A mysterious millionaire with a penchant for strange pets takes a flyer on a string of pearls and finds that death is the broker. Charlie Chan embarks on an incognito journey across the desert to find the answer to a question – a question posed by a dead parrot who spoke in Chinese . . . Chan dons a disguise and goes undercover to solve a complex triple intrigue of fake identity, kidnapping and murder.

" Return to the Charlie Chan Mystery Series with Earl Bigger's fantastic sophomore outing, The Chinese Parrot. After the events of The House Without a Key, Charlie Chan is ready for a vacation. But before he can relax in the Golden State he must follow through on a promise he made to an old friend-transporting her priceless pearl necklace to its new owner. Accompanying Bob Eden, son of the jeweler who brokered the deal, Chan will stop at nothing to ensure the necklace reaches its final destination, even if that means picking up a mystery or two along the way. Based in part on the life of Chinese Hawaiian detective Chang Apana, Earl Derr Bigger's Charlie Chan Mystery Series was originally created to combat the negative ""Yellow Peril"" stereotypes of Asian Americans that were prevalent in the early twentieth century. With The Chinese Parrot (1926), Biggers delivers an intricate puzzle full of adventure and romance that further expands on the mythos of Charlie Chan. "

The second of the Charlie Chan mysteries bring the Honolulu detective to mainland California, where he investigates crime whose exposure is hastened by the death of a parrot.

The Chinese Parrot (1926) is the second novel in the Charlie Chan series of mystery novels by Earl Derr Biggers. It is the first in which Chan travels from Hawaii to mainland California, and involves a crime whose exposure is hastened by the death of a parrot. The story concerns a valuable string of pearls which is purchased by a wealthy and eccentric financier. The handsome young son of the jeweller is assigned to shepherd the transfer of the pearls to the financier's vacation home in a desert area of California. Because of his long association with the owner of the pearls-before joining the police force, he was her houseboy-Charlie Chan travels from Hawaii to California with the pearls. After two mysterious deaths, first of a Chinese-speaking parrot and then of the household's Chinese man-of-all-work, Charlie Chan masquerades as a pidgin-speaking cook named Ah Kim and works underground to solve a number of crimes. Along the way, the jeweller's son meets a beautiful young woman who works as a location scout and decides to stay in the California desert.

This early work by Earl Derr Biggers was originally published in 1929 and we are now republishing it with a brand new introductory biography. "The Black Camel" tells the story of a Hollywood star (Shelah Fane), who is stopping in Hawaii after she finished shooting a film on location in Tahiti. She is murdered in the pavilion of her renter house in Waikiki during her stay. Chan, in his position as a detective with the Honolulu Police Department, "investigates amid public clamor demanding that the murderer be found and punished immediately. "Death is a black camel that kneels unbidden at every gate. Tonight black camel has knelt here", Chan tells the suspects. Earl Derr Biggers was born on 26th August 1884 in Warren, Ohio, USA. Biggers received his further education at Harvard University, where he developed a reputation as a literary rebel, preferring the popular modern authors, such as Rudyard Kipling and Richard Harding Davis to the established figures of classical literature. Following in their footsteps upon graduating, he himself began a career as a popular writer, penning humorous articles and reviews for the Boston Traveler. While on holiday in Hawaii, Biggers heard tales of a real-life Chinese detective operating in Honolulu, named Chang Apana. This inspired him to create his most enduring legacy in the character of super-sleuth Charlie Chan. The first Chan story "The House Without a Key" (1925) was published as a serialised story in the Saturday Evening Post and then released as a novel in the same year. Biggers went on to write five more Chan novels and all were licensed for movie adaptations by Fox Films. These films were hugely popular with several different actors taking the lead role of Chan. Eventually; over 40 films were produced featuring the character. Biggers only saw the early on-screen successes of Charlie Chan due to his death at the age of only 48 from a heart attack in April 1933.

Immerse yourself in a classic mystery with Earl Derr Biggers’ captivating novel, "The House Without a Key." This intriguing story introduces readers to a gripping whodunit filled with suspense and clever twists. What secrets lie behind the enigmatic house with no key, and how do they unravel the mystery at the heart of this compelling tale? Biggers' masterful storytelling will keep you guessing as you follow the investigation to uncover the truth. With its blend of suspense, clever plotting, and richly drawn characters, this novel offers an engaging and entertaining read for fans of classic mysteries. Dive into a world where every clue and every character could hold the key to solving the mystery. Are you ready to unlock the secrets of "The House Without a Key" and embark on a thrilling mystery adventure? Experience the excitement of a classic mystery with "The House Without a Key." Get your copy now and join the search for answers in this timeless tale of intrigue and suspense!