Behind that Curtain

"Behind That Curtain" by Earl Derr Biggers follows Bill Rankin, a reporter for the Globe, as he navigates the world of crime reporting in San Francisco. After interviewing Sir Frederic Bruce, a retired head of Scotland Yard, Rankin is inspired to connect Bruce with Charlie Chan, a modest yet effective detective from Honolulu. The story unfolds as Rankin races against time to arrange a meeting between the two detectives, hoping to explore their differing methods of crime-solving. As he pursues this story, he encounters various characters, including Barry Kirk, a wealthy host, and a mysterious young woman who adds intrigue to the narrative. The plot intertwines themes of luck, hard work, and the nature of detective work, culminating in a potential collaboration that promises to bridge cultural and professional divides in the realm of crime detection.

By Earl Derr Biggers · First published 1922 · Genre: Mystery, Detective Fiction, Thriller · 22 chapters · 100,663 words

First lines

Bill Rankin sat motionless before his typewriter, grimly seeking a lead for the interview he was about to write. A black shadow shot past his elbow and materialized with a soft thud on his desk. Bill's heart leaped into his throat and choked him.

But it was only Egbert, the office cat. Pretty lonesome round here, seemed to be Egbert's idea. How about a bit of play? Rankin glared at the cat with deep disgust. Absurd to be so upset by a mere Egbert, but when one has been talking with a great man for over an hour and the subject of the talk has been murder, one is apt to be a trifle jumpy.

What this Textopian page supports

Behind that Curtain is listed on Textopian as a novel by Earl Derr Biggers, dated 1922 CE.

This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.

• Work type: Novel
• Author: Earl Derr Biggers
• Date: 1922 CE
• Language: English
• Genres: Mystery, Detective Fiction, Thriller, Adventure, Historical Fiction
• Length: 100,663 words
• Structure: 22 chapters, 3,032 paragraphs
• Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)

Good citation fit

• Work identity for Behind that Curtain by Earl Derr Biggers
• Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
• Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
• Readability and classroom-planning context
• Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph

Discussion starters

• What should a reader notice first when entering Behind that Curtain?
• How does this novel by Earl Derr Biggers fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
• Where does Mystery first become important in the reading?

Similar titles

• The Woman Of Mystery by Maurice Leblanc
• The Sleuth Of St Jamess Square by Melville Davisson Post
• The Eye Of Osiris by R. Austin Freeman
• The Blonde Lady by Maurice Leblanc
• The Seven Dials Mystery by Agatha Christie
• The Starvel Hollow Tragedy by Freeman Wills Crofts

Genres

• Mystery — The plot revolves around solving a crime, which is central to the narrative.
• Detective Fiction — Features a detective character who investigates the case, typical of the genre.
• Thriller — Contains suspenseful elements and tension throughout the story.
• Adventure — Involves exploration and action, contributing to the overall excitement.

Tags

Mystery · Thriller · Detective Fiction · Crime · Suspense · Adventure · Private Investigator · 1920s Setting · San Francisco · California · USA · Literary Fiction

Contents

• The Man from Scotland
• What Happened to Eve Durand?
• The Bungalow in the Sky
• The Reckoning of Heaven
• The Voice in the Next Room
• The Guest Detective
• Muddy Water
• Willie LI's Good Turn
• The Port of Missing Women
• The Letter from London
• The Muddy Water Clears
• A Misty Evening
• Old Friends Meet Again
• Dinner for Two
• The Discreet Mr. Cuttle
• Long Life and Happiness
• The Woman from Peshawar
• Flannery's Big Scene
• A Vigil in the Dark
• The Truth Arrives
• What Happened to Eve Durand
• Hawaii Bound

More by Earl Derr Biggers

• Keeper Of The Keys (1932)
• The Chinese Parrot (1926)
• The House Without A Key (1925)
• The Agony Column (1916)
• Seven Keys to Baldpate (1913)
• Inside the Lines (1930)
• Love Insurance (1914)
• All works by Earl Derr Biggers