"Death waits in the shadows of paradise..." In The Black Camel, the third thrilling installment of Earl Derr Biggers' beloved Charlie Chan mystery series, the idyllic island of Honolulu becomes the stage for a chilling murder. When glamorous Hollywood actress Shelah Fane is found dead in her beachfront bungalow just days before announcing her engagement, whispers of scandal and secrets swirl like the island breeze. Enter the unflappable and razor-sharp Detective Charlie Chan, called upon to untangle a web of deception woven between the glamour of Hollywood and the quiet elegance of Hawaiian society. As Chan delves deeper, he encounters a fortune-telling mystic, buried crimes of the past, and a cast of suspects as colorful as the island itself. But nothing is as it seems-and the black camel of death, as Chan notes, "kneels once at every door." With crisp dialogue, atmospheric detail, and an intricately plotted mystery, The Black Camel showcases Biggers' talent for blending suspense with charm. It's a captivating whodunit where the past refuses to stay buried-and justice walks softly, but surely.

Earl Derr Biggers (1884-1933) was a master of mystery whose work helped shape the Golden Age of detective fiction. Born in Ohio and educated at Harvard, Biggers began his literary career as a journalist before turning to the world of fiction-where he would leave an indelible mark. Best known as the creator of the legendary detective Charlie Chan, Biggers blended gripping plots, clever dialogue, and exotic locales to craft mysteries that captivated readers worldwide. Inspired by a real-life Chinese-American lawman, Chan was a groundbreaking character: wise, witty, and deeply principled, offering a refreshing counterpoint to the stereotypes of his time. Biggers' novels, including The House Without a Key and The Chinese Parrot, have endured for nearly a century thanks to their elegance, charm, and universal appeal. His stories continue to intrigue modern readers and inspire new adaptations-from film to radio to manga-style reimaginings. Though his life was tragically cut short, Earl Derr Biggers left behind a literary legacy as rich and colorful as the mysteries he so deftly penned.