Pearls are a Nuisance

Name: Pearls are a Nuisance
Author: Raymond Chandler

The narrative follows Walter Gage, a man with little to do, who is reluctantly drawn into a mystery involving the theft of a pearl necklace belonging to Mrs. Penruddock, an elderly woman. His former lover, Ellen Macintosh, persuades him to investigate the theft, claiming that the pearls are not what they seem. Ellen suspects the former chauffeur, Henry Eichelberger, who left abruptly before the theft occurred. Gage visits the Penruddock residence, where he learns about the pearls' dubious authenticity. Ellen reveals that Mrs. Penruddock had sold the real pearls and replaced them with imitations, fearing the repercussions of their theft. Gage's investigation leads him to Eichelberger, who he believes may have stolen the pearls. After a confrontation, Gage discovers that Eichelberger is not the thief but rather a man caught in a difficult situation. As Gage delves deeper, he receives a call from a mysterious voice demanding a hefty ransom for the pearls. Gage, with Eichelberger's help, attempts to navigate the underworld to retrieve the pearls. However, Gage's trust in Eichelberger is tested when he realizes that Eichelberger may have ulterior motives. The story unfolds with Gage's attempts to outsmart the criminals while grappling with his feelings for Ellen and his growing respect for Eichelberger. The climax occurs when Gage confronts Eichelberger, leading to a physical altercation that reveals the true nature of their relationship. Ultimately, Gage retrieves the pearls, but not without a cost to his trust and understanding of those around him. The work explores themes of loyalty, deception, and the complexities of human relationships, all set against a backdrop of crime and intrigue in a noir style. Gage's journey is one of self-discovery as he navigates the murky waters of morality and friendship, culminating in a resolution that leaves him changed and reflective on the nature of trust and betrayal.

By Raymond Chandler · First published 1939 · Genre: Mystery, Noir, Crime Fiction · 8 chapters · 20,824 words

First lines

It is quite true that I wasn't doing anything that morning except looking at a blank sheet of paper in my typewriter and thinking about writing a letter. It is also quite true that I don't have a great deal to do any morning. But that is no reason why I should have to go out hunting for old Mrs. Penruddock's pearl necklace. I don't happen to be a policeman.

It was Ellen Macintosh who called me up, which made a difference, of course. "How are you, darling? " she asked. "Busy?"

What this Textopian page supports

Pearls are a Nuisance is listed on Textopian as a novel by Raymond Chandler, dated 1939 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: 1939 CE
Language: English
Genres: Mystery, Noir, Crime Fiction, Thriller, Detective Fiction
Length: 20,824 words
Structure: 8 chapters, 473 paragraphs
Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)

Good citation fit

Work identity for Pearls are a Nuisance by Raymond Chandler
Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
Readability and classroom-planning context
Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph

Discussion starters

What should a reader notice first when entering Pearls are a Nuisance?
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

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.
Crime Fiction — The narrative focuses on criminal activities and their consequences.
Thriller — The story includes suspenseful elements that keep readers engaged.