Customer Reviews

Dashiell Hammett: Crime Stories and Other Writings (Library of America)

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"Crime Stories and Other Writings" contains 24 short stories and 3 additional selections, arranged chronologically, which Dashiell Hammett wrote between 1923 and 1934. The stories all first appeared in pulp fiction magazines and span all but one year of the master of detective fiction's career. "Crime Stories" offers three stories which cannot be found in any other volume currently in print: "Arson Plus" and "Slippery Finger", which were first published in "Black Mask" magazine under the pseudonym Peter Collinson, and "Creeping Siamese". These stories all feature the Continental Op detective, an always nameless, stubbornly practical character whom Hammett based on a fellow detective from his days at Pinkerton Detective Agency, Jimmy Wright, and on himself. Nineteen of this book's stories feature the Continental Op, making it the largest collection of Op stories available. Among the best of these are "Zig Zags of Treachery", "The House on Turk Street", "The Whosis Kid", and "The Big Knockover". "The Girl with the Silver Eyes" is a follow-up to "The House on Turk Street", so be sure to read "Turk Street" first. "The Big Knockover" and "$106,000 Blood Money" were originally a two-parter, but were published as a single novella in 1943. As their styles differ somewhat, the stories are more successful when separated, as they are here. The story called "Women, Politics and Murder" in this volume has been called "Death on Pine Street" in other volumes; they're the same story. It's interesting to note that "Fly Paper" was inspired by two real cases of murder that employed the same peculiar method. Among the five stories that do not feature the Continental Op is the novella "Woman in the Dark". It's mediocre, but has often been published as a stand-alone volume.

The three "Other Writings" to which the book's title refers are: "The Thin Man: An Early Typescript", "From the Memoirs of a Private Detective", and "Suggestions to Detective Story Writers". The early version of "The Thin Man" was written in 1930, four years before the final product was to be published and bears only the most superficial resemblance to the now-famous sleuthing of Nick and Nora Charles. It's a good story that introduces a new detective, John Guild of the Associated Detective Bureau. That it was never finished is regrettable. "From the Memoirs of a Private Detective" is 29 short anecdotes and words of wisdom gained from Hammett's experience as a real detective, first published in "The Smart Set" in 1923. Some of these are very funny. In "Suggestions to Detective Story Writers", Hammett, frustrated by the abundant inaccuracies in detective fiction written by non-detectives, sets the record straight on 24 common errors. This was first published in "The New York Post" in 1930 and is interesting, if out of date at this point. Editor Stephen Marcus has included a Chronology of the important events in Dashiell Hammett's life in the back of the book, as well as explanations of potentially cryptic slang terms and period references in "Notes", also found in the back.

With 24 short stories and 3 additional pieces of writing, "Crime Stories and Other Writings" is the most comprehensive single volume of Dashiell Hammett's short fiction available. Hats off to the Library of America for publishing 3 stories that are not currently found in any other volume. Unfortunately, you will still have to buy all four collections of Hammett's short stories to get all available stories: this one plus "Nightmare Town" from Knopf and "The Continental Op" and "The Big Knockover" from Vintage Crime. If you don't care to have every story, but would like a sizable sampling that includes some of Hammett's best, "Crime Stories and Other Writings" is an excellent choice. It contains the largest number of stories, presented in an attractive compact hardback volume and printed on thin acid-free paper, making it far more durable than other collections. This is a nice volume for both the casually curious and the addicted Dashiell Hammett fan.

The Library of America did an excellent job with its Raymond Chandler volumes, which lacked only the "cannibalized" stories that Chandler himself asked not to be reprinted, but I can't say the same for its new (and final) volume of Dashiell Hammett.

Of the three Hammett short story collections on my shelves, this volume replaces one: THE CONTINENTAL OP, which happened to be edited by Steven Marcus, the editor of the Library of America volume. It includes only 5 of the 20 selections in the recent NIGHTMARE TOWN repackaging; from THE BIG KNOCKOVER it leaves out "The Gatewood Caper," "Corkscrew" (the Continental Op goes cowboy!), and, most unforgivably, "Tulip," an autobiographical meditation on storytelling which is the only sizable chunk of Hammett's postwar writing ever to surface. It does include "Woman in the Dark," currently in print as a slim single volume, dropping its subtitle ("A Novel of Dangerous Romance"); there may be good textual reasons for that decision, but they aren't described in this edition's notes.

