At least half the mystery novels published violate the law that the solution, once revealed, must seem to be inevitable.

Quote by Raymond Chandler

Topics: Raymond Chandler Quotes

He looked about as inconspicuous as a tarantula on a slice of angel food.

He looked about as inconspicuous as a tarantula on a slice of angel food.

Chess is the most elaborate waste of human intelligence outside of an advertising agency.

Chess is the most elaborate waste of human intelligence outside of an advertising agency.

Good critical writing is measured by the perception and evaluation of the subject; bad critical...

Good critical writing is measured by the perception and evaluation of the subject; bad critical...

The English may not always be the best writers in the world, but they are...

The English may not always be the best writers in the world, but they are...

It is not a fragrant world.

It is not a fragrant world.

A really good detective never gets married.

A really good detective never gets married.

The moment a man begins to talk about technique that's proof that he is fresh...

The moment a man begins to talk about technique that's proof that he is fresh...

That's one thing I like about Hollywood. The writer is there revealed in his ultimate...

That's one thing I like about Hollywood. The writer is there revealed in his ultimate...

The challenge of screenwriting is to say much in little and then take half of...

The challenge of screenwriting is to say much in little and then take half of...

Everything a writer learns about the art or craft of fiction takes just a little...

Everything a writer learns about the art or craft of fiction takes just a little...

Woe, woe, woe... in a little while we shall all be dead. Therefore let us...

Woe, woe, woe... in a little while we shall all be dead. Therefore let us...

However toplofty and idealistic a man may be, he can always rationalize his right to...

However toplofty and idealistic a man may be, he can always rationalize his right to...

I think a man ought to get drunk at least twice a year just on...

I think a man ought to get drunk at least twice a year just on...

If you liked a book, don't meet the author

If you liked a book, don't meet the author

I guess God made Boston on a wet Sunday.

I guess God made Boston on a wet Sunday.

The law isn't justice. It's a very imperfect mechanism. If you press exactly the right...

The law isn't justice. It's a very imperfect mechanism. If you press exactly the right...

When in doubt, have a man come through the door with a gun in his...

When in doubt, have a man come through the door with a gun in his...

It is pretty obvious that the debasement of the human mind caused by a constant...

It is pretty obvious that the debasement of the human mind caused by a constant...

She gave me a smile I could feel in my hip pocket.

She gave me a smile I could feel in my hip pocket.

A good story cannot be devised; it has to be distilled.

A good story cannot be devised; it has to be distilled.