Philip Marlowe has been hired by millionaire General Sternwood to
investigate the blackmail of one of the general's daughters. While
watching a house into which the blackmailer had gone, Marlowe hears
shots ring out. He also hears the shooter run away. Upon entering the
house, he finds one person dead.
The body is that of the blackmailer, a second person is also there; one
of the daughters of the general. She is quite naked and quite drugged.
Marlowe takes her home, and upon returning to the scene of the crime
finds the body missing. The following morning, the Sternwood's Buick
and chauffeur are found off the end of a pier. The chauffeur's neck has
been broken.
When Marlowe returns to the scene of the crime, he is confronted by a
mobster. Fortunately there is no disastrous consequence to the meeting.
Marlowe then follows up on another lead. However, in this case there
were dire consequences.
Marlowe still has unfinished business for the general. He is searching
for the missing son-in-law. It would appear that he has skipped town
with the wife of a local mobster. Shortly after that, Marlowe realises
that he is being followed. He speaks to the guy, who in turn offers him
information. Unfortunately, later that evening the informant is
killed. Marlowe is given the information by the girlfriend of the
victim.
Author Raymond Chandler has more killing to do in this novel before
Private Detective Philip Marlowe solves the case. This murder mystery
was first published in 1939, so the reader must be prepared for terms of
that era. All-in-all, a good, quick read.
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