Charlie Chan's Poppa: Earl Derr Biggers
Although his first novel, Seven Keys to Baldpate, made Earl Derr Biggers famous across the country, it wasn't until he wrote his first Charlie Chan novel that he became famous around the world. Based on the correspondence between Biggers and his publisher, Bobbs-Merrill, Charlie Chan's Poppa: Earl Derr Biggers examines the novels that Biggers wrote, how they were or weren't promoted, and his initial ambuity about committing to a mystery series. Buy now.
This is the most detailed and thorough biography of Biggers I've seen, fleshing out without contradicting the picture of Charlie Chan's creator one would imagine from his work and earlier accounts of his life: kind, humorous, honest, responsible, gently iconoclastic, family-centered, and dogged by ill health. . . .
This book should be read by every admirer of Biggers and his immortal creation.
— Jon L. Breen, Mystery Scene