Guns at Cyrano'S by Raymond Chandler
The narrative follows Ted Carmady, a private detective, as he navigates a web of crime, deception, and personal conflict in a rain-soaked city. The story begins with Carmady discovering a young woman, Jean Adrian, unconscious in her apartment after being attacked. He learns that she is involved with Duke Targo, a boxer who is receiving threats to throw a fight. As Carmady investigates, he uncovers a plot involving blackmail, a corrupt senator named John Myerson Courtway, and a dead bodyguard named Shenvair. Carmady's investigation leads him to a boxing match where Targo is supposed to fight. Tensions rise as Carmady suspects that the fight is rigged and that Jean's life is in danger. After a series of confrontations, including a violent encounter with Shenvair, Carmady finds himself embroiled in a murder investigation when Targo shoots a man in self-defense. The plot thickens as Carmady realizes that Jean is not who she claims to be; she is the illegitimate daughter of Courtway, seeking revenge for her mother's mistreatment. As the story unfolds, Carmady confronts the complexities of morality, loyalty, and the consequences of a life steeped in crime. The narrative culminates in a tense showdown where Carmady must navigate the treacherous waters of betrayal and violence, ultimately leading to a tragic conclusion involving Targo and Courtway. The themes of identity, corruption, and the search for redemption are woven throughout the tale, as Carmady grapples with his own past and the choices that define him.
By Raymond Chandler · First published 1953 · Genre: Mystery, Noir, Thriller · 10 chapters · 21,917 words
First lines
Ted Carmady liked the rain; liked the feel of it, the sound of it, the smell of it. He got out of his LaSalle coupe and stood for a while by the side entrance to the Carondelet, the high collar of his blue suede ulster tickling his ears, his hands in his pockets and a limp cigarette sputtering between his lips. Then he went in past the barbershop and the drugstore and the perfume shop with its rows of delicately lighted bottles, ranged like the ensemble in the finale of a Broadway musical.
He rounded a gold-veined pillar and got into an elevator with a cushioned floor.
What this Textopian page supports
Guns at Cyrano'S is listed on Textopian as a novel by Raymond Chandler, dated 1953 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: 1953 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Mystery, Noir, Thriller, Crime Fiction, Literary Fiction
- Length: 21,917 words
- Structure: 10 chapters, 609 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Guns at Cyrano'S by Raymond Chandler
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering Guns at Cyrano'S?
- How does this novel by Raymond Chandler fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Mystery first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
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Genres
- Mystery — The plot revolves around solving a crime, typical of Chandler's work.
- Noir — The themes of moral ambiguity and the dark underbelly of society are prevalent.
- Thriller — The narrative includes suspenseful elements and tension throughout.
- Crime Fiction — The story focuses on criminal activities and their consequences.
Tags
mystery · detective · noir · crime · thriller · suspense · Raymond Chandler · Cyrano's · Los Angeles · hardboiled · fiction · literature