# XV: Cedar Hill Inn explained — Red Harvest

> Chapter companion for Red Harvest by Dashiell Hammett.

## What happens

The narrator briefs newly arrived operatives Mickey Linehan and Dick Foley on the corrupt state of Personville, outlining a plan to sow discord among the city's power brokers. He then joins Police Chief Noonan in a raid on the Cedar Hill Inn roadhouse, where they believe Whisper Thaler is hiding. A heavy gunfight ensues, and the police storm the building.

## Themes in this chapter

### Corruption and Power

The narrator notes that the courts are owned by the powerful, making legal action futile; he plans to use violence and manipulation instead.

### Violence and Moral Decay

The raid on Cedar Hill Inn involves machine-gun fire and a siege mentality, reflecting the brutal lawlessness of Personville.

### Deception and Manipulation

The narrator instructs his operatives to create wedges between the city's factions, using shadowing and rumor to break alliances.

## Character check-ins

### The Narrator

Directs the operation, joins Noonan's raid on Cedar Hill Inn.

### Mickey Linehan

Arrives as backup; assigned to shadow Pete the Finn.

### Dick Foley

Arrives as backup; assigned to shadow Lew Yard.

### Noonan

Leads the raid on Cedar Hill Inn, eager to capture Whisper Thaler.

### Dinah Brand

Phones the narrator, plans to meet him for money.

### Max Thaler

Target of the police raid; believed to be hiding at Cedar Hill Inn.

## Key lines

> I could buy more dope on the whole lot from Dinah Brand. But there's no use taking anybody into court, no matter what you've got on them. They own the courts, and, besides, the courts are too slow for us now.

I could get more information from Dinah Brand, but taking anyone to court is pointless because the powerful control the legal system, and we don't have time for that.

_The narrator explains his disregard for legal channels due to systemic corruption._

> The break between Thaler and Noonan is a starter. But it'll sag on us if we don't help it along.

The rift between Thaler and Noonan is a good beginning, but it will fade if we don't actively encourage it.

_The narrator plans to exploit and deepen the conflict between Thaler and Noonan._

> What luck! He's here, by God, he's here!

What great fortune! He's actually here!

_Noonan's excited reaction upon realizing Whisper Thaler is at the roadhouse._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/red_harvest_se/chapters/xv-cedar-hill-inn
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/red_harvest_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/red_harvest_se/chapters