# Charlie Chan — The Chinese Parrot character guide > Charlie Chan in The Chinese Parrot by Earl Derr Biggers. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Chan, Charlie, Sergeant Chan, Detective-Sergeant Charlie Chan **First appearance:** 0001-ii-the-detective-from-hawaii ## Who they are A Honolulu detective posing as a servant, he trades dignity for disguise and trusts patience over the hot-headed haste of youth. ## Relationships ### [Bob Eden](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chinese_parrot_se/characters/bob_eden) _friendship_ Bob Eden and Charlie Chan form a close investigative partnership, working together to solve the mystery with mutual respect and growing trust. ### [P. J. Madden](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chinese_parrot_se/characters/p_j_madden) _professional_ Charlie Chan is hired by P. J. Madden to investigate a theft, but their relationship is strained by Madden's secrecy and Chan's persistent probing. ### [Will Holley](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chinese_parrot_se/characters/will_holley) _friendship_ Charlie Chan and Will Holley share a cordial friendship, with Holley respecting Chan's detective skills and offering local insights. ### [Ah Kim](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chinese_parrot_se/characters/ah_kim) _psychological_ Ah Kim and Charlie Chan share a complex, possibly deceptive relationship, with Chan suspecting Ah Kim's true identity and motives. ### [Martin Thorn](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chinese_parrot_se/characters/martin_thorn) _rivalry_ Charlie Chan and Martin Thorn are adversaries, with Chan suspecting Thorn of involvement in the crime and Thorn resisting Chan's inquiries. ### [Bob Eden](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chinese_parrot_se/characters/bob_eden) _friendship_ Bob Eden and Charlie Chan form a close investigative partnership, working together to solve the mystery with mutual respect and growing trust. ### [P. J. Madden](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chinese_parrot_se/characters/p_j_madden) _professional_ Charlie Chan is hired by P. J. Madden to investigate a theft, but their relationship is strained by Madden's secrecy and Chan's persistent probing. ### [Bob Eden](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chinese_parrot_se/characters/bob_eden) _friendship_ Bob Eden and Charlie Chan form a close investigative partnership, working together to solve the mystery with mutual respect and growing trust. ### [P. J. Madden](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chinese_parrot_se/characters/p_j_madden) _professional_ Charlie Chan is hired by P. J. Madden to investigate a theft, but their relationship is strained by Madden's secrecy and Chan's persistent probing. ### [Will Holley](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chinese_parrot_se/characters/will_holley) _friendship_ Charlie Chan and Will Holley share a cordial friendship, with Holley respecting Chan's detective skills and offering local insights. ### [Will Holley](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chinese_parrot_se/characters/will_holley) _friendship_ Charlie Chan and Will Holley share a cordial friendship, with Holley respecting Chan's detective skills and offering local insights. ### [Martin Thorn](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chinese_parrot_se/characters/martin_thorn) _rivalry_ Charlie Chan and Martin Thorn are adversaries, with Chan suspecting Thorn of involvement in the crime and Thorn resisting Chan's inquiries. ## In the story ### [I: The Phillimore Pearls](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chinese_parrot_se/chapters/i-the-phillimore-pearls) The Chinese detective from Honolulu who is entrusted to bring the pearls. ### [II: The Detective from Hawaii](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chinese_parrot_se/chapters/ii-the-detective-from-hawaii) Arrives separately with the Phillimore pearls, apologizes for missing Bob at the dock, and agrees to accompany Bob to the desert. ### [III: At Chan Kee Lim's](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chinese_parrot_se/chapters/iii-at-chan-kee-lim-s) Disguises as a shabby old Chinese; explores San Francisco and visits his cousin Chan Kee Lim in Chinatown. ### [IV: The Oasis Special](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chinese_parrot_se/chapters/iv-the-oasis-special) Last seen at Barstow lunchroom; Bob Eden is concerned about his disappearance and the pearls he carries. ### [Madden's Ranch](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chinese_parrot_se/chapters/v-madden-s-ranch) Disguised as servant Ah Kim, he gives Eden a