Books

Semi flexible balloon covers. Pages have a touch of tanning at the edges. Cloth on spine has some lightening. A wrinkle in the cloth on the spine. Jacket has 225 books listed. 95 cents on the jacket flap. White parts of the jacket have tanned especially at the spine. Small wear at edges of jacket. The largest is a 3/8" triangular piece missing at the bottom edge of the rear panel. Wear and resulting split at top and bottom of front hinge on jacket up to 1/2". Same on rear jacket hinge but up to 1/4" No fading or rubbing. Jacket in mylar cover with the whole in a plastic bag to protect.

"The Maltese Falcon" by Dashiell Hammett is a seminal work in the genre of hard-boiled detective fiction. The novel follows the story of Sam Spade, a private detective in San Francisco, as he gets entangled in a complex web of mystery and intrigue. The plot kicks off when a beautiful woman named Miss Wonderly hires Spade and his partner, Miles Archer, for what seems like a simple surveillance job. However, Archer ends up murdered while tailing a suspect, launching Spade into a dangerous investigation that revolves around a legendary and valuable statuette of a falcon. As Spade delves deeper into the case, he encounters a cast of colorful and dubious characters, including the enigmatic Miss Wonderly (later revealed as Brigid O'Shaughnessy), the effeminate Joel Cairo, and the intimidating Casper Gutman. Each character has their own motives and connections to the elusive falcon, a priceless treasure that many desire. Betrayals, double-crosses, and shifting allegiances heighten the suspense as Spade navigates the treacherous landscape of deceit and greed. His ethical code and sharp wit guide him through the labyrinth of conflicting interests, all while maintaining a detached and stoic demeanor. Throughout the investigation, Spade remains emotionally detached and plays various sides against each other to uncover the truth. He ultimately exposes the layers of deception and reveals the falcon's true identity—a mere decoy. "The Maltese Falcon" is not merely a detective story but a compelling exploration of human nature, duplicity, and the allure of wealth. Hammett's writing style, characterized by terse prose and gritty realism, sets the tone for the hard-boiled detective genre. The novel's intricate plot, morally ambiguous characters, and Spade's unwavering determination make it a timeless classic, revered for its contribution to crime fiction and its enduring influence on subsequent detective novels and films.