A place to explore all things surrounding Detective Charlie Chan, his creator Earl Derr Biggers, and their connection with Hawaii, Ohio and mystery fiction. – LOU ARMAGNO
Here's some exciting news for mystery buffs, who've longed for someone to dare follow up with a true Charlie Chan novel. A new mystery to carry on with Author Biggers' storyline. We have it now in: Death, I Said: A Charlie Chan Mystery by John L. Swann" Nicholas K. Burns Publishing, NY, 2023 Both I, … Continue reading We finally have one! A Charlie Chan Pastiche true to Earl Derr Biggers original novels.
This month we celebrate Ohio Author and Charlie Chan creator Earl Derr Biggers' 139th birthday (August 26, 1884) heading to Waikiki Beach on the island of Oahu, Hawaii, and the Halekulani Hotel's newest edition: Earl's Beachside Bar inside their famed House Without A Key Restaurant. House Without A Key Oceanside bar & restaurant, photos courtesy … Continue reading Celebrate Earl Derr Biggers’ birthday at “Earl’s,” the new Halekulani beachside bar!
History doth repeat itself! Once upon a time Author Earl Derr Biggers wrote a novel, The Chinese Parrot (1926). This second in the Detective Charlie Chan series featured an Australian Gray Parrot named "Tony," who spoke--you guessed it--Chinese. And in more recent times Biggers' biographer, Author Barbara Gregorich, wrote about another bird: the sensation of … Continue reading Birds of a feather: Tony the Parrot & Cookie the Cockatoo.
HAPPY 2023 everyone...we made it! As previously reported last year (my August 2022 Biggers' Birthday post), in 1925 the Honolulu Tourism Bureau presented Author Earl Derr Biggers with an honorary Key to The City of Honolulu. This was in appreciation for the overwhelming good will and publicity his first Charlie Chan novel, The House Without … Continue reading One other “Earl” was gifted a Key to The City of Honolulu.
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!
John Noland Life can indeed be ironic--grave and tragically ironic. Three years ago this month, June 15th, 2018, the family of John Noland made the heavy-hearted decision to disconnect John from life support. In his own small way (as we all are) John was a hero of sorts, most notably for me within the world … Continue reading One last Aloha’oe (fond farewell) to John Noland and his comic strip “Chinatown Cop.”
Haven't we all brooded over a holiday season or two, deep with regret Author Earl Derr Biggers never got the chance to pen a Charlie Chan Christmas mystery? OK, perhaps that never topped your list of major heartbreaks, but it's still a shame. I mean who doesn't love a good holiday "who done it?" Good … Continue reading The Man Who Murdered Santa Claus – A Charlie Chan mystery!
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.
Get ready for some feet tappin' and finger snappin'! We're celebrating Charlie Chan creator Author Earl Derr Biggers’ 136th birthday this month (August 26, 1884) with some sweet sounds germane to one of America's first "icons" of mystery fiction. Most mystery buffs easily recognize the theme song for their favorite sleuth: Peter Gunn, Mike Hammer, … Continue reading Celebrate! A “musical montage” for Charlie Chan creator Earl Derr Biggers’ 136th Birthday, August 26th.
"Being from different eras and cultures, any 'rivalry' between the two detectives would probably be something akin to soccer (football) and baseball...both are popular across the globe, but are unique in their following!" -- Rush Glick, Webmaster The Charlie Chan Family Home The above statement by Mr. Glick is a good analogy and so true. … Continue reading Chan & Holmes, two sides of a coin – a comparison and contrast!
The Postman on Holiday 