meaningful look, signaling caution and maintaining his undercover role. ### [VI: Tony's Happy New Year](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chinese_parrot_se/chapters/vi-tony-s-happy-new-year) Disguised as Ah Kim, he urges Eden to be patient and hints that the parrot Tony may reveal what is wrong on the ranch. ### [VII: The Postman Sets Out](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chinese_parrot_se/chapters/vii-the-postman-sets-out) Convinces Eden to postpone the pearl handover; observes a suspicious man leaving the hotel; expresses satisfaction at being in familiar surroundings with the flivver. ### [A Friendly Little Game](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chinese_parrot_se/chapters/viii-a-friendly-little-game) Disguised as Ah Kim, reveals discovery of Bill Hart's gun in Thorn's room and advises Eden to have Paula watch for the black-bearded prospector. ### [IX: A Ride in the Dark](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chinese_parrot_se/chapters/ix-a-ride-in-the-dark) Disguised as Ah Kim, quotes Chinese proverb about riding a tiger, finds the missing pistol in Thorn's bureau, examines Louie's body and notes the tear in Thorn's coat. ### [Bliss of the Homicide Squad](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chinese_parrot_se/chapters/x-bliss-of-the-homicide-squad) Disguised as Ah Kim, warns Eden that Louie's murder is a minor incident covering a darker deed; cleverly mocks Captain Bliss when accused. ### [XI: Thorn Goes on a Mission](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chinese_parrot_se/chapters/xi-thorn-goes-on-a-mission) Disguised as Ah Kim, notes that Gamble carries a loaded pistol despite his mild demeanor. ### [XII: The Tramcar in the Desert](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chinese_parrot_se/chapters/xii-the-tramcar-in-the-desert) Drives Eden, questions the Barstow plan, reveals he overheard Doctor Whitcomb's visit, and carries the pearls. ### [XIII: What Mr. Cherry Saw](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chinese_parrot_se/chapters/xiii-what-mr-cherry-saw) Hears Cherry's story from Eden, decides to handle the case himself without the sheriff, and vows to solve the puzzle. ### [XIV: The Third Man](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chinese_parrot_se/chapters/xiv-the-third-man) Prepares breakfast, notes Gamble's departure, and searches outdoors for evidence of burial. ### [XV: Will Holley's Theory](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chinese_parrot_se/chapters/xv-will-holley-s-theory) Listens to De Lisle's story, examines Madden's blotting-pad and letter, and offers cautious analysis of Holley's theory. ### [XVI: The Movies Are in Town](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chinese_parrot_se/chapters/xvi-the-movies-are-in-town) Prepares dinner, expresses homesickness for Honolulu and his family, and discusses the case with Eden. ### [In Madden's Footsteps](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chinese_parrot_se/chapters/xvii-in-madden-s-footsteps) Plans to join Eden in Pasadena, uses a disguise as Ah Kim, and brings his Honolulu badge for authority. ### [XVIII: The Barstow Train](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chinese_parrot_se/chapters/xviii-the-barstow-train) Observes Madden's house, visits the film studio, and advises Eden to interview Norma Fitzgerald alone. ### [XIX: The Voice on the Air](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chinese_parrot_se/chapters/xix-the-voice-on-the-air) Agrees to Eden's deadline for handing over the pearls; continues his investigation, noting Thorn and Gamble's mileage and red clay in the car; is present during the radio broadcast. ### [XX: Petticoat Mine](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chinese_parrot_se/chapters/xx-petticoat-mine) Remains calm despite the shattered theory, quoting Confucius. He offers Eden his automatic pistol before the rescue mission. ### [End of the Postman's Journey](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chinese_parrot_se/chapters/xxi-end-of-the-postman-s-journey) Reveals his true identity, drops his dialect, and takes decisive action to secure the pearls and expose the impostor. ### [The Road to Eldorado](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chinese_parrot_se/chapters/xxii-the-road-to-eldorado) Explains his deduction that the impostor was left-handed, and credits Tony the parrot for saving the pearls. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chinese_parrot_se/characters/charlie_chan - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chinese_parrot_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chinese_parrot_se/characters