Ep. 997, The Maltese Falcon, Part 1 of 8, by Dashiell Hammett

Spade and Archer get hired to tail a shady guy named Floyd Thursby… and one of the greatest detective novels begins. Dashiell Hammett, today on The Classic Tales Podcast.

 

Welcome to The Classic Tales Podcast. Thank you for listening.

 

I’m so very grateful to all our supporters who have helped us during this holiday season. If you’d like to ensure the future of The Classic Tales, please visit the website, classictalesaudiobooks.com, and either make a donation, buy an audiobook, or pick up one of our many support options.

 

And if you can’t support us monetarily, leave us a review or share an episode with a friend. It all helps.

 

 

The Boston Globe said, “Dashiell Hammett is a master of the detective novel, yes, but also one hell of a writer.”  The London Times Literary Supplement said, “The Maltese Falcon is not only probably the best detective story we have ever read, it is an exceedingly well written novel.”. I am inclined to agree.

 

The characters are economically written, yes. But Hammett also pauses to set the stage and create a dynamic ambiance in a masterful way. The way he describes Spade’s apartment, or the breeze through the window blowing the cigarette ash on his desk. There are many elements of brilliance with this book, and I’m so excited it’s entered the public domain.

 

There is a little more foul language in this story than in our usual fare, and as with nearly all detective novels of the time, it’s got its share of homophobia and misogyny. Take the time to pause the show and point it out to your kids.

 

 

And now, The Maltese Falcon, Part 1 of 8, by Dashiell Hammett.

 

 

 

Follow this link to become a monthly supporter:

 

 

Follow this link to subscribe to our YouTube Channel:

 

 

Follow this link to subscribe to the Arsène Lupin Podcast:

 

 

Follow this link to follow us on Instagram:

 

 

Follow this link to follow us on Facebook:

 

 

 

Follow this link to follow us on TikTok: