The Big Sleep By Raymond Chandler, setting, characters, themes
Private investigator Philip Marlowe a middle age detective that is hired by General Sternwood, to deal with a blackmailer, who sells stranger books to his clientes and later blackmailes them. He is determined and fearless of all things that are put ahead of him.
General Sternwood, a man who has been blackmailed by a bookstore keeper and a business man Arthur Gwynn Geiger, who ends up hiring detective Marlowe to deal with him. He is father to two daughter Carmen and Vivian.
Carmen Sternwood, a young girl who was involved with her father’s blackmailer Geiger, who also ends up being blackmailed by Geiger, bu fotos which they had taken when she was drugged. She has a younger sister Vivian, who is flirty and gets involved with older men as well.
Vivian Sternwood, the youngest daughter of the General queries Marlowe about the nature of his visit. She is under the impression that he is looking for her ex-husband, Terence "Rusty" Regan, who had dissappeared about a month ago.
Joe Brody, a friend of Agnes. Brody is trying to take over Geiger's business, including the blackmail.
Private investigator Philip Marlowe is called to the sprawling mansion of the elderly and infirm General Sternwood. He asks Marlowe to deal with a blackmailer named Arthur Gwynn Geiger, apparently a purveyor of rare books. Geiger is involved with the General's nymphomaniac daughter Carmen, and makes her sign promissory notes. Marlowe tells the general that he will persuade Geiger to stop. Before Marlowe leaves, Vivian, the General's other daughter, queries Marlowe about the nature of his visit. She is under the impression that he is looking for her ex-husband, Terence "Rusty" Regan, who had disappeared about a month ago.
Marlowe visits Geiger's bookshop, where he discovers that the assistant, Agnes, knows absolutely nothing about rare books. While he is waiting to talk with Geiger, a customer visits the back room of the...