Arbieroo reviewed Three novels by Raymond Chandler
Review of 'Three novels' on 'Goodreads'
3 stars
Varied in quality, with a steady improvement from earliest to latest of the three novels presented in this volume. Reading several Chandler novels in a shortish space of time reveals the technique he uses to disguise what is going on in his plots, weakening the reader's experience.
Marlowe is revealed as a more interesting character as Chandler's skill as a writer improves, but the inevitable comparison between Chandler and Hammett favours the latter simply because Hammett created a wider range of mood and character in his novels.
The Long Goodbye stands as not only the best in this volume but the best of Chandler's novels and should be the one chosen by those who only have time for one encounter with Philip Marlowe.