Carmen Sternwood is a fictional character from the novel "The Big Sleep," written by Raymond Chandler. She is the younger daughter of the wealthy Sternwood family and is portrayed as a troubled young woman. Carmen struggles with various personal issues, including substance abuse and a tumultuous lifestyle, which complicate her relationships with those around her. In the story, Carmen becomes a key figure in the investigation led by private detective Philip Marlowe. Her actions and choices significantly impact the plot, revealing the darker aspects of her family's wealth and the moral complexities of the world they inhabit.