The Thin Man

by  Dashiell Hammett

I liked this one, maybe not quite as much as Maltese. There were a few things I didn't care for, such as an article about a cannibalism being inserted smack-dab in the middle of the story for what seemed like no reason (unless it was to cast suspicion on one of the characters). And a slurry of unimportant characters being added in seemingly to pad out the list of red herrings.

The mystery itself wasn't as intriguing to me as some of Hammett's others but the characters are imminently more likable and Hammett's style is honed to a fine edge. I enjoy a writer who doesn't feel the need to describe every room in excruciating detail. I can imagine a speakeasy with a piano, no need to lay out the exact dimensions as well as the make and model.

Most of the story is told in dialogue, with descriptions inserted only where they're most important.

My favorite character was probably Nora, or maybe Guild. Nick (our retired alcoholic detective) manages to make it through the whole piece without slapping a single dame in the mouth.

Obviously this book is of it's time and readers should be aware certain ugly stereotypes circa 1933, but even this is less prevalent here than in Hammett's earlier work. I would recommend this to fans of hard-boiled detective and/or pulp fiction or anyone