interesting cases in America, and is heading east to snowy Lake Tahoe at the mysterious request of Mr. Dudley Ward. When he arrives, he finds that Mr. Ward's ex-wife (the flighty Ellen Landini) a famous singer, will be joining them. The other guests include her second husband, her third husband, and her soon-to-be fourth husband! Along with the household staff and Miss Landini's maid, it's a full house. As yet another guest arrives, dramatically landing by plane on the snowy property no less, Landini is shot in an upstairs study.
Chan moves into action along with the local police to uncover the secrets and motives of the party. Everyone in the house is involved, with many having motive and some having (iron clad?) alibi's. They do manage to travel around, to nearby Reno, which is described as a wild west town - I can imagine it in the 1930's - and across the icy lake to a nearby lodge.
It's an intricate plot, with a few more murders and attempts along the way, which didn't reveal the culprit to me until the very end.
Highly entertaining, although, you have to take a grain of salt when reading a novel from that time period. Chan is most respected without question, however there are derogatory comments made by and about the other characters. Mr. Ward's longtime butler Ah Sing is Chinese from the old country, slightly resenting Chan's American ways. He has a thick accent in his pidgin English such as "P'liceman? Some say plitty wise man? Maybe?".
"Maybe," agreed Charlie.
But make no mistake, Biggers has created one of the long lasting, internationally known mystery detectives. While the language and conventions are a little dated in style, it's a pleasure to go back with Charlie to 1932. This was an intricately plotted case, with a diverse cast of characters and lots of clues to pick up. There are mysteries, thrills, daring escapes, and even romance. A highly entertaining read!
Keeper Of The Keys is the sixth Charlie Chan novel written by Earl Derr Biggers.
I have the others but just picked this up one day and started reading. I own a beautiful old hardcover copy ~ It was written in 1932 and I have a Grosset & Dunlap edition. I don't mind knowing Grosset & Dunlap were a reprint firm, I just like it that I have a matching set of the series. It may be from my copy being about 60 years old, or sometimes they used cheaper paper, but the pages are a golden honey colour, and they have an imprint from the typeset. All things I enjoy as I hold the hardcover in my hands and tuck into a good yarn.
Charlie Chan has solved some interesting cases in America, and is heading east to snowy Lake Tahoe at the mysterious request of Mr. Dudley Ward. When he arrives, he finds that Mr. Ward's ex-wife (the flighty Ellen Landini) a famous singer, will be joining them. The other guests include her second husband, her third husband, and her soon-to-be fourth husband! Along with the household staff and Miss Landini's maid, it's a full house. As yet another guest arrives, dramatically landing by plane on the snowy property no less, Landini is shot in an upstairs study.
Chan moves into action along with the local police to uncover the secrets and motives of the party. Everyone in the house is involved, with many having motive and some having (iron clad?) alibi's. They do manage to travel around, to nearby Reno, which is described as a wild west town - I can imagine it in the 1930's - and across the icy lake to a nearby lodge.
It's an intricate plot, with a few more murders and attempts along the way, which didn't reveal the culprit to me until the very end.
Highly entertaining, although, you have to take a grain of salt when reading a novel from that time period. Chan is most respected without question, however there are derogatory comments made by and about the other characters. Mr. Ward's longtime butler Ah Sing is Chinese from the old country, slightly resenting Chan's American ways. He has a thick accent in his pidgin English such as "P'liceman? Some say plitty wise man? Maybe?".
"Maybe," agreed Charlie.
But make no mistake, Biggers has created one of the long lasting, internationally known mystery detectives. While the language and conventions are a little dated in style, it's a pleasure to go back with Charlie to 1932. This was an intricately plotted case, with a diverse cast of characters and lots of clues to pick up. There are mysteries, thrills, daring escapes, and even romance. A highly entertaining read!
June 21, 2020
The mystery—who killed the famous opera singer Ellen Landini while she visited the house of a former husband in Lake Tahoe was a good one. The racist portrayal, not of Charlie Chan, but of family retainer Ah Sing, really hurt my enjoyment of it. Landini’s first husband, Dudley Ward, has invited all of her past husbands to his house, as well as Chan, in order to figure out whether Ellen had a child by him, and if so, what has happened to him. Poor Ellen is killed very early in the novel, and all of the husbands, plus several of Ward’s employees are suspects. The mystery and the atmosphere are well done, but Ah Sing (oh dear).
April 14, 2016
Wonderful mystery novel. I picked up the book at a used book store in San Fransisco and took home to Lake Tahoe. I was pleasantly surprised about all of the local details, but was even more surpized about the wonderful mystery crafted by the author. This may be the last Charlie Chan book, but it has encouraged me to read the others as well.
