This book is composed of four of Chandler's novellas or novelettes.

It contains most of the elements that I adore about Raymond Chandler's novels. There is the hardboiled prose that can bring one to tears, an abundance of characters and twists that can make your head whirl, and plots that are nearly impossible to decipher.

The very fact that I read all the stories and took pleasure in them, regardless of their flaws or perhaps even because of them, serves as a testament to Chandler's remarkable legacy as one of the greatest hardboiled crime writers of all time. His works have a unique charm and allure that draw readers in and keep them engaged from beginning to end.

Even with their imperfections, these stories offer a glimpse into the gritty and complex world that Chandler so masterfully created. They are a must-read for any fan of the hardboiled crime genre and a testament to Chandler's enduring influence on the literary world.

I had only read three or four Chandler stories prior to reading this book. Chandler truly does an outstanding job of描绘 a long-gone California. I have a penchant for detective stories, yet those in which the police subject suspects to torture simply don't appeal to me. Consequently, a couple of the stories were rather off-putting.

We can discern the framework of Chandler's most renowned novels within some of these stories. Indeed, one of the short stories is later reworked as "The Big Sleep."

I have a preference for Hammett over Chandler.

It is worthy of note that this Folio Edition is a beautiful volume.

The Goodreads data might be a bit wonky, as I had previously listened to the story "Trouble is My Business."

Overall, while Chandler's writing has its merits, my personal taste leans more towards Hammett. However, this collection still offers an interesting glimpse into Chandler's early work and the evolution of his writing style.

The beautiful Folio Edition adds an extra layer of appeal, making it a worthy addition to any detective fiction enthusiast's collection.

01/2018

In this collection, there are four novellas from pulp magazines.

Interestingly, out of these four, only one, Red Wind, had I come across and read previously.

Among them, my absolute favorite is Goldfish. However, it should be noted that it does contain some rather disturbing scenes of bad fish abuse.

The introduction, which delves into the nature of pulp writing, was penned by Chandler back in 1950.

It provides valuable insights into the world of pulp literature and the style and characteristics that defined it during that era.

Overall, this collection offers a diverse range of stories that showcase the unique charm and excitement of pulp magazine fiction.

Whether you are a fan of classic literature or simply looking for an engaging read, these novellas are sure to captivate your attention and transport you to a bygone era of thrilling storytelling.

My favorite mystery-crime writer of his generation is truly remarkable.

He has this unique charm that reminds you of simpler times. Although he often gets out of trouble with his fists, which I might not entirely prefer, his ability to set a scene is just wonderful.

You can vividly picture where the cigarette butts are lying and whether the blond with the gun is wearing a Bolero Jacket or a bowling shirt.

He has this amazing talent for summing up everyone he meets, and yet, in just two weeks, he doesn't seem to care if he was right or wrong.

Moreover, you can sense that this is not 2021. He has an uncanny ability to capture the essence of that particular time, its blessings as well as its weaknesses, as well as anyone could.

His stories transport you to a different era, filled with mystery, intrigue, and unforgettable characters.

It's like taking a step back in time and experiencing a world that is both familiar and yet so different.

Overall, he is a master of his craft, and I can't wait to see what he comes up with next.

Great Philip Marlowe short stories are a true gem in the world of literature. Raymond Chandler's creation, Philip Marlowe, is widely regarded as the king of noir. These short stories are filled with mystery, intrigue, and a touch of darkness that keeps readers on the edge of their seats.

Marlowe, the tough and cynical private investigator, navigates the seedy underbelly of Los Angeles, solving crimes and uncovering secrets. His sharp wit and unwavering sense of justice make him a captivating protagonist.

The stories are masterfully written, with Chandler's vivid descriptions painting a vivid picture of the noir world. From the smoky bars to the shadowy alleys, readers are transported into a world of danger and deception.

Whether you're a fan of mystery, crime, or simply great literature, the Philip Marlowe short stories are a must-read. They are a testament to Chandler's talent as a writer and have solidified Marlowe's place as one of the most iconic characters in the history of noir fiction.