Nice to get this work on acid-free paper, but the Library of America is intended to produce authoritative editions. It's unfortunate if predictable that this goal is forgotten when the series takes on the work which needs such attention most: that which hasn't already received the scholarly text treatment.

First they claim to have all of Raymond Chandler's stories in one volume. They don't, four are missing, and just happen to be the ones most sought after by true fans. Not to mention the eight they admit to omitting. They're excuse? Considerations for length and theme, it's true that three of the missing four are not mysteries, and that is what makes them unique. But why did they leave out "The Pencil"? The length problem could have been solved by omitting the section of Chandler's letters, there are whole volumes dedicated to those. And they could have cut some of the essays that are also included in other volumes, and replaced them with other essays that are rotting away in issues of the Atlantic Monthly. And they could have omitted the "Double Indemnity script and repalced it with "The Blue Dahlia" which is out of print.
That is how they messed up their "definative"' collection of Chandler and they seem to have made worse editing choices with their collection of Hammmett's stories. The way it stands now, if you want every story Hammett wrote you must buy this book. It includes five stories that appear to be collected here for the first time. But, then you'll have to buy "Nightmare Town" and the "Big Knockover". Why did LOA do it this way? Why not omit the four stories already available in "Nightmare Town" amd replace them with the three that are missing from "The Big Knockover"? That way if you bought "Nightmare Town" you'd have the twelve remaining stories and you're collection is complete. If they were strapped for space they could omit the 58 page typescript for "'The Thin Man".

Enjoyed reading this book. Of course i had read most of the stories before but it was good to have most of the Continental Op stories in one book. I would add to what some others have already stated in the past: we need to have one single book containing ALL the Continental Op Stories. Just like there are books containing the Complete Sherlock Holmes stories. It is a shame that no publisher has thought it worthwhile to do so till now. In fact this book was an opportunity missed in some ways: it would have been good if all the Continental Op stories (including some of the hard to find ones) would have been included in it.

Dashiell Hammett, Crime Stories & Other Writings

Detective Stories were created in the late 19th century ("Sherlock Holmes"). Hammett's experience as a private detective taught him about life that is rarely in the newspapers. His stories do not take place in a country mansion among polite society where murders are rare. There are twenty-four "Crime Stories" in this volume. Seven each came from "The Continental Op" and "The Big Knockover", and six from "Nightmare Town". The "Other Writings" include the first draft of "The Thin Man", "From the Memoirs of a Private Detective", and "Suggestions to Detective Story Writers". Are they still operative? Popular taste for `detective' novels waned in the 1960s. The Secret Service was created during the Civil War to catch Confederate Spies and saboteurs, and later used for counter-intelligence until the 1930s when this task was turned over to the FBI. The term "secret service" defines counter-intelligence throughout the world. The "Chronology" lists the important events in Hammett's life from 1888 to 1961.

"Arson Plus" has an investigator looking into a burned-down house to check for arson. The people here are new to the area. Their backtrail leads to a solution to the crime.
"Slippery Fingers" is about the murder of a rich man. Bloody fingerprints are found. Can one suspect be cleared if his prints do not match?
"Crooked Souls" tells about the kidnapping of a rich man's daughter. Can this crime be solved by investigating her friends? "A chip off the old block."
"The Tenth Clew" is about a client who is found murdered. The tenth clue is to question the other nine.

"Zigzag of Treachery" is about a mysterious suicide where the wife is arrested. A hired detective discovers the truth.
"The House on Turk Street" is visited by the Operative in search of a man. He finds an old couple and a surprise.
"The Girl with the Silver Eyes" is about the search for a missing woman, when her boyfriend also disappears. They are both traced for an end to the mystery.
"Women, Politics, and Murder" is about a building contractor who is shot dead. A confession clears the widow. Then a witness is found.

"The Golden Horseshoe" is where the Operative looks for a missing husband and returns to find a dead client. The murder is solved.
"Nightmare Town" is a small town in the desert that mines a ships a chemical. There is crime and corruption here. Is there a secret to this small town?
"The Whosis Kid" is where the Operative learns about an attempted rub-out and finds a woman in hiding. Conflicts lead to the end of this story.
"The Scorched Face" occurs where the daughters of a millionaire disappear, and one is found dead. Were they victims of a blackmail racket?

"Dead Yellow Women" is about the death of a maid servant that involves the Operative. Is there a smuggling racket of opium and guns?
"The Gutting of Couffignal" occurs when there is robbery of a bank and jewelry store in a small town. Can the masked thieves be caught?
"The Assistant Murderer" occurs when the Operative is hired to learn who is following a young woman. This leads to incredible complications.
"Creeping Siamese" involves a visitor who drops dead from a stab wound. Was this linked to a shooting? There is a surprise confession.