January 8, 2026
Grandma and Grandpa’s book-in my library
January 8, 2021
Charlie Chan, hawaiano di origine cinese, è uno degli investigatori meglio caratterizzati della golden age, Mescola una grandissima intelligenza con dei modi cerimoniosi e modesti, citando in continuazione la sua numerosissima famiglia (mi sono spesso chiesto se gli autori del tenente Colombo si fossero ispirati a questo personaggio). Visto l’uso e anzi l’abuso di personaggi cinesi, quasi sempre malvagi, utilizzati all’inizio della golden age (tanto che nel famoso decalogo di Knox viene vietato l’uso di personaggi cinesi), fa piacere, quasi per compensazione, vedere un personaggio cinese positivo.
In questo, che è l’ultimo romanzo oche lo vede protagonista, Charlie Chan è stato ingaggiato da un uomo che l’ha invitato a un misterioso incontro, in una dimora sulle rive di un lago, in una zona montana nell’interno degli Stati Uniti, Si tratta di una riunione, al quale parteciperanno una cantante lirica, con il suo promesso sposo e i suoi quattro ex mariti. Il primo marito, colui che ha organizzato l’incontro, svela la motivazione che l’ha spinto a vedere gli altri protagonisti.
Facciamo quindi la conoscenza con questi curiosi personaggi, e abbiamo la possibilità di ascoltare le loro interessanti storie. Ma poco dopo viene assassinata la cantante lirica.
A questo punto entra in scena Charlie Chan che scopre gli indizi decisivi e incastra il colpevole.
Bella l’atmosfera specie prima dell’omicidio. Gli spunti sono numerosi, vista la ricchezza e l’interesse delle storie personali dei sospettati. Purtroppo però il proseguimento non è all’altezza delle aspettative, lo schema scelto dalìl autore mescola, sia pure con mestiere, temi comunque abbastanza usuali nella produzione giallistica. Nel tutto, manca il colpo di genio (metodo ingegnoso con cui viene commesso il crimine, omicidio apparentemente impossibile, alibi apparentemente inattaccabile, atmosfera di terrore e tensione elevata) che caratterizza i capolavori. Resta comunque un’ottima storia, adatta per chi vuole conoscere o approfondire questo personaggio o comunque vuole passare qualche ora di evasione con un giallo di qualità, ancorché non un capolavoro
In questo, che è l’ultimo romanzo oche lo vede protagonista, Charlie Chan è stato ingaggiato da un uomo che l’ha invitato a un misterioso incontro, in una dimora sulle rive di un lago, in una zona montana nell’interno degli Stati Uniti, Si tratta di una riunione, al quale parteciperanno una cantante lirica, con il suo promesso sposo e i suoi quattro ex mariti. Il primo marito, colui che ha organizzato l’incontro, svela la motivazione che l’ha spinto a vedere gli altri protagonisti.
Facciamo quindi la conoscenza con questi curiosi personaggi, e abbiamo la possibilità di ascoltare le loro interessanti storie. Ma poco dopo viene assassinata la cantante lirica.
A questo punto entra in scena Charlie Chan che scopre gli indizi decisivi e incastra il colpevole.
Bella l’atmosfera specie prima dell’omicidio. Gli spunti sono numerosi, vista la ricchezza e l’interesse delle storie personali dei sospettati. Purtroppo però il proseguimento non è all’altezza delle aspettative, lo schema scelto dalìl autore mescola, sia pure con mestiere, temi comunque abbastanza usuali nella produzione giallistica. Nel tutto, manca il colpo di genio (metodo ingegnoso con cui viene commesso il crimine, omicidio apparentemente impossibile, alibi apparentemente inattaccabile, atmosfera di terrore e tensione elevata) che caratterizza i capolavori. Resta comunque un’ottima storia, adatta per chi vuole conoscere o approfondire questo personaggio o comunque vuole passare qualche ora di evasione con un giallo di qualità, ancorché non un capolavoro
September 23, 2025
The sixth and last of the original Charlie Chan novels is a solid entry in the series. Chan goes to Lake Tahoe because he's been hired to track down a man's long-missing son, one he didn't even know he had until recently. But the case takes a different turn when the man's ex-wife, a famous opera singer, is murdered and all four of her ex-husbands (along with her former chauffeur/lover and a young man who is soon to be her fifth husband) are present in the large lake house. Of all the Chan novels, this felt the most like a traditional Agatha Christie story, though as in most of the other Chan books, there is also a central romantic couple, the male half of whom is a sweetly innocent but studly fellow who has to be prodded a bit by Chan to make the romantic connection. As has happened to other detectives like Poirot and Philo Vance, Chan winds up doing something that is, at the very least, morally ambiguous though he has his reasons for doing so.