Hard-boiled

Phillip Marlowe is on the case, and there is truly nothing quite like it. Raymond Chandler once again showcases his remarkable genius with the language in this genre. His short stories are a testament to his mastery. Each word is carefully chosen, painting vivid pictures in the reader's mind. The atmosphere he creates is palpable, drawing you into the seedy underbelly of the crime-ridden world. You'll find yourself on the edge of your seat, eagerly turning the pages to see what Marlowe will uncover next. These stories will not let you down. They are a must-read for any fan of hard-boiled detective fiction. Chandler's unique style and his ability to craft engaging characters and complex plots make these short stories a true literary gem. So, sit back, relax, and let Phillip Marlowe take you on a thrilling adventure.

I bought this book after reading the reviews by my Goodreads friend, the author James Thane. These old potboiler detective stories are truly amazing!

Ha ha ha! What a charming little book it is. The plot takes a backseat to the dialogue of Philip Marlowe and the other tough characters. Consider the following lines:

"I called him up from a phone booth. The voice that answered was fat. It wheezed softly, like the voice of a man who had just won a pie-eating contest."

"I moved around slowly, like a cat in a strange house."

"The room was empty. It was full of silence and the memory of a nice perfume."

"Miss Harriet Huntress was a nice girl. She knew a few wrong numbers, but who didn't?"

"So long, pal. Be pure." [I'm definitely stealing this one for my own parting line!]

"I felt terrible. I felt like an amputated leg."

"George slid under the wheel and started the big car. It moved away from the curb and around the corner with as much noise as a bill makes in a wallet."

"They rode me back into the room without seeming to."

"He had an idea and he was holding it like a sick baby."

"'Lift the dogs,' [move your butt] Beef said, and stood to one side."

The iconic line: "'Trouble is my business,' I said. 'How else would I make a nickel?'"

"I lifted a foot to start walking to a taxi half a block down across the street."

"The night air was not pure but it was cool."

These lines bring the story to life and make it a truly enjoyable read.

I have read a significant number of Philip Marlowe books in the past, and I have derived great pleasure from them. The complex characters, the intricate plots, and the atmospheric settings have always been a source of fascination for me. However, for some inexplicable reason, I did not enjoy this particular installment. It seemed to drag on interminably for me, lacking the usual spark and energy that I have come to expect from the series.

The story felt sluggish, and I found myself losing interest as it plodded along. The pacing was off, and the events did not unfold in a way that held my attention. I was disappointed, as I had been looking forward to reading this book with great anticipation. Despite my previous love for the Philip Marlowe series, this one just didn't hit the mark for me.

I firmly believe that writing a review of this book would be rather pointless.

It is crucial to understand that this work stands as one of the genuine wellsprings of the River Noir.

Any individual who delves into Chandler's works would be highly benefited by obtaining a copy that includes Chandler's own introduction, which was penned around 1950. In this introduction, he casts a retrospective gaze upon the pulps. Interestingly, he refers to them in the past tense, despite the fact that they still had approximately 10 more years of existence, vying for shelf space. He proceeds to discuss the evolution of the genre, from its predominantly British-style manifestations to the fully Americanized versions. He explores the reasons behind this transformation and what was achieved in the process.

It is one of those extremely rare instances where one can observe that although Chandler might have lost the pure whodunit thread on one or two occasions within his own work, he had an exact understanding of what his style entailed and what he was accomplishing within the genre at that very moment, not merely as a series of reflections looking back on the entire body of work.

For me, that single introduction, and precisely the timing of when he wrote it within the context of the history of noir fiction, clinches the deal and solidifies Chandler's essential status.

For my money, the first and last stories are the best, while the second and third are only for Chandler purists. This is early Chandler, and it's rough in many places. However, you can see him polishing parts of the stories and developing his unique style.

1. Trouble is My Business - 3.5 Stars

The first story starts off a bit roughly and is overwritten, but even in this early effort, we can see the Chandler-to-be. It's marvellous.

The tall one was grinning. He had his hat low on his forehead and a wedge-shaped face that ended in a point, like the bottom half of the ace of diamonds. He had dark moist eyes and a nose so bloodless that it might have been made of white wax. His gun was a Colt Woodsman with a long barrel and the front sight filed off. That meant he thought he was good.

The Colt Woodsman appears quite often in this collection.

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Chandler's prose gets a bit tighter and smoother in Chapter 4, but the complex plot and characters are not yet "trademark" Chandler.

By chapter 7, we see most of the plot, but it still takes an info-dump by Marlowe to tie it all together.

