Plot summary:
Once again, the setting of the novel is rural California, where Chan has been invited as a houseguest. He meets a world-famous soprano, Ellen Landini, who is murdered not too long after the meeting. Chan does not have far to look for suspects -- the host is her ex-husband, as are three of the other house guests. Her servants, entourage and husbands all come under suspicion. Once again, Chan is expected to solve the murder, which he does by understanding the key clues -- the actions of a little dog named Trouble, two scarves, and two little boxes. When he understands how the murder is committed, he learns the role of elderly house servant Ah Sing -- the keeper of the keys.
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Contents:
Chapter I
SNOW ON THE MOUNTAINS
Chapter II
DINNER AT PINEVIEW
Chapter III
THE FALLEN FLOWER
Chapter IV
UPWARD NO ROAD
Chapter V
DOWNWARD NO DOOR
Chapter VI
THREE O'CLOCK IN THE MORNING
Chapter VII
THE BLIND MAN'S EYES
Chapter VIII
THE STREETS OF RENO
Chapter IX
TROUBLE TAKES WING
Chapter X
ROMANO'S LUCKY BREAK
Chapter XI
A BALCONY IN STRESA
Chapter XII
SO YOU'RE GOING TO TRUCKEE?
Chapter XIII
FOOTSTEPS IN THE DARK
Chapter XIV
THOUGHT IS A LADY
Chapter XV
ANOTHER MAN'S EARTH
Chapter XVI
THAT BOY AH SING
Chapter XVII
THE NET CLOSES IN
Chapter XVIII
RANKIN DROPS A BOMB
Chapter XIX
CHAN CLIMBS A LADDER
Chapter XX
AFTER THE TYPHOON
