The Tangled String
A Charlie Chan Mystery
By John L. Swann
Trade Paperback
Cover Price: $14.95
Charlie Chan and family travel to Boston for daughter Rose’s wedding at the Hotel Statler. After an enigmatic family heirloom arrives under police escort, Chan is asked to unravel the mystery of a violent death and discovers some uncomfortable blue-blooded family skeletons.
Based on the Earl Derr Biggers novels, with a nod to their countless film adaptations, The Tangled String brings one of detective fiction’s most famous golden age sleuths back in book two of the new Charlie Chan series.
Rose Chan’s marriage to John Quincy Winterslip promises to be a joyous occasion in the groom’s native Boston, and his family insists on putting up the bride’s parents and nine siblings at the famous Hotel Statler. Honolulu police inspector Charlie Chan welcomes the opportunity to take his devoted wife and their brood to far-off New England, and the Winterslip family introduces them to the Athens of America.
Chan soon discovers that the hotel elevator isn’t the only thing that’s out of order. A burglary leads to a suicide—or was it murder? The father of the bride-to-be comes to the aid of Boston police to find the connections between thievery, death and a family history best forgotten. Drawing on ancient wisdom, intelligent deduction and his characteristic wit, Chan must help a junior police detective reveal all as the wedding day fast approaches.
Excerpt
The front desk and the lobby were a sight to behold.
His worst suspicions having come to pass. McGee had remained, all thought of sleep gone from his mind. Gilbert also had stayed, helping administer several cups of black coffee to the suddenly sober elevator operator.
Simon Russum’s jovial mood and tipsy behavior were no match for Molly Meek screaming down the house. He was still a bit groggy, but the discovery of a body, and a hysterical woman, had straightened him up considerably.
Before long, Brody Watkins arrived, and the assembled staff huddled in the lobby at his direction.
“Now then, who called the police?” Watkins demanded. “Blast it all anyway, none of you thought to call the department?”
About The Author
John L. Swann has worked as a broadcast journalist and in public relations and marketing. His career has included stints as a television news director and anchor and a radio anchor, reporter and talk show host whose work has been recognized by the Associated Press and the New York State Broadcasters Association. After leaving broadcasting, he served as chief of staff to the president of the State University of New York Institute of Technology where he authored From the Mills to Marcy, a history of the college. A native of the rural Midwest, he lives in Upstate New York with his wife, Patricia, whose years of encouragement were the impetus for the writing of Death, I Said, the first in a series of new Charlie Chan mysteries that continues with The Tangled String.
Book Details
- Publisher: Nicholas K. Burns Publishing (November 2024)
- Trim Size: 5 ¼ x 8
- Paperback: 180 pages
- ISBN 978-0-9755224-7-9 (paperback)
- ISBN 978-0-9755224-8-6 (ebook)
- Fiction / Mystery & Detective / Private Investigators
Reviews
Praise for John L. Swann’s Death, I Said: A Charlie Chan Mystery
I can only say Mr. Swann has surpassed himself with this second Chan book. It has the flavor and feel of a Biggers original. I don’t know how he tapped into it, but Mr. Swann has found his inner Chan with this one–It’s truly comparable to an original Chan novel. From the beginning I was in awe at how he captured the tone and voice of the original author. Charlie’s eloquent and often flowery speech are amazingly similar, and his aphorisms or at least metaphors and wit are perfectly placed where needed. Nothing slapstick or silly here. I’d say he hit the mark with this one!
Lou Armagno, editor of “The Wisdom Within Earl Derr Biggers’ Charlie Chan: The Original Aphorisms Inside the Charlie Chan Canon”
“A thoroughly entertaining story that has the flavor of the original novels, tinged with the spirit of the Warner Oland and Sydney Toler moves. As I read this I personally felt like I was revisiting old friends and happy memories.
“So I’m happy to report that I felt I was reading an authentic Charlie Chan novel. The bottom line, I recommend Death, I Said by John L. Swann with two thumbs up!
Drew R. Thomas, Worlds-Best-Detective-Crime-and-Murder-Mystery-Books.com
Author Appearances
The Joe Kelly Show WUTR TV
https://www.cnyhomepage.com/video/the-joe-kelly-show-12124-with-john-swann/10261759/
Keeler In The Morning WIBX Radio/John Swann Interview at 1:55.00
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fWXTl-4838E&t=4s
