Chaucer’s Books will host Arvind Ethan David for a book talk and signing of his graphic novel “Raymond Chandler’s Trouble is My Business,” 6 p.m. Thursday, May 22 at 3321 State St., Santa Barbara.

Fellow writer Ben H. Winters moderate the conversation with David.

David’s book is graphic adaptation of the classic Raymond Chandler novella featuring detective Philip Marlowe:



Los Angeles, 1930s. A rich old man who knows trouble when he sees it hires a detective agency to scare off a young woman who seems to be making his adopted son hemorrhage cash.

Fortunately for the detective, a hard drinking man named Philip Marlowe, trouble is his business. 



The young woman, Harriet, has an agenda all her own and aspirations beyond being a shill for a gambler. She’s nobody’s fool. Nor is the old man, for his part. He’s got serious muscle — a chauffeur with a degree from Dartmouth, the only Black student from his class, who knows his way around a gun and isn’t afraid to use it.


Right in the middle of it all is a big pile of money. And when the bodies begin to drop, only Philip Marlowe can sort out which of these suspects is pulling the trigger.
 
A writer and producer, David’s career began when he adapted Dirk Gently’s “Holistic Detective Agency” as a high school play, catching the attention of Douglas Adams.

As an author, David has written seven graphic novels, including the Stoker-nominated “Darkness Visible.” His historical mystery novel “The Dread & The Envy” will be released by Thomas & Mercer in 2026.

In audio, he has written Audible Originals like “Earworms” and “The Crimes of Dorian Gray.” On stage, he produced the Grammy- and Tony-winning “Jagged Little Pill,” and is adapting “The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy” for London’s Riverside Studios.

Winters is an award-wining novelist and TV writer. His many books include the Edgar-Award winning The Last Policeman; the Times bestseller “Underground Airlines;” and the sci-fi thriller “Big Time.”

In TV, Ben worked on the Apple TV show “Manhunt,” and is the creator of the CBS TV show “Tracker.” His comic book series “Benjamin” comes out in June. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 



 
 
 
 




 
 
 
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      
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