The Maltese Falcon and Other Stories

«The Maltese Falcon and Other Stories» — a landmark collection by Dashiell Hammett, which became one of the canons of «hard-boiled» and «noir» detective fiction. At the center of the plot is Sam Spade, a private detective whose case turns into a dangerous game where not only his reputation but also his life is at stake.

The story begins at the detective agency «Spade and Archer»: a woman approaches the detectives, dreaming of retrieving her sister who has run away with her lover. Spade's partner, Miles Archer, takes on the task of helping the client — and that very evening he is killed. The police immediately suspect Sam Spade. To clear himself of the accusation and uncover the truth about his partner's death, the detective plunges into a convoluted investigation. Very soon, the case takes on new, much more sinister details: treasure hunters enter the fray — for an antique figurine, whose value is measured not only in money but also in the number of tragedies it has brought to its previous owners. This relic seems to be cursed: anyone who touches it risks paying the highest price.

Dashiell Hammett's works have firmly entered the golden fund of world detective literature. His style, rich in tense dynamics, concise dialogues, and a dark noir atmosphere, has had a tremendous influence on the development of the genre. More than twenty feature films and television series have been made based on Hammett's books — his artistic language and the sharpness of his plots remain in high demand.

No less vivid than his books is the biography of the writer himself: the richness of events and the drama of Hammett's fate inspired filmmakers to create separate films. Thus, his life was reflected in the film «Julia» directed by Fred Zinnemann, which won three Academy Awards, as well as in Wim Wenders' film «Hammett».