The House Without a Key – A Charlie Chan Mystery by Earl Derr Biggers – Giveaway

14. April 2009 · 195 comments · Categories: Book Review and Giveaway, Mysteries · Tags: , , ,

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One of my favorite genres is mystery.  I like a good pulpy, noir mystery classic; a page turner if you will.  I used to read them all the time.  I still own stacks of old Alfred Hitchcock and Ellery Queen magazines that I can’t seem to part with, but since starting carp(e) I haven’t been able to sink my teeth into a nice bit of pulp in quite sometime.  I suppose that’s because carp(e) focuses on indie presses, and I haven’t stumbled on any old mysteries coming out of the indies.  But thank goodness for Academy Chicago Publishers!  They’re bringing back the Charlie Chan series, complete with incredible pulp art covers, and I’m having the time of my literal life.

First int he series is The House Without a Key.  The famous Chinese sleuth of the 1920′s Hawaiian Islands is introduced to the world for the first time.  Published originally in 1925, The House was rather revolutionary in that the hero was Chinese – an intelligent, witty, particular detective.  The characters in The House Without a Key are Bostonian upper crust, oftentimes surprised to find the man in search of the murderer is not as “white” as they.  It’s fun seeing the characters change their tune as Chan so cleverly works out the mystery.  

In The House Without a Key, young John Quincy from Boston travels to Hawaii to retrieve his wayward aunt.  But upon arrival he discovers a cousin has been murdered.  This high class Bostonian family can’t afford the scandal, however – and Cousin Dan has a sordid past that can do nothing but create scandal.  Young John Quincy finds himself in the heat of the mystery and it’s having quite an effect on his old money, old family preconceived notions of the world.  What’s more, no one seems to be able to put the clues together – no one but the famous Charlie Chan.

Want to win your own copy?  Snag the first of the Charlie Chan series ($14.95 retail) and get going on the upcoming collection!  

Multiple Options for Entry:

1.) Just tell me why you love mysteries!  Are your reasons chilling?  Blood curdling? Or perhaps they’re a complete mystery to you. (You may enter once a day.) Remember, leave an interesting comment.  If I cannot contact the winner, you might be chosen instead based on your comment.

2.) Email subscribers get an extra entry for as long as their subscription is active.

     Already a subscriber?  Leave me a separate comment on this post to let me know you’re interested in this giveaway.

     Want to subscribe?  Just enter your email address in the “Subscribe” box on the left. (Please make sure to verify your Feedburner subscription by responding to the email they send you. If you do not receive it, check your junk mail. Only verified subscriptions are entered for all the giveaways.)

3.) Blog about this giveaway on your blog with a link back to this post.  Come back and leave me a Comment with a link to your blog post. (If your comment doesn’t show up right away, don’t worry – I may have to approve it first.  My blog might think it’s spam but gosh darn, I certainly don’t!)

4.) I’m feeling Twittery.  If you Twitter a link to this giveaway, come back and comment here to let me know your Twitter name for another entry! (I’m dkmommy if you want to follow me.)

Feel free to do all four to gain several entries to win! You have until midnight EST on Tuesday, April 21, 2009, to enter.

Check out all current giveaways for both my blogs here.

195 Comments

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  1. DeeAnn S
    April 15, 2009 at 8:29 am

    I’ve always loved mysteries. I enjoy the initial setup of the story and then following the clues, trying to solve the situation before the end of the book/movie. It’s always a thrilling journey. And a good mystery will take you for a great ride. Thanks for this giveaway.

  2. david basile
    April 15, 2009 at 8:52 am

    a good old fashioned mystery

  3. CHRIS
    April 15, 2009 at 9:20 am

    I AM A BIG FAN OF CHARLIE CHAN

  4. valerie m
    April 15, 2009 at 10:09 am

    happy wednesday!

  6. Kathy
    April 15, 2009 at 10:25 am

    I love mysteries because they make me think. And I love historical mysteries most of all, because they teach me about other places and times. Thanks for the giveaway!

  7. Kathy
    April 15, 2009 at 10:26 am

    I’m a subscriber.

  8. Cairine
    April 15, 2009 at 11:38 am

    I’ve probabyly read at least a thousand mysteries but never a Charlie Chan one!

  9. Vicky Boackle
    April 15, 2009 at 11:48 am

    i love just the excitement of trying to quess what might happen next.

  10. Heather B
    April 15, 2009 at 1:42 pm

    I love trying to figure out a mystery before getting to the end of the book

  11. baggypants
    April 15, 2009 at 1:48 pm

    Anna spotted the envelope on the table. She picked it up. On the front of the envelope in large black letters it read “Why I love a good mystery”. Curious, Anna turned it over and saw that it had already been opened. She peered inside…it was empty…Someone had been here and taken the note…but who???

    Wouldn’t you love to know??? Anna would!!

  12. Stefanie Hartman
    April 15, 2009 at 1:51 pm

    I love the suspence of reading a mystery novel. My favorite kind of books since a young girl. I just can’t put the books down once I start reading. My mind races trying to figure out the mystery before the truth is revealed in the words. Thrilling. Thanks and blessings, Stefnaie

  13. Stefanie Hartman
    April 15, 2009 at 1:51 pm

    subscriber

  14. Angela J
    April 15, 2009 at 3:02 pm

    I like mystery books

  15. Doreen
    April 15, 2009 at 3:46 pm

    Here is my daily entry. Thanks

  16. Linda Fast
    April 15, 2009 at 4:25 pm

    I love a good mystery book especially one that keeps me on edge

  17. Linda Fast
    April 15, 2009 at 4:25 pm

    I subscribe

  18. Ken Robinson
    April 15, 2009 at 4:33 pm

    I know Charlie and #1 son will take a horrible scenario and explain it in logical fashion. Please accept my entry. Thank you.

