Rating: 
Summary: The catalyst but by no means master
Review: Sorry, folks, but while Hammett may have started it all his prose simply can't touch Chandler's or Macdonald's and the fact is, theirs makes his look like Timothy Dalton alongside Sean Connery.
Rating: 
Summary: A classic - in all senses of the word
Review: This book represents to me all the wonderful possibilities of fiction: engrossing story, vivid characters, romantic tension, etc... Sam Spade is just "the man." Hammett created him to give the reader a sense that Spade always has a card up his sleeve no matter what the situation. The main reason I love this novel so much is that it enabled me to "see" the characters so clearly. I felt that I was silently following Spade around throughout the story. That in itself is a tremendous accomplishment for an author. The part where Spade, Gutman, Cairo, Miss O' Shaughnessy, and Wilmer were sitting in Spade's room waiting for the delivery of the Falcon is, without a doubt, a classic scene. I could feel the tension lingering in the air. It rivals Agatha Christie's "And Then There Were None" in the mystery category. READ IT - you won't be disappointed.
Rating:
Summary: The best ever?
Review: This is the novel that makes you wish they still wrote 'em like this one. To all of those who know this as only a movie, it's a fascinating trip re-tracing the roots of film noir and the ensuing detective novel. With a tip of the hat to Bogart, Astor, Greenstreet, Lorre, & Huston, the original is still the way to go.
Rating:
Summary: Is anything better in the genre?
Review: With prose that crackles off the page like the popping of a manual typewriter, Hammet probably influenced American prose style as much as Hemmingway or Eliot. Although Chandler stated Hammet's writing never really stuck with you, kind of fading out of the mind, the writing in this excellent novel is taut and polished. The story is great, with a few genuinely memorable personalities.
Rating:
Summary: The stuff that dreams are made of...
Review: Dashiell Hammett's classic tale of private detectives, sinister plots, and femme fatales is a timeless epic. Even if you are familiar with the story, or have seen the movie, it is well worth your time to read the novel. Hammett's prose, characterization, and narration are first rate, making for an extremely compelling read.
Rating:
Summary: Sam Spade is the King of cool.
Review: Private Detective Sam Spade epitomizes cool. Even while dealing with foriegners, psychopaths, angry police, a mysterious fat man, and a femme fatale, he still maintains an air of coolness, that hangs in the air around him like the smoke of his freshly rolled cigarettes.
Rating:
Summary: Brilliant!
Review: This is, without a doubt, the best detective story I've ever read. The main character, the famous (or should I say infamous?) Sam Spade has an extremely cynical view of humanity in general and women in particular. During the investigation of his late, unlamented partner, Sam he finds himself involved with the lovely but treacherous Bridget O'Shaunessey. As the prime suspect, Sam has no choice but to deliver the killer to save his own hide. This, apparently, is always first and foremost in his mind. I particularly liked how the story unfolded through Sam's eyes with the introduction of Joel Cairo, the Fatman and the revelation of what the Maltese Falcon really is. If you like detective stories, do yourself a favor and read this one!
Rating: 
Summary: A Classic Tale
Review: The Maltese Falcon is a classic detective tale. The book contained several plot twists and waited to the very end to draw all the facts together. The story reminded me of last year's LA Confidential with its wit and intriguing story. It is an amazing story and so elegantly written. I gave it 4 stars instead of five because I did not like how open ended the story left the relationship between Sam and Iva and because Sam seemed to tell people he was going to use them as the 'fall guy' and they wouldn't do anything about it. I expected the characters to show more emotion, considering they were going to jail for 20yrs to Life. It is an enjoyable read and a must. Enjoy this classic early 20th century story.
Rating:
Summary: Brigid O'Shaunessy film noir lady
Review: Brigid O'Shaunessy fits into the femme fatale personna perfectly. She is beautiful, sexual, and yes, decieving, but she does what she needs to do to survive. She uses her sexual female charms to convince Sam Spade to help her at whatever cost to him. This book is beautifully written, with vivid imagery and incredible characters. It is one of the best detective fictions around, and one of the best examples of film noir so far.
Rating:
Summary: Man! This is a great novel!
Review: This book does everything that you'd expect a hard-boiled detective novel to do-- when you're least expecting it! Sam Spade is a great character. There are a lot of scenes in his detective office, which grounds the book in a classic space.
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