All in all, it's a delicious portent of better work to come.

2. Finger Man - 3 Stars

This scene in the casino and some of the parking lot reminds me almost exactly of the film version of The Big Sleep with John Ridley (Eddie Mars) and Lauren Bacall.

Note: Also, much of the initial cottage-photography nude-girl session in Killer in the Rain seems to have been lifted directly into the superb The Big Sleep film version of 1946, with the screenplay by William Faulkner and Leigh Brackett.

Two croupiers stood near me with their heads together and their eyes looking side-wise. One moved a rake slowly back and forth beside the idle wheel. They were staring at the red-haired girl.

She wore a high-cut black evening gown. She had fine white shoulders, was something less than beautiful and more than pretty. She was leaning on the edge of the table, in front of the wheel. Her long eyelashes were twitching. There was a big pile of money and chips in front of her.

The croupier leaned across the table and very carefully stacked her money and chips. He placed her bet for her on the red diamond. He placed his hand along the curve of the wheel.

"If no one objects," Canales said, without looking at anyone, "this is just the two of us."

Marlowe's gun is a long.38 with a six-inch barrel.

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Unfortunately, the story bogs down in too many twists and false explanations.

3. Goldfish - 3.5 Stars

It's better than the second story, but just barely. The pacing is uneven, the plot is confused, the dialogue is repetitive and doesn't always ring true, but it has a neat ending.

4. Red Wind - 4.5 Stars

Once this story gets going, you know it's the real thing. It's early Chandler, but it's pure and clean. The plot is great and complex, the pacing is good, and the prose is mostly smooth and effortless. It's wonderful.

Two beautiful quotes, indisputably Chandler:

The old Levantine had a shop on Melrose, a junk shop with everything in the window from a folding baby carriage to a French horn, from a mother-of-pearl lorgnette in a faded plush case to one of those.44 Special Single Action six-shooters they still make for Western peace officers whose grandfathers were tough.

and

I went out of the bar without looking back at her, got into my car and drove west on Sunset and down all the way to the Coast Highway. Everywhere along the way, gardens were full of withered and blackened leaves and flowers which the hot wind had burned.

But the ocean looked cool and languid and just the same as ever. I drove on almost to Malibu and then parked and went and sat on a big rock that was inside somebody's wire fence. It was about half-tide and coming in. The air smelled of kelp.

Chandler's stories were chosen as extra credit for class. I was so intrigued that I wanted to continue reading him and might even become a completest!

I think these are some of the earlier stories which Chandler made his name with before the masterpiece "Big Sleep". They are all Philip Marlowe stories and have that almost-there quality seen in some writers' early work. They have a style and vision, but it's not fully realized yet. For some reason, I find great solace in reading such work. It's encouraging to see mediocre to bad writing from great authors. It makes me feel less discouraged when going through my own writing crap.

Forgot to mention that although I love Chandler, these stories were more dryly amusing than as engaging as his novels. I can picture a guy at a gas station in Cedar Rapids or Cactus Rat Gulch in the mid-50's, nodding over some crumbly paperbacks or a creased folio of his stories.

"The Goldfish" was the story that really grabbed my attention. It's just a beaut and definitely recommended if you want to give it a try.

The rest? Well, they were just okay. Meh.

Finger man - 2.5.

This might refer to a person who is skilled at using their fingers, perhaps in a particular trade or activity. The rating of 2.5 could suggest that they are moderately proficient or have a certain level of expertise, but there is still room for improvement.

Goldfish - 4.

Goldfish are popular pets known for their vibrant colors and graceful swimming. A rating of 4 might indicate that these goldfish are of good quality, perhaps healthy and well-cared for. They could be a source of beauty and entertainment in an aquarium or pond.

Red wind - 4.

The term "Red wind" could have various interpretations. It might refer to a strong wind with a reddish hue, perhaps due to dust or other particles in the air. A rating of 4 could imply that this red wind is significant or has a certain impact, whether it's on the environment, weather conditions, or other aspects.

Trouble is my business - 3.

This phrase suggests that the person or entity being described has a penchant for getting involved in or dealing with trouble. The rating of 3 could mean that they are moderately successful or effective in handling difficult situations, but they may also face challenges or setbacks along the way. It could imply a sense of adventure or a willingness to take on difficult tasks.