Killer in the Rain

Killer in the Rain

The narrative follows a private investigator who becomes embroiled in a complex web of crime, blackmail, and murder. The story begins with the investigator meeting Anton Dravec, a wealthy man concerned about his daughter Carmen's involvement with Harold Hardwicke Steiner, a man with a dubious reputation. Dravec hires the investigator to confront Steiner and protect Carmen, who he believes is being manipulated. As the investigator surveils Steiner's establishment, he witnesses a series of events that culminate in Steiner's murder. The investigator discovers a naked, drugged Carmen at the scene, alongside Steiner's body, which has been shot multiple times. The investigator manages to escape with Carmen, but the chaos leaves him with more questions than answers. The plot thickens as the investigator learns about a list of names connected to Steiner's rare book business, which may involve blackmail and other illicit activities. The investigation leads to the discovery of a dead body, identified as Carl Owen, Dravec's chauffeur, who has been killed under suspicious circumstances. The investigator suspects that Owen may have been involved in Steiner's murder, possibly out of jealousy or rage over Carmen. As the investigator delves deeper, he encounters various characters, including Joe Marty, a man with ties to both Carmen and Steiner, and Guy Slade, who has his own interests in the unfolding drama. Tensions rise as the investigator navigates threats from these characters while trying to piece together the truth behind the murders. The climax reveals that Carmen's actions and the motivations of those around her are more complicated than initially thought. The investigator confronts the reality of the situation, leading to a violent confrontation that results in further casualties. Ultimately, the investigator must grapple with the consequences of his choices and the impact of the events on the lives of those involved. The story concludes with the investigator reflecting on the chaos and moral ambiguity of the world he inhabits, leaving readers to ponder the nature of justice and the complexities of human relationships.

By Raymond Chandler · First published 1935 · Genre: Mystery, Noir, Crime · 12 chapters · 19,396 words

First lines

We were sitting in a room at the Berglund. I was on the side of the bed, and Dravec was in the easy chair. It was my room.

Rain beat very hard against the windows. They were shut tight and it was hot in the room and I had a little fan going on the table. The breeze from it hit Dravec's face high up, lifted his heavy black hair, moved the longer bristles in the fat path of eyebrow that went across his face in a solid line. He looked like a bouncer who had come into money.

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Killer in the Rain is listed on Textopian as a novel by Raymond Chandler, dated 1935 CE.

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noir · mystery · detective · crime · thriller · Raymond Chandler · hardboiled · Los Angeles · suspense · fiction · literature · murder

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More by Raymond Chandler