The House Without a Key

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Biggers was always a great romance writer who simply incorporated mystery into his books to propel the story forward. This is never more evident than in The House Without a Key. The story centers on young and proper John Quincy Winterslip of Boston, who has been sent to retr You can almost feel the gentle trade winds of Hawaii during the s in this classic novel by Earl Derr Biggers.

The story centers on young and proper John Quincy Winterslip of Boston, who has been sent to retrieve the elder Minerva Winterslip from the 'semi-barbaric' Pacific Islands of Hawaii. When his ship stops in San Francisco on its journey to the islands, however, John Quincy's idea of who he is begins to change. The possibility that there is a world outside of Boston and Beacon Hill, has begun to take shape in Quincy's soul. A mysterious errand in an exciting and mysterious San Francisco for the black sheep of the family, Dan Winterslip, who is also living in Hawaii, will kick off an adventure that will, in the end, turn John into a man.

A murder shortly before John's arrival will reveal old family secrets from a time when Hawaii was wild and dangerous, and a port for all the world. John Quincy does not understand the nostalgia Minerva and others feel for this time in Hawaii's history, but soon discovers for himself that romance is alive in those trade winds blowing the palms fronds. As John Quincy begins to help his lovely cousin Barbara and Minerva get to the bottom of the murder, Boston seems more and more like a distant memory. Luckily for John, Hawaii's best police detective will become his friend while helping to unravel the clues.

That detective, of course, is Charlie Chan.

An Asian who has been in Hawaii many years, Chan navigates the mystery with little to go on, but with much wisdom and humor. Chan may be Chinese, but his very American take on a piece of pie with which he is unhappy he is a hoot! Biggers truly makes both his characters and the islands of Hawaii come alive in the first novel in which Charlie Chan appeared.

His descriptions of Hawaii as seen through the eyes of the characters are both nostalgic, and filled with beauty. The House Without a Key is that rare novel which can be read with pleasure by those who love a good mystery, or those who love a light and atmospheric romance. If both are your cup of tea, this great classic is definitely for you. It is a great read during summer, when things are bright and cheery, or during winter, when you want a tropical escape. The writing style is of another era, of course, but all the lovelier for it.

A true mystery classic. View all 8 comments. Chan became so famous and beloved by his fans that Hollywood jumped on the bandwagon and made a series of black and white movies featuring this fat and canny Oriental detective. In Biggers' debut whodunnit featuring Chan, it really sh 50 years before the suave and dapper fictional TV detective Steve McGarrett policed the streets of Honolulu in " Hawaii ", writer Earl Derr Biggers what a great name, BTW gave us the equally dapper but alas not suave fictional book detective Charlie Chan.

In Biggers' debut whodunnit featuring Chan, it really shouldn't be classified as " A Charlie Chan Mystery so much as " A Dan Winterslip Mystery ", since Charlie appears but very infrequently throughout the novel and the main detection is done by the main male character. Nonetheless, this was an extremely entertainly murder mystery; filled with plenty of interesting suspects, plausible motives and a happy ending. What I really loved about this novel, however, was Diggers' observations of Hawaii during the 's.

What a place this territory must have been, and how beautifully Biggers' describes it. The Hawaii of the 's can bare no resemblance to modern Hawaii, and yet through the pages of this book the reader gets a real sense and feeling for the place. Another strength of Biggers' novel is that although it was written during a time when prejudices against non-whites prevailed, Biggers' allowed his readers to see a strong, capable and smart person of non-white descent, and had the white and non-white characters interact on an equal basis.

Sadly, Biggers died in , 7 years after this debut, and only wrote 6 Charlie Chan mysteries. I plan on reading every one. Oct 02, Amy rated it really liked it Shelves: I thoroughly enjoyed this first Charlie Chan mystery , and can't believe that I never picked one up before! I imagine this will be a series that I'll tear through. The mystery itself was good, of course, and it probably stands on par with any number of Agatha Christie mystery novels, but for me the mystery wasn't what made this book so enjoyable.

House Without a Key, Honolulu

It was the subtle humor, and the wispy strokes of humanity that Earl Derr Biggers gave to his characters that made me fall for this book. Charlie's way w I thoroughly enjoyed this first Charlie Chan mystery , and can't believe that I never picked one up before! Charlie's way with words, while at times comical, was so sincere, and heartfelt that he was quickly established as an honorable, genuine, reliable person.

