The Big Sleep by Raymond Chandler

When old man Sternwood, hires Philip Marlowe to expose the blackmailer of one of his troublesome daughters, Marlowe finds himself involved with more than simple extortion. Kidnapping, pornography, and seduction are just a few of the complications standing in the way of completing the task at hand. And just as Marlowe feels he’s getting ahold of the situation, he discovers the first body. Strew across Los Angeles, this gritty crime novel is the blueprint for the mystery genre as we know it.

Vintage Books paperback in good condition.