# Paula Wendell — The Chinese Parrot character guide

> Paula Wendell in The Chinese Parrot by Earl Derr Biggers.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Miss Paula Wendell, Miss Wendell, Paula, Wendell

**First appearance:** 0003-iv-the-oasis-special

## Snapshot

A sharp-eyed young woman of Eldorado who becomes Bob Eden's ally, offering local knowledge and level-headed instincts as strangers converge on the desert.

## Who they are

Paula Wendell moves through Eldorado with the easy confidence of someone who knows the town and its secrets, and she quickly becomes a useful counterweight to Bob Eden's impulsive East Coast energy. Her willingness to help a stranger asking pointed questions about Madden's ranch suggests both curiosity and a streak of daring. She matters because she gives Eden a trusted local perspective just as the mystery around the ranch begins to tighten.

## Relationships

### [Bob Eden](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chinese_parrot_se/characters/bob_eden)

_romantic_

Bob Eden and Paula Wendell share a flirtatious and romantic interest, with Paula assisting Eden while developing a personal connection.

### [Will Holley](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chinese_parrot_se/characters/will_holley)

_friendship_

Paula Wendell and Will Holley are friendly acquaintances, with Holley often providing her with information and support.

### [Bob Eden](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chinese_parrot_se/characters/bob_eden)

_romantic_

Bob Eden and Paula Wendell share a flirtatious and romantic interest, with Paula assisting Eden while developing a personal connection.

### [Will Holley](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chinese_parrot_se/characters/will_holley)

_friendship_

Paula Wendell and Will Holley are friendly acquaintances, with Holley often providing her with information and support.

### [Bob Eden](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chinese_parrot_se/characters/bob_eden)

_romantic_

Bob Eden and Paula Wendell share a flirtatious and romantic interest, with Paula assisting Eden while developing a personal connection.

### [Will Holley](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chinese_parrot_se/characters/will_holley)

_friendship_

Paula Wendell and Will Holley are friendly acquaintances, with Holley often providing her with information and support.

## In the story

### [IV: The Oasis Special](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chinese_parrot_se/chapters/iv-the-oasis-special)

A location-finder for movies, she meets Bob Eden at the Oasis Café and recounts her strange visit to the Madden ranch.

### [VII: The Postman Sets Out](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chinese_parrot_se/chapters/vii-the-postman-sets-out)

Leaves the ranch after lunch; drives Eden into Eldorado; shares her acquired love for the desert and its beauty.

### [A Friendly Little Game](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chinese_parrot_se/chapters/viii-a-friendly-little-game)

Mentioned as the source of the story about the black-bearded prospector seen on Wednesday night.

### [IX: A Ride in the Dark](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chinese_parrot_se/chapters/ix-a-ride-in-the-dark)

Dines at the Oasis with Eden and Holley, teases Eden about his cynicism toward marriage, mentions her fiancé Jack.

### [XII: The Tramcar in the Desert](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chinese_parrot_se/chapters/xii-the-tramcar-in-the-desert)

Meets Eden on the train, rides with him to the tramcar, photographs the desert location.

### [XIII: What Mr. Cherry Saw](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chinese_parrot_se/chapters/xiii-what-mr-cherry-saw)

Accompanies Eden to meet Cherry and witnesses the revelation of the murder.

### [XVI: The Movies Are in Town](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chinese_parrot_se/chapters/xvi-the-movies-are-in-town)

Calls Eden to invite him to town, introduces him to the movie people, and agrees to pump Eddie Boston for information.

### [In Madden's Footsteps](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chinese_parrot_se/chapters/xvii-in-madden-s-footsteps)

Drives Eden to Pasadena, discusses the mystery, and agrees to meet him the next day.

### [XVIII: The Barstow Train](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chinese_parrot_se/chapters/xviii-the-barstow-train)

Guides Eden and Chan through the studio, provides information about Eddie Boston, and mentions her upcoming work at the Petticoat Mine.

### [XX: Petticoat Mine](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chinese_parrot_se/chapters/xx-petticoat-mine)

Found imprisoned in the old jail at Petticoat Mine after being detained by Shaky Phil for exploring the area.

### [The Road to Eldorado](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chinese_parrot_se/chapters/xxii-the-road-to-eldorado)

Offers her car to Chan and waits for Eden.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chinese_parrot_se/characters/paula_wendell
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chinese_parrot_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chinese_parrot_se/characters