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New York, Knopf, 1930. 8�. 6 Bl., 267 Seiten, 2 Bl. Grauer Kopfschnitt. Graues OLeinen mit gr�n-dunkelblauer Deckelvignette sowie R�ckenornamentik in schwarz und gr�n-dunkelblau. 33542 Erste Ausgabe. - Hagen, S. 181; Catalogue of Crime 1075. - Hammetts dritte Geschichte, in der Sam Spade seinen ersten und wohl auch ber�hmtesten Auftritt hat. - Wurde dreimal verfilmt: 1931 mit Bebe Damiels und Ricardo Cortez; 1936 mit Bette Davis und Warren Williams und schlie�lich 1941 entstand der Klassiker: Unter der Regie von John Huston spielten Humphrey Bogart, Mary Astor, Peter Lorre und Sydney Greenstreet. Including a facsimile copy of a unpublished letter by Hammett to "Dear Bruce, I was damned glad to hear from you and I join you in your happiness over Mr. Whitfiled's probably discontent" etc.". - Bestens erhalten. - First edition in original wrappers. Fine condition. Sprache: Englisch. *** Bitte kontaktieren Sie uns immer BEVOR Sie bestellen! F�r ausf�hrliche Beschreibungen und Bilder sowie g�nstigere Versandoptionen kontaktieren Sie mich bitte per Email! Please contact us always BEFORE you order! For detailled descriptions and photos as well as cheaper shipping options please send an email! ***.

"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.