This past December I had the pleasure to read the third and final book in John L. Swann’s trilogy of his “Charlie Chan Returns” series, Beyond Murder: A Charlie Chan Mystery (November 2025.) John explains what inspired him to write these three stories were the passage of the character into the public domain, coupled with the 2025 centennial of Detective Chan’s first appearance in print. As John notes in the preface to this book:
“My goal is to capture something of the flavor of the original Biggers novels in a manner that both the most dedicated Chan fan and the average reader will enjoy.”
The three titles in John’s Charlie Chan Returns series are:
- Death I said (2023)
- The Tangled String (2024)
- Beyond Murder (2025)
To be clear, these books are true pastiche carrying on where Biggers left off. As John says, “they build on his timeline with characters and settings old and new.”
Well, I for one believe HE NAILED IT! I did not think anyone would ever attempt to continue the “Chan Canon”; however, John has continued where Biggers left off and stays true to the originals. One can feel Biggers’ hand guiding his pen, more and more, with each of the three mysteries in the sequel.
In Beyond Murder, as in his previous two stories, not only do we meet up with past characters from the original novels, but the Chan’s first born son, Henry, takes on a secondary character role as a budding young sleuth. It opens with Mrs. Chan accompanying son Henry on a passenger liner bound for San Francisco, where oldest daughter Rose previously married to John Quincy Winterslip in Tangled String, (we first met him in The House Without a Key, 1925) is about to deliver the Chan’s first grandchild. A medical chart mix up in the hospital delivery ward brings suspicious activity to the attention of Rose and Husband John Quincy.
In the mean time, Charlie is also on his way to join Mrs. Chan, Henry, daughter Rose and husband in San Francisco CA, via one of the new clipper airships–a first time experience for the detective. He’s pulling double duty as a proud grandfather on a personal visit, while also on loan to help the San Francisco police force with drug smuggling operations. Here he meets up again with his old friend from Behind That Curtain (1928); Captain Flannery, now Deputy Chief of Police Flannery.
And the reunions do not stop there. Another pleasant surprise brings back Asst DA J. V. (June) Morrow, also from Curtain. Now Mrs. Kirk, she’s married to Barry Kirk another figure from the same novel (Charlie actually named his eleventh son “Barry” after Kirk.) June Kirk is now assigned as U.S. Deputy Attorney for California, San Francisco branch. It’s like meeting old friends again!
Also, having oldest son Henry play a secondary character seemed rather smart to me. While staying true to Biggers story line, Henry might be seen a replacement for movie fans used to seeing Sons #1, 2, or 3 (or a daughter) assist Charlie with his investigations on film. And John, obviously did quite extensive research on San Francisco, the buildings, the events, the time period, etc. It really comes forward in the reading and adds to its richness.
And a new character (or sidekick) is introduced into the fold. Detective John Patrick Bigley, an understudy of Asst Chief Flannery, is assigned to assist Charlie with local investigations in San Francisco. There’s really no similarity, but I could not help thinking of Officer Kashimo from Biggers two novels The Black Camel (1929) and Charlie Chan Carries On (1930.) However unlike Kashimo, who’s a steady but bumbling detective, Detective Bigley is an able-bodied investigator eager to watch and learn from the celebrated Detective Chan.
The flowery prose, proverbs, metaphors, and aphorisms, all contribute to the flavor of the 1930s, and give this read the same locution Biggers would have put forth coming from Charlie Chan. And there are more references and similarities to the original novels, as well:
- Chinese are psychic people.
- Cousin Willie Chan.
- Consulting his wrist-watch, a gift from daughter Rose years ago.
- A budding romance (between son Henry and a Ms. Wu.)
- Aphorisms or proverbs:
- “The Snake that sheds it’s skin is still a serpent.”
- “Man is but a leaf that bobs in current of the fates.”
- “Old man in China once wrote that humility is one of mankind’s greatest treasures.”
John does a great job foreshadowing and keeping the reader on edge. One thing I’m glad he did (as did Biggers) was title the 26 chapters. These titles add to the anticipation of what will follow: Chap 2–“Nods and Murdered Pleasantries,” Chap 8–“Breakfast on the Clipper,” Chap 24–“The Mask Falls.” All John Swann’s Charlie Chan novels are very good, and for me this last one in the series is dead on–a killer pastiche! Find him at https://www.johnlswann.com/.
“Occasional amazing occurrence keeps life spicy”
Behind That Curtain, 1928, Chapter 7
Postscript. There’s one other new character, working in Deputy Asst U.S. Attorney Kirk’s office by the name of…”Lilly Wu!” I asked John if this was a nod to Author Juanita Sheridan’s sleuth of four novels, but he assured me it was just a coincidence. In researching popular Chinese names of the era he found and chose that one. If you’re not familiar with Lily Wu, check out my blog, “Meet Lily Wu…Who? The female Charlie Chan.”
The Postman on Holiday 