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Dashiell Hammett

<p>Dashiell Hammett (1894–1961), one of the masters of crime fiction, first introduced his iconic private eye, Sam Spade, in his famous 1930 novel, <em>The Maltese Falcon</em>. His next book, <em>The Thin Man</em>, published in 1932, features the incomparable and charming sleuths Nick and Nora Charles. Dashiell Hammett's other popular books include <em>Red Harvest, The Dain Curse</em> and <em>The Glass Key</em>. His work also includes the <em>Collected Files of the Continental Op</em>, a compilation of short stories that were originally published in various pulp magazines including the <em>Black Mask</em>. Hammett's previous experience as an operative for the Pinkerton Detective Agency influenced his writing.</p>