Marlowe

In 1939 Los Angeles, private detective Philip Marlowe is approached by heiress Clare Cavendish to find her missing lover, Nico Peterson. She reveals that Peterson is a prop master at Pacific Film Studios, setting the stage for a convoluted investigation filled with intrigue.

Marlowe quickly uncovers that Nico Peterson has died tragically after a drunken fall led to him being run over by a car outside the luxurious Corbata Club. This shocking revelation propels Marlowe deeper into the mystery surrounding Peterson's life and connections.

After learning about Peterson's fate, Marlowe visits Clare to deliver the grim news. During this meeting, he also encounters Clare's influential mother, film star Dorothy Quincannon, who seems oblivious to Marlowe's true purpose for being there.

Marlowe speaks with a homeless man who reveals that he saw two individuals from Mexico visiting Peterson’s house. This information sparks Marlowe's curiosity and leads him to suspect that Peterson's death may be tied to something much larger and more sinister.

Clare informs Marlowe that she may have seen Peterson alive, driving past her in Tijuana, Mexico. This revelation adds a new layer to the investigation, suggesting that Peterson's death was possibly fabricated.

While visiting Peterson's grave, Marlowe encounters a mysterious woman who seems to be mourning. However, she escapes before he can get any information from her, increasing Marlowe's frustration and the intrigue surrounding Peterson’s story.

Marlowe convinces his friend, homicide detective Joe Green, to open an investigation into Peterson's supposed murder. Green warns Marlowe of the dangers involved in his quest for the truth, emphasizing the risks of digging too deep.

Marlowe confronts Floyd Hanson, the owner of the Corbata Club, seeking answers about Nico's death. The confrontation is tense, with Hanson denying involvement, but Marlowe leaves with the suspicion that there is far more he needs to uncover.

After a series of harrowing events, including a violent encounter at the Cabana Club, Marlowe's alliances start shifting. He meets Lynn, Peterson’s sister, but they are both attacked, escalating the stakes of Marlowe's investigation.

Marlowe wakes up to find himself in the clutches of drug lord Lou Hendricks, who reveals that Nico was a drug courier. This shocking information unveils a deep web of crime that directly ties back to the film studio and its players.

Marlowe learns that Lynn has been killed, the details of her demise driving him toward revenge against those responsible. This tragic turn propels Marlowe further into the dark world surrounding Peterson's life.

With new motivation, Marlowe plans to infiltrate the Corbata Club with the support of his friend, Bernie Ohls. They aim to take down the criminal operations tied to Hansen and uncover the truth behind Lynn's murder.

In a dramatic showdown, Marlowe discovers that the mermaid statue, thought to be a mere artifact, actually contains missing cocaine. The events escalate rapidly as conflicts arise with the drug lord and his men inside the club.

Clare betrays Peterson by setting him on fire along with incriminating evidence, showcasing the depths of manipulation in the film industry. This shocking twist leaves Marlowe with a heavy heart as allies turn against each other.

After the chaos, Dorothy Quincannon offers Marlowe a position at the studio, but he declines, instead recommending Cedric. This decision signifies a transition as Marlowe steps away from the tangled affairs of the film industry.