A Christmas celebration. A snowbound hotel. And a detective longing for the sun. Lake Tahoe, December 1938. For the renowned detective Charlie Chan, there is only one problem to solve this year: How does one survive an American winter without freezing? Determined to give his large family a gift they will never forget, Chan leaves the tropical warmth of Honolulu behind. Their destination is the exclusive Silver Creek Lodge, a luxurious retreat nestled high in the snow-covered peaks of the Sierra Nevada — the very image of a perfect white Christmas. Inside, the lodge glows with the comforts of the Golden Age: roaring fireplaces, the scent of cinnamon and hot cider, a Christmas tree rising to the ceiling of the grand lobby. Hollywood stars, wealthy tycoons, and distinguished guests have gathered here, far from the world, to celebrate the holidays in peace. But as the snow continues to fall and a storm cuts the lodge off from civilization, it becomes clear that the mountains offer more than romance. A murder shatters the festive idyll. The Silver Creek Lodge turns into a prison of snow and stone. No one can leave. No one can arrive. And everyone has something to hide. Charlie Chan begins his investigation — quietly, patiently, with a mind that listens more than it speaks. Soon the clues lead far deeper than expected: into old films, buried memories, and the long shadows of the past. What appears accidental reveals itself as a carefully staged design. What does a murder in 1938 have to do with events long forgotten? And why does the crime follow a cinematic script rather than reality itself? Charlie Chan’s Christmas is a classic Golden Age Christmas mystery — a snowbound chamber piece filled with nostalgia, subtle suspense, and winter darkness. Readers who love Agatha Christie, Hercule Poirot, and traditional detective fiction will find a story that proves the sharpest mind remains sharp even when wrapped in wool blankets, holding a cup of hot tea. Reader responses from early reviews: “A beautifully claustrophobic winter mystery with a cinematic atmosphere.” “The lodge itself becomes a character — elegant, threatening, unforgettable.” “A thoughtful, atmospheric detective story that feels timeless.” A season of warmth. A crime in the snow. And a detective who brings light into the darkest winter. . Mehr lesen