In an introduction to the 2009 edition I read, the interesting point is made that, while most of the Chan novels take Charlie to to various American locales--and the author assumes Biggers would have continued doing this if he had lived long enough to write more stories--the movies, particularly the early ones from Fox, take him to other world locales (Rio, Paris, Monte Carlo, Egypt, Mexico, Berlin, Panama). In my memory, only a couple of the novels and movies are primarily set in Hawaii, where Chan lives, and I wish Biggers had let him spend more time in Hawaii in the books. I can't really rank all six books as they are all of very similar quality, though the first, House Without a Key, is still my favorite. But I think mystery fans would like all of them.
In an introduction to the 2009 edition I read, the interesting point is made that, while most of the Chan novels take Charlie to to various American locales--and the author assumes Biggers would have continued doing this if he had lived long enough to write more stories--the movies, particularly the early ones from Fox, take him to other world locales (Rio, Paris, Monte Carlo, Egypt, Mexico, Berlin, Panama). In my memory, only a couple of the novels and movies are primarily set in Hawaii, where Chan lives, and I wish Biggers had let him spend more time in Hawaii in the books. I can't really rank all six books as they are all of very similar quality, though the first, House Without a Key, is still my favorite. But I think mystery fans would like all of them.
June 5, 2018
Unlike the film version of Charlie Chan, who traveled the world from Shanghai to Europe, the Charlie Chan of Earl Derr Biggers' novels only made it to Hawaii and California--with a ship ride in between the two. And the two settings in rural California turned out to be the least effective for his mysteries, especially this last novel set on Lake Tahoe.
Charlie seems tired in this book. Maybe Biggers was getting tired of him. Hard to say. But this was just another workmanlike finish for Biggers. I was sorry to see the series end on such a comparatively less inspired note.
Perhaps I am annoyed with Biggers' depiction of the common folk. For in Keeper of the Keys, Charlie's helper(s) have been replaced. Instead of high society social figures, the reader finds more than a dose or two of the local county sheriff and his father, Don and Sam Holt. And their folk wisdom. And, worse, their folksy dialogue. Earl Derr Biggers is not John Steinbeck. And so's I reckon I hear'ed jes' 'bout a'neff of that ther'n Sam Holt feller. I reckon. Mebbe his son, too. I reckon.
Still, I would have liked to see more novels. A pity Biggers died so young.
*A note to myself. In the past five months, I've read through all the Mr. Moto and Charlie Chan novels. Marquand is a better writer than Biggers, although Biggers is better at constructing a crime mystery per se. But then Marquand's Mr. Moto series is not just about a mystery. It's more of an adventure series, with a good mystery thrown in. Two very different type novels, really.
Charlie seems tired in this book. Maybe Biggers was getting tired of him. Hard to say. But this was just another workmanlike finish for Biggers. I was sorry to see the series end on such a comparatively less inspired note.
Perhaps I am annoyed with Biggers' depiction of the common folk. For in Keeper of the Keys, Charlie's helper(s) have been replaced. Instead of high society social figures, the reader finds more than a dose or two of the local county sheriff and his father, Don and Sam Holt. And their folk wisdom. And, worse, their folksy dialogue. Earl Derr Biggers is not John Steinbeck. And so's I reckon I hear'ed jes' 'bout a'neff of that ther'n Sam Holt feller. I reckon. Mebbe his son, too. I reckon.
Still, I would have liked to see more novels. A pity Biggers died so young.
*A note to myself. In the past five months, I've read through all the Mr. Moto and Charlie Chan novels. Marquand is a better writer than Biggers, although Biggers is better at constructing a crime mystery per se. But then Marquand's Mr. Moto series is not just about a mystery. It's more of an adventure series, with a good mystery thrown in. Two very different type novels, really.
January 18, 2025
The final Charlie Chan mystery by Earl Derr Biggers finds Chan in Lake Tahoe, encountering another murder during a house party of sorts. The victim, Ellen Landini, is a flamboyant, much-married, opera singer. Among the suspects are her current husband, future husband, and several ex-husbands. A lot of people on hand with motives to kill Ms. Landini. Not to mention the house staff, and various others who happen to be around at the time of the murder.
The house staff include Ah Sing, a longtime retainer to the owner of the house on Lake Tahoe, Dudley Ward. Sing becomes a key player in the story, and, as a traditional Chinese, is often at odds with Chan. He resents Chan for being an Americanized Chinese. The interplay between Chan and Sing gives "The Keeper of the Keys" a bit more depth than the typical Chan mystery. We learn a little more about Charlie Chan as a person, rather than as a famous detective, in this one.
