Marlowe A Novel
Marlowe A Novel by John Banville, published by Henry Holt and Company on February 28, 2023, is a media tie-in edition that brings back the iconic detective Philip Marlowe, originally created by Raymond Chandler. This 304-page work, written in English, follows Marlowe as he navigates the gritty streets of Bay City, California, during the early 1950s. The story begins when a beautiful, wealthy client seeks Marlowe’s help to locate her missing former lover, leading him into a web of intrigue involving a powerful family willing to go to great lengths to protect their interests.
Readers will find a narrative rich in the classic elements of mystery and detective fiction, with themes of crime and the hard-boiled genre woven throughout. As Marlowe delves deeper into the case, he encounters a series of perplexing events that challenge his skills and resolve. The book captures the essence of vintage Los Angeles, complete with vivid imagery and a sense of nostalgia for the era. This edition offers a fresh perspective on Marlowe’s character and the challenges he faces, making it a noteworthy addition to the detective fiction landscape.
Official synopsis Publisher
Raymond Chandler’s Philip Marlowe returns in award-winning author John Banville’s Marlowe—originally published as The Black-Eyed Blonde under the pen name Benjamin Black—the basis for the major motion picture starring Liam Neeson as the iconic detective.
“Somewhere Raymond Chandler is smiling . . . I loved this book. It was like having an old friend, one you assumed was dead, walk into the room.”
—Stephen King
“It was one of those Tuesday afternoons in summer when you wonder if the earth has stopped revolving.“
The streets of Bay City, California, in the early 1950s are as mean as they get. Marlowe is as restless and lonely as ever, and the private eye business is a little slow. Then a new client is shown in: blond, beautiful, and expensively dressed, she wants Marlowe to find her former lover.
Almost immediately, Marlowe discovers that the man’s disappearance is merely the first in a series of bewildering events. Soon he is tangling with one of Bay City’s richest and most ruthless families—and developing a singular appreciation for how far they will go to protect their fortune.
“It’s vintage L.A., toots: The hot summer, rain on the asphalt, the woman with the lipstick, cigarette ash and alienation, V8 coupes, tough guys, snub-nosed pistols, the ice melting in the bourbon . . . . The results are Chandleresque, sure, but you can see Banville’s sense of fun.”
—The Washington Post
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