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Only to Sleep

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About this listen

Random House presents the audiobook edition of Only to Sleep by Lawrence Osborne, read by Ray Porter.

Wealthy dead American. Beautiful young widow. This case has PI Philip Marlowe’s name written all over it. Is it enough to bring him back for one last adventure?

The year is 1988. The place, Baja California. Private Investigator Philip Marlowe – now in his seventy-second year – has been living out his retirement in the terrace bar of the La Fonda hotel. Sipping margaritas, playing cards, his silver-tipped cane at the ready. When in saunter two men dressed like undertakers. With a case that has his name written all over it.

At last Marlowe is back where he belongs. His mission is to investigate Donald Zinn – supposedly drowned off his yacht, leaving a much younger and now very rich wife. Marlowe’s speciality. But is Zinn actually alive? Are the pair living off the spoils?

Set between the border and badlands of Mexico and California, Lawrence Osborne’s resurrection of the iconic Marlowe is an unforgettable addition to the Raymond Chandler canon.

 Detective Fiction Genre Fiction International Mystery & Crime Literary Fiction Mystery Private Investigators Mexico Suspense Latin American

Critic reviews

A highly distinctive writer who quickly becomes addictive… I loved it (John Gray)
Splendid
A brilliant Raymond Chandler continuation novel with an ageing Philip Marlowe. Osborne and Chandler are a perfect match (William Boyd)
It's a joy to see Philip Marlowe lured back for one last job by the gleefully unsentimental Lawrence Osborne... If you like noir, pour yourself something cool and enjoy one final dark night of the soul (Joseph Knox, author of Sirens)
The decayed grandeur of the setting, the mystery of an alluring femme fatale, an old man's tussle with his conscience and his ageing body, and a healthy number of spectacular set-pieces work a subtle magic... both a convincing Marlowe and a seedily satisfying thriller (Andrew Holgate)
This is the best Marlowe novel I have read apart from the master's own works... it's the only one I can imagine Chandler liking (Jake Kerridge)
Osborne succeeds brilliantly... captures the dreamlike quality of the original Marlowe novels (Bruce deSilva)
Superb... Osborne's dialogue and description echo Chandler's wit and world-weariness with uncanny skill (Mark Sanderson)
An exhilarating talent...one of our finest writers (Francesca Angelini)
Lawrence Osborne, an accomplished writer of fiction and nonfiction, has been asked to imagine a new case for Philip Marlow and -- have a smell from the barrel, all you gunsels and able grables -- it crackles...brisk and disarming (Laura Lipman)
All stars
Most relevant
this rendition is captivating . Ray Porter is compelling and believable
The prose and methodical pacing is in keeping with the character and genre - rich and full of detail
applause

lyrical

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loved the writing and the reading. thoroughly enjoyed it. cant wait to read another Lawrence Oliver book. Also really liked Forgiven by the same author.

brilliant book well read

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Down these mean streets a drunken bum stumbles.I always pictured Philip Marlow as an essentially honest man but he in this book he seems to have lost any scruples.

Disappointing reincarnation of one-time hero

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The 'book':
As a stalwart fan of all things Chandler and Marlowe for over 35 years now, I approached this book with trepidation - fearful that it would fail to do justice to Chandler's epic back catalogue. Having finished the book, I'm happy to conclude that my fears were not realised. I'm not sure that Chandler wouldn't have given us a better sequel - but, as that, alas, is not possible, I do think this is a worthy effort. The internal monologue of Marlowe as an old man, coming out of retirement for one last huurah is almost entirely credible. If I have one criticism, however, it would be a tendency for over-geeky descriptions of samurai swords, cocktails and whiskeys. They jarred with me a little - but not so much as to completely ruin my belief in the authneticity of the character. However, the basic premise of the tale - that Marlowe is sought out by a Client, and tempted out of retirement, is not quite so believable, I thought. That aside, though, the plot is almost strong enough, and some of the twists and turns, and especially the concluding sequence, are all good imitations of the original Chandler style. Maybe it's my stubborn loyalty showing through - but I do just feel that Chandler would have given us something better - more believable and thus satisfying.
The 'audio':
As an audio experience I think it hits the mark perfectly. The narrator has the right voice and does a great job, and the laconic pace is exactly right for a Marlowe tale.

A fitting sequel for Chandler's superb works

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Chandler himself would have been pleased to write this narrative, it was that good. Sadly the reading and delivery was the worst I’ve heard. Treat yourself to the novel and savour the prose. It will be an infinitely more rewarding experience.













Great story, dreadful reading

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