Pick Up A Pulp [24]: THE BIG SLEEP by Raymond Chandler

Not really a book I consider a 'pulp' but The Big Sleep kinda fits the label as some of the more prominent genre troupes are present throughout. What separates the first Phillip Marlowe from other books in my Pick up a Pulp series of blog posts is the writing. Commonly refereed to as a form of hardboiled literature, The Big Sleep contains smart plotting, well formed characters and a deep and engrossing story that encompasses many shades of grey - there are a lot of angles to this sharply written detective story but they all work - and they all draw blood.

The Big Sleep introduces the world to Private Eye Phillip Marlowe, hired by a wealthy man nearing his death bed to look into a case of extortion and gambling debts incurred by one of his daughters. 

What follows is a complex series of crimes interlocked with the linear plot which shines a light on the darker side of the wealthy man's homestead, notably, the activities his daughters are involved and their ties with the underworld. 

Murder is easy in The Big Sleep, I was surprised at the sheer volume of deaths and impressed at how seamlessly they fitted the narrative. None are used for shock value, rather puzzle pieces forming the big picture case Marlowe's to solve.

My rating: 4/5 stars, a book I can see myself rereading.