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A review by paul_cornelius
The Chinese Parrot by Earl Derr Biggers
3.0
Quite a clever book, this second in the series of Charlie Chan mysteries. Earl Derr Biggers moves from the lush tropical islands of Hawaii, surrounded by their sea of clear waters, in the first novel, to the deserts of Southern California, surrounded by their sea of sand and arid air. A bigger contrast of settings would be impossible to make.
And Biggers has improved on some aspects of the Chan story. The mystery itself is better in this novel. And Charlie himself a stronger character, although he is still secondary, as in the first Chan novel, to the main protagonist. In this case, the protagonist is Bob Eden. And that is where The Chinese Parrot fails to live up to the first book, The House Without a Key. Bob Eden is annoying. Not only does he bumble around, become easily distracted, and constantly fall into childish mood swings, but he also doubts himself--and Charlie. Only through dumb luck, really, does he solve the case. This is markedly different from The House Without a Key, where the protagonist, John Quincy Winterslip, combines with and supports Chan.
The Chinese Parrot is still a wonderful mystery and fun book to read. Its frequent puns alone make for an effective break of the tension. Too bad about Louis Wong and Tony.
And Biggers has improved on some aspects of the Chan story. The mystery itself is better in this novel. And Charlie himself a stronger character, although he is still secondary, as in the first Chan novel, to the main protagonist. In this case, the protagonist is Bob Eden. And that is where The Chinese Parrot fails to live up to the first book, The House Without a Key. Bob Eden is annoying. Not only does he bumble around, become easily distracted, and constantly fall into childish mood swings, but he also doubts himself--and Charlie. Only through dumb luck, really, does he solve the case. This is markedly different from The House Without a Key, where the protagonist, John Quincy Winterslip, combines with and supports Chan.
The Chinese Parrot is still a wonderful mystery and fun book to read. Its frequent puns alone make for an effective break of the tension. Too bad about Louis Wong and Tony.