Forgotten Book Friday

This is Patti Abbot's idea. She's a clever one.

The idea is to review a book that's not the current top book that everyone has read or heard about.

My pick: The Lady in the Lake by Raymond Chandler.

This book weaves a tale through multiple characters and settings. The oppessive heat and hustle of the city contrasts with the quiet, peacefulness of the lake cabin. But it's Chandler, so there's plenty of people out to do bad and cover up what they and others have done wrong.

One of the best parts about this book, I think, is how well Chandler brings all the strands together at the end. The two missing ladies-- one rich, one poor. One very clever. A guy that every woman wants. A cop trying too hard to be tough. Some changed names and bad manners.

Unlike the Big Sleep, which has the guy who went of the pier... all the ends in Lady in the Lake get wrapped up, rather cleverly at the end.

I actually use this book in my Mystery English class. Now, I teach alternative high school kids-- but they like it anyway. Not a single complaint and these kids *will* complain. They outright told me that the movie version (from 1946) was horrible. They're right. Don't watch the movie. Unless you have a good group of people to play Mystery Science Theatre 3000 with during the show.

I have to say, I think "The Lady in the Lake" is my favorite book. Ever. Every time I read it, I enjoy it. Even though I know how it ends.

All right, the last thing I'm supposed to do here is tag someone else to join in the fun. I choose Mystery Dawg (aka Aldo).