Best Selling Books by Dashiell Hammett

Unlike most of Hammett’s works, the protagonist of The Glass Key isn’t a private detective; Ned Beaumont is a gambler, and the friend of a criminal boss. The action starts when he discovers the body of a senator’s son, and his friend wants him to help cover it up as a means of gaining the senator’s favour. This draws Beaumont into a brewing gang war, and he has to solve the mystery if he wants to get out alive. It has been adapted for film twice. Penguin Random House Canada is proud to bring you classic works of literature in e-book form, with the highest quality production values. Find more today and rediscover books you never knew you loved.

The Thin Man (1934) is a detective novel by Dashiell Hammett, made famouos by the series of movies based on it starring William Powell and Myrna Loy. The story is set in New York City during the Christmas season of 1932, in the last days of Prohibition in the United States. Nick Charles, a retired private detective, and Nora, his socialite wife, become embroiled in a mystery.

A young, frightened, foreign woman appears at the door of an isolated house. The man and woman inside take her in. Other strangers appear in pursuit of the girl. Menace is in the air. Originally published in 1933, Hammett''s Woman in the Dark shows the author at the peak of his narrative powers. With an introduction by Robert B. Parker, the author of the celebrated Spenser novels.

Samuel Dashiell Hammett was an American writer of hard-boiled detective novels and short stories. He was also a screenwriter and political activist. Among the enduring characters he created are Sam Spade (The Maltese Falcon), Nick and Nora Charles (The Thin Man), The Continental Op (Red Harvest and The Dain Curse) and the comic strip character Secret Agent X-9. Hammett "is now widely regarded as one of the finest mystery writers of all time". In his obituary in The New York Times, he was described as "the dean of the... ''hard-boiled'' school of detective fiction."Time included Hammett''s 1929 novel Red Harvest on its list of the 100 best English-language novels published between 1923 and 2005. In 1990, the Crime Writers'' Association picked three of his five novels for their list of The Top 100 Crime Novels of All Time. Five years later, four out of five of his novels made The Top 100 Mystery Novels of All Time as selected by the Mystery Writers of America. His novels and stories also had a significant influence on films, including the genres of private eye/detective fiction, mystery thrillers, and film noir. Contents: Red Harvest The Dain Curse The Maltese Falcon The Glass Key The Thin Man

ONE OF TIME MAGAZINE''S 100 BEST MYSTERY AND THRILLER BOOKS OF ALL TIME • A special edition of this coolly glittering gem of detective fiction that has haunted three generations of readers, from one of the greatest mystery writers of all time. Featuring an introduction by James Ellroy. A treasure worth killing for. Sam Spade, a slightly shopworn private eye with his own solitary code of ethics. A perfumed grafter named Joel Cairo, a fat man name Gutman, and Brigid O’Shaughnessy, a beautiful and treacherous woman whose loyalties shift at the drop of a dime. These are the ingredients of Dashiell Hammett''s iconic, influential, and beloved The Maltese Falcon. A Vintage Crime/Black Lizard Special Edition

Dashiell Hammett''s ''Red Harvest'' is a seminal work in the hard-boiled detective fiction genre, showcasing Hammett''s masterful use of lean prose and gritty dialogue. Set in the fictional town of Personville, also known as Poisonville, the narrative follows the Continental Op, an operative of the Continental Detective Agency, as he untangles a web of corruption, deceit, and murder. The book''s literary style is characterized by its striking economy of language and vivid depiction of the underbelly of American society during the Prohibition era. Within its literary context, ''Red Harvest'' stands as a precursor to the noir fiction that would flourish in mid-20th century America, presenting a bleak view of human nature and the social environment. The story''s influence is visible in the works of later crime writers and in various forms of visual media, solidifying its status as a cornerstone of the genre. Dashiell Hammett, himself a former Pinkerton detective, brought authenticity to the narrative with his firsthand knowledge of detective work and the criminal landscape of the time. His experiences endowed his characters, particularly the Continental Op, with a realistic edge and a moral ambiguity that has become the hallmark of hard-boiled protagonists. ''Red Harvest'' is more than just a tale of crime—it is a critique of the corruption Hammett observed in society, articulated through a complex plot and a morally ambivalent hero. His work not only captured the imagination of his contemporaries but also provided a template for the exploration of themes such as institutional decay and personal redemption in crime fiction. ''Red Harvest'' is essential reading for anyone interested in the development of the detective genre and its reflection of American social dynamics in the early 20th century. Its compelling narrative and deep thematic resonance make it a thought-provoking and engaging read. Scholars and enthusiasts of crime literature will appreciate the novel''s pioneering role in shaping genre conventions, while general readers will be captivated by its relentless pace and Hammett''s piercing insight into the human condition. This DigiCat edition ensures that this classic work continues to be accessible to a modern audience, inviting a new generation to experience its lasting impact.

