Books

Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company, 1958. First American Edition. An attractive copy of the final Philip Marlowe novel. "Marlowe is weakening (by his own standards), since he takes on an impossible girl who is running away from a quite imaginary threat and forces her to trust him. There is some silly back-and-forth with $5,000 of traveler's checks, a double fornication without much zest, and at last a transatlantic phone call summoning Marlowe to marry his one true love" (Barzun & Taylor 737). Bruccoli A11.2.a; Baird 448. First Printing (one of 6,000 copies), a review copy, with a "Compliments of the Publisher" slip laid in. Octavo (21cm); tan cloth, with titling and decorative elements stamped dark brown on spine and front cover; brown topstain; dustjacket; [viii],205,[3]pp. Inscribed by the author on the front endpaper, a few months after publication: "To Miss Cicely Gregory / with kind regards / Raymond Chandler / La Jolla, November 6th, 1958." Light wear to base of spine,…

Playback is Raymond Chandler's final novel, involving the private detective Philip Marlowe as he uncovers a complex web of lies and deceit.

First edition copies have a dark blue cloth binding and carry the 'Houghton Mifflin Company' imprint.