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Philip Marlowe

by Raymond Chandler

13 books Started 1939 Latest 2023
Publication Reading Order

The Philip Marlowe is a Crime Fiction series by Raymond Chandler, made up of 13 books published between 1939 and 2023. It begins with The Big Sleep (1939), and is best read in publication order. The most recent entry is The Second Murderer ( By: Denise Mina) (2023), spanning 84 years of storytelling.

13books
84years active
7decades
~7yrs between books
2023latest release
# Title Year Buy
1930s
1 The Big Sleep 1939 Buy from Amazon U.S / Intl. Buy from Amazon Australia
1940s
2 Farewell, My Lovely 1940 Buy from Amazon U.S / Intl. Buy from Amazon Australia
3 The High Window 1942 Buy from Amazon U.S / Intl. Buy from Amazon Australia
4 The Lady in the Lake 1943 Buy from Amazon U.S / Intl. Buy from Amazon Australia
5 The Little Sister 1949 Buy from Amazon U.S / Intl. Buy from Amazon Australia
1950s
6 The Long Goodbye 1953 Buy from Amazon U.S / Intl. Buy from Amazon Australia
7 Playback 1958 Buy from Amazon U.S / Intl. Buy from Amazon Australia
1980s
8 Poodle Springs ( With: Robert B. Parker) 1989 Buy from Amazon U.S / Intl. Buy from Amazon Australia
1990s
9 Perchance to Dream ( By: Robert B. Parker) 1991 Buy from Amazon U.S / Intl. Buy from Amazon Australia
2010s
10 The Black-Eyed Blonde / Marlowe ( By: Benjamin Black) 2014 Buy from Amazon U.S / Intl. Buy from Amazon Australia
11 Only to Sleep ( By: Lawrence Osborne) 2018 Buy from Amazon U.S / Intl. Buy from Amazon Australia
2020s
12 The Goodbye Coast ( By: Joe Ide) 2022 Buy from Amazon U.S / Intl. Buy from Amazon Australia
13 The Second Murderer ( By: Denise Mina)Latest 2023 Buy from Amazon U.S / Intl. Buy from Amazon Australia

Philip Marlowe series: frequently asked questions

What order should I read the Philip Marlowe series?

Start with The Big Sleep (1939), the first book in the Philip Marlowe series by Raymond Chandler. Follow the books in publication order for the best reading experience.

How many books are in the Philip Marlowe series?

There are 13 books in the Philip Marlowe series by Raymond Chandler, published between 1939 and 2023.

What is the first book in the Philip Marlowe series?

The first book in the Philip Marlowe series is The Big Sleep, published in 1939 by Raymond Chandler.

What is the latest book in the Philip Marlowe series?

The most recent book in the Philip Marlowe series is The Second Murderer ( By: Denise Mina) (2023) by Raymond Chandler.

More books by Raymond Chandler View all series and reading orders →
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About Raymond Chandler

Raymond Chandler (1888-1959) was an American novelist and short story writer known for his hardboiled detective fiction. Born in Chicago, he moved to England as a teenager and returned to the US in 1912. After a brief career as an oil industry executive, he turned to writing in the 1930s. Chandler's breakthrough came with the novel "The Big Sleep" (1939), featuring his iconic detective Philip Marlowe. He published six more Marlowe novels, including "Farewell, My Lovely" (1940) and "The Long Goodbye" (1953), known for their complex plots, atmospheric settings, and cynical humor. Chandler received critical acclaim for his innovative prose style and psychological insight into his characters. In 1954, he won the Edgar Award for Best Novel for "The Long Goodbye." His works have been widely translated and adapted for film and television, cementing his legacy as one of the masters of detective fiction.

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