Trouble is my Business contains 4 Phillip Marlowe stories that were previously published in the pulp magazines of that era. Overall, these serve as a splendid example of Chandler's hard-boiled fiction presented in novella form. Each story is remarkable in its own right. However, my personal favorite is “Red Wind”. This story is an almost flawless representation of Marlowe's code of honor. It features great characters and has a fantastic little twist at the end. There is a great deal of quality hidden within this unassuming little short story. It showcases Chandler's talent for creating engaging and complex narratives that keep the reader hooked from beginning to end. The vivid descriptions and sharp dialogue bring the story to life, making it a truly enjoyable read. Whether you're a fan of hard-boiled detective fiction or just looking for a good story, Trouble is my Business is definitely worth checking out.

Nice Collection of Shorts



I initially had the impression that this would be a complete single story. However, I was pleasantly astonished to discover that it was, in fact, a collection of short stories. It was truly enjoyable to peruse through some beautifully written tales.
Although these stories may perhaps never be regarded as classic literature, they nevertheless possess several remarkable classic lines. Each story within the collection offers a unique perspective and a different flavor. Some are filled with humor, while others touch on more profound emotions. The authors have done a great job of creating engaging characters and interesting plotlines that keep the reader hooked from start to finish.
Overall, this collection of shorts is a great read for anyone looking for some light entertainment or a quick escape into different worlds. It is a testament to the fact that even short stories can have a lasting impact and leave a reader with a sense of satisfaction.

A collection of four relatively long short stories, each approximately 50 pages in length. Chandler's prose is truly beautiful. The last page of "Red Wind", the fourth and final story in the book, is as follows:

I stood up. We looked at each other for a moment. "You haven't touched your drink," she said.

"You drink it. That peppermint stuff will just make you sick."

I stood there for a moment with a hand on the table.

"If anybody ever bothers you," I said, "let me know."

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

But the ocean looked cool and languid, just the same as ever. I drove on almost to Malibu and then parked and went to sit on a big rock that was inside somebody's wire fence. It was about half-tide and coming in. The air smelled of kelp. I watched the water for a while and then I pulled a string of Bohemian glass imitation pearls out of my pocket and cut the knot at one end and slipped the pearls off one by one.

When I had them all loose in my left hand, I held them like that for a while and thought. There wasn't really anything to think about. I was sure.

I flipped her pearls out into the water one by one at the floating seagulls. They made little splashes and the seagulls rose off the water and swooped at the splashes.

Chandler's writing style in this story is captivating. The detailed descriptions of the scenes, from the bar to the ocean, create a vivid and atmospheric setting. The interaction between the characters is brief but full of meaning. The act of throwing the pearls into the water seems to be a symbolic gesture, perhaps representing the end of something or a release of emotions. Overall, this story leaves a lasting impression and showcases Chandler's talent for writing engaging and thought-provoking short stories.

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Deadly sins must be confessed and atoned for. Here, now I will do just that – I hadn't read anything by Raymond Chandler before this book… I'll wait for the deafening sirens to stop for a few minutes and then continue :) Damn, indeed my previous acquaintance with crime literature had never excited me so much that I would reach for most of the iconic authors who are like air and water for many readers. I took "The Long Goodbye" a long time ago, read it, had fun, even forgot to write about it – and yet I still feel obliged not to leave the book and its tough main hero – the unknown Philip Marlowe – aside.

Uniskorp IK

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Aah, the hard-boiled detective novel! It's truly a captivating genre. Perhaps the original writer of such novels had a vision that still enthralls readers today. Think of Humphrey Bogart in The Maltese Falcon, as he embodies the essence of a hard-boiled detective perfectly.

This particular work is a collection of four short stories that are longer than average. Each story is complete and features a unique cast of characters, with the exception of Philip Marlowe. All of them share the same gritty, shadowed coloring that is characteristic of the hard-boiled detective genre. Part of this is due to the timeframe in which the stories are set, and part of it is because Marlowe is a private eye who inevitably deals with shady characters.