**The Hunter Shortlisted for the 2015 CWA Short Story Dagger ** A new collection of crime stories from the legendary hard-boiled writer Dashiell Hammett. The author of classic novels The Thin Man and The Maltese Falcon, Hammett has been called ''a master of the detective novel, yes, but also one hell of a writer'' ( The Boston Globe), while Raymond Chandler raved that Hammett ''wrote scenes that seemed never to have been written before.'' Two previously unseen ''Thin Man'' novellas were recently published together as Return of the Thin Man, which garnered strong praise: the New York Journal of Books called it a reason to ''rediscover why Dashiell Hammett was the peerless master of crime fiction in all its dark and bloody glory,'' while The Wall Street Journal praised it as ''an occasion for delight.'' This new collection, The Hunter and Other Stories, includes several more never-before-published short stories, and, like the screen stories from Return of the Thin Man, the pieces here read as novellas rich in both story and character that no Hammett fan should do without. The Hunter and Other Stories includes new Hammett stories gleaned from his personal archives along with screen treatments long buried in film-industry files, screen stories, unpublished and rarely published fiction, and intriguing unfinished narratives. Hammett is regarded as both a pioneer and master of hard-boiled detective fiction, but these dozen-and-a-half stories, which explore failed romance, courage in the face of conflict, hypocrisy, and crass opportunism, show him in a different light. Featuring the title story, about a dogged PI unwilling to let go of a seemingly trivial case, the collection also includes two full-length screen treatments. '' On the Make'' is the basis for the rarely seen 1935 film Mister Dynamite, about a corrupt detective who never misses an opportunity to take advantage of his clients rather than help them. '' The Kiss-Off'' is the basis for City Streets (1931), in which Gary Cooper and Sylvia Sydney are caught in a romance complicated by racketeering''s obligations and temptations.

Twenty long-unavailable stories by Dashiell Hammett, the author of The Maltese Falcon and the incomparable master of detective fiction. In the title story, a man on a bender enters a small town and ends up unraveling the dark mystery at its heart. A woman confronts the brutal truth about her husband in the chilling story "Ruffian''s Wife." "His Brother''s Keeper" is a half-wit boxer''s eulogy to the brother who betrayed him. "The Second-Story Angel" recounts one of the most novel cons ever devised. In seven stories, the tough and taciturn Continental Op takes on a motley collection of the deceitful, the duped, and the dead, and once again shows his uncanny ability to get at the truth. In three stories, Sam Spade confronts the darkness in the human soul while rolling his own cigarettes. And the first study for The Thin Man sends John Guild on a murder investigation in which almost every witness may be lying. In Nightmare Town, Dashiell Hammett, America''s poet laureate of the dispossessed, shows us a world where people confront a multitude of evils. Whether they are trying to right wrongs or just trying to survive, all of them are rendered with Hammett''s signature gifts for sharp-edged characters and blunt dialogue. Hammett said that his ambition was to elevate mystery fiction to the level of art. This collection of masterful stories clearly illustrates Hammett''s success, and shows the remarkable range and variety of the fiction he produced.

