This list of books are ONLY the books that have been ranked on the lists that are aggregated on this site. This is not a comprehensive list of all books by this author.

1. 1. The Big Sleep

   

   In this classic detective novel, a private investigator is hired by a wealthy family to resolve a blackmail issue involving the younger daughter. As he delves deeper into the case, he uncovers a web of deceit, murder, and organized crime. The detective's investigation is further complicated by his growing attraction to the older daughter, adding a layer of personal involvement to an already complex case. The novel is renowned for its gritty depiction of 1930s Los Angeles and its sharp, witty dialogue.

   The 120th Greatest Book of All Time

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2. 2. The Long Goodbye

   

   This novel follows the story of a hard-boiled detective in Los Angeles who becomes embroiled in a complex case when he befriends a drunk named Terry Lennox. After Lennox's wife is found dead, Lennox disappears to Mexico and the detective is left to unravel the mystery. The detective then takes on another case of a missing husband, which becomes intertwined with the Lennox case, leading to a web of deceit, corruption, and murder. The detective's pursuit of the truth leads him through a gritty and corrupt world, testing his resolve and morality.

   The 161st Greatest Book of All Time

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3. 3. Farewell, My Lovely

   

   In this noir detective novel, a private investigator is hired to find a former lover of a recently released convict. His investigation leads him into a web of corruption and crime in Los Angeles, involving a missing nightclub owner, a wealthy widow, and a stolen jade necklace. As he delves deeper into the case, he must navigate through a world of deceit, violence, and betrayal, while trying to stay alive.

   The 595th Greatest Book of All Time

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4. 4. The Lady In The Lake

   

   In this classic hard-boiled detective novel, a wisecracking private investigator is hired to find the missing wife of a wealthy businessman, only to become embroiled in a complex web of deceit, corruption, and murder. As he delves deeper into the case, he encounters a cast of shady characters and uncovers a trail of betrayal that leads him to a remote mountain lake, where the discovery of a body threatens to expose the dark secrets of a seemingly tranquil town. With sharp dialogue and a gritty portrayal of 1940s Los Angeles, the detective navigates through the twists and turns of the investigation, determined to solve the mystery of the lady in the lake.

   The 1720th Greatest Book of All Time

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5. 5. The Little Sister

   

   In this hardboiled detective novel, private investigator Philip Marlowe is hired by a young woman named Orfamay Quest to find her missing brother in Los Angeles. As Marlowe delves deeper into the case, he uncovers a complex web of deceit, corruption, and murder involving Hollywood starlets, gangsters, and a ruthless icepick-wielding killer. The investigation leads Marlowe through a gritty and cynical portrayal of post-war Los Angeles, revealing the dark underbelly of the city and the moral ambiguities faced by those seeking truth and justice.

   The 1847th Greatest Book of All Time

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6. 6. Collected Stories

   

   "Collected Stories" is a compilation of short stories that showcase the author's signature noir style. The narratives are filled with complex plots, gritty settings, and cynical, hard-boiled characters, often featuring private detectives navigating the seedy underbelly of society. The collection highlights the author's distinct voice, characterized by sharp dialogue, vivid descriptions, and a keen observation of human nature.

   The 3938th Greatest Book of All Time

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7. 7. Trouble Is My Business

   

   A hard‑boiled private investigator narrates a series of gritty Los Angeles cases—murder, blackmail, double‑crosses and dangerous women—using wry humor and a weary moral code to expose corruption and survive the city's seedy underbelly.

   The 14212th Greatest Book of All Time

8. 8. The High Window

   

   In this gripping detective novel, private investigator Philip Marlowe is hired by a wealthy widow to retrieve a stolen rare coin, the Brasher Doubloon. As Marlowe delves into the case, he uncovers a tangled web of deceit, murder, and betrayal, revealing the dark underbelly of Los Angeles society. With his characteristic wit and tenacity, Marlowe navigates a world of shady characters and dangerous secrets, ultimately exposing the truth behind the theft and the sinister motives of those involved.

   The 14956th Greatest Book of All Time

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9. 9. The Simple Art Of Murder

   

   The book is a collection of short stories and essays that delve into the gritty world of crime and detective fiction. It explores the moral complexities and dark underbelly of society through the eyes of hard-boiled detectives who navigate a landscape filled with corruption, deceit, and violence. The stories are characterized by their sharp dialogue, intricate plots, and a keen sense of atmosphere, reflecting the author's critical perspective on the genre and its conventions. Through these narratives, the book examines the nature of justice and the personal codes that drive individuals in a morally ambiguous world.