Overall, this collection adds up to a series of fun and intriguing stories that will keep readers on the edge of their seats. The combination of well-developed characters, a noir atmosphere, and engaging plots makes it a must-read for fans of the hard-boiled detective novel. Whether you're a long-time enthusiast or new to the genre, this collection is sure to satisfy.

I read this collection after having read the much more newly written novel "The Long Goodbye".

The stories in this collection date back to the 1930's. They showcase all the elements that would later become characteristic of Chandler's detective writing, albeit in a less refined form. There are shady ladies, corrupt police officers, and the noble Marlowe, who appears to be perpetually uninterested in collecting the fee he has rightfully earned.

This collection is mainly of interest to those readers who are Chandler/Marlowe completists. They are the ones who simply must have every piece of work related to Chandler's famous detective. For them, these early stories offer a fascinating glimpse into the evolution of Chandler's writing style and the development of the Marlowe character. It's like seeing the building blocks being laid before the masterpiece is fully constructed.

Even for those who are not die-hard fans, however, these stories still have their charm. They are filled with the kind of gritty realism and sharp dialogue that made Chandler a legend in the detective fiction genre.

Exactly what it says on the tin;

four short stories starring Philip Marlowe, the noirest detective to ever noir.

The stories are alright. They do manage to scratch the itch for those who have a penchant for hard-boiled detective stories.

However, I would highly recommend reading The Big Sleep before delving into these short stories.

The Big Sleep is a classic and provides a more in-depth and comprehensive introduction to the world of Philip Marlowe and the noir genre.

It sets the stage and builds the foundation for a better understanding and appreciation of the shorter tales.

So, if you're new to the world of Philip Marlowe, start with The Big Sleep and then move on to these short stories for a more complete experience.

I can never resist the siren call of Raymond Chandler. In my opinion, his work truly defines the noir genre of mysteries. It simply doesn't get any better than that.

“Trouble is My Business” is a collection of four short stories - “Trouble is My Business, Finger Man, Goldfish,” and “Red Wind” - that are classic Chandler. Rife with 50s slang and the most stripped-down descriptions imaginable, each story is like a literary shot of scotch. The kind that leaves you with a taste of campfire smoke in your mouth. Descriptions such as “…one of those mustaches that get stuck under your fingernail,” “…Dead as a pickled walnut,” and “…a mixed quartet tore what was left of the night into small strips and did what they could to make the strips miserable,” pepper the stories liberally.

Chandler peels away every unnecessary detail that isn't vital to the plot, buffs the remainder on his sleeve, and sends it out into the world in all its dim, scruffy glory. That's one of the things about his writing that really appeals to me. However, if you prefer opulent, lush sentences and pages of descriptions and details that seem to leak out of the binding when you tilt the book sideways, then Chandler may not be for you.

I'd still encourage you to read at least one of his stories - especially if you're a mystery buff or a fan of works set in the WWII era - because he defines a genre, and sometimes works like that are famous for a reason. Go take one of his stories out from the library. It'll be fun. If nothing else, you can spend an afternoon googling slang - or maybe ask your local octogenarian? - and impressing your friends with your new vocabulary. Educational and fun, that's Chandler.

Content warnings: (thankfully infrequent) use of racial slurs, and the standard dated terminology used for minorities in the 50s. Some violence, but overall very minimal descriptions of gore and suffering. If you like mysteries but have a tough time with bloodshed, Chandler's stories might be just what you're looking for.

The 2006 Folio Society edition is truly a remarkable piece.

It is handsomely bound, not only protecting the book but also adding an element of elegance. The inclusion of a box sleeve further enhances its presentation.

The Geoff Grandfield illustrations on thirteen pages, as well as on the spine and outside covers, are highly imaginative. They vividly evoke the hard-boiled atmosphere of Los Angeles that is so characteristic of the Chandler stories.