Now for the first time ever in one volume, all twenty-eight stories and two serialized novels starring the Continental Op—one of the greatest characters in storied history of detective fiction. Dashiell Hammett is the father of modern hard-boiled detective stories. His legendary works have been lauded for almost one hundred years by fans, and his novel The Maltese Falcon was adapted into a classic film starring Humphrey Bogart. One of Dashiell Hammett''s most memorable characters, the Continental Op made his debut in Black Mask magazine on October 1, 1923, narrating the first of twenty-eight stories and two novels that would change forever the face of detective fiction. The Op is a tough, wry, unglamorous gumshoe who has inspired a following that is both global and enduring. He has been published in periodicals, paperback digests, and short story collections, but until now, he has never, in all his ninety-two years, had the whole of his exploits contained in one book. The book features all twenty-eight of the original standalone Continental Op stories, the original serialized versions of Red Harvest and The Dain Curse, and previously unpublished material. This anthology of Continental Op stories is the only complete, one-volume work of its kind.

Short, thick-bodied, mulishly stubborn, and indifferent to physical pain, Dashiell Hammett''s Continental Op was the prototype for generations of tough-guy detectives. He is also the hero of most of the nine stories in this volume. The Op''s one enthusiasm is doing his job, and in The Big Knockover the jobs entail taking on a gang of modern-day freebooters, a vice-ridden hell''s acre in the Arizona desert, and the bank job to end all bank jobs, along with such assorted grifters as Babe McCloor, Bluepoint Vance, Alphabet Shorty McCoy, and the Dis-and-Dat Kid.

A selection from the letters of Dashiell Hammett, the American writer of crime fiction. Here is Hammett the family man, distant but devoted; Hammett the student of politics, scanning the headlines from a Marxist perspective; and Hammett the lover of Lillian Hellman, delighting in her style, humour, accomplishments, but maintaining his independence. Celebrity, soldier, activist, survivor--these letters show how Hammett was each of these in turn, but was always, above all, a writer.

The three classic novels published here in one volume are rich with the crisp prose, subtle characters, and intricate plots that made Dashiell Hammett one of the most admired writers of the twentieth century. A one-time detective and a master of deft understatement, Hammett virtually invented the hard-boiled crime novel. In The Maltese Falcon, Sam Spade, a private eye with his own solitary code of ethics, tangles with a beautiful and treacherous woman whose loyalties shift at the drop of a dime. The Thin Man introduces Hammett''s wittiest creations, Nick and Nora Charles, who solve homicides in between wisecracks and martinis. And in Red Harvest, Hammett''s anonymous tough-guy detective, the Continental Op, takes on the entire town of Poisonville in a deadly war against corruption. "Dashiell Hammett is a master of the detective novel, yes, but also one hell of a writer."—Boston Globe ”Hammett was spare, hard-boiled, but he did over and over what only the best writers can ever do. He wrote scenes that seemed never to have been written before.”—Raymond Chandler ”Hammett’s prose was clean and entirely unique. His characters were as sharply and economically defined as any in American fiction.”—The New York Times ”As a novelist of realistic intrigue, Hammett was unsurpassed in his own or any time.”—Ross Macdonald ”Dashiell Hammett’s dialogues can be compared only with the best in Hemingway.”—André Gide ”Hammett is one of the best contemporary American writers.”—Gertrude Stein

Though he is celebrated for his fiction, Dashiell Hammett was also a nonfiction writer, and some of those writings are anthologized for the first time in this collection. All the pieces that ran in Hammett''s syndicated newspaper column "The Crime Wave" are included, along with additional essays on writing well, politics, good and bad mysteries, effective advertising, and the World War II Battle of the Aleutians. Dozens of illustrations, advertisements, and photographs that have never before appeared in book form are included, along with an introduction for each selection and notes that provide insights into Hammett''s craft, the evolution of detective fiction, and American popular culture of the time.

Presents five novels by Dashiell Hamilton, all published between 1929 and 1934.

