# Sergeant Charlie Chan — Behind That Curtain character guide > Sergeant Charlie Chan in Behind That Curtain by Earl Derr Biggers. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Chan, Sergeant Chan, Mr. Chan, Detective-Sergeant Chan, Charlie, Mr. Charles Chan **First appearance:** 0001-behind-that-curtain ## Snapshot A Honolulu detective visiting San Francisco, Chan brings patient wisdom and ornate courtesy to a murder that keeps pulling him back from the boat home. ## Who they are Chan arrives in San Francisco as a visiting detective, only to find himself indispensable to a case that refuses to release him. His mild manner and flowery aphorisms conceal a relentless intelligence that his louder colleagues consistently underestimate. What he wants most is to return to his family in Honolulu, yet each new thread of the mystery tightens his sense of duty, making him the quiet center around which the investigation turns. ## Relationships ### [Barry Kirk](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/behind_that_curtain_se/characters/barry_kirk) _friendship_ Barry Kirk and Charlie Chan share a close, respectful friendship, with Kirk often assisting Chan in investigations. ### [Captain Flannery](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/behind_that_curtain_se/characters/captain_flannery) _professional_ Captain Flannery and Sergeant Chan are professional colleagues in law enforcement, often working together on cases with some friendly rivalry. ### [June Morrow](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/behind_that_curtain_se/characters/june_morrow) _friendship_ June Morrow and Charlie Chan have a cordial, friendly relationship, with June showing trust in Chan's detective abilities. ### [Li Gung](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/behind_that_curtain_se/characters/li_gung) _professional_ Li Gung serves as Charlie Chan's loyal and efficient servant, assisting him with tasks and information. ### [Colonel John Beetham](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/behind_that_curtain_se/characters/colonel_john_beetham) _professional_ Colonel John Beetham and Sergeant Chan have a professional relationship, often cooperating in the investigation due to Beetham's official capacity. ### [Sir Frederic Bruce](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/behind_that_curtain_se/characters/sir_frederic_bruce) _professional_ Sergeant Chan and Sir Frederic Bruce interact as professional colleagues in the investigation, with mutual respect but some formality. ### [Bill Rankin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/behind_that_curtain_se/characters/bill_rankin) _rivalry_ Bill Rankin and Charlie Chan are antagonists, with Rankin often obstructing or clashing with Chan's investigative methods. ### [Major Eric Durand](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/behind_that_curtain_se/characters/major_eric_durand) _professional_ Major Eric Durand and Sergeant Chan have a professional working relationship, with Durand providing military perspective to the case. ### [Inspector Duff](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/behind_that_curtain_se/characters/inspector_duff) _professional_ Inspector Duff and Sergeant Chan are professional colleagues, often working together on cases with mutual respect. ### [Barry Kirk](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/behind_that_curtain_se/characters/barry_kirk) _friendship_ Barry Kirk and Charlie Chan share a close, respectful friendship, with Kirk often assisting Chan in investigations. ### [Captain Flannery](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/behind_that_curtain_se/characters/captain_flannery) _professional_ Captain Flannery and Sergeant Chan are professional colleagues in law enforcement, often working together on cases with some friendly rivalry. ### [Sir Frederic Bruce](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/behind_that_curtain_se/characters/sir_frederic_bruce) _professional_ Sergeant Chan and Sir Frederic Bruce interact as professional colleagues in the investigation, with mutual respect but some formality. ## In the story ### [Behind That Curtain](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/behind_that_curtain_se/chapters/behind-that-curtain) Returns from the Maui and takes over the investigation. ### [The Man from Scotland](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/behind_that_curtain_se/chapters/i-the-man-from-scotland) Honolulu police detective mentioned as the subject of Rankin's feature; not yet present in the chapter. ### [What Happened to Eve Durand?](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/behind_that_curtain_se/chapters/ii-what-happened-to-eve-durand) Joins the luncheon, shares his philosophy on crime detection, and mentions his impending return to Honolulu. ### [III: The Bungalow in the Sky](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/behind_that_curtain_se/chapters/iii-the-bungalow-in-the-sky) Attends the dinner; examines the mandarin slippers; discusses Eve Durand with June