   The 17117th Greatest Book of All Time

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10. 10. Playback

    

    In this gripping noir tale, a private detective is hired to track down a mysterious woman on the run, leading him into a web of deceit, blackmail, and murder. As he delves deeper into the case, he navigates a world of shady characters and hidden motives, uncovering secrets that challenge his moral compass. The detective's pursuit of truth and justice is complicated by his growing personal interest in the woman, ultimately forcing him to confront the blurred lines between right and wrong in a corrupt society.

11. 11. Killer In The Rain

    

    The book is a collection of eight short stories that delve into the gritty, atmospheric world of crime and mystery, showcasing the author's mastery of hard-boiled detective fiction. Each story features complex characters, intricate plots, and the seedy underbelly of urban life, often centered around private investigators navigating moral ambiguities and dangerous situations. The narratives are rich with sharp dialogue and vivid descriptions, capturing the tension and suspense of the noir genre while exploring themes of corruption, betrayal, and the quest for justice in a morally ambiguous world.

12. 12. Springs, Poodle

    

13. 13. The Big Sleep / Farewell, My Lovely

    

    In this gripping noir detective novel, a hard-boiled private investigator navigates the seedy underbelly of Los Angeles, unraveling a complex web of deceit, corruption, and murder. As he delves deeper into the case, he encounters a cast of morally ambiguous characters, including femme fatales, crooked cops, and ruthless gangsters, each with their own hidden agendas. The detective's relentless pursuit of truth and justice leads him through a labyrinth of danger and intrigue, where every clue uncovers more questions than answers, ultimately revealing the dark and gritty realities of the human condition.

14. 14. Raymond Chandler

    

    This book delves into the intricate world of crime and mystery, weaving a tale that is both gripping and atmospheric. Set against the backdrop of a gritty urban landscape, the narrative follows a hard-boiled detective as he navigates a labyrinth of deceit, corruption, and danger. With sharp dialogue and a keen eye for detail, the story captures the essence of the human condition, exploring themes of morality, justice, and the blurred lines between right and wrong. The protagonist's journey is as much about solving the case as it is about confronting personal demons and the complexities of the human psyche.
15. 15. The Big Sleep And Other Novels

    

    Set in the gritty underbelly of 1930s and 1940s Los Angeles, this collection of hardboiled detective stories follows the enigmatic private investigator as he navigates a world rife with corruption, deceit, and danger. With a sharp wit and a moral code that often puts him at odds with both criminals and law enforcement, the protagonist delves into complex cases involving murder, blackmail, and betrayal. The narratives are rich with atmospheric detail and vivid characterizations, painting a vivid picture of a city where the line between right and wrong is often blurred, and justice is as elusive as the truth.

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16. 16. Ο μεγάλος ύπνος

    

    A hardboiled private detective is hired to resolve a wealthy patriarch’s blackmail problem and soon becomes entangled in a labyrinth of deceit, murder, gambling and sexual vice as he confronts corrupt cops, dangerous gangsters and the twisted secrets of a powerful family in 1930s Los Angeles.

17. 17. The Curtain

    

18. 18. Das Hohe Fenster

    

    A hard-boiled private detective is hired by a wealthy widow to recover a rare and valuable coin stolen from her late husband’s collection; his quiet inquiry into a simple theft soon uncovers blackmail, deception, and murder that link the case to both shady underworld figures and respectable members of the city’s elite. As he peels back layers of lies, he navigates double-crosses, moral compromises, and dangerous confrontations to unmask the true motivations behind the crime and bring the tangled scheme to light.

19. 19. Die Kleine Schwester

    

    A hard-boiled private investigator is hired by a wide-eyed young woman to find her missing brother, an aspiring actor who vanished in Los Angeles; his search drags him into the movie town’s underside of publicity stunts, manipulative starlets, crooked agents and violent secrets, forcing him to cut through lies, family complications and murder to uncover the grim truth.
20. 20. Die Tote Im See

    

    Private eye Philip Marlowe is hired to locate a missing woman and soon finds himself pulled into a web of small‑town secrets, deceit and murder; following a trail from city to mountain resort and to a lake where a body is discovered, he peels back layers of greed, jealousy and corruption among seemingly respectable people, confronting violent schemes and betrayals as he fights to uncover who arranged the disappearance and why.

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