Story number 1. 'The House Without A Key'.
This takes place on the island of Honolulu and concerns the old American family of Winterslip. Two brother from that family live in adjoining properties but have not spoken for many years. About to visit the island is young and staid John Quincy Winterslip from Boston. Shortly afterwards,one of the brothers is fatally stabbed and John Quincy is drawn into the investigation,which changes his life forever. Charlie Chan is only a minor but endearing character in this first story of the series.

Story number 2. 'The Chinese Parrot'.
Concerns a set of valuable pearls and a parrot. Charlie Chan arrives in mainland America to solve a most perplexing case.
Not such an exciting story as the first as it takes rather too long to get to the point. The solution and the unmasking of the bad guys is very well done though.

Story number 3. 'Behind That Curtain'
A Scotland Yard detective on a visit to America,pursuing clues on an important case,is murdered. Charlie Chan who just happens to be on the scene,is asked to help the official police. It is rather lucky that Chan does agree to assist as the police are very far out in their quest. Lots of suspects and lots too of red herrings.

Story number 4. ' The Black Camel'
Shelah Fane is a famous film actress who is a little beyond her prime. She gathers a number of her friends from the film world and plans a dinner party in her house in Honolulu. Shortly after this,she is found stabbed to death and the various guests all become suspects. Inspector Charlie Chan investigates this difficult case and eventually solves it in his usual clever manner.

Story number 5. 'Charlie Chan Carries On'.
A group of rich Americans take a trip around the World. As the tour reaches London an elderly and well-liked gentleman is is discovered strangles in his hotel room. Inspector Duff of Scotland Yard begins an investigation but is badly hampered by the fact that the tour is due to leave in a few days and he can find no clues or prime suspect in time to stop the group moving on. Duff gets permission to follow the tour to it's next destination,where there is however another murder.
Ace detective Charlie Chan does not appear until about two-thirds through the story,but when he does,then things really start to move.
Chan is a brilliant creation,being unlike most of the chinese characters written at this time,who were evil and sinister. Chan is genial and completely likable.
This is a great collection of stories and a very enjoyable read throughout, ( )