The narrative follows a private detective, John Dalmas, who becomes embroiled in a complex murder case involving a series of deaths in a small coastal town. The story begins with Dalmas receiving a call from a homicide detective, Violets M'Gee, about a suspicious death linked to a woman named Austrian, who was found dead in her car. M'Gee hints at a connection to a man named Harry Matson, who is in hiding after being involved in the case. Dalmas learns that Matson has a green velvet slipper belonging to the deceased, which raises questions about her death. As he investigates, he discovers that Matson has been murdered, and the case deepens with the involvement of local gambling syndicates and corrupt officials. The narrative reveals that Dr. Leland Austrian, the husband of the deceased, is entangled in the web of deceit, as he has been using illegal drugs to maintain his practice and has a motive for wanting to cover up his wife's death. As Dalmas digs deeper, he encounters various characters, including the corrupt police chief, who is more interested in protecting his own interests than solving the case. The tension escalates when Dalmas confronts Dr. Austrian, who ultimately confesses to the murder of his wife, revealing the lengths he went to in order to protect his reputation and business. The climax of the story involves a confrontation between Dalmas, Dr. Austrian, and the police, leading to a violent showdown that exposes the corruption and moral decay within the town. The narrative explores themes of betrayal, the consequences of greed, and the complexities of human relationships, ultimately culminating in a resolution that leaves the reader questioning the nature of justice and morality in a flawed system.
By Raymond Chandler · First published 1950 · Genre: Crime Fiction, Hardboiled, Mystery