What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedThe Long Goodbye
Film · 1973
If you loved The Long Goodbye, start with The Long Goodbye (Raymond Chandler, 1953) — a book from the same story. Below: 2 books, 4 series and 2 podcasts, each matched to The Long Goodbye across media.
What hooked you in The Long Goodbye was the way it subverted the classic detective archetype through a lens of weary, cynical disillusionment.
Start with the source
Books on the same thread
Farewell, My Lovely
Raymond Chandler · Book · 1992
Shares 2 threads with The Long Goodbye: Moral Ambiguity, Cynicism.
If the moral ambiguity of The Long Goodbye resonated with you, this quintessential Chandler novel delivers the same gritty, hardboiled atmosphere and deep-seated corruption found in the original source.
The Big Sleep
Raymond Chandler · Book · 2017
Shares 2 threads with The Long Goodbye: Moral ambiguity, Private investigator mystery.
You will find the roots of the cynicism present in The Long Goodbye here, as this foundational text establishes Philip Marlowe as a man navigating a world of high-society rot.
Series on the same thread
The Rockford Files
Stephen J. Cannell · Series · 1974
Shares a thread with The Long Goodbye: Moral Ambiguity.
Much like the protagonist of The Long Goodbye, Rockford is a man out of step with his environment, using a similarly weary, underdog approach to survive in a corrupt Los Angeles.
Columbo
William Link · Series · 1971
Explores: Cat and Mouse, Underestimation, Justice.
While The Long Goodbye leans into satire, this series captures the same subversion of detective tropes, using an underestimated lead to expose the reality hidden behind polished, wealthy facades.
Dragnet
Jack Webb · Series · 1967
Shares a thread with The Long Goodbye: Moral Ambiguity.
If you appreciated the focus on Los Angeles crime in The Long Goodbye, this series provides a stark, procedural look at the urban decay and moral challenges of the same city.
Sherlock
Mark Gatiss · Series · 2010
Shares a thread with The Long Goodbye: Neo-Noir.
If The Long Goodbye hit, Sherlock shares the thread.
Podcasts on the same thread
My Favorite Murder with Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark
Exactly Right and iHeartPodcasts · Podcast · 2026
Explores: mental health awareness, female friendship, coping mechanisms.
If the cynical yet conversational tone of The Long Goodbye appealed to you, this podcast offers a similar, albeit real-world, approach to dissecting the darker side of human behavior and crime.
The Big Picture
Podcast
Explores: Hollywood, Awards Season, Film Criticism.
For those fascinated by the 1970s Hollywood culture depicted in The Long Goodbye, this podcast provides an essential, analytical deep dive into the industry and the films that define its history.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is The Long Goodbye movie based on a book?
Yes, The Long Goodbye movie released in 1973 is based on the 1953 novel of the same name. Both works follow the character of detective Philip Marlowe as he navigates a complex mystery involving a friend accused of murdering his wife.
Should I read The Long Goodbye book before watching the 1973 movie?
You can enjoy either version independently. While both The Long Goodbye book and the film adaptation share the same title and central premise regarding Philip Marlowe and a murder investigation, they are distinct creative works that can be consumed in any order.
What is the premise of The Long Goodbye?
The Long Goodbye follows detective Philip Marlowe in 1970s Hollywood. The plot centers on his efforts to assist a friend who has been accused of murdering his wife. The story explores the challenges Marlowe faces while attempting to uncover the truth behind these allegations.
Does The Long Goodbye movie take place in the same era as the book?
No, the 1973 film version of The Long Goodbye updates the setting to 1970s Hollywood. The original novel, published in 1953, reflects the era in which it was written, meaning the two versions of The Long Goodbye depict the protagonist in different historical time periods.