Again the author's fascination with all things occult features heavily in this quite gripping instalment of the "Charlie Chan" series. This one starts with the sinking of an ocean liner, and the presumed drowning of the millionaire "Allan Colby". Our sceptical detective is not convinced, and travels to San Francisco to investigate, It turns out, he was right - but only momentarily, for before the wealthy gent has any chance to explain what happened, he is stabbed and a hunt for the murderer is afoot. As you'd expect, there are loads of suspects when he arrives at the deceased man's mansion and ...