A private detective is hired to locate a missing woman named Beulah, who used to work at a now-segregated club in Los Angeles. The detective, while on the case, encounters a giant man named Steve Skalla, who is searching for Beulah as well. Skalla, recently released from prison after serving time for a bank robbery, is desperate to find her, believing she holds the key to his past and possibly his future. The detective's investigation leads him to a seedy bar where he witnesses Skalla's violent confrontation with a bouncer. After Skalla leaves, the detective learns that the bar's owner, Montgomery, has been killed, and he suspects Skalla's involvement. The detective's inquiries reveal that Beulah has changed her name and is now a radio star, but her past is catching up with her. As the detective digs deeper, he discovers that Beulah's life is intertwined with Skalla's and Montgomery's. He learns that Montgomery was blackmailing Beulah, and when she confronted him, she accidentally shot him in self-defense. Skalla, upon discovering Montgomery's body, initially plans to dispose of it to protect Beulah but ends up getting shot himself during a confrontation. The narrative unfolds through a series of tense encounters, revealing the complexities of love, loyalty, and the consequences of past actions. The detective navigates a dangerous world filled with deception, violence, and the haunting specter of the characters' shared histories. Ultimately, the story culminates in a tragic resolution, as Beulah is left to grapple with the fallout of her choices and the lives affected by her past.
By Raymond Chandler · First published 1953 · Genre: Mystery, Noir, Thriller