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Charlie Chan #1-6 omnibus
CHARLIE CHAN MYSTERIES – Complete Series: 6 Detective Novels in One Volume: Chinese American detective with Honolulu Police unravels globe-spanning 1920s murders
Charlie Chan is a Chinese American detective who lives on Hawaii and works for the Honolulu Police Department, but often travels around the world investigating mysteries and solving crimes.
The House Without a Key – Member of Boston society who has lived in Hawaii for a number of years is murdered. The victim's nephew, a straitlaced young Bostonian bond trader, could be of some assistance to detective Charlie Chan in solving the mystery.
The Chinese Parrot – A valuable string of pearls is purchased by a wealthy and eccentric financier. Jeweler's son and Charlie Chan also travel from Hawaii to California with the pearls and come across a few mysterious deaths.
Behind That Curtain – Sir Frederic Bruce, former head of Scotland Yard, is investigating a murder of a London solicitor from 15 years ago. A long-cold trail takes him to California, where detective Charlie Chan gets mixed up in the case.
The Black Camel – A Hollywood star Shelah Fane is stopping in Hawaii after she finished shooting a film in Tahiti, but gets murdered in a rental house in Waikiki. Charlie Chan investigates amid public clamor demanding that the murderer must be found.
Charlie Chan Carries On – Inspector Duff from Scotland Yard is pursuing a murderer on an around-the-world voyage. While his ship is docked in Honolulu, the detective is shot and wounded, and Chan takes his place on the cruise.
Keeper of the Keys – Charlie Chan is back in California where he meets a world-famous soprano, Ellen Ladona, who is murdered not too long after the meeting. Chan is expected to solve the mystery and he does not have to look far for suspects.
Earl Derr Biggers (1884-1933) was an American novelist best known for his mystery novels, especially those featuring Chinese American detective Charlie Chan.
The House Without a Key – Member of Boston society who has lived in Hawaii for a number of years is murdered. The victim's nephew, a straitlaced young Bostonian bond trader, could be of some assistance to detective Charlie Chan in solving the mystery.
The Chinese Parrot – A valuable string of pearls is purchased by a wealthy and eccentric financier. Jeweler's son and Charlie Chan also travel from Hawaii to California with the pearls and come across a few mysterious deaths.
Behind That Curtain – Sir Frederic Bruce, former head of Scotland Yard, is investigating a murder of a London solicitor from 15 years ago. A long-cold trail takes him to California, where detective Charlie Chan gets mixed up in the case.
The Black Camel – A Hollywood star Shelah Fane is stopping in Hawaii after she finished shooting a film in Tahiti, but gets murdered in a rental house in Waikiki. Charlie Chan investigates amid public clamor demanding that the murderer must be found.
Charlie Chan Carries On – Inspector Duff from Scotland Yard is pursuing a murderer on an around-the-world voyage. While his ship is docked in Honolulu, the detective is shot and wounded, and Chan takes his place on the cruise.
Keeper of the Keys – Charlie Chan is back in California where he meets a world-famous soprano, Ellen Ladona, who is murdered not too long after the meeting. Chan is expected to solve the mystery and he does not have to look far for suspects.
Earl Derr Biggers (1884-1933) was an American novelist best known for his mystery novels, especially those featuring Chinese American detective Charlie Chan.
1654 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1932
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About the author
Earl Derr Biggers
233 books86 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 - 7 of 7 reviews
February 19, 2020
I will review each novel in this omnibus immediately after reading and will update the review accordingly.
The House Without a Key:- the first appearance of Charlie Chan dates from 1925 but reads better than many mysteries of that period. The writing is surprisingly good and the impact of Hawaii on "outsiders" is vividly conveyed. There are red herring in plenty, and a fair quota of romance, which is par for the era. The characterisation and plotting are solid, although I spotted the perpetrator without too much difficulty. This was both interesting and very readable.****
The House Without a Key:- the first appearance of Charlie Chan dates from 1925 but reads better than many mysteries of that period. The writing is surprisingly good and the impact of Hawaii on "outsiders" is vividly conveyed. There are red herring in plenty, and a fair quota of romance, which is par for the era. The characterisation and plotting are solid, although I spotted the perpetrator without too much difficulty. This was both interesting and very readable.****
December 8, 2017
A masterpiece!
Each of these 6 stories are such intricately written and thought out. They keep you at the edge of the seat and at the same time, they are long enough to make you impatient to the level of being frustrated with gthe whodunit surprise. Simply brilliant read.
Each of these 6 stories are such intricately written and thought out. They keep you at the edge of the seat and at the same time, they are long enough to make you impatient to the level of being frustrated with gthe whodunit surprise. Simply brilliant read.
August 12, 2012
What a great character! Reading these prompted me to put all the Charlie Chan movies I could find in my Netflix Queue. Enjoyed these 6 novels a lot and am enjoying watching the old movies a lot as well.
March 5, 2015
I love these mysteries. They are so well written. Charlie is such an unusual detective figure. If you're looking for a detective who isn't full of himself and has a refreshing view on life you'll like this one.
August 19, 2012
Dated, slightly racist(though not as bad as in the movies), but great fun.
April 24, 2013
These books written in the 1920s and 1930s would not be for everyone. If you enjoy period pieces and if you enjoy cozies, then these stories are great fun.
August 20, 2014
Classic mysteries. Easy reading and very relaxing.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews