Jay has already given NRO readers a splendid selection of great first lines, but here (quoted in the Economist) is an extract from the opening section of Raymond Chandler’s Red Wind that’s too good not to repeat. Chandler is describing the not always positive effect of the Santa Ana wind that blows into LA from time to time:

“Meek little wives feel the edge of the carving knife and study their husbands’ necks.”

Perfect.