My thoughts after reading The Big Sleep

• Focus is not so much on the actual solving of the case, but the role Marlowe has in the community and the way he interacts with the other characters.
• Corruption at the time is a big theme, particularly corruption in Los Angeles where the story is set.
• Everyone seems to be a "grifter" or involved with something seedy or morally wrong - men and women - which highlights Marlowe as the odd one out rather than the other way round, the way it should be.
• Raymond Chandler is one of the most descriptive writers I have ever read, everything Marlowe sees is detailed so well, it gives the effect of showing what a detectives mind is actually like (noticing every little thing).
• Metaphors are a very oft-used tool in the writing, which has lead me to the idea of using metaphors for my cover design rather than being blatant with my choices of subject.