At Chandler's request, the stories remained uncollected during his lifetime and, save for three which were reprinted without his express permission, were not republished until 1964.

They are, with place of original publication: During his lifetime, it was Chandler's personal desire that the stories not be reprinted.

The Big Sleep made use of "The Curtain", "Killer in the Rain", as well as small passages from "Finger Man".

The Lady in the Lake made use of the short story of the same name, "Bay City Blues" and "No Crime in the Mountains".

The opening passage of "The Curtain" would also be revised and reused for the same function in his sixth novel, The Long Goodbye.