Crime · Classics
The Big Sleep
A wealthy, ailing general hires private detective Philip Marlowe to deal with a blackmailer. The job leads to his two reckless daughters, a murdered man and a web of Los Angeles crooks.
- First published
- 1939
- Pace
- fast
- Length
- short
- Format
- Standalone
Read this if you want the classic hard-boiled detective novel, with wisecracks and a tangled plot.
Skip this if you want a tidy plot, because even fans admit the story is hard to follow and dated in its attitudes.
The feel
Content warnings
Where to get it
| Store | Price | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Borrow free | ||
| Libby / OverDrive | Free with a library card | Borrow free with Libby from Libby / OverDrive |
| Print, new | ||
| Bookshop.org | Check price | Buy new from Bookshop.org |
| Amazon | Check price | Buy new from Amazon |
| Barnes & Noble | Check price | Buy new from Barnes & Noble |
| Print, used | ||
| AbeBooks | Check price | Buy used from AbeBooks |
| ThriftBooks | Check price | Buy used from ThriftBooks |
| Ebook | ||
| Kobo | Check price | Buy ebook from Kobo |
| Google Play Books | Check price | Buy ebook from Google Play Books |
| Audiobook | ||
| Libro.fm | Check price | Buy audiobook from Libro.fm |
| Audible | Check price | Buy audiobook from Audible |
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If you loved The Big Sleep
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The Maltese Falcon
The other great American detective classic, with a sharper, colder lead and a famous object to chase.
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The Black Echo
A later Los Angeles detective novel that carries the tradition into a more realistic setting.
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Altered Carbon
A futuristic noir that borrows the cynical detective and takes it into violent science fiction.
Crime