Dashiell Hammett was an American author of hard-boiled detective novels and short stories, a screenplay writer, and political activist. Among his enduring character creations are Sam Spade, Nick and Nora Charles, the Continental Op, and P. I. Rush, introduced in this book, who is ugly, mean, focused, and "works for pa." Hammett is widely regarded as one of the finest mystery writers of all time and was called, in his obituary in the "New York Times," "the dean of the...''hard-boiled'' school of detective fiction." Ths short novellette is a crime story with an intricate plot and characters, and a surprise twist at the end.

In "The Adventures of Sam Spade and Other Stories," Dashiell Hammett further cements his status as a pioneer of hard-boiled detective fiction. This collection not only showcases the exploits of the iconic private investigator Sam Spade but also delves into the underbelly of 1920s America, revealing a world rife with corruption, seduction, and moral ambiguity. Hammett''s sharp prose and gritty realism are hallmarks of his literary style, employing clever dialogue and intricate plots that reflect the societal tensions of his time, making this collection a defining text in the emergence of modern crime fiction. Dashiell Hammett, a former Pinkerton detective, brings a rare authenticity to his storytelling, blending his personal experiences with a nuanced understanding of human nature and crime. His background undoubtedly influenced his portrayal of Spade''s morally complex character, allowing readers to glimpse the disillusionment of an era grappling with rapid change and the erosion of traditional values. Hammett''s masterful craftsmanship reflects not just his skill as a writer but also the disenchanted worldview that permeated the post-World War I landscape. For readers who appreciate richly layered narratives filled with suspense and psychological insight, "The Adventures of Sam Spade and Other Stories" is a seminal work that offers both entertainment and profound commentary on the human condition. This collection is essential for those interested in the evolution of detective fiction and for anyone captivated by the dark, compelling world Hammett so expertly constructs.

The last of Hammett''s three short stories featuring private detective Sam Spade

When the Continental Op gets roused out of bed early on a Sunday morning, he isn’t too impressed. Especially when his contact on the missing person case is an excited and teary man overcome with worry. But all the same, the Op is on the case and begins looking into the mysterious circumstances under which the girl with the silver eyes seems to have disappeared. HarperCollins brings great works of literature to life in digital format, upholding the highest standards in ebook production and celebrating reading in all its forms. Look for more titles in the HarperCollins short-stories collection to build your digital library.

Meet Sam Spade, the quintessential private eye known for his cold detachment, keen perception, and unending determination. This ultimate collection of Sam Spade stories includes The Maltese Falcon, in which Sam dodges bullets, searches for exotic items, and plays on both sides of the law when he is hired by an alluring woman to follow a man. This collection also includes the three Sam Spade short stories A Man Called Spade, Too Many Have Lived, and They Can Only Hang You Once. Dashiell Hammett is widely recognized as the founder of the hard-boiled school of detective fiction. The Maltese Falcon has been adapted for radio, stage, and film, including the 1941 Academy Award-nominated movie starring Humphrey Bogart. HarperPerennial Classics brings great works of literature to life in digital format, upholding the highest standards in ebook production and celebrating reading in all its forms. Look for more titles in the HarperPerennial Classics collection to build your digital library.

er editors. Also included are revealing essays & an early version of the novel The Thin Man.

