Blackmailers don't Shoot
The narrative follows a private investigator embroiled in a complex web of blackmail, deception, and murder in Hollywood. The protagonist, Mallory, is approached by Rhonda Farr, a beautiful but troubled actress, who is being blackmailed over scandalous letters she wrote in the past. The blackmailer, Mallory, is drawn into a dangerous game involving various unsavory characters, including gangsters and corrupt police officers. The story begins with Mallory meeting Rhonda in a nightclub, where she confronts him about the letters. Tension escalates as they exchange barbs, revealing Rhonda's disdain for the blackmail and her determination not to pay. Mallory, however, is persistent, knowing the letters could ruin her career. As the plot unfolds, it becomes clear that Rhonda's past is intertwined with a notorious gambler, Landrey, who once possessed the letters. As Mallory investigates, he encounters Erno, Rhonda's bodyguard, and other shady figures, leading to violent confrontations. A series of events culminates in a kidnapping, where Rhonda is taken, prompting Mallory to team up with Landrey to rescue her. However, the situation spirals out of control, resulting in multiple deaths, including Landrey's. The investigation reveals that the letters are not just personal correspondence but hold significant power over Rhonda's life and career. Mallory's pursuit of the truth leads him to confrontations with both criminals and law enforcement, blurring the lines between right and wrong. The narrative explores themes of morality, the corrupting influence of fame, and the lengths individuals will go to protect their reputations. In the end, Mallory uncovers the truth about the letters and the people behind the blackmail scheme. He navigates a treacherous landscape of betrayal and violence, ultimately emerging with a deeper understanding of the dark underbelly of Hollywood. The story concludes with Mallory contemplating his future in a city where danger lurks behind every glamorous facade, leaving readers to ponder the cost of ambition and the price of secrets.
By Raymond Chandler · First published 1958 · Genre: Noir, Mystery, Crime · 10 chapters · 20,791 words
First lines
The man in the powder-blue suit-which wasn't powder-blue under the lights of the Club Bolivar-was tall, with wide-set gray eyes, a thin nose, a jaw of stone. He had a rather sensitive mouth. His hair was crisp and black, ever so faintly touched with gray, as by an almost diffident hand. His clothes fitted him as though they had a soul of their own, not just a doubtful past. His name happened to be Mallory.
He held a cigarette between the strong, precise fingers of one hand. He put the other hand flat on the white tablecloth, and said:
What this Textopian page supports
Blackmailers don't Shoot is listed on Textopian as a novel by Raymond Chandler, dated 1958 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Novel
- Author: Raymond Chandler
- Date: 1958 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Noir, Mystery, Crime, Thriller, Fiction
- Length: 20,791 words
- Structure: 10 chapters, 561 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
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- Work identity for Blackmailers don't Shoot by Raymond Chandler
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters
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Genres
- Noir — The book embodies classic noir elements, including moral ambiguity, complex characters, and a dark, cynical tone.
- Mystery — The plot revolves around a central mystery involving blackmail, deception, and investigation.
- Crime — The narrative focuses on criminal activities, particularly blackmail, and their consequences.
- Thriller — The story contains suspenseful elements and tension that keep readers engaged.
Tags
mystery · crime · noir · detective · thriller · suspense · Raymond Chandler · hardboiled · fiction · blackmail · Los Angeles · investigation