Behind That Curtain: Charlie Chan Story #3 (First Edition)

Biggers, Earl Derr (1884-1933)

Published by Grosset and Dunlap, New York, 1928. First Edition (thus), with no subsequent printings noted. Bound in the original hardcover red boards, titled in black to the front cover and spine. Spine ends bumped. Lower front cover corner faded. Closed edges with spotting. Endpapers with some brown spotting. Pages lightly toned, the odd stray foxing spot, some faint grease? marks to a few lower margins, as shown in the final shots. Includes the rare original illustrated jacket, unclipped, with losses to the spine ends, lower taped, edges with creasing and a little chipping, age toning. The third book in the Charlie Chan series by Biggers. Good/Fair.   

Set almost exclusively in California (as opposed to Chan's native Hawaii), and tells the story of the former head of Scotland Yard, a detective who is pursuing the long-cold trail of a murderer. Fifteen years ago, a London solicitor was killed in circumstances in which the only clue was a pair of Chinese slippers, which he apparently donned just before his death. Sir Frederic Bruce has been following the trail of the killer ever since. He has also been interested in what appears to be a series of disappearing women around the world, which has some connection to the disappearance of a woman named Eve Durand in rural India also fifteen years ago. Just when it seems he might finally solve the murder case, at a dinner party to which a number of important and mysterious guests have been invited, Inspector Bruce is killed -- and was last seen wearing a pair of Chinese slippers, which have vanished. It is left to Chan to solve the case and tie up all loose ends.

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MY GRADINGS

New: A new book, never used.

As New (AN): Although a used book, it should appear unread with no flaws, just as when it was sold new.

Fine (F): Should have no flaws, a perfect copy of a used book. Mint: Another term for Fine.

Near Fine (NF): May show a small flaw, such as shelf wear, but nearly perfect and unread.

Very Good (VG): The broadest category for used books, this describes any average used book. May have small flaws, and has probably been read, but should appear overall clean and attractive.

Good (G): Will probably have significant wear or damage, although is still intact. Suitable for reading, but not necessarily a good gift copy. The old saying in bookselling is "good ain't good."

Fair: Another term for Poor or Reading Copy: Heavily worn or damaged, a poor book will be readable but not attractive. Binding Copy: This may or may not be the complete pages of the book, but the binding has been broken or damaged to the point it will need professional rebinding

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