The American author Dashiell Hammett created the hard-boiled school of detective fiction, with the enduring characters of Sam Spade, Nick and Nora Charles (The Thin Man) and the Continental Op. Now widely regarded as among the greatest mystery stories of world literature, his works went on to have a significant impact on the development of crime fiction and film-noir cinema. His 1930 novel ‘The Maltese Falcon’ is generally considered his finest work, introducing Sam Spade, the quintessential hard-boiled private detective, who battles the gangs of organised crime, while left cynical by the cycle of violence and corruption in the world around him. For the first time in publishing history, this eBook presents Hammett’s complete published works, with numerous illustrations, rare texts and informative introductions. (Version 1) * Beautifully illustrated with images relating to Hammett’s life and works * Concise introductions to the novels and other texts * All 6 novels, with individual contents tables * The rare unfinished novel ‘Tulip’, first time in digital print * Images of how the books were first published, giving your eReader a taste of the original books and serial publications * Excellent formatting of the texts * Rare short story collections available in no other collection * The complete published Continental Op stories * Special chronological and alphabetical contents tables for the short stories * Easily locate the stories you want to read * Includes Hammett’s rare uncollected stories – available in no other collection * Scholarly ordering of texts into chronological order and genres Please note: the unfinished Sam Spade story ‘A Knife will Cut for Anybody’ and several other minor tales were only recently published and so cannot appear in this collection, due to copyright restrictions. When new texts enter the public domain, they will be added to the eBook as a free update. CONTENTS: The Novels Red Harvest (1929) The Dain Curse (1930) The Maltese Falcon (1930) The Glass Key (1931) The Thin Man (1934) Tulip (1966) The Shorter Fiction The Continental Op Series The Adventures of Sam Spade The Thin Man Series Woman in the Dark (1933) Hammett Homicides (1946) Dead Yellow Women (1947) Nightmare Town (1948) The Creeping Siamese (1950) A Man Named Thin (1962) The Big Knockover (1966) Uncollected Stories The Short Stories List of Short Stories in Chronological Order List of Short Stories in Alphabetical Order Please visit www.delphiclassics.com to browse through our range of exciting titles or to purchase this eBook as a Parts Edition of individual eBooks

Sam Spade, Nick and Nora Charles, The Continental Op. In his novels and stories, Dashiell Hammett created some of the most memorable characters--detectives, dames, and assorted miscreants--in twentieth-century fiction. It is nearly impossible to imagine modern American literature without Hammett. Vintage Hammett features episodes from Red Harvest, The Maltese Falcon, The Dain Curse, and The Thin Man; and stories featuring the Continental Op, including “The House in Turk Street,” “The Girl with the Silver Eyes," and "Flypaper.” It also includes the story "Nightshade" which has not been available in over fifty years. Vintage Readers are a perfect introduction to some of the great modern writers, presented in attractive, affordable paperback editions.

This collection features two of Dashiell Hammett’s best-known short stories “The Big Knockover,” and “$106,000 Blood Money” together, as they were meant to be read. In these connected stories, the Continental Op faces down an unprecedented influx of criminals into his native San Francisco, as the horde plans to collect a big payday by robbing two banks simultaneously, and then must hunt down the mastermind responsible for this elaborate crime spree. “The Big Knockover” witnesses the return of Dashiell Hammett’s hard-boiled detective character known only as The Continental Op. One of the earliest characters in the world of detective fiction, The Op paved the way for similar private eyes like Hammett’s own Sam Spade and Raymond Chandler’s Philip Marlowe. The Op, however, had a personality all his own—uncompassionate, gruff, and stocky—and was never the prototypical heroic protagonist. He was, however the perfect fit for the genre in the early days of the hardboiled detective genre. HarperCollins brings great works of literature to life in digital format, upholding the highest standards in ebook production and celebrating reading in all its forms. Look for more titles in the HarperCollins short-stories collection to build your digital library.

In a tip of the hat to Sherlock Holmes, the Continental Op finds nine seemingly innocuous and unconnected items left as clues in a murder case. But this is San Francisco, not London, and the Op knows that the only thing he needs to crack a case is his own gut. HarperCollins brings great works of literature to life in digital format, upholding the highest standards in ebook production and celebrating reading in all its forms. Look for more titles in the HarperCollins short-stories collection to build your digital library.

En période préélectorale, il s''agit de ne pas faire de vague. Dans l''ombre, Madvig tire les ficelles, car hommes politiques et fonctionnaires, tout le monde est à sa botte. Le fils du sénateur Henry, dont il soutient la candidature, meurt dans des circonstances suspectes et la rumeur publique colle ce décès sur le dos de Madvig. Mais allez donc demander à un cadavre de porter le chapeau.