The narrative follows Steve Grayce, a night auditor at the Carlton Hotel, who becomes embroiled in a series of events surrounding the murder of a jazz musician, King Leopardi. The story begins with Grayce dealing with a noisy band in the hotel, leading to a confrontation with Leopardi, who is later found dead in the apartment of a singer named Dolores Chiozza. As Grayce investigates, he uncovers a web of deceit involving Leopardi's past and his connection to a tragic incident involving Millar's sister, Eve, who had previously committed suicide after being abandoned by Leopardi. Millar and his brother, Gaff Talley, are revealed to have orchestrated Leopardi's murder as an act of revenge for their sister's death. Grayce's investigation leads him to discover that Millar had manipulated events to ensure Leopardi would be in a vulnerable position, ultimately resulting in the musician's death. The tension escalates as Grayce confronts Millar and Talley, leading to a violent confrontation where Talley is killed by Millar, who then attempts to escape. In the end, Grayce manages to secure a confession from Millar, detailing the motivations behind the murder and the tragic circumstances surrounding their sister. The story concludes with Grayce reporting the events to Jumbo Walters, the owner of the Club Shalotte, indicating that justice will be served, while also hinting at the personal toll the investigation has taken on him. The narrative explores themes of revenge, the consequences of past actions, and the complexities of human relationships within the backdrop of the jazz scene.
By Raymond Chandler · First published 1895 · Genre: Weird Fiction, Psychological Horror, Gothic Fiction · 9 chapters