"The Lady in the Lake" is a novel by Raymond Chandler featuring the private detective Philip Marlowe. The story revolves around Marlowe's investigation into the disappearance of a beautiful woman named Carmen Sternwood, which leads him into a web of deceit, murder, and betrayal in Los Angeles. As Marlowe delves deeper, he encounters various characters, including the wealthy Sternwood family and a mysterious woman known as the Lady in the Lake. The novel explores themes of morality, corruption, and the complexities of human relationships, all set against the backdrop of a gritty urban landscape.