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ⓘ About Dashiell Hammett
Samuel Dashiell Hammett was an American author of Hard Boiled Detective fiction. He can even be considered a pioneer in the genre as it has influenced many in the genre especially writers like Raymond Chandler. His novel “The Maltese Falcon” involving his most famous character Sam Spade has influenced the genre of Film Noir. His stories themselves were inspired from his own experiences from being a Pinkerton detective. This allowed them to carry a level of authenticity and realism that was never seen before. He is said to have brought the genre of detective fiction to the real world in all its gritty detail and writing for an audience that was not afraid to witness it. Rising to prominence with the Publication Order of Selected Shorts Books series, Dashiell Hammett has since expanded their repertoire to include numerous successful works across various genres. Their writing style, characterized by compelling narratives and memorable characters, has earned them a dedicated global readership with millions of fans worldwide.
📚 All Book Series by Dashiell Hammett
The Maltese Falcon
The Maltese Falcon is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Detective Sam Spade Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Dashiell Hammett have come to expect.
The Barber and His Wife
The Barber and His Wife continues the Publication Order of Peter Collinson Short Stories/Novellas story arc with Dashiell Hammett's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.
The Road Home
Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Peter Collinson Short Stories/Novellas with The Road Home, another outstanding contribution from Dashiell Hammett.
The Sardonic Star of Tom Doody
The Sardonic Star of Tom Doody is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Peter Collinson Short Stories/Novellas series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Dashiell Hammett have come to expect.
The Vicious Circle
The Vicious Circle continues the Publication Order of Peter Collinson Short Stories/Novellas story arc with Dashiell Hammett's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.
Arson Plus
Arson Plus is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Peter Collinson Short Stories/Novellas series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Dashiell Hammett have come to expect.
Slippery Fingers
Slippery Fingers continues the Publication Order of Peter Collinson Short Stories/Novellas story arc with Dashiell Hammett's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.
Laughing Masks / When Luck's Running Good
Laughing Masks / When Luck's Running Good continues the Publication Order of Peter Collinson Short Stories/Novellas story arc with Dashiell Hammett's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.
Itchy / Itchy the Debonair
Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Peter Collinson Short Stories/Novellas with Itchy / Itchy the Debonair, another outstanding contribution from Dashiell Hammett.
Red Harvest
Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Standalone Novels with Red Harvest, another outstanding contribution from Dashiell Hammett.
The Dain Curse
Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Standalone Novels with The Dain Curse, another outstanding contribution from Dashiell Hammett.
The Glass Key
The Glass Key is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Standalone Novels series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Dashiell Hammett have come to expect.
Woman In The Dark
Woman In The Dark continues the Publication Order of Standalone Novels story arc with Dashiell Hammett's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.
The Thin Man
Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Standalone Novels with The Thin Man, another outstanding contribution from Dashiell Hammett.
They Can Only Hang You Once
Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Standalone Novels with They Can Only Hang You Once, another outstanding contribution from Dashiell Hammett.
The Hunter
Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Short Stories/Novellas with The Hunter, another outstanding contribution from Dashiell Hammett.
The Adventures of Sam Spade and Other Stories
Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Short Story Collections with The Adventures of Sam Spade and Other Stories, another outstanding contribution from Dashiell Hammett.
A Man Called Spade
A Man Called Spade continues the Publication Order of Short Story Collections story arc with Dashiell Hammett's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.
Hammett Homicides
Hammett Homicides is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Short Story Collections series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Dashiell Hammett have come to expect.
Dead Yellow Woman
A gripping mystery unfolds in Dead Yellow Woman as the investigation takes deadly new turns. This installment of the Publication Order of Short Story Collections series showcases Dashiell Hammett's mastery of suspense.
Creeping Siamese and Other Stories
Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Short Story Collections with Creeping Siamese and Other Stories, another outstanding contribution from Dashiell Hammett.
Nightmare Town and Other Stories
Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Short Story Collections with Nightmare Town and Other Stories, another outstanding contribution from Dashiell Hammett.
The Big Knockover
The Big Knockover is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Short Story Collections series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Dashiell Hammett have come to expect.
The Continental Op
The Continental Op continues the Publication Order of Short Story Collections story arc with Dashiell Hammett's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.
Dashiell Hammett: Crime Stories and Other Writings
The investigation intensifies in Dashiell Hammett: Crime Stories and Other Writings, as this installment of the Publication Order of Short Story Collections series takes readers deeper into the criminal underworld of Dashiell Hammett's creation.
Vintage Hammett
Vintage Hammett is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Short Story Collections series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Dashiell Hammett have come to expect.
The Hunter and Other Stories
The Hunter and Other Stories is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Short Story Collections series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Dashiell Hammett have come to expect.
The Continental Op Casebook, Vol. 1
Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Short Story Collections with The Continental Op Casebook, Vol. 1, another outstanding contribution from Dashiell Hammett.
Selected Letters of Dashiell Hammett: 1921-1960
Selected Letters of Dashiell Hammett: 1921-1960 is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Dashiell Hammett have come to expect.
The Crime Wave
The investigation intensifies in The Crime Wave, as this installment of the Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books series takes readers deeper into the criminal underworld of Dashiell Hammett's creation.
For Better and for Worse
For Better and for Worse is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Selected Shorts Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Dashiell Hammett have come to expect.
Even More Laughs
Even More Laughs continues the Publication Order of Selected Shorts Books story arc with Dashiell Hammett's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.
