Best Selling Books by Dashiell Hammett

DigiCat Publishing presents to you this special edition of "The Glass Key" by Dashiell Hammett. DigiCat Publishing considers every written word to be a legacy of humankind. Every DigiCat book has been carefully reproduced for republishing in a new modern format. The books are available in print, as well as ebooks. DigiCat hopes you will treat this work with the acknowledgment and passion it deserves as a classic of world literature.

This volume contains five of Hammett''s novels, four of which were transformed into motion pictures. His stories of unmatched suspense are exciting and well plotted and portray the corruptions in American society and the undercurrent of violence that runs through American life. ISBN 0-394-43860-4 : $19.95.

Lost Stories rescues 21 long-unavailable Dashiell Hammett stories from the first fiction he wrote to the last, each with an explanation of how the author''s life shaped his story and how the story fits in his life.

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 diamond glinting in the grass outside the Leggetts’ front door gives the first clue to a burglary, and sets our narrator on the trail of a shadowy mastermind whose plans always seem one step ahead. But whether he’s having to deal with explosions, cults, car chases, or even the titular Dain family curse, our hard-boiled private detective remains calm and collected while inching closer to the truth. The unnamed narrator of The Dain Curse (known these days by the nickname of the Continental Op) is a detective who found his genesis among the pages of Black Mask magazine in 1923. This publication, from 1929, is a collection of four previously serialized interlinked short stories, and followed Red Harvest in a busy year for Dashiell Hammett. This book is part of the Standard Ebooks project, which produces free public domain ebooks.

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.

"Red Harvest" by Dashiell Hammett is a hard-boiled crime novel that catapults readers into the gritty underworld of a corrupt city filled with violence, betrayal, and moral ambiguity. In this gripping tale, the nameless Continental Op is hired to investigate the mysterious case of a murder in the town of Personville, a place controlled by powerful crime families and political corruption. What begins as a straightforward investigation soon spirals into a deadly game of manipulation and survival, as the Op is thrust into a violent world where allies and enemies are often indistinguishable. As the Op digs deeper into the city’s underbelly, he uncovers a web of deceit, with everyone from politicians to gangsters vying for control. The Op, known for his cold, methodical approach, becomes embroiled in the town’s ruthless power struggle. He plays both sides against each other, creating chaos in a town already on the brink of collapse. In his pursuit of justice, the Op employs a mix of sharp wit, force, and determination, navigating through a labyrinth of lies and danger at every turn. "Red Harvest" is a fast-paced, intense novel filled with action, sharp dialogue, and moral complexity. Hammett’s bleak portrayal of a city plagued by corruption paints a dark picture of a world where loyalty is fleeting and trust is a luxury. With its intricate plot, strong characters, and relentless pace, "Red Harvest" captures the essence of the hard-boiled genre and has inspired countless adaptations in crime fiction. For fans of noir fiction, "Red Harvest" is a must-read. Hammett’s mastery of suspense and his ability to create tension in every scene make this book a thrilling and unforgettable experience. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Dashiell Hammett (1894–1961) was an American author and pioneer of hardboiled detective fiction. A former Pinkerton detective, Hammett brought grit and realism to the genre with his sharp prose and morally complex characters. His iconic works, including "The Maltese Falcon" and "The Thin Man", introduced legendary sleuths like Sam Spade and Nick and Nora Charles. Hammett’s influence extends beyond literature, shaping film noir and redefining crime fiction. A master of storytelling, his works continue to captivate readers with their wit, tension, and timeless style.

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

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.

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.

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

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

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.

Short fictional works by the modern American writer explore the world of crime and violence, mysterious women, and hard-hitting private detectives.

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.