Other editions of book Seven Keys to Baldpate Illustrated

Known for his comic sense, Earl Derr Biggers was one of the foremost writers of mystery and detective stories in this country. To his friends he was known for his comic sense. Seven Keys to Baldpate was his first novel and became extremely popular. In it, a famous author visits a closed summer resort at Baldpate Mountain in the middle of winter. He is looking for peace and quiet so that he can write his next book. However, before his first night is over, numerous unexpected visitors begin to fill the hotel, on strange and sometimes dangerous missions. The author finds that a fortune is at stake and that his visitors will do anything to possess it. Before the end of the week, there is gunfire, bribery, fights, and hidden truths are unmasked. Seven Keys to Baldpate is an old-fashioned mysterious melodramatic farce. It was so popular that it was made into an extremely popular stage play by George M. Cohan and became the basis for no less than seven films.

In the middle of winter a young novelist William Magee travels to a summer tourist town seeking for solitude and inspiration for his greatest novel yet. He gets to the Baldpate Mountain resort, and even though the hotel is closed he makes an arrangement with the caretaker and gets the key to the hotel. But soon after he gets in, he finds out that he is not the only one there, for there are seven keys to the place and seven people with various stories of why they are there. Earl Derr Biggers (1884-1933) was an American novelist and playwright best known for his mystery novels. His first novel Seven Keys to Baldpate was a major success and it was adapted into several movies and plays. Even greater success came with his series of detective novels featuring Chinese American detective Charlie Chan. Many of his novels were made into movies.

Novelist Billy Magee makes a bet with a wealthy friend that he can write a 10,000 word story within 24 hours. He retires to a summer mountain resort named Baldpate Inn, in the dead of winter, and locks himself in, believing he has the sole key. However he is visited during the night by a rapid succession of other people (melodrama stock types), including a corrupt politician, a crooked cop, a hermit, a feisty girl reporter, a gang of criminals, etc., none of whom have any trouble getting into the remote inn—there appear to be seven keys to Baldpate.

Hoping for peace and quiet, a novelist checks in to a secluded hotel and becomes part of a noisy conspiracy in this classic mystery from the creator of Charlie Chan After years of churning out potboilers, novelist Billy Magee decides that he needs just two months of solitude to produce a work of true literary merit. New York is too crowded with distractions, so he embarks on a journey to the loneliest place he knows: a rambling summer resort that has been closed for the winter. He plans to live by candlelight and firewood for the next eight weeks, with nothing to do but write. On his very first night at Baldpate Inn, however, Magee receives an unwelcome visitor. For some reason, the man is very nervous. Could it have something to do with the revolver clutched in his hand? Magee was promised the only key to the hotel, but five more peculiar interlopers arrive, each with a key. It is clear that the author is caught up in a strange and baffling plot. The question is, who’s pulling the strings? Magee hopes to find out soon, lest he turn up dead before he can start his book. This ebook has been professionally proofread to ensure accuracy and readability on all devices.

"Seven Keys to Baldpate" book has a beautiful glossy cover and a blank page for the dedication. "It was past three o'clock. The early twilight crept up the mountain, and the shadows began to lengthen in the great bare office of Baldpate Inn. In the red flicker of firelight Mr. Magee sat and pondered; the interval since luncheon had passed lazily; he was no nearer to guessing which of Baldpate Inn's winter guests hugged close the precious package. Exasperated, angry, he waited for he knew not what, restless all the while to act, but having not the glimmer of an inspiration as to what his course ought to be."

Baldpate Inn has a mystery and seven keys. The novelist has one. The other six fall into the hands of six apparent lunatics: 1. a hermit who flees from barbers and women has a key, 2. a peroxide blonde who "just loves" men has a key, 3. a college professor who has been laughed out of his job has a key, 4. a political "boss" who eats cigars has a key, 5. a Belle of High Sociétée has a key and, 6. a bold, bad clubman has a key.