The Big Sleep
Ratings/reviews counts are updated frequently.
Check link for latest rating. ( 170,421 ratings, 9,311 reviews)Read More
Found a better price? Request a price match
The Big Sleep
Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?
Latest News
The Book Briefing 21/10/2026
Welcome back to another edition of 'The Book Briefing', your weekly round-up of all the...
Story to Screen - 21/10/26
It's been another huge week in the world of book-to-screen adaptations! From record-breaking trailers and...
Things We Learned from an Evening with Alice Oseman
Liam and Lizzy went along to an evening with Alice Oseman of Heartstopper! Here are...
The Book Hero Team's Wins and Misses in Film and TV Adaptations
We all love arguing in a mostly good-natured way about which adaptations of our favourite...
Vanya Insull (aka VJ Cooks) visits Book Hero
We were lucky to have a visit from popular foodie, home cook and baker Vanya...
See moreRaymond Chandler's The Big Sleep is the definitive hardboiled detective story, and Philip Marlowe is the perfect expression of the cynical, world-weary gumshoe. Hired by the crippled General Sternwood to shake off a blackmailer, Marlowe also has to deal with the general's two rebellious daughters, the gamblers and pornographers they run with, and, soon enough, some inconvenient murders.
Chandler's LA and the gutter-life that populate it made crime fiction what it is today and remain unmatched.
Book Details
INFORMATION
ISBN: 9780141037592
Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd
Format: Paperback / softback
Date Published: 01 September 2008
Country: United Kingdom
Imprint: Penguin Books Ltd
Contributors:
- Introduction by Ian Rankin
Audience: General / adult
DIMENSIONS
Width: 111.0mm
Height: 181.0mm
Weight: 250g
Pages: 272
About the Author
'One of the greatest crime writers, who set standards that others still try to attain.' Sunday Times Raymond Chandler was born in Chicago in 1888 and moved to England with his family when he was twelve. He attended Dulwich College, Alma Mater to some of the twentieth centuryβs most renowned writers. Returning to America in 1912, he settled in California, worked in a number of jobs, and later married. It was during the Depression era that he seriously turned his hand to writing and his first published story appeared in the pulp magazine Black Mask in 1933, followed six years later by his first novel. The Big Sleep introduced the world to Philip Marlowe, the often imitated but never-bettered hard-boiled private investigator.
Also by Raymond Chandler
View allMore from Crime & Thriller
View allWhy buy from us?
Book Hero is not a chain store or big box retailer. We're an independent 100% NZ-owned business on a mission to help more Kiwis rediscover a love of books and reading!
Service & Delivery
Our warehouse in Auckland holds over 100,000 books, toys, board games and puzzles in-stock so you're not waiting for your order to arrive from overseas.
Auckland Bookstore
We're primarily an online store, but for your convenience you can pick up your order for free from our bookstore, which is right next door to our warehouse in Hobsonville.
Our Gifting Service
Books make wonderful thoughtful gifts and we're here to help with gift-wrapping and cards. We can even send your gift directly to your loved one.
Crime & Thriller lists from the team
Explore our curated lists from our heroes to find your next read!

