"The Big Knockover" is about coordinated robberies in a city at the same time. Can they robbers be caught? Or the ringleaders?
"$106,000 Blood Money" is about a reward offered for the escaped gang leader. Can he be found and trapped in his hide-out? The gang is captured with casualties.
"The Main Death" is the investigation by the Operative in a building. A thorough search locates the hidden money and robbers.
"This King Business" is about sending an Operative to a small Balkan country to meet a wealthy American who dreams of royalty. Will the man who controls the army take over the country?

"Fly Paper" is about the search for the daughter of a wealthy man who became friends with grifters. The Operative finds her murdered. Who did it?
"The Farewell Murder" is about an Operative who is sent to guard a millionaire from an old enemy. There are two suspects for the murder with an alibi. There is a surprising solution.
"Woman in the Dark" tells how Luise flees from a house. A man fights to protect her, he is arrested. Will things work out in the end? [Was this the start of an unfinished novel?]
"Two Sharp Knives" is about a wanted man arrested for murder, who commits suicide in jail. The wanted circular was a forgery! His wife had disappeared earlier but now shows up.

I wanted to seek out earlier authors of mystery and detective works; discover different or perhaps foundation writing styles; and therefore, the first place I thought of was "Library of America" suggestions. This one is an excellent example not only of the works of a fine writer, but of the work the LOA is doing for us as well. Another great big "Thank You" to them for preserving this kind of writing for us through their stamp of approval.

It's a collection of short stories by Dashiell Hammett of the 20's and 30's. I had heard of "The Thin Man" and of course, the "Maltese Falcon"; saw the movie but never read the books due to the simple fact that I have never read everything I wanted to, even yet. By reading a simple background regarding him, Mr. Hammett had been a Pinkerton Detective himself, thus undoubtedly providing himself with a wealth of source material without even having to flex his own imagination in the process. That truth is stranger than fiction has been a given since time primeval, and some of these stories have twists obviously derived from nothing short of actual human fumbles and foibles.

Hammett draws you in with the set up of the tale as the first facts - or manipulated semi-truths - are pulled out almost by sheer force from the people who need his help and have come to him for it; then proceeds to allow you to follow this professional investigator through his day; during the "shadow", the "background checking" the careful refusal to be swayed by details unrelated to cold, hard facts.

In the tangle of treachery, there's the sordid story of a maligned doctor who assumes the identity of another and finds himself in a mess no amount of wiggling can get him out of now; a tale of bank robbery done the simple way through the manipulation of a messenger by the wiles of a beautiful but dangerous woman; a trip across the Border of Mexico and back again, as the P.I. follows his nose (and the money) in arresting the flight of the criminal. And when he comes up with the bogus name of "Shine Wisher" in flash of inspiration under pressure, one immediately thinks of "Mrs. Doubtfire" for some reason! Across the years comes kindred spirit!

The original attempt at writing "The Thin Man" is included, and I thought it's formula was better than the one he ended up finishing. It stops mid-stream, since he scrapped it, but it's inclusion here was important in demonstrating his work.

The list goes on, each story stands alone in it's uniqueness; yet the same driving human frailties are firmly behind the underlying motives in each of them. It's a tribute to the resourcefulness and creativity of the human brain as well when it is shaped towards "the other side of the street"- so many finely tuned "different" criminal approaches yielding to the same vital desires for "Dominions Illegal" - and if as much effort had been placed in different channels toward better objectives.......but oh, well, We all know that - and it isn't why we pick up an crime or adventure novel.

In the censorship of the day, Hammett's characters are muted in explicity of acts performed; yet nothing is lost because the message is clear. People who became criminals and victims sought help and escape; it took sex, sin and money to fuel the fires, just as it does today.

It's an amazing work, surely based on fact as well as fiction - and I highly recommend it to those searching for excellent P.I. stories that are complex and varied, yet unlike some of the earlier authors, are easy to read because the details of the cases are spun in a straightforward style, though yielding none of their objective complexity; and also give nothing away until everybody is ready for it. After reading this, I also see how many of the current writers may have used his method as inspiration. Throughout, there is amusement running steadily just beneath the surface, as though the man himself can't believe the circumstances that drive people to such things or just how they believe they will get away with it.

