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