Killers Are My Meat

Killers Are My Meat is another razor-edged entry in Stephen Marlowe's Chester Drum detective series, showcasing the blend of action, intrigue, and tough-guy wit that made the books stand out in the crowded pulp market of the 1950s.

This time, Drum is pulled into a case where professional violence is not just an occupational hazard—it's the core of the mystery. Operating in a world where fists and guns do as much talking as suspects and witnesses, Drum navigates a landscape of hired killers, shady operators, and double-crosses. Marlowe's trademark style—lean prose, fast dialogue, and relentless pacing—keeps the narrative moving at breakneck speed.

Yet beneath the surface thrills, Marlowe crafts a story about the corrosive effects of violence on those who wield it and those who endure it. Chester Drum is not a superhero but a complex private eye whose cynicism masks a deep moral code, one constantly tested by the cases he takes. From back alleys to polished offices, the story paints a panorama of mid-century noir where danger is always one step away.

 Violence Is My Business   is classic Marlowe: raw, urgent, and gripping. It reaffirms his place as one of the key heirs to Chandler and Hammett, while pushing the hardboiled tradition into new, Cold War–era territory.