Big Sleep

Chandler's most famous protagonist, private detective Philip Marlowe, appears in this first novel, "The Big Sleep". Drawn from Arthurian legend, Marlowe is a modern knight, dedicated to causes greater than himself and to restoring order in the world. Marlowe's first priority is always his client. He is also wary of the authorities, although Chandler takes a more benevolent view of the police than do others in the noir genre. In this novel, Marlowe must discover what has happened to Rusty Regan, the beloved son-in-law of Marlowe's client General Sternwood. This book was originally published in 1939. In "Farewell, My Lovely", the second Philip Marlowe novel, the detective is more fleshed-out and well-drawn. Chandler expanded Marlowe's trademark irreverence and wise-guy remarks. Taking on the case of Moose Malloy, wrongly imprisoned for robbery, Marlowe must find Malloy's love Velma, who disappeared when Malloy was imprisoned eight years before. Also Marlowe must come to terms with his feelings for Anne Riordan, who is assisting him with the case.