Marlowe is now married, living in the resort town of Poodle Springs. He sets up as an investigator and soon finds himself in the middle of blackmail and murder. This is an unfinished novel by Raymond Chandler which has been completed by Robert B. Parker.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
10 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
This is a novel mostly written by Robert Parker, drawing on four chapters started by Raymond Chandler at the end of his life. If you are looking for a great Marlowe story done just like the early ones, you will be disappointed. If you are glad to have one more chance to be with Marlowe, I think you will be pleased with the experience.
The story is a natural for Parker, because it involves Marlowe marrying a rich society woman on the spur of the moment. Having gotten together, they both realize that not all is right in this relationship. 'Can't live with him, can't live without him' could have been the title. The relationship raises a lot of the kinds of issues that Parker handles well in the Spenser stories between Spenser and Susan.
Marlowe keeps at his detective work, and we meet a whole cast of hard characters portrayed with wonderfully terse dialogue and understatement. Although not as tough as a Chandler, it is certainly tough in an appealing Parkerish way.
Having grown up in Southern California in the 1950s, I could relate to the tale that Chandler/Parker have woven. It seemed to fit my memory of those times, and had a sort of smoky, boozy nostalgia attached to it.
Give it a try. The first five chapters are only about 26 pages. You'll have a good sense whether or not you want to read more. I know I could not have possibly put it down at that point. I was hooked. Maybe you will be, too. I hope it will be irresistible for you as well.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By IWFIcon
VINE™ VOICE
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Vine™ Review
(What's this?)
This review concerns the one disc audio play starring Toby Stephens.
Stephens obviously has great fun playing the character of Philip Marlowe and it is understandable that a successful series of these plays would lead to Raymond Chandler's unfinished Poodle Springs being tackled. Of course the story itself was finished by Robert Parker and this is what this adaptation is based upon.
It's by no means a travesty of the Marlowe legacy but with all the best will in the world it falls short of the character at his best. This audio version clocks in at about an hour and whilst it is sharp and snappy and keeps a decent pace it's ultimately a little lightweight.
Although the usual "atmosphere" is prevalent the story itself just isn't good enough and you may well find yourself correctly guessing the twists before you hear them.
One for the completists only I think.
Stephens obviously has great fun playing the character of Philip Marlowe and it is understandable that a successful series of these plays would lead to Raymond Chandler's unfinished Poodle Springs being tackled. Of course the story itself was finished by Robert Parker and this is what this adaptation is based upon.
It's by no means a travesty of the Marlowe legacy but with all the best will in the world it falls short of the character at his best. This audio version clocks in at about an hour and whilst it is sharp and snappy and keeps a decent pace it's ultimately a little lightweight.
Although the usual "atmosphere" is prevalent the story itself just isn't good enough and you may well find yourself correctly guessing the twists before you hear them.
One for the completists only I think.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Vine™ Review
(What's this?)
"Poodle Springs" (on audio CD) is exactly what you would expect of a Philip Marlowe story from Raymond Chandler (who started it) and Robert B. Parker (who finished it). The voice is the typical Philip Marlowe voice (read by Toby Stephens), the story is the typical Philip Marlowe story. It's easy to visualise the story throughout, which is always a sign of a well-written and well-read story. This could easily be adapted for television (if it hasn't already been).
It's an easy listen, it's undemanding, it's entertaining. For those who have heard or seen Philip Marlowe stories before, this is exactly what you would expect - the slightly down at heel detective doing his thing. You won't be disappointed, but you also won't be surprised. A full-cast recording (always a bonus) from BBC Radio 4. Recommended.
It's an easy listen, it's undemanding, it's entertaining. For those who have heard or seen Philip Marlowe stories before, this is exactly what you would expect - the slightly down at heel detective doing his thing. You won't be disappointed, but you also won't be surprised. A full-cast recording (always a bonus) from BBC Radio 4. Recommended.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
3.0 out of 5 stars
Fun, but not that much fun
This is a very good, enjoyable adaptation of Marlow and it's pleasant to be immersed in his wit and caustic humour for an hour. Read more
Published 9 months ago by Love Books
4.0 out of 5 stars
Very Good
Nobody writes like Chandler. There are too few books and I've read them all. However, to listen to this production was a delight and encourages me to read them all again. Read more
Published 9 months ago by Wilz
5.0 out of 5 stars
Poodle Springs
I haven't actually read this book yet, but I am looking forward to seeing how Parker manages to cope taking over the dialogue from another author.
Published 9 months ago by joybelle
5.0 out of 5 stars
The inimitable Marlow returns ..
Five stars for a really well produced CD version of the book started by Raymond Chandler and finished by Robert B Parker. Read more
Published 10 months ago by ImReallyAnElf
2.0 out of 5 stars
Not his best
This story isn't in the classic pantheon, I think. Philip Marlowe comes off as rather sour throughout, being extremely snippy with his new wife, and the story isn't particularly... Read more
Published 10 months ago by elmsyrup
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent listening.
Another BBC Radio 4 dramatisation, starring Toby Stephens. It relates the aftermath of Marlowe's honeymoon to Linda Loring. Bored and restless, he returns to private investigation. Read more
Published 10 months ago by Lily
3.0 out of 5 stars
Good but pretty flawed Noir radio drama
Although I enjoyed my time with Poodle Springs I couldn't personally look past many of it's short comings. Read more
Published 13 months ago by i wrote this
4.0 out of 5 stars
Enjoyed this more than the book
I was disapointed with this as a novel, begun by Marlowe and ended by Parker, possibly because my expectations were too high. Read more
Published 15 months ago by Michael Mooney
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great radio Production
I listened to some of these on the Radio and when I saw this just had to get it, for any fans of Chandler or just good atmospheric radio drama this is a must. Read more
Published 15 months ago by Mr. M. Regan
4.0 out of 5 stars
An excellent production.....
Philip Marlowe (Toby Stephens) is now married to rich Linda Loring (Lorelei King). They have moved into a very desirable house in Poodle Springs but Marlowe refuses to be a kept... Read more
Published 15 months ago by Wynne Kelly
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