This edition contains twelve engaging stories spread over 508 pages. The page margins are generous, providing a comfortable reading experience. The page paper, Caxton Wove, adds a touch of quality.

Holding this edition in hand and reading it is a truly pleasing experience. Based on my wonderful experience with this particular edition, I will definitely be on the lookout for other Folio Society editions in the future.

I am eager to explore more of their beautifully produced books and discover new literary treasures.

In his 1950 introduction to this collection of four novellas, Raymond Chandler did a truly remarkable job of elucidating what made his writing so outstanding. He penned, “The technical basis of the Black Mask type of story on the other hand was that the scene outranked the plot, in the sense that a good plot was one which made good scenes. The ideal mystery was one you would read if the end was missing.”

These stories serve as excellent exemplars of this principle. The plots range from 3.5 to 5 stars, yet the writing in all of them is consistently of an outstanding 5-star caliber.

Trouble is My Business, originally published in Dime Detective in 1939, has the weakest plot among the four, rated 3.5 stars.

Finger Man, which first saw the light of day in Black Mask in 1934, is notable for its portrayal of pervasive political corruption in LA. The plot is quite good, meriting a 4-star rating.

Goldfish, published in Black Mask in 1936, also has a very good plot, scoring 4 stars.

Red Wind, originally published in Dime Detective in 1938, is astonishingly good and perhaps Chandler’s single finest work. The opening paragraph sets the scene in an unforgettable manner:

“There was a desert wind blowing that night. It was one of those hot dry Santa Anas that come down through the mountain passes and curl your hair and make your nerves jump and your skin itch. On nights like that every booze party ends in a fight. Meek little wives feel the edge of the carving knife and study their husbands' necks. Anything can happen. You can even get a full glass of beer at a cocktail lounge.”

The plot is wonderful, rated 5 stars, with a superb bittersweet ending. This work elevates the hard-boiled story from the realm of pulp to that of serious literature.

This collection as a whole earns a 5-star rating within its genre, and Red Wind is a 5-star masterpiece as literature. Chandler’s four-page introduction is also of excellent quality.

This is a compilation of 5 short stories penned by Raymond Chandler. It is recognized as a part of the Philip Marlowe series, and other critiques suggest that all the stories revolve around Marlowe. However, my copy (1950 Penguin) includes a note stating that "The stories in this volume first appeared in various magazines between 1933 and 1939...". I suspect that the character names in my edition are the original ones and have since been republished as Marlowe.

Trouble is my Business (John Dalmas) 5/5

Red Wind (John Dalmas) 4/5

I'll be Waiting (Tony Reseck) 3/5

Goldfish (Carmady) 4.5/5

Guns at Cyrano's (Ted Malvern) 4/5

I'm not a huge enthusiast of plot summarizing short stories as it doesn't leave much unsaid. Suffice it to mention that they are in Chandler's distinct style. The tough guy private detectives, who make the typical errors but ultimately come out okay, usually surrounded by corpses! They are the hard-boiled detectives in the vein of Marlowe, regardless of the name used.

Excellent. Overall 4 stars+.

I've always had a special place in my heart for Philip Marlowe. Even though my experience with the hardboiled detective novel is limited, perhaps only having read The Maltese Falcon. I've always been deeply emotionally attached to his character. He seems to radiate the emotionally-distant personality of a classic early-twentieth-century private investigator. However, every now and then, he lets slip some internal dialogue that hints at a profounder loneliness, as seen through Harriet Huntress in this story.

I don't envision myself delving any deeper into this genre. But I know that I'll always return to Marlowe. Additionally, I discovered an audiobook version of this narrated by Elliott Gould himself, and it was absolute mastery. The way Gould brought Marlowe to life was truly remarkable. His voice added an extra layer of authenticity and charm to the character. It was as if he was Marlowe himself, walking the mean streets and solving crimes. Listening to the audiobook was an immersive experience that made me appreciate Marlowe even more.