Another fantastic Chandler novel!

It's not necessarily outstanding for the way he neatly arranges all of the clues, but rather for his truly incredible prose and his cynical yet profound insight into the world.

A woman is discovered in a lake within a forest, in a resort area outside of Los Angeles, and Marlow springs into action. One really has to read all the names, places, items, and descriptions with great care to keep up with the action. Maybe one even needs to take notes. But in the end, it all makes sense. Or perhaps it does, but it doesn't really matter because the writing is superb and truly one of a kind. Readers might find a certain comfort in knowing that there was someone like Chandler who saw the world for what it really was and perhaps always will be.

I would still rate "The Big Sleep," "Farewell My Lovely," and "The Long Goodbye" ahead of this one. This is just because those seem to have more variety and depth to them. There are still two Chandler novels left that I have not yet read, so my official ranking list cannot be made just yet.

Below is a quote from the book. The police chief is having a conversation with Marlow after the cops have just physically mistreated him.

“Police business is a hell of a problem. It’s a good deal like politics. It asks for the highest type of men, and there’s nothing in it to attract the highest type of men. So we have to work with what we get...”

A classic in the genre!

I have a great passion for reading crime stories penned by veteran authors such as Raymond Chandler. His works offer me a sense of comfort and a charming (perhaps nostalgic) atmosphere. The stories are filled with numerous twists and turns, making it impossible for me to guess who committed the crime until the very last moment. Maybe it's because I don't really want to engage my "grey cells" too much, so that I can fully enjoy the book. In conclusion, without a doubt, I will be highly interested in reading or rereading the novels of Raymond Chandler.

I should probably slow down on calling Raymond Chandler a god.

Novelists who write extremely well (and there are very few of them) must sometimes grow tired of both excessive praise and being underestimated.

Look. This isn't my favorite Chandler or my favorite Marlowe. And the Great and Glorious Chandler doesn't stray too far from his established pattern.

Rich, difficult clients >> wise-cracking PI >> dame >> cops >> drinks >> California >> dead bodies >> Marlowe close to the line >> Marlowe over the line >> Marlowe wraps it all up and still feels like crap about it.

But he executes it so masterfully. This is a formula that is repeatedly attempted by almost every new detective or Noir writer in the world, and 99 percent of them don't even come close.

But Chandler owns it. His counterrotated prose is like a literary quadruple lutz that he successfully lands again and again and again.

He is predictable, charming, and dear GOD nearly perfect every single time.

It's truly remarkable how he can take a somewhat familiar formula and make it feel fresh and engaging with his unique writing style and talent.

Even though this may not be his absolute best work in my eyes, it still showcases his incredible skills as a writer and his ability to create a captivating detective story.

Raymond Chandler is indeed a literary giant, and his works will continue to be celebrated and studied for years to come.

I first fell in love with Chandler, Marlowe, and the captivating world of the crime novel when I came across this remarkable obra. The moment I delved into its pages, I was instantly hooked. The dark and gritty atmosphere, the complex characters, and the thrilling plot all combined to create an irresistible allure. Chandler's masterful writing style, with its sharp dialogue and vivid descriptions, brought Marlowe to life in the most vivid way. I found myself completely immersed in their adventures, eagerly turning the pages to discover what would happen next. And as I reached the end, I was left with a sense of satisfaction and a longing for more. Poco más puedo decir, except that this obra has truly left an indelible mark on my literary heart.

I had never delved into the works of Raymond Chandler. His name was constantly mentioned in relation to Murakami, and ever since I became a fan of Murakami, I had been intrigued to read one of Chandler's books.

This particular reading experience was an absolute delight. Chandler's detective character is not only witty but also incredibly smart. He has a keen eye for the tiniest details and describes things in the most unique and unexpected ways. Just read the first chapter, and you'll be able to make up your own mind. The book presents a murder-mystery that, while perhaps a bit confusing at times, is captivating nonetheless. Chandler masterfully keeps the story flowing with a perfect blend of intrigue, comedy, and excitement.

All in all, it was a great read that provided good fun and entertainment. I'm looking forward to exploring more of Chandler's works in the future.

The little kid was smooth, with the color of ivory, and the ropes were rather rough. And the big dark eyes would surely melt in the right time and place.

The little blonde in front of the telephone device sharpened her antler-like ears and also smiled - just a little bit, doll-like. She had a playful look and was filled with anticipation, but she lacked confidence - like a kitten that had been meowing in a house where not many animals were dropped off.

Silence fell in the room. Heavy silence that could be shattered with a thunderous shake at any moment. However, it continued to weigh densely, like a wall.

The room was stuffy and tense from the poverty that could no longer be prevented.

The Woman in the Lake

The fourth novel featuring the private investigator "Philip Marlowe", one of the stories of the great American detective writer "Raymond Chandler". His novels still shine brightly despite almost three-quarters of a century having passed since they were written.

The story begins when one of the wealthy men summons the detective "Marlowe" to investigate the disappearance of his wife for almost a month, and crimes follow one after another against him.

I won't provide a detailed summary of the story to avoid spoiling the events. But let me explain the nature of the mystery to you. Chandler starts with a simple incident, and then the incident becomes more complex. He lays out the clues of the crime in front of us for us to try to deduce the solution. However, alas! There are always more details that he hides from us until the end, so that the solution to the puzzle is exclusive to his hero "Marlowe", just like the mystery-solving method of the TV series "Detective Conan".

This mystery annoys me because I always want the writer to raise all the clues of the crime high and deal with them in front of my eyes, like the TV series "Death Note".

