Right before I wrote this story, I spent half an hour in the bookstore, reading the first page of every Raymond Chandler novel they had there.  I'd like to think that I approached something authentic in the style Becky's attempting to ape here.

It's a lot of fun to write detective fiction.  There's a dry sense of humor you're allowed, something bitter and not entirely friendly.  There's bits of style you not only are allowed, but are encouraged to try on like a comfortable old suit worn by greater men before you.

My personal favorite detective novels are the Lew Archer stories by Ross Macdonald. His style is classic, even more polished than Chandler.  I would have attempted his style, but I didn't have any of the novels at home, and Powell's didn't have any either.  There's a crime if ever I saw one.

This week's voting incentive is panda-based.  Enjoy!

~Matt 

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