Hammett - Book Reviews

Red Harvest (1929) -   lots of violence, lots of wisecracks, lots of tough talk. Not much characterization or believability.  I had a hard caring about any of characters, no one seemed likable or real.  Rating - **

The Thin Man (1934) - A much better movie than a novel. Hammett invented Nick and Nora but William Powell and Myrna Loy made them Pop Culture Icons.  Anyone expecting a souffle of tuxedo's, champagne, wisecracks,  and a little murder mystery will be disappointed. The novel is much darker, duller, and slower paced. Seeing the movies first no doubt spoiled the novel to a certain extent but I'm still disappointed.Rating - **1/2

The Maltese Falcon (1930) - Without a doubt not only Hammett's best novel, but one of the best detective novels of all time.  Hammett takes his great style and adds 4 distinct memorable characters and a very interesting story. Rating - ****