Although characters and stories like Sam Spade and The Maltese Falcon are famous the world over, Dashiel Hammett wrote only five full-length novels in his career. Now two new stories have been discovered in his papers.
Following the enormous success of 'The Thin Man' movie in 1934, Hammett wrote two novellas starring the same retired private investigator Nick Charles and his former debutante wife Nora. Written with classic, barbed Hammett dialogue, these two novellas have finally come to light. Together they make The Return of the Thin Man, the first new Dashiell Hammett book in nearly half a century.
Dashiell Hammett died in 1961. His influence inspired writers as diverse as Raymond Chandler and William Burroughs and changed the face of crime writing forever.
'Hammett was the ace performer. He did over and over again what only the best ever do at all' Raymond Chandler.
'The Return of The Thin Man is a must for enthusiasts, with plenty of his trademark snappy dialogue as well as fascinating commentary by Hammett's granddaughter Julie M Rivett and biographer Richard Layman' Guardian.
'A welcome addition to the bibliography of Raymond Chandler's only equal' Independent.
'These two novellas by Hammett are newly discovered sequels to the classic – rough around the edges, but authentic diamonds nonetheless' Saga.
'Hammett's ability to convey so much in so few words makes these tales as fresh to read now as the day they were penned' Big Issue.