Morrow. ### [IV: The Reckoning of Heaven](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/behind_that_curtain_se/chapters/iv-the-reckoning-of-heaven) Observes the scene, suggests the yearbook may be a clue, and announces his departure for Honolulu after receiving a cable about his newborn son. ### [The Voice in the Next Room](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/behind_that_curtain_se/chapters/v-the-voice-in-the-next-room) Chan is preparing to leave for Honolulu, but is unsettled by Miss Morrow's accusation and overhears a suspicious conversation. ### [The Guest Detective](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/behind_that_curtain_se/chapters/vi-the-guest-detective) Returns unexpectedly from the Maui, reveals Li Gung's departure, and accepts a role as guest detective. ### [Muddy Water](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/behind_that_curtain_se/chapters/vii-muddy-water) Examines the blank paper, suspects fingerprints, secures it in a locked drawer. Notes steam marks on the envelope. Challenges Flannery's taunts. Reflects on his family and his son Barry. ### [Willie Li's Good Turn](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/behind_that_curtain_se/chapters/viii-willie-li-s-good-turn) Investigates Sir Frederic's luggage, finds Beetham's books, and later visits Henry Li to inquire about Li Gung. ### [IX: The Port of Missing Women](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/behind_that_curtain_se/chapters/ix-the-port-of-missing-women) Discovers Paradise's letter-steaming; recounts his misadventure with Willie Li; leads the investigation into missing women. ### [The Letter from London](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/behind_that_curtain_se/chapters/x-the-letter-from-london) Finds the hidden letter and advises patience in the investigation. ### [The Muddy Water Clears](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/behind_that_curtain_se/chapters/xi-the-muddy-water-clears) Drives the investigation with a hunch about Gloria Garland and the elevator girl; delays action until Monday; interacts with Willie Li in Chinatown. ### [A Misty Evening](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/behind_that_curtain_se/chapters/xii-a-misty-evening) Contemplates his departure on Wednesday; reviews the cable story about Eve Durand; lunches at the Cosmopolitan Club and observes Colonel Beetham; awaits Major Durand's arrival. ### [Old Friends Meet Again](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/behind_that_curtain_se/chapters/xiii-old-friends-meet-again) Observes the unfolding events and defers discussing his theories out of consideration for Major Durand. ### [Dinner for Two](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/behind_that_curtain_se/chapters/xiv-dinner-for-two) Advises against questioning Colonel Beetham prematurely; agrees to dine with Inspector Duff. ### [The Discreet Mr. Cuttle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/behind_that_curtain_se/chapters/xv-the-discreet-mr-cuttle) Rises on Wednesday morning, feels heavy-hearted about leaving, breakfasts with Kirk, writes a letter to his wife, visits Rankin to examine Beetham's book. ### [Long Life and Happiness](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/behind_that_curtain_se/chapters/xvi-long-life-and-happiness) Observes the interview and later visits Captain Flannery at the Hall of Justice. ### [XVII: The Woman from Peshawar](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/behind_that_curtain_se/chapters/xvii-the-woman-from-peshawar) Defends his silence about Li Gung and Beetham; attends the interrogation at Flannery's request. ### [XVIII: Flannery's Big Scene](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/behind_that_curtain_se/chapters/xviii-flannery-s-big-scene) Observes Flannery's plan with skepticism; later investigates the Cosmopolitan Club. ### [A Vigil in the Dark](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/behind_that_curtain_se/chapters/xix-a-vigil-in-the-dark) Convinces Flannery to trust him one last time, leading the vigil and ultimately accusing Major Durand of murder. ### [XX: The Truth Arrives](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/behind_that_curtain_se/chapters/xx-the-truth-arrives) Reveals the murderer and explains his deductive process. ### [XXI: What Happened to Eve Durand](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/behind_that_curtain_se/chapters/xxi-what-happened-to-eve-durand) Asks about the velvet slippers and observes the final confrontation. ### [Hawaii Bound](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/behind_that_curtain_se/chapters/xxii-hawaii-bound) Content with the resolution, he prepares to leave for Honolulu, escapes a new case, and sails from San Francisco. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/behind_that_curtain_se/characters/sergeant_charlie_chan - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/behind_that_curtain_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/behind_that_curtain_se/characters