Philip Marlowe, the original wise-cracking private detective, finds himself drawn into the search for a missing night-club singer and on the way meets beautiful and dangerous women, corrupt city officials, and a psychic who may be part of a jewel theft ring.
I was surprised to find that this story, written in 1940, featured hidden marijuana cigarettes and a somewhat casual attitude about their use: "On the other hand lots of tough guys smoked marihuana, also lots of band musicians and high school kids, and nice girls who had given up trying."
Even more surprising to me was Chandler's frank treatment of the blatant racism that existed with regard to crimes against people of color. I won't include a quote here but it's clear that Marlowe is not surprised to learn that the murder of a black person isn't going to get the attention that the murder of a white person would.
Sprinkled through this detective tale are the classic metaphors that are so much a part of our collective cultural memory as to become cliches. But when you remember that these are from the original source you appreciate how they reveal the cynical but humorous aspects of Marlowe's personality and we begin to understand why this character is the basis of the stereotypical private eye.
Upon meeting a hopelessly alcoholic woman: "Uh-huh," the voice dragged itself out of her throat like a sick man getting out of bed." and She was as cute as a washtub.
When confronted with a tough guy: "He looked as nervous as a brick wall."
This was my first Raymond Chandler. I feel I have filled a gap in the cracks of my cultural reading wall.
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