Books in Order: Spotlight on Renowned Author, Raymond Chandler
The Life and Times of Raymond Chandler
Raymond Chandler (1888-1959), an American novelist and screenwriter, has left an indelible mark on the literary world. His foremost contributions have been in the realm of hardboiled detective novels, primarily featuring the character Philip Marlowe. His distinct style and powerful narratives influenced countless other literary figures such as Robert B. Parker, Robert Crais, and Michael Connelly, as well as iconic filmmakers like Quentin Tarantino and the Coen Brothers.
Chandler’s Unique Narrative Style
Despite his first novel, The Big Sleep, being published relatively late in his career in 1939, Chandler’s foray into the literary world began with the short story, Blackmailers Don’t Shoot, in 1933. His work is characterized by a strong sense of realism, engrossing drama, and a dark examination of human morality, all wrapped in a gripping narrative style that keeps readers on the edge of their seats.
Chandler’s Books in Order
Books in order of publication present a fascinating journey through Chandler’s evolution as a writer. Below is a list of all of Raymond Chandler’s novels, arranged in the order they were originally published:
Publication Order of Philip Marlowe Books
| The Big Sleep | (1939) |    |
| Farewell, My Lovely | (1940) | |
| The High Window | (1942) | |
| The Lady in the Lake | (1943) | |
| The Little Sister | (1949) | |
| The Long Goodbye | (1953) | |
| Playback | (1958) | |
| Poodle Springs | (1989) | |
| Perchance to Dream | (1991) | |
| The Black-Eyed Blonde | (2014) | |
| Only to Sleep | (2018) | |
| The Goodbye Coast | (2022) | |
| The Second Murderer | (2023) | |