He was like a very genteel rock. John Quincy's joy at discovering his wanderlust and true love was exhilerating, and added a spark of youth, fire, and life to the tale. Miss Minerva's strength, fortitude, and self-determination engendered admiration and respect, and caused the reader and John Quincy to see her wisdom in living life on her terms.

The House Without a Key was just a good book, full of life, zest, movement, passion, and joy. Just like it's Hawaiian setting. Aug 27, Dfordoom rated it it was amazing Shelves: The six Charlie Chan novels were immensely successful but the movies based loosely on them were even more so - in fact there were no less than 40 Charlie Chan movies!

The movies have been attacked for supposedly promoting racial stereotypes. The character was based on a real police officer, Chang Apana, who had a distinguished career as a detective with the Honolulu Police Department. Apart from Charlie Chan himself the book gains added exoticism from its Hawaiian setting. But how does it stack up as a mystery novel? In fact, pretty well. It follows the rules of the golden age of detective fiction with a host of suspects and with clues liberally scattered about.

John Quincy Winterslip, a rather strait-laced young Bostonian stockbroker from a very old New England family has been dispatched to Hawaii to bring his Aunt Minerva home. The Winterslips as a family are a strange mix of ultra-respectable Puritans and feckless adventurers. The fear is that Aunt Minerva may be about to desert the respectable side of the family. Minerva is staying in Honolulu with her cousin Dan Winterslip, the least respectable Winterslip of them all.

When Dan is murdered John Quincy finds himself in the middle of a murder investigation. Bond issues no longer seen quite so exciting. Going swimming on Waikiki Beach with Carlota Egan seems much more alluring. There are plentiful sub-plots involving opium smuggling, blackmail, and dark family secrets. Jun 20, Casey rated it liked it. I went on a mission to read at least one book featuring every literary detective who was satirized in the movie Murder by Death , which is one of my favorites.

Their sarcastic banter put them at the top of the list for me. Agatha Christie was a great storyteller. That said, I simply loved the setting AND the w I went on a mission to read at least one book featuring every literary detective who was satirized in the movie Murder by Death , which is one of my favorites. Charlie Chan is a great character, but my favorite aspect of this book was the way Biggers wrote about Hawaii.

He takes full advantage of his beautiful, exotic setting. The state itself with all of its features becomes like a character in the book. Biggers brings just the right amount of imagery to transport the reader to Hawaii from the first chapter. Jun 27, Angela M Sanders rated it it was amazing.

House Without a Key

What a fascinating peek into time The House Without a Key is! In the novel, the characters regularly ruminate on how much Hawaii has changed since the glory years of the '80s and '90s--and they weren't talking about the twentieth century, either. The descriptions of Honolulu in the s are enough to warrant a read of the book. The story's characters are strong, if a little predictable, and the mystery takes second seat to the novel's spectacular setting.

But all in all, it was a great read. Lots of people have moaned about Charlie Chan's stereotypical portrayal. But remember, until Charlie Chan, the evil Fu Manchu was the fictional Chinese man most readers knew. Plus, author Earl Biggers's dialogue for Charlie Chan is hysterically fun, as--in my mind, at least--he intended it. For instance, Chan samples a piece of pie that seems a little past its due date to him, so he demands an "unmolested sector" of the pie instead.

Now, nearly years after the novel was written, we can read it with a more savvy eye to culture. Apr 29, Lisa Kucharski rated it really liked it. First Charlie Chan mystery, and a very fun book it is to read. It is of it's time and gives some really interesting views of society at that time. It is wonderful to follow Chan and John Quincy Winterslip work together and develop a respect for one another that transcends many others in the story. Nice mystery as well, very visual, and let's face it The story follows John Quincy for the most part and he moves from a man raised and ready First Charlie Chan mystery, and a very fun book it is to read.

The story follows John Quincy for the most part and he moves from a man raised and ready to become a staid old man at the age of thirty in Boston. By the end of the book, he has claimed a new look on life and is actually engaged in living it his own way. Nov 04, Stacie Haden rated it really liked it Shelves: Timeless, and better than I expected. Dec 09, Jacen Maleck rated it really liked it. Had read Mitchner's Hawaii a few years before and wondered if he had read this.

Oct 08, Susan rated it liked it Shelves: Yes, it's dated and hokey, but it's still curiously enjoyable. Young New Englander is sent to Hawaii to persuade his proper Bostonian aunt to return after ten months! By the time he arrives, one of his cousins is dead. Afraid that scandal will tarnish the family name, he works with the police, including their Chinese ace detective, and falls in love both with Hawaii and with a beautiful, socially unsuitable young lady.

