The Maltese Falcon (BBC Radio Crimes)

Sam Spade doesn’t need to go looking for trouble, trouble finds him. I found an interesting old hardbound version of this novel at a used bookstore and I couldn’t resist it. Dashiell Hammett wrote this story originally as a serial in the magazine Black Mask. It was eventually published as a novel in......more

My top ten reasons why this Dashiell Hammett is one of the greatest crime novels ever written: 1. The Voice – Tough, Crisp hardboiled – the story isn’t told in first-person but certainly has the feel of first-person since we are so close to Sam Spade it’s as if we’re peering over the detective’s shou......more

8/27/25: Reread in late August 2025 for Detective Fiction undergrad course, second edition of the course. But here's the thing; this is my fiftieth (50, you heard me!) and last year of teaching, and my own daughter is taking the course! Too cool. Students like the book and film, though the underbell......more

Sam Spade a cynical, tough yet honest San Francisco private eye is having a good day Miss Wonderly , later Leblanc and still later Brigid O'Shaughnessy (what's in a name, a rose by any other name would be confusing), comes into his office. All sophisticated charm and beauty, so she lies a little who......more

This might be the gold standard for hardboiled detective stories. I mean, Sam Spade. Everyone knows Sam Spade, right? I still prefer Nick and Nora from The Thin Man, but as popular as those two are, I think Sam is probably considered the quintessential private dick. So, the gist is that hot shady chic......more