Talent from long ago that wrote so sublimely for the entertainment of others may be gone, but should not be forgotten easily.

Dashiell Hammett was the celebrated author and experienced detective who has been acclaimed as the father of the American hardboiled crime novel. This anthology of his work proves him to be a master of short stories as well. His tales, originally written for pulp magazines such as Black Mask in the 1920's and 1930's, drew upon the realities of American streets and American speech to create adventures felt and sounded truly real. This comprehensive collection from the original texts as they appeared in the pulps is free of the cuts and revisions imposed by later editors. In addition to 24 stories, Dashiell Hammett: Crime Stories And Other Writings also contains essays and an early version of Hammett's novel "The Thin Man." Dashiell Hammett: Crime Stories And Other Writings is an undeniable "must" for any mystery buff!

I debated whether this should be 3 stars or 4, and decided on 4 because of the creative plots and characters. Dashiell Hammett (1894-1961) dropped out of school at the age of 15, working at a variety of jobs before joining the Pinkerton Dectective Agency at the age of 21, working there before and after his service in the US Army during World War I. He came down with TB in the Army, and continuing illnesses made it difficult for him to work, so he became a writer. He is best known for the "Maltese Falcon" and other novels. He died penniless, largely due to judgements by the IRS for unpaid income taxes.

It is apparent from some of the other reviews that reviewers are unfamiliar with the process of publishing a collection. There are copyrights involved, and it is necessary to obtain permission from the copyright holders, often a different publisher (which may or may not be forthcoming). There are also fees payable to copyright holders, and demands sometimes make it impractical to include material (I am speaking from personal experience).

This collection contains 24 shorter stories originally published between 1923 and 1934, mainly in "Black Mask," with one each from "Argosy," "Mystery Stories," "Liberty," and "Colliers." The 20 stories from "Black Mask" feature the Continental Op, a detective from the Continental Detective Agency who is described as fat but never identified by name - call him "the Fat Man" for purposes of reference. The stories are in narrative form, as told by the main character. There is also an early typescript of "The Thin Man," various notes by the author, and biographical material on his life.

Rather than being literary masterpieces, these stories were written as entertainment for the masses. They are written in the somewhat macho style of that time period, with dead bodies left about the landscape. The Fat Man is not quite Fearless Fosdick, but he survives more than a normal amount of blows, knife wounds, and near misses from bullets. The stories will appeal to those readers who like live action. They may have less appeal to readers looking for high tech (computers, cell phones, etc.). There are interesting references to the time period with people driving Locomobiles, etc., and directing someone to "keep the steam up." A lot of the action is in San Francisco in the 1920's. This was an era before Miranda Rights, etc., when police were more inclined to kick in a door and sometimes slap people aside the head.

There are interesting characters sprinkled through the stories. One man has the ultimate con game, hiring himself out as a hit man and collecting the advance with no intention of performing the hit. What can his clients do, complain to the police? His idea of a money tree is someone with lots of enemies.

Like most collections, there is some variation in quality. The volume is good value for the money with 900 pages of stories. While well bound, the volume is printed on somewhat thin paper which could be easily damaged.

Dashiel Hammett, along with Raymond Chandler, reinvented the detective genre in the 1930's and 1940's. They moved the genre away from the amateurish and simple parlor detectives that had previously dominated the genre to hard-boiled action characters who knew what was what and didn't mind taking a beating to get the bad guys. And along the way they produced some very memorable literary characters as well. Nick Charles, Sam Spade and Phillip Marlowe are well known exemplars of the action detective. However, on the way to creating these literary works of art Hammett did journeyman's work at the detective genre in various pulp detective magazines. The series of stories produced here in one volume is from that period. Kudos to the Library of America.

The unnamed universal Continental Operative who is the central character of the stories is the prototype for Hammett's later named detectives. He has all the characteristics that mark a noir detective-tough, resourceful, undaunted, and incorruptible with a sense of honor to friend and foe alike that sets him apart from earlier detectives. Although the stories are mainly set in San Francisco the Op branches out to other locales in some of the stories but he keeps those same virtues. If you want mainly well-thought out stories that are also well-written this is for you. Additionally, and this may be as good a reason to read this book as the stories is an early version of his classic Thin Man. A very different take from the one we know and love.

Considering I did not get the book I ordered...the Library of America edition...
this was a complete failure. I called the store and left a message I did not
get what I ordered, but no one contacted me. (I received a copy of Hammett's crime
novels, but not the Library of America version I ordered.