# Will Holley — The Chinese Parrot character guide > Will Holley in The Chinese Parrot by Earl Derr Biggers. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Holley, Mr. Holley, Billy, Wilbur **First appearance:** 0003-iv-the-oasis-special ## Who they are A desert newspaperman who knows the local gossip, drives Bob Eden to Madden's ranch, and asks quietly whether his passenger is armed. ## Relationships ### [Bob Eden](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chinese_parrot_se/characters/bob_eden) _friendship_ Bob Eden and newspaperman Will Holley are friendly allies, with Holley providing local knowledge and support during the investigation. ### [P. J. Madden](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chinese_parrot_se/characters/p_j_madden) _social_ P. J. Madden and Will Holley are acquaintances in the small desert community, with Holley often observing Madden's activities with journalistic curiosity. ### [Charlie Chan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chinese_parrot_se/characters/charlie_chan) _friendship_ Charlie Chan and Will Holley share a cordial friendship, with Holley respecting Chan's detective skills and offering local insights. ### [Paula Wendell](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chinese_parrot_se/characters/paula_wendell) _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) _friendship_ Bob Eden and newspaperman Will Holley are friendly allies, with Holley providing local knowledge and support during the investigation. ### [P. J. Madden](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chinese_parrot_se/characters/p_j_madden) _social_ P. J. Madden and Will Holley are acquaintances in the small desert community, with Holley often observing Madden's activities with journalistic curiosity. ### [Bob Eden](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chinese_parrot_se/characters/bob_eden) _friendship_ Bob Eden and newspaperman Will Holley are friendly allies, with Holley providing local knowledge and support during the investigation. ### [Paula Wendell](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chinese_parrot_se/characters/paula_wendell) _friendship_ Paula Wendell and Will Holley are friendly acquaintances, with Holley often providing her with information and support. ### [Charlie Chan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chinese_parrot_se/characters/charlie_chan) _friendship_ Charlie Chan and Will Holley share a cordial friendship, with Holley respecting Chan's detective skills and offering local insights. ### [Charlie Chan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chinese_parrot_se/characters/charlie_chan) _friendship_ Charlie Chan and Will Holley share a cordial friendship, with Holley respecting Chan's detective skills and offering local insights. ### [P. J. Madden](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chinese_parrot_se/characters/p_j_madden) _social_ P. J. Madden and Will Holley are acquaintances in the small desert community, with Holley often observing Madden's activities with journalistic curiosity. ### [Paula Wendell](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chinese_parrot_se/characters/paula_wendell) _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) Editor of the Eldorado Times, he introduces Bob Eden to Paula Wendell and offers to drive him to the Madden ranch. ### [Madden's Ranch](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chinese_parrot_se/chapters/v-madden-s-ranch) Drives Eden to the ranch, secures an interview with Madden, and leaves feeling reassured. ### [VI: Tony's Happy New Year](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chinese_parrot_se/chapters/vi-tony-s-happy-new-year) Arrives for an interview with Madden, brings a copy of the Eldorado Times, and points out a missing gun from Madden's collection. ### [VII: The Postman Sets Out](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chinese_parrot_se/chapters/vii-the-postman-sets-out) Advises Eden to stick with Chan; speculates that Madden broke his rules to gain reporter friends; initially dismisses the mystery but later admits something is wrong. ### [IX: A Ride in the Dark](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chinese_parrot_se/chapters/ix-a-ride-in-the-dark) Meets Eden at the Oasis, discusses his past as a newspaperman, advises Eden against journalism, dines with Eden and Paula. ### [Bliss of the Homicide Squad](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chinese_parrot_se/chapters/x-bliss-of-the-homicide-squad) Brings a newspaper with Madden's interview, gives Eden a telegram from his father, and helps examine the scene where footprints have been swept away. ### [XII: The Tramcar in the Desert](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chinese_parrot_se/chapters/xii-the-tramcar-in-the-desert) Writing Louie Wong's obituary, reveals he saw Evelyn Madden arrive on the six-forty train. ### [XIII: What Mr. Cherry Saw](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chinese_parrot_se/chapters/xiii-what-mr-cherry-saw) Listens to Eden's account of Cherry's story and expresses disbelief that Madden could be the killer. ### [XIV: The Third Man](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chinese_parrot_se/chapters/xiv-the-third-man) Joins the search, picks the lock on Madden's desk, and recalls the connection to Jack McGuire's gambling-house. ### [XV: Will Holley's Theory](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chinese_parrot_se/chapters/xv-will-holley-s-theory) Brings De Lisle to the ranch, presents his blackmail theory, and plans to make inquiries in town. ### [In Madden's Footsteps](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chinese_parrot_se/chapters/xvii-in-madden-s-footsteps) Provides a card of introduction to Peter Fogg, the caretaker of Madden's Pasadena house. ### [XIX: The Voice on the Air](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chinese_parrot_se/chapters/xix-the-voice-on-the-air) Confirms Madden is receiving another fifty thousand dollars, supporting his blackmail theory; reveals he has been offered a job in New York and is considering leaving Eldorado. ### [XX: Petticoat Mine](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chinese_parrot_se/chapters/xx-petticoat-mine) Arrives in a panic to report Paula Wendell's disappearance. He drives Eden to the Petticoat Mine and assists in the confrontation with Maydorf. ### [The Road to Eldorado](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chinese_parrot_se/chapters/xxii-the-road-to-eldorado) Plans to wire the story and gives Victor Jordan a ride back to town. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chinese_parrot_se/characters/will_holley - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chinese_parrot_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_chinese_parrot_se/characters