The Recurring Cast
Character · Marlowe’s Los Angeles · 7 books

Philip Marlowe

Philip Marlowe is a Los Angeles private investigator, tough, witty, lonely and honest, who drinks, plays chess against himself and refuses to be bought.

Spoiler-free profile written for The Recurring Cast.

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Character facts

First appearance
The Big Sleep (1939)
Latest appearance
Playback (1958)
Books
7 (7 as lead)
Series
Philip Marlowe
Author
Raymond Chandler
Circle
Marlowe’s Los Angeles

Where to meet Philip Marlowe

Philip Marlowe first appears in The Big Sleep (1939), as the lead, book 1 of the Philip Marlowe series.

Buy The Big Sleep

Every book with Philip Marlowe

In publication order, with the size of their role in each.

  1. 1939LThe Big Sleeplead · Philip MarloweBuy
  2. 1940LFarewell, My Lovelylead · Philip MarloweBuy
  3. 1942LThe High Windowlead · Philip MarloweBuy
  4. 1943LThe Lady in the Lakelead · Philip MarloweBuy
  5. 1949LThe Little Sisterlead · Philip MarloweBuy
  6. 1953LThe Long Goodbyelead · Philip MarloweBuy
  7. 1958LPlaybacklead · Philip MarloweBuy

Appears most often with

CharacterBooks together
Bernie OhlsDistrict attorney’s investigator and Marlowe’s contact2
Linda LoringWealthy divorcée2