***

The novel is not translated, and there are no translated books by the author. There is only his Wikipedia page in Arabic. I read a shortened version of the story because life is too short to cover all the classic novels that I missed in the past. And I really want to experience them.

I have made up my mind to take a hiatus from my typical fixation on history and instead, take a deep dive into several of the classic noir detective novels penned by Raymond Chandler, James M. Cain, and Dashiell Hammett. Some of these I will be re-reading.

Why noir? America is evenly split between two fanatical ideologies. So, I suppose the noir genre aligns with my cynical disposition as an outcast and literary hermit. I despise the hypocritical dishonesty and corruption of both political factions, as well as the obedient minions in the media who defend them against the other side, failing to see that they are both evil and despicable in and of themselves.

Another crucial element of the noir formula is the tough, cynical private eye who battles against both the criminal underworld and the corrupt police. I don't know many criminals aside from a few upper-level corporate parasites who will never face justice. But I reside in Las Vegas, where the police force has gone to great lengths to tarnish its own image. In coffee shops around town, I have been completely unsuccessful in attempting to engage any of these morons in an intelligent conversation. It is beyond their limited capabilities. It gives me the creeps that these antisocial thugs carry both a badge and a gun. That's another reason I'm drawn to noir!

No one embodies this noir streak better than Raymond Chandler's sarcastic, hard-drinking private detective, Philip Marlowe.

In "The Lady in the Lake," Marlowe is hired by a perfume company executive to locate his estranged wife who vanished from their summer home, sending him a rather nice Dear John letter stating that she was running off to Mexico with another man. That wasn't a huge surprise, but later he encounters his wife's lover, who claims they never ran off together. So, where did she go? The wife had some不良 habits, and the husband is more concerned about potential embarrassing publicity that could cost him his cushy job rather than the well-being of the missing lady. No hard feelings, dear.

With Marlowe as our wisecracking guide, interpreter, and bodyguard, Chandler leads us on a twisting, turning roller coaster ride through a 1940s looking glass, from Hollywood to the lake in the mountains where we stumble upon a lady's body, then back down again and up to the lake once more, where, to our chagrin, we meet both the missing lady and her killer.

This is the first time I've read "The Lady in the Lake." It's a 222-page page-turner that you won't want to put down without a fight. Whether you're flying transatlantic, across America, or taking a meandering, overnight train ride through Europe, I highly recommend this novel as an antidote to your temporary captivity.

As a warm-up to get you into the proper 1940s mood for this novel, I also suggest that you visit YouTube and pull up the 3-minute, 1947 trailer for the movie.

Real Rating: 4.5 (It might vary a little, but I'm in ecstasy over the novel, especially after such disappointments as the books of Nikki French, Camilla Läckberg, and the like).

The novel definitely deserves it! It reads quickly and easily. There are no illogical and unexpected moments where you ask yourself "WTF how did this happen, under the berries?!" And it's extremely difficult not to like Marlow.

Calmly I can say: yes, I recommend the book!

This novel offers a captivating reading experience. The story unfolds smoothly, without any jarring or confusing elements. The character of Marlow is so engaging that you can't help but be drawn into his world. It's a refreshing change from some of the other books that I've read recently, which left me feeling disappointed.

If you're looking for a good read that will keep you entertained from start to finish, then I highly recommend this novel. It's well-written, with a great plot and interesting characters. You won't be disappointed!

First of all, some of the best writing - "knuckles polished bone" - oh my, so good!

It really grabs your attention and makes you want to read more. The way the author uses such vivid and unique descriptions is truly remarkable.

Second, I liked how the story moved and enfolded, together with the writing. I think this was an excellent book and story line.

The plot was engaging and kept me on the edge of my seat from start to finish. The characters were well-developed and added depth to the story.

However, I had a problem with concentrating so I missed some of the twists and found it hard to follow who was who. There were a lot of characters to keep track of.

This made it a bit challenging for me to fully understand the story at times.

So, I'm gonna have to read this again, because there's a dead lady, some really bad sleazy guys and a PI who I felt zero for in The Big Sleep and now in this one felt everything!!

I'm excited to re-read it and pick up on all the details I missed the first time around. I'm sure it will be just as enjoyable the second time.

It's no wonder these books have stood the test of time.

They are indeed well written. Even if they might have seemed cheap or trashy back in the day, they possess a truly captivating mystery.

I have a profound love for the language Chandler uses and the way he describes people and places with such meticulous detail.

It's like being transported back to 1943, experiencing the moment and noticing both the differences and the things that haven't changed.

This is a great book that features a great twist, keeping the readers on the edge of their seats from start to finish.

It's a literary gem that continues to charm and engage readers across generations.

This might've been my favourite so far.

Perhaps that's because I managed to figure it out before Chandler got there. I really like the feeling of being smart. After he lost me plenty of times in the other books, I was quite pleased with myself for following this one just fine. The plotting was tighter, or at least, more comprehensible. It didn't seem to inexplicably wander quite so much.

As always, in my opinion, the writing was the stronger part. And of course, the characterisation, mostly that of Marlowe. His dialogue and the first person narrative contribute to that. The writing/dialogue isn't as stunning now that I know what to expect from Chandler, but it's still good. The whole exchange about 'whom' made me laugh: "Did he say whom?"/"Yeah, but don't hit him. There is such a word."/"I knew there was. I often wondered where they kept it."

There are a couple more to go. I'll be sad when I run out of Chandler. I have really enjoyed delving into his works and experiencing the unique world he creates through his words and characters. Each book has its own charm and I can't wait to see what the remaining ones have in store for me.