Published in 1953, The Long Goodbye is Raymond Chandler's sixth novel to feature detective Philip Marlowe. It is generally considered one of his best novels and was Chandler's personal favorite. In 1955, The Long Goodbye received the Edgar Award for Best Novel, and was adapted to film in 1973. Though the movie was not well-received at the time of its release, it is now considered an excellent example of neo-noir film.
In the novel, Philip Marlowe meets a drunk writer named Terry Lennox. Over the next few months, the two develop a friendship. One day, Lennox reaches out to Marlowe, claiming to be in big trouble. Marlowe helps Lennox escape to Mexico; it quickly comes out that Lennox's...