Poodle Springs

This book had its moments but fell well short of Chandler's other novels. The women falling all over themselves for Marlowe got REALLY tiresome.

Because only the first four chapters were written by Chandler, I expected it to not come up to his level. Happily, I was wrong! It started a bit slow and didn't have the usual zinger beginning, but it quickly picked up pace. All in all, it was quite brilliant and is an adequate tribute to the master -- Raymond Chandler!

There is no reason in the world for anyone to "complete" what another writer left unfinished.

I like Parker enough, but not enough to finish this book. I know there must have been a compelling reason for him to do so, and I'm sure that reason had a good many figures after the dollar sign, but that said it is a comparative failure.

I have never seen a project of this type meet with anything more. Lawrence Block completed Cornell Woolrich's "Into the Night" and both halves were lacking.

Let the dead lie. That said, if someone through some money at me to do the same, I certainly would not turn my nose. No knock on Parker. But no kudos.

I actually enjoyed Parker's writing but Chandler is still the best. I had a little problem with the ending.

I wasn't condition conscious, I merely wanted to read the book. This was a great way to get a paperback at low cost. I do recommend!

the last Chandler novel finished in great fashion by Parker

great read

Robert B. Parker is the best author ever.

Raymond Chandler only wrote the first four chapters before he died and Robert B. Parker finished it off in Chandler's style. I enjoyed it almost as much as Parker's other novels, although I like Parker's main characters better than Philip Marlowe.

Philip Marlowe, the loner PI created by Raymond Chandler, has married a wealthy socialite as this novel opens. Chandler left behind its first four chapters when he died in 1959. Decades later, Robert B. Parker - creator of another PI, Spenser - completed the tale, with the blessing of Chandler's estate. I have not read anything else by Raymond Chandler, so I have no way of knowing whether or not Parker kept Marlowe in character. What I do know, since I've read all of the Spenser books (even the YA one), is that Marlowe winds up reminding me powerfully of Parker's hero.

Marlowe has given up his apartment and office in Los Angeles and moved with his bride, Linda, to the resort community of Poodle Springs. He lives now in his wife's house, among her friends; and Linda protests his determination to set up a new office here, and earn his own living. Why should he do that, when she is more than rich enough to provide a sumptuous life for two? Marlowe won't have it. He will let Linda decide where they live, but he won't let her stop him from doing the only work he wants and knows how to do. Soon he has a client, the manager of the Agony Club (a casino), and a job to undertake. Should be a simple one. A casino regular has disappeared instead of making good on a large I.O.U., and that regular's wealthy wife isn't interested in paying his debt.

The trail takes Marlowe back to the familiar streets of Los Angeles, which is a couple of hours' drive from Poodle Springs. There he finds a dead body, and the police quite understandably wonder why he's on the scene. He finds his quarry quickly enough, but he also finds complications that trouble his moral code. So he doesn't tell his client everything, nor does he tell the police everything. Meanwhile, Linda wants him to come home to her and stay there. He can't do it.

And there this review synopsis must stop, since it is a pretty good story and I wouldn't want to spoil it for other readers. I need to read a Chandler book or two, and meet Marlowe as his creator wrote him. As a Robert B. Parker book, this is typical. A decent mystery, spare and entertaining dialog, and a protagonist who's guided from within to the frustration of those around him - the cops in particular.

--Reviewed by Nina M. Osier, author of 2005 science fiction EPPIE winner "Regs"