The Maltese Falcon

Name: The Maltese Falcon
Author: Dashiell Hammett

A private investigator named Sam Spade is hired to retrieve a valuable statue called the Maltese Falcon from his partner's former client. However, upon receiving the statue, Spade discovers it may be stolen and decides to keep it for himself. He becomes embroiled in a complex web of deceit and betrayal involving various characters including a beautiful woman named Brigid O'Shaughnessy who claims to be innocent but is actually involved in the theft.

By Dashiell Hammett · First published 1930 · Genre: Mystery, Noir, Crime · 20 chapters · 83,666 words

First lines

Samuel Spade's jaw was long and bony, his chin a jutting v under the more flexible v of his mouth. His nostrils curved back to make another, smaller, v. His yellow-grey eyes were horizontal. The V motif was picked up again by thickish brows rising outward from twin creases above a hooked nose, and his pale brown hair grew down-from high flat temples-in a point on his forehead. He looked rather pleasantly like a blond Satan. He said to Effie Perine: "Yes, sweetheart? "She was a lanky sunburned girl whose tan dress of thin woolen stuff clung to her with an effect of dampness. Her eyes were brown and playful in a shiny boyish face. She finished shutting the door behind her, leaned against it, and said: "There's a girl wants to see you. Her name's Wonderly. "A customer? "I guess so. You'll want to see her anyway: she's a knockout. "Shoo her in, darling," said Spade. "Shoo her in. "Effie Perine opened the door again, following it back into the outer office, standing with a hand on the knob while saying: "Will you come in, Miss Wonderly? "A voice said, "Thank you," so softly that only the purest articulation made the words intelligible, and a young woman came through the doorway. She advanced slowly, with tentative steps, looking at Spade with cobalt-blue eyes that were both shy and probing. She was tall and pliantly slender, without angularity anywhere. Her body was erect and high-breasted, her legs long, her hands and feet narrow. She wore two shades of blue that had been selected because of her eyes. The hair curling from under her blue hat was darkly red, her full lips more brightly red. White teeth glistened in the crescent her timid smile made.

What this Textopian page supports

The Maltese Falcon is listed on Textopian as a novel by Dashiell Hammett, dated 1930 CE.

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Work type: Novel
Author: Dashiell Hammett
Date: 1930 CE
Language: English
Genres: Mystery, Noir, Crime, Thriller, Fiction
Length: 83,666 words
Structure: 20 chapters, 483 paragraphs
Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)

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Discussion starters

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Similar titles

Genres

Mystery — The plot revolves around a complex investigation involving a stolen artifact and multiple suspects.
Noir — The writing style and themes reflect a dark, cynical view of human nature and moral ambiguity.
Crime — The narrative centers on criminal activities, including deception, murder, and betrayal.
Thriller — The story maintains a tense atmosphere with suspenseful twists and turns.