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I'm still a bit new to the Ross Macdonald world of Lew Archer, but when it comes to a book like this - one that follows, closely though not slavishly, the path placed by Raymond Chandler - there are certain checklist prerequisites that can determine high marks. These include:

- Is the reader kept guessing throughout?
- Is the cast of characters uniquely quirky?
- Are the interrelationships thick?
- Are there innocent suspects who are red herrings?
- Is the plot's structure labyrinthine?
- Is credulity strained?
- Does the dialogue crackle? ~ as it does here:

"I could tell you things about that girl that would curl your hair."
"Go ahead. I've always wanted curly hair."

'The Chill' easily meets requirements.

In a way, this Archer case (#11 in the series) serves as a dry-run for Macdonald's 'The Instant Enemy' (coming 4 years later at #14). The main difference is that 'TIE' involves more people and is much more complicated. (It threatened to lose me.) But the general tone and winding ways feel similar.

The basic effect is one of being grabbed by the collar, finding yourself staring in the face of the story. Macdonald even furnishes a noir-friendly, desperate blonde (of course) to facilitate "new / improved / now with added grabbing":

I pulled on my trousers and went to the door in my bare feet. She pressed in past me as if there was a storm at her back. Her garish blonde hair was windblown. She took hold of my hands with both of her clammy ones.