Timeless Classics
Timeless Classics is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Selected Shorts Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Dashiell Hammett have come to expect.
Falling in Love
Falling in Love explores the depths of love and connection in this compelling entry of the Publication Order of Selected Shorts Books series by Dashiell Hammett.
Food Fictions
Food Fictions is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Selected Shorts Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Dashiell Hammett have come to expect.
Travel Tales
Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Selected Shorts Books with Travel Tales, another outstanding contribution from Dashiell Hammett.
Edith Wharton
Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Selected Shorts Books with Edith Wharton, another outstanding contribution from Dashiell Hammett.
Pets!
Pets! is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Selected Shorts Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Dashiell Hammett have come to expect.
Tales of Betrayal
Tales of Betrayal continues the Publication Order of Selected Shorts Books story arc with Dashiell Hammett's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.
Family Matters
Family Matters is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Selected Shorts Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Dashiell Hammett have come to expect.
Are We There Yet?
Are We There Yet? continues the Publication Order of Selected Shorts Books story arc with Dashiell Hammett's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.
A Touch of Magic
Magic takes center stage in A Touch of Magic, a spellbinding addition to the Publication Order of Selected Shorts Books series that expands the enchanting world created by Dashiell Hammett.
The William Hurt Collection
The William Hurt Collection is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Selected Shorts Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Dashiell Hammett have come to expect.
Whodunit?
Whodunit? is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Selected Shorts Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Dashiell Hammett have come to expect.
American Classics
American Classics continues the Publication Order of Selected Shorts Books story arc with Dashiell Hammett's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.
New American Stories
New American Stories is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Selected Shorts Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Dashiell Hammett have come to expect.
Poe!
Poe! is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Selected Shorts Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Dashiell Hammett have come to expect.
Red Brain and Other Thrillers
Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Anthologies with Red Brain and Other Thrillers, another outstanding contribution from Dashiell Hammett.
Breakdown and Other Thrillers
Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Anthologies with Breakdown and Other Thrillers, another outstanding contribution from Dashiell Hammett.
Tales of Mystery
Tales of Mystery is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Anthologies series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Dashiell Hammett have come to expect.
City Sleuths and Tough Guys
Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Anthologies with City Sleuths and Tough Guys, another outstanding contribution from Dashiell Hammett.
Great Tales of Crime and Detection
The investigation intensifies in Great Tales of Crime and Detection, as this installment of the Publication Order of Anthologies series takes readers deeper into the criminal underworld of Dashiell Hammett's creation.
Murder Plus
A gripping mystery unfolds in Murder Plus as the investigation takes deadly new turns. This installment of the Publication Order of Anthologies series showcases Dashiell Hammett's mastery of suspense.
Pulp Frictions: Hardboiled Stories
Pulp Frictions: Hardboiled Stories is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Anthologies series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Dashiell Hammett have come to expect.
The Oxford Book of Detective Stories
The investigation intensifies in The Oxford Book of Detective Stories, as this installment of the Publication Order of Anthologies series takes readers deeper into the criminal underworld of Dashiell Hammett's creation.
The Best American Mystery Stories of the Century
The Best American Mystery Stories of the Century continues the Publication Order of Anthologies story arc with Dashiell Hammett's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.
The Longman Anthology of Detective Fiction
The investigation intensifies in The Longman Anthology of Detective Fiction, as this installment of the Publication Order of Anthologies series takes readers deeper into the criminal underworld of Dashiell Hammett's creation.
San Francisco Noir 2
San Francisco Noir 2 is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Anthologies series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Dashiell Hammett have come to expect.
Books to Die For
Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Anthologies with Books to Die For, another outstanding contribution from Dashiell Hammett.
? Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Dashiell Hammett?
Dashiell Hammett is a bestselling author known for 8 book series containing over 59 books. Popular series include Publication Order of Detective Sam Spade Books, Publication Order of Peter Collinson Short Stories/Novellas, Publication Order of Standalone Novels. Their work spans multiple genres and has captivated millions of readers worldwide.
What is the best Dashiell Hammett series to start with?
For readers new to Dashiell Hammett's work, the Publication Order of Selected Shorts Books series is the ideal entry point. It showcases the author's signature style and contains 17 books. Begin with For Better and for Worse to start from the very beginning.
How many books has Dashiell Hammett written?
Dashiell Hammett has written over 59 books across 8 series. This prolific output covers multiple genres, making them one of the most versatile authors in contemporary fiction.
Should I read Dashiell Hammett books in order?
Yes, reading Dashiell Hammett's series in publication order is strongly recommended. Most series feature evolving character arcs, ongoing story threads, and references to earlier events that are most rewarding when experienced in sequence. Our complete reading order guides are listed above.
What genre does Dashiell Hammett write in?
Dashiell Hammett writes primarily in fiction. With 8 series across 59 books, the author has explored a wide range of themes and storytelling approaches throughout their career.
Are Dashiell Hammett's books standalone or must they be read as a series?
Most of Dashiell Hammett's books are part of ongoing series and deliver the most satisfying experience when read in order. However, several standalone novels and short story collections provide excellent entry points without requiring prior knowledge of other series.
What is Dashiell Hammett's most popular book?
Based on reader reviews and sales data, Dashiell Hammett's most celebrated works come from the Publication Order of Selected Shorts Books series. The first book, For Better and for Worse, is widely considered the ideal starting point and consistently receives outstanding reader ratings.