Tentatively, Convenience's Reviews > The Simple Art of Murder

Chandler's in my top 3 or 4 crime fiction authors. Who the other 2 or 3 are will become obvious as I continue thru the mysteries that I've read (not that I expect anyone to care!). This is a collection of short stories & I prefer novels - hence the "3". Chandler's one of the few mystery writers to really impress me w/ his prose, w/ his turns of phrase. Sometimes the writing jogs my mind much more than pulp usually does. The writing gets outside of clichés w/ stunning placement of slang & a deep feeling for character. My only criticism of Chandler is that he praised himself over Hammett. Hammett, for me, will probably always be the 'best' writer in this genre (although Ellroy is a recent prime contender).