As the police elimi Yes, it's dated and hokey, but it's still curiously enjoyable. As the police eliminate suspect after suspect, it seems as though the murder will never be solved. But that's reckoning without Charlie Chan, who puts together clues to incriminate a least-likely suspect. His ship arrives in the evening and because of bureaucratic red tape yes, even in Hawaii Territory in the ship has to sit outside t Hawaii was an idyllic sort of place, a place where a straight-laced New England Puritan could lose himself in the heady scent of night blooms and the sunset gilding of the sea.

His ship arrives in the evening and because of bureaucratic red tape yes, even in Hawaii Territory in the ship has to sit outside the reef overnight and land in the morning. When he does go ashore, John Quincy discovers his wealthy uncle Dan, a controversial figure in Honolulu whose fortune is thought to have been acquired through nefarious means, has been murdered during the night.

The only clue is a watch with a phosphorescent dial on which the number two is faded. The police arrive, and among them is Charlie Chan, the finest detective on the island. As he investigates, Charlie finds some additional clues, including an ornate dagger, a jeweled brooch, the stub from an unusual brand of cigarette, and more. This is Hawaii and so there are lots of Hawaiian words, a visit to a luau, swimming and surfboarding, leis and muumuus, and the light blinking on Diamond Head.

Hawaii being the original multicultural Eden, there are not just Hawaiians and mainland Anglos, but also Japanese and Chinese, Spanish and Portuguese, English and Irish. This mystery is very dated and filled with atmosphere, Charlie Chan is a minor character but an important one, and the complicated plot comes to a satisfactory ending. The bad guys go to jail, the good guys come into some money, and the guy gets the girl.

You'll have to read the book to find out which girl. Dec 09, Susan Ferguson rated it really liked it Shelves: This is the book that started it all - the movies, etc. Charlie Chan is a respected detective in the Hawaiian police force. She has been in Hawaii for quite some time staying with the family blacksheep, Dan Winterslip.

John Quincy is not happy as he arrives in San Francisco - but he has a feeling of homecoming at San Francisco, like he's been there before. He meets an uncle in San Francisco who he stays This is the book that started it all - the movies, etc. He meets an uncle in San Francisco who he stays with before taking ship to Hawaii.

The uncle offers him a job there, but he declines saying he needs to be in Boston. But the offer stays with him. He goes on board the ship with his cousin Barbara, returning to her father's house in Hawaii Barbara is Dan's daughter. When they arrive, they learn that Dan has been killed the night before while sleeping on his lanai. Minerva discovered the body. The head detective arrives with Charlie Chan to look things over.

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And John Quincy decides he will "help" Charlie Chan, maybe he can find out things people wouldn't tell a detective. He met a girl on arrival in San Francisco that he found utterly charming. He discovers she is also on the island helping her father run a small hotel. Her father is not very popular and is a suspect in Dan Winterslip's death.

Dan had a dark secret. He had asked John Quincy and his uncle to go to his house and get a box and throw it in the ocean, but when they got there the box was gone. Someone had broken into his house there and stolen it. This all takes place shortly after Hawaii has become a state and both Hawaii and John Quincy Winterslip are going through a maturation process. Earl Derr Biggers wrote six of these books - and I think I'll read them all.

This book is the first of the Charlie Chan mysteries and I was quite excited to read it. I'm a big fan of the Charlie Chan movies and wanted to read the novels that inspired them. I was a bit disappointed with this one for a few reasons.

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First of all, there is not enough Charlie Chan. As one of my Goodreads friends pointed out to me, Earl Derr Biggers didn't realize that character would be such a sensation. So perhaps subsequent books will have more Charlie Chan. Another thing is that I didn't r This book is the first of the Charlie Chan mysteries and I was quite excited to read it.

Another thing is that I didn't really like any of the characters. I did enjoy reading about John Quincy, the main character, and his transformation from stuffy Bostonite to a free-spirited West Coaster. The ambiance and culture of both San Francisco and Hawaii as well as the murder mystery and the various women he crushes on are all factors in his transformation.

Being from Boston, I never really liked to read about Boston folks being uptight, too-cultured and puritanical. This coming from a gal who was born and raised and still lives in the Boston area. I just didn't like that. The mystery keeps evolving as the plot progresses. You don't know whodunnit until the end. The writing is very good and there is an eclectic mix of characters. The cover is gorgeous but very misleading. If you want a good mystery from the early part of the 20th century and you don't mind stuffy Bostonians and very little Charlie Chan, read the book.