Not that "The Keeper of the Keys" scrimps on the mystery elements. We get the usual confounding puzzle, the usual brilliant and (to me, anyway) unexpected resolution, and the usual colorful cast of suspects. We also get to see Charlie Chan in the snow, which he experiences for the first time in his life during his stay at Lake Tahoe. My one complaint about this edition of "The Keeper of the Keys" is that the cover illustration by Chris Rahn--sort of a landscape with clues--omits the snow.
The house staff include Ah Sing, a longtime retainer to the owner of the house on Lake Tahoe, Dudley Ward. Sing becomes a key player in the story, and, as a traditional Chinese, is often at odds with Chan. He resents Chan for being an Americanized Chinese. The interplay between Chan and Sing gives "The Keeper of the Keys" a bit more depth than the typical Chan mystery. We learn a little more about Charlie Chan as a person, rather than as a famous detective, in this one.
Not that "The Keeper of the Keys" scrimps on the mystery elements. We get the usual confounding puzzle, the usual brilliant and (to me, anyway) unexpected resolution, and the usual colorful cast of suspects. We also get to see Charlie Chan in the snow, which he experiences for the first time in his life during his stay at Lake Tahoe. My one complaint about this edition of "The Keeper of the Keys" is that the cover illustration by Chris Rahn--sort of a landscape with clues--omits the snow.
July 21, 2023
Overall a good mystery with misdirection and red herrings. It is a prime example of a golden age mystery. Biggers portrays Charlie Chan in a sympathetic manner (not to say there isn't some stereotyping, particularly with all the Chinese sayings that Charlie spouts). In fact, there are a number of Chinese and Chinese-American characters in the book. They are nuanced and different from one another, particularly in the attitudes as the characters are different generations from emigration from China and, of course, the further away the more Americanized they become.
I particularly enjoyed Chan's wonder at snow because he had no experience with it before, spending most of his life in Honolulu. While those who lived in area where just ready for it too be over already and for spring to begin. Also, he was disappointed to discover that footprints in the snow weren't nearly as revealing as they were often portrayed in mystery books.
I particularly enjoyed Chan's wonder at snow because he had no experience with it before, spending most of his life in Honolulu. While those who lived in area where just ready for it too be over already and for spring to begin. Also, he was disappointed to discover that footprints in the snow weren't nearly as revealing as they were often portrayed in mystery books.
December 4, 2023
SYNOPSIS: "Once again, the setting of the novel is rural California, where Chan has been invited as a houseguest. He meets a world-famous soprano, Ellen Landini, who is murdered not too long after the meeting. Chan does not have far to look for suspects—the host is her ex-husband, as are three of the other house guests. Her servants, entourage and husbands all come under suspicion. Once again, Chan is expected to solve the murder, which he does by understanding the key clues—the actions of a little dog named Trouble, two scarves, and two little boxes. When he understands how the murder is committed, he learns the role of elderly house servant Ah Sing—the keeper of the keys."
Keeper of the Keys (1932) is the sixth and last mystery in the Charlie Chan series of Earl Derr Biggers; Biggers was planning on continuing the series, but died in 1933 before he could. The films continued the series for him. (Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keeper_...)
Keeper of the Keys (1932) is the sixth and last mystery in the Charlie Chan series of Earl Derr Biggers; Biggers was planning on continuing the series, but died in 1933 before he could. The films continued the series for him. (Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keeper_...)
August 14, 2021
One of the Golden Age detectives I've been wanting to read.
While there are strengths to the story I found three things that made me rate the book poorly.
1/ I figured out the clues when they were first introduced.
2/ The romantic subplot was ... not good. Kind of embarrassing.
3/ For its time it's noticably trying to be non-racist. Mr. Biggers puts in a lot of work to flesh out the stereotypes around Charlie Chan. Then he writes another Chinese character - and an Italian character - who are just cringeworthy.
I think with a vigorous re-edit that this would make a good movie. Several of the minor characters (including a dog) are delightfully portrayed. The pacing is good. Mr. Chan himself is one of the better of the Golden Age detectives (nowhere near as irritating as a Poirot!) With the exceptions of the Chinese servant and the Romantic pairings, the dialogue tends to be well-written.
While there are strengths to the story I found three things that made me rate the book poorly.
1/ I figured out the clues when they were first introduced.
2/ The romantic subplot was ... not good. Kind of embarrassing.
