http://www.powells.com/biblio/17-9780394758282-4 : This novel first introduced private detective Philip Marlowe. It starts off with Marlowe hired to investigate a case of blackmail...several murders, a pornographic book ring, and numerous double-crosses later, Marlowe unwinds the mystery (except the death of the chauffeur). I found this story incredibly difficult to follow - I'm not sure if I just wasn't that interested in the writing, or if it was particularly convoluted. Marlowe is like Sam Spade in his roughness - and at one point in the story his comments toward a homosexual character were very off-putting (I tried to remember that the book was written in 1939, but it still turned me off to the story in general). I'm glad I decided to read some of these early detective stories just to see what they are all about. But, I don't see myself picking up too many more.
(* - listed in 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die)
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