  19. John Stetson
    April 15, 2009 at 5:24 pm

    I love the Charlie Chan mysteries. Whether in a book or in a movie they were always fun.

  20. Bcteagirl
    April 15, 2009 at 5:49 pm

    I love a good mystery… they leave you wondering what is going on, trying to sort things out on your own. You get to play detective, but from a safe distance. I also love anything retro, so this is the contest for me!!

    Bcteagirls last blog post..Free Starbucks Coffee For Canadians on Earth Day

  21. Bcteagirl
    April 15, 2009 at 5:50 pm

    Also, I am a subscriber!

    Bcteagirls last blog post..Free Starbucks Coffee For Canadians on Earth Day

  22. Shannon
    April 15, 2009 at 5:55 pm

    I would love to read this one.

  23. Carol Lawrence
    April 15, 2009 at 7:34 pm

    I have read mysteries for the last 45 years and have read at least a thousand,so there must be a good reason,I love when I guess the outcome.

  24. Amber B
    April 15, 2009 at 7:52 pm

    love mysteries because of the thrill and suspense of it all. ambpool(at)hotmail.com

  25. Susan C
    April 15, 2009 at 8:03 pm

    I love trying to guess “who done it”!
    smchester at gmail dot com

  26. Doreen
    April 15, 2009 at 10:21 pm

    My daily entry….yap…another chance to win.

  28. bridget3420
    April 16, 2009 at 12:56 am

    I love mysteries because I like trying to figure out whodunnit before I get to that part of the book.

  29. Carla
    April 16, 2009 at 5:54 am

    I’m a subscriber.

  30. Bob D.
    April 16, 2009 at 6:23 am

    Charlie Chan’s stories always kept your attention. No boring spots. I’d like to have this one in my collection.

  31. valerie m
    April 16, 2009 at 10:35 am

    happy thursday :)

  32. Kathy
    April 16, 2009 at 11:02 am

    Happy Thursday!

  33. Helen Watkinson
    April 16, 2009 at 11:17 am

    I enjoy mysteries

  34. Marlene V.
    April 16, 2009 at 12:01 pm

    I love to read all types of books and mysteries are always a fun read … especially if you are stumped about who did it!!!!

  35. Cairine
    April 16, 2009 at 12:11 pm

    Dear Baggypants and Anna – I think the butler did it!

  36. kathleen yohanna
    April 16, 2009 at 12:47 pm

    I love mysteries because i love trying to figure out whodoneit. They make you think.

  37. Bcteagirl
    April 16, 2009 at 12:48 pm

    Working on finishing my current book so I can start on this one :)

    Bcteagirls last blog post..Lancome Bonus is Back At The Bay Canada

  38. kathleen yohanna
    April 16, 2009 at 12:48 pm

    I subscribe to your e-mail. Thanks.

  39. Stephen
    April 16, 2009 at 2:10 pm

    I love a good mystery

  40. beth shepherd
    April 16, 2009 at 2:11 pm

    Thank you for a great giveaway! I would love to win.I like to figure out who done it..keeps me reading. THank you
    tatertot374@sbcglobal.net

  41. Doreen
    April 16, 2009 at 4:24 pm

    HERE IS MY DAILY ENTRY…THANKS

  42. Sammi
    April 16, 2009 at 4:42 pm

    I love mysteries because I can never figure them out – even when I’m reading them the second time, sometimes!

  43. Angela J
    April 16, 2009 at 5:28 pm

    I like them because it’s always fun to guess “whodoneit.”

  44. Rhonda Struthers
    April 16, 2009 at 6:54 pm

    I am addicted to Mysteries. I love the puzzle and trying to figure out the answer.

  45. Linda
    April 16, 2009 at 6:59 pm

    I am a subscriber.

  46. Anita Yancey
    April 16, 2009 at 7:08 pm

    I love mysteries, because I like to try and figure them out while I am reading them. Most of the time I can figure out who did it before I finish the book.

  47. Anita Yancey
    April 16, 2009 at 7:09 pm

    I am a subscriber!

  48. Cindy B. in Montana...now in Oklahoma
    April 16, 2009 at 7:14 pm

    Mystery is my favorite genre of fiction books. I like trying to piece keys to the mystery together as I read and love that little tingle when I recognize that some seemingly inconsequential event or piece of information will be a major key to solving it!

    Cindy B. in Montana…now in Oklahomas last blog post..Tea Party

  49. Cindy B. in Montana...now in Oklahoma
    April 16, 2009 at 7:15 pm

    Subscriber!

    Cindy B. in Montana…now in Oklahomas last blog post..Tea Party

  50. Cindy B. in Montana...now in Oklahoma
    April 16, 2009 at 7:16 pm

    I tweeted this giveaway.
    http://twitter.com/sendtocindy/status/1537551727

    Cindy B. in Montana…now in Oklahomas last blog post..Tea Party

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