The Complete Charlie Chan Series - All 6 Mystery Novels in One Edition (ePub)

Earl Derr Biggers (1884-1933) was an American novelist and playwright, best known for creating the fictional Chinese-American detective Charlie Chan. Born in Warren, Ohio, Biggers pursued a degree at Harvard University before embarking on a writing career, which was initially focused on plays and humorous essays. His foray into the mystery genre granted him international fame through the character of Charlie Chan, who first appeared in the novel 'The House Without a Key' (1925). The series, set mostly in Hawaii, deftly combined elements of mystery and comedy, reflecting the author's wit and penchant for crafting engaging narratives. The Complete Charlie Chan Series encompasses all six novels featuring the sagacious detective, including 'The Chinese Parrot' (1926), 'Behind That Curtain' (1928), 'The Black Camel' (1929), 'Charlie Chan Carries On' (1930), and 'Keeper of the Keys' (1932). Biggers' literary style is characterized by its clarity and charm, with an underlying social commentary about contemporary attitudes towards race and ethnicity. The Charlie Chan series, while reflective of its time, marked a departure from the era's typical racial stereotypes by portraying its protagonist as intelligent, observant, and articulate. Despite criticism over the years regarding cultural representations, Biggers' contribution to the genre remains significant, influencing generations of crime writers and leaving a lasting legacy in American literature and popular culture.