Yep, I like Chandler also...noir to the max. Ever read a bio about him? Apparantly, he did his best work with more than a few stiff drinks in him.
For vintage mysteries, I like Charles Williams enormously...and they've made quite afew films from his books...The Hot Spot, Confidentially Yours, Dead Calm among them.
As far as current mysteries writers, I enjoy Michael Connelly and Dennis Lehane (both the independant books and their series books), and John Dunnings Cliff Janeway series is a fun read...especially if you are a book collector. Of course, James Ellroy has written some good stuff, but I have a feeling he may be "done" with his best work.
For a somewhat obscure mystery writter, I like Eddie Muller's two books...Shadow Boxer and The Distance...they take place in the 40's, and center around boxing (and of course, murder).
Les Roberts is also a fun read...he has a few books with a private dick in L.A., and another series with a gumshoe in Cleveland, Ohio...my hometown, so I may be more interested then most.
...and speaking of local (Ohio) gumshoes...anybody ever read Jon Valin's mysteries? Valin's probably a better audio reviewer than mystery writer, but he's a pretty good. Valin avoids most of the cliches, and his private dick will take the bad guy out back and put one in his head if it looks like justice is not to be served.
Sorry for the long ramble...
Regards,
Gary