Chapters 1-2 Summary

As the book opens, private detective Philip Marlowe arrives at the door of an expansive brick house in Pasadena. He has been called to the house by Mrs. Elizabeth Bright Murdock, who is interested in employing him. Marlowe knocks at the front door, which is answered by the maid, a sour woman who asks sharply what he wants. He replies he has come to see Mrs. Murdock and the maid barks back "which one?" Not knowing there were two Mrs. Murdocks at the house, Marlowe answers that he has an appointment with Mrs. Elizabeth Bright Murdock. The maid rudely shuts the door.

After a short period of time, Marlowe is shown into the house and taken to a large elaborately decorated room full of old fashioned furniture and countless small figurines and clocks. The maid walks him through the room to...