Crime · Classics
The Big Sleep
A wealthy, ailing general hires private detective Philip Marlowe to deal with a blackmailer. The job leads to his two reckless daughters, a murdered man and a web of Los Angeles crooks.
Facts last checked 2026-10-16
- First published
- 1939
- Pace
- Fast
- Length
- Short
- Pages
- 251
- Format
- Book 1 of 8 in Philip Marlowe
Read this if you want the classic hard-boiled detective novel, with wisecracks and a tangled plot.
Skip this if you want a tidy plot, because even fans admit the story is hard to follow and dated in its attitudes.
The feel
Content warnings
Quick answers about The Big Sleep
- What is The Big Sleep about?
- A wealthy, ailing general hires private detective Philip Marlowe to deal with a blackmailer. The job leads to his two reckless daughters, a murdered man and a web of Los Angeles crooks.
- Who should read The Big Sleep?
- Read it if you want the classic hard-boiled detective novel, with wisecracks and a tangled plot. Skip it if you want a tidy plot, because even fans admit the story is hard to follow and dated in its attitudes.
- How long and how fast is The Big Sleep?
- It is a fast-paced, short read of about 251 pages, first published in 1939.
- Does The Big Sleep have content warnings?
- Content we flag: Violence, Death.
- Can I borrow The Big Sleep for free?
- Often, yes. Check Libby (OverDrive) to see whether your library lends The Big Sleep; the borrow button above searches it for you.
- What should I read after The Big Sleep?
- Readers who liked it often move on to The Maltese Falcon, The Black Echo, Altered Carbon.
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Where to get it
| Store | Price | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Borrow free | ||
| Libby / OverDrive | Free with a library card | Borrow free with Libby from Libby / OverDrive |
| Print, new | ||
| Amazon | Check price | Buy new from Amazon |
| Ebook | ||
| Kobo | Check price | Buy ebook from Kobo |
| Google Play Books | Check price | Buy ebook from Google Play Books |
| Audiobook | ||
| Audible | Check price | Buy audiobook from Audible |
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Because you might love it
If you loved The Big Sleep
-
The Maltese Falcon
The other great American detective classic, with a sharper, colder lead and a famous object to chase.
-
The Black Echo
A later Los Angeles detective novel that carries the tradition into a more realistic setting.
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Altered Carbon
A futuristic noir that borrows the cynical detective and takes it into violent science fiction.
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