3/ For its time it's noticably trying to be non-racist. Mr. Biggers puts in a lot of work to flesh out the stereotypes around Charlie Chan. Then he writes another Chinese character - and an Italian character - who are just cringeworthy.
I think with a vigorous re-edit that this would make a good movie. Several of the minor characters (including a dog) are delightfully portrayed. The pacing is good. Mr. Chan himself is one of the better of the Golden Age detectives (nowhere near as irritating as a Poirot!) With the exceptions of the Chinese servant and the Romantic pairings, the dialogue tends to be well-written.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 10, 2019
#6 in the Honolulu detective Charlie Chan mystery series set in Honolulu.
The story opens with Charlie at a lonely lodge on a wintry night at Lake Tahoe as an invited guest of the weathy owner who has also invited 3 other men: the owner and those 3 all had been married to the same woman, a famous opera singer. He also invites the woman to attend and shortly after her arrival she is shot to death. Through his instincts and understanding of human nature, Charlie arrives at a conclusion fraught with problems making a decision that doesn’t follow the letter of the law.
Another good Charlie Chan mystery.
The story opens with Charlie at a lonely lodge on a wintry night at Lake Tahoe as an invited guest of the weathy owner who has also invited 3 other men: the owner and those 3 all had been married to the same woman, a famous opera singer. He also invites the woman to attend and shortly after her arrival she is shot to death. Through his instincts and understanding of human nature, Charlie arrives at a conclusion fraught with problems making a decision that doesn’t follow the letter of the law.
Another good Charlie Chan mystery.
March 29, 2023
This Charlie Chan mystery takes place on terrain with which I am familiar, although the book was written 20 years before I was born. What starts out as a scenic holiday in the Sierra Nevada, devolves into a senseless murder that compromises many seemingly innocent people, until the master detective, Charlie Chan, uncovers the web of stormy relationships of each of the guests in a Tahoe cabin among themselves and with the murder victim.
As could be expected by all those who know the masterful Charlie Chan, he will calmly work out the case and deftly unmask the guilty party.
For those who enjoy Charlie Chan stories, the "Keeper of the Keys" will not disappoint.
As could be expected by all those who know the masterful Charlie Chan, he will calmly work out the case and deftly unmask the guilty party.
For those who enjoy Charlie Chan stories, the "Keeper of the Keys" will not disappoint.
July 11, 2017
I heard about this book from the Classic Mysteries podcast. I have not read a Charlie Chan mystery before and this one was pretty interesting, even if it took me awhile to wade through. The description of Chan being invited to a gathering is a good one. He seems to be about the only person there who wasn't at one point married or involved with Ellen Landini, a favorite opera singer. When she turns up dead, there is no shortage of suspects. It is up to Charlie to figure our who the killer among the exes is.
October 16, 2018
Charlie Chan is asked to a rich San Franciscan's mansion on Lake Tahoe, where he encounters winter for the first time in his life. He also encounters his host, the first husband of famous opera star Ellen Landini. Landini's other three husbands are also there, including the one she's visiting Reno to divorce. When the diva herself appears, tempers fray, and the rest of the party finds a dead body. Chan joins forces with the local sheriff, a young man who has succeeded his now-blind father, who held the post for many years.
July 11, 2017
Inspector Charlie Chan discovers snow in the Sierra Nevada mountains of California. Brought in to find the long lost son of his host, he instead is asked to help the young, inexperienced local sheriff solve the murder of his host's ex-wife. With three ex-husbands, a future husband and his sister, and a faithful long-time servant, there are plenty of suspects on hand. Charlie solves the mystery with his characteristic wit and astute reasoning.
August 25, 2025
How nice, last of the six in this series, and also the best. It’s unfortunate that Biggers died a year after the publication of this, because he was really getting into Charlie Chan and we’ll never know where he would have taken it had he lived. Certainly, they are a bit dated to today’s readers, but Chan is a seminal character in the “detective” genre, and well worth reading, I’m please that I’ve now done so.
October 1, 2022
Another very good entry in the Charlie Chan series. Enjoyable read, sadly the last in the series. I wish there were more set in Hawaii.
I read from the Avenel Chan omnibus, which had an incredible amount of typographical errors.
Also of note: this was the third book Biggers wrote with the word "key" in the title.
I read from the Avenel Chan omnibus, which had an incredible amount of typographical errors.
Also of note: this was the third book Biggers wrote with the word "key" in the title.
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July 3, 2023Finally finished the series. Not sure why but these were sort of a hard read for me. Not because they were bad books as such, it was just kind of hard for me to get into them. I am glad that I read the whole series and the books as usual were quite different than the movies...thank goodness.
August 14, 2017
very clever Charlie Chan plot
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