Ensemble Dark Horse: Anne Riordan is one of the most likable of Raymond Chandler's characters.
Ho Yay: During Marlowe's outing with Red Norgaard, he narrates quite a bit about Red's delicate voice and soft skin and pretty eyes. They also spend a fair chunk of time pressed together and whispering in each other's ears, although that might be only because they're conspiring to break into a mob boss's hideout.
Values Dissonance: To not put too fine a point on it, the novel was really racist with Phillip Marlowe using the n-word multiple times to refer to the murder victim. Oddly, oftentimes when disgusted with the police treating his death so casually. More generally, the narrative spends a hell of a lot more time feeling sorry for Moose and Velma - both remorseless killers - than any of the Black civilians Moose assaults/kills just for not giving answers he likes.
