Category: Places

Mission Improbable: Slovakia & The Czech Repubic to find the four lost Chan Films

Good morning Mr./Ms. (your name here.) Your mission is to take a team to Slovakia and The Czech Republic to locate and retrieve the remaining lost Charlie Chan films. The following was intercepted surrounding the film Charlie Chan in Paris on Rush Glick's Charlie Chan Family Home site and explains why: "...Charlie Chan in Paris was … Continue reading Mission Improbable: Slovakia & The Czech Repubic to find the four lost Chan Films →

This December a Grand Lady turns 80: The USS Arizona, Pearl Harbor, HI

In Charlie Chan in Panama (1940) the USS Arizona can be seen sailing through The Panama Canal. On film, Detective Charlie Chan was there to thwart efforts by suspect foreign agents to sabotage the U.S. Fleet. However, even he couldn't protect this Lady from the deadly surprise attack to actually take place the following year...in … Continue reading This December a Grand Lady turns 80: The USS Arizona, Pearl Harbor, HI →

Need a place to write that mystery? Seven Keys Lodge in Colorado has a history of mystery!

This month we're celebrating Ohio Author Earl Derr Biggers 137th birthday (August 26, 1884) with a look at Seven Keys Lodge in Estes Park, Colorado. The lodge bears tribute to Biggers, but one surprisingly not related to his fictional Detective Charlie Chan! Rather, built in 1917 it pays homage to Biggers' first successful mystery novel, … Continue reading Need a place to write that mystery? Seven Keys Lodge in Colorado has a history of mystery! →

A 70-year old Hawaiian tradition; one I sorely miss!

Heading to Hawaii anytime soon? Skip the Luau and try The Friends of the Library of Hawaii bookstore sale in Kakaako on the Island of Oahu! While living 14 years on the islands, I looked forward to this annual event like Christmas or a birthday. One of the oldest continuously running book sales in the … Continue reading A 70-year old Hawaiian tradition; one I sorely miss! →

Everyone remembers their first time! Mine–October 2012.

This year the 51st Anniversary Bouchercon is being held Virtually, October 16 - 17, 2020 from Sacramento California. So I'm breaking my once-monthly blog rule to share my first time with you... The fall of 2012, I attended my first Bouchercon (famed world mystery convention.) I was ecstatic it was being held in my hometown … Continue reading Everyone remembers their first time! Mine–October 2012. →

Charlie Chan's trip to China – March 22, 1936!

Buried deep within the annals of mystery fiction, it is written Detective Charlie Chan was once as recognized a fictional character as Superman, Tarzan, or Mickey Mouse. Within literature he emerged as one of America's first, new breed of detectives--on par with S. S. Van Dine's Detective Philo Vance, Dashiell Hammett's The Continental Op, Sam … Continue reading Charlie Chan's trip to China – March 22, 1936! →

PUNAHAO, home to the night-blooming Cereus Flower!

Having grown up in the Midwest (Ohio) I vividly recall the harsh winters of my youth, standing outside in the ice and snow shivering as I waited for the school bus to arrive. Following that, 19 more years of snow, boots, jackets and gloves in Upstate New York and Central Germany. So it was exhilarating … Continue reading PUNAHAO, home to the night-blooming Cereus Flower! →

Will the REAL Charlie Chan please step forward.

Chang Apana's grave site at the Manoa Chinese Cemetary What's that you ask, "a REAL Detective Chan?" Yes, there was actually a living, breathing person, who inspired Author Earl Derr Biggers and served as the "spark" for his fictional Detective Charlie Chan. Now I realize "most of you" reading this already knew that! However, take … Continue reading Will the REAL Charlie Chan please step forward. →

Those Charlie Chan Eateries!

Ah November-December, the year's end approaches and dining-out at festive gatherings abounds! Why not step away from the customary turkey or ham that will no doubt be proffered you this holiday, and get a little adventurous! There still exists a few Charlie Chan establishments in operation! Here are those I could find open and some … Continue reading Those Charlie Chan Eateries! →