Marlowe

A Novel (Philip Marlowe Series)

By: John Banville

Narrated by: Dennis Boutsikaris

“Boutsikaris does a standout job. . . . Thug or cop, heiress or moll, he gives them all distinct voices that fit well with the book's Chandleresque prose and dialogue.” —Publishers Weekly

“Dennis Boutsikaris narrates with marvelous aplomb. He nails the cool but inviting tone, the clipped tempo, the razor and the velvet of such a tale. . . . This is a perfect weekend listen.” —AudioFile

Raymond Chandler’s Philip Marlowe returns in award-winning author John Banville’s Marlowe—originally published as The Black-Eyed Blonde under the pen name Benjamin Black—the basis for the major motion picture starring Liam Neeson as the iconic detective.

"Somewhere Raymond Chandler is smiling . . . I loved this book. It was like having an old friend, one you assumed was dead, walk into the room."
—Stephen King

"It was one of those Tuesday afternoons in summer when you wonder if the earth has stopped revolving."

The streets of Bay City, California, in the early 1950s are as mean as they get. Marlowe is as restless and lonely as ever, and the private eye business is a little slow. Then a new client is shown in: blond, beautiful, and expensively dressed, she wants Marlowe to find her former lover.

Almost immediately, Marlowe discovers that the man's disappearance is merely the first in a series of bewildering events. Soon he is tangling with one of Bay City's richest and most ruthless families—and developing a singular appreciation for how far they will go to protect their fortune.

“It’s vintage L.A., toots: The hot summer, rain on the asphalt, the woman with the lipstick, cigarette ash and alienation, V8 coupes, tough guys, snub-nosed pistols, the ice melting in the bourbon . . . . The results are Chandleresque, sure, but you can see Banville’s sense of fun.”
—The Washington Post

A Macmillan Audio production from Henry Holt & Company.

©2023 John Banville (P)2023 Macmillan Audio

Critic reviews

“A bulll's-eye.”—The New York Times

“Banville has revived Chandler's legendary PI Philip Marlowe in a new adventure . . . A perfume heiress hires the shamus to investigate the disappearance of her lover, and the mystery soon opens up under him like a sinkhole . . . [Banville] manages to nail not only Marlowe's voice, but his soul.”—Entertainment Weekly

“Banville channeling Chandler is irresistible—a double whammy of a mystery. Hard to think anyone could add to Chandler with profitable results. But Banville most definitely gets it done.”—Richard Ford

Some jarring language

Boutsikaris is excellent. Old-timey vibe is fun except for “negro” “spic” etc. otherwise the writing is great. Marlowe is a great character.