If you love Charlie Chan and you love Boston, skip it. View all 3 comments. I have seen many of the Charlie Chan films, and I have always enjoyed them, but I had not read any of the books. I was pleasantly surprised that I found this first book very enjoyable. The book has a complex plot that held my interest. A family originally from Boston, the Winterslips, has some members living in Hawaii. One of the wealthy Winterslips living in Hawaii is murdered.

A younger member of the family, John Quincy Winterslip, has been sent to Boston to check up on his Aunt Minerva and pe I have seen many of the Charlie Chan films, and I have always enjoyed them, but I had not read any of the books. A younger member of the family, John Quincy Winterslip, has been sent to Boston to check up on his Aunt Minerva and persuade her to return to Boston. He arrives in Honolulu the day after the murder. He gets involved in the investigation and is determined to see it through to the end, before he returns to the mainland.

It turns out that the owner of a hotel is suspected of the murder. His daughter has recently returned to the islands and John Quincy is enchanted by her, and by his cousin Barbara the daughter of the victim. Plus he has a fiancee back in Boston. This sub-plot of his various possible love interests is entertaining. The Charlie Chan character has been controversial, especially in the movies. In the books, his speech is not perfect English but he is striving to speak English well.

And he is never an object of ridicule.

Charlie Chan does not show up until later in the book, and in some ways he seems to be in the background during the investigation. But it is clearly his intellect and detection that solves the crime. Jan 28, Debra rated it really liked it Shelves: I have to say that I really enjoyed the book which was originally published in and re-released in It had been awhile since I read a mystery written before computers, DNA, and cellphones. It was also amusing to read about a police department that welcomed help from an inexperienced amateur sleuth.

Sep 14, M. Newman rated it it was amazing Shelves: For the past few years I had been intrigued by the thought of reading Charlie Chan mysteries but based on my dim memories of the Charlie Chan movies I had seen on TV as a kid, I was afraid that the books would be a bit racist and therefore off-putting. However, my wife recently read this book and assured me that this was not the case and she recommended the book, enthusiastically.

Lo and behold, she was correct. Not only was there no racism in the novel but in a few instances there was social co For the past few years I had been intrigued by the thought of reading Charlie Chan mysteries but based on my dim memories of the Charlie Chan movies I had seen on TV as a kid, I was afraid that the books would be a bit racist and therefore off-putting. Not only was there no racism in the novel but in a few instances there was social commentary which put anti-Chinese actions in a bad light.

The descriptions of s San Francisco and Hawaii were fascinating and informative. Overall, I found this book to be engrossing and extremely well written. Asked server for wine list. Should he have offered me the same? Should I have had to ask? I thought I did thought maybe not as forceful or specific. I had previously been to Orchids also on the property, but they were booked for the day.

We were here for Thanksgiving. Our service was exceptionally poor. Sat at table for at least 15 minutes before our waiter came. Courses were slow to arrive and our plates sat on the table again for almost 15 minutes after we were finished. Very disappointing for an expensive meal that was touted so highly. Would not recommend especially during busy time. Our waiter Guy was very professional. Wonderful drinks, delicious food in a beautiful location. Such a special place! We did a thanksgiving dinner and it made our trip! Um we went there thanksgiving dinner, food was ok but the serving was way too slow due to thanksgiving many people were off.

The environment is great and we enjoyed the performance. Rain cancelled hula dancer. They need to build a a portable cover over the stage. The venue, the food and the service and were outstanding. Live music right on the beach was certainly a nice plus. Exceptional food and service. The ambiance was magical. The view of the ocean, the live entertainment, and the beautiful sunset. The last night in Honolulu for my cousins visiting from Florida and it was perfect! Guy, our server, was very attentive and full of the Aloha spirit that Hawaii is known for! Sign up Sign in. Overview Photos Menu Reviews Twitter.

House Without a Key. Great for Outdoor Dining. Good for a Date. Monday to Saturday; 7: Monday - Saturday; Distinctive nightly Hawaiian music 5: Report a photo problem Unrelated to restaurant Inappropriate content I don't like this photo Cancel. Served daily from 7: Monday through Saturday and until Enjoy a favorite oceanside spot for a delicious breakfast buffet in an informal setting. What People Are Saying. Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant. Overall 4 food 4 service 5 ambience 5. Overall 1 food 1 service 1 ambience 1.

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