Scan barcode
debjazzergal's review against another edition
4.0
A true classic noire crime story. While some of the slang has gone out of style and may give some readers pause, it's definitely a good read.
elliec130's review against another edition
3.0
Another one that on a technical level probably deserves 4 stars, but it just dips too much during the second act even though the writing- especially the dialogue- does have personality and honestly the cop/PI dynamic is honestly a lot more interesting than it has any business being. I fully understand why Chandler is so well known. Might give one of his other books a go sometime soon.
conorchurch's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
3.75
talentedmisfit's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
spacecomics's review against another edition
4.0
This is my first Raymond Chandler book. The characters and plot seemed very much like the movies I've seen based on Chandler's books like The Big Sleep. As I read it, I heard Humphrey Bogart's voice as Philip Marlowe and that seemed perfectly natural.
In this one Marlowe is approached by a woman in his office to find her brother. Turns out he's mixed up in drug dealing and blackmail, which the sister disingenuously denies. Marlowe's investigation leads from "Bay City" (Santa Monica) to Hollywood with a couple murders along the way.
I couldn't quite follow some details of the plot though, regarding blackmail photos and how Marlowe figured things out. It seemed to me like he was jumping to conclusions several times; that's why only 4/5 stars. It was good to read, though, and I'm glad I read it.
In this one Marlowe is approached by a woman in his office to find her brother. Turns out he's mixed up in drug dealing and blackmail, which the sister disingenuously denies. Marlowe's investigation leads from "Bay City" (Santa Monica) to Hollywood with a couple murders along the way.
I couldn't quite follow some details of the plot though, regarding blackmail photos and how Marlowe figured things out. It seemed to me like he was jumping to conclusions several times; that's why only 4/5 stars. It was good to read, though, and I'm glad I read it.
c_lotte's review against another edition
dark
funny
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
4.0
gullevek's review against another edition
4.0
I really like this one. After I read the first book Raymond Chandler wrote, I was not sure if I would want to read any other one. Too many old clichés and it felt more like reading a really bad pulp story.
But this one changes it, this is a really great story, well written, well told.
[Doesn't change the fact that every body smokes, and there isn't a page where there is nobody smoking ;)]
But this one changes it, this is a really great story, well written, well told.
[Doesn't change the fact that every body smokes, and there isn't a page where there is nobody smoking ;)]
circularcubes's review against another edition
3.0
the plot in this one is, as always, near incomprehensible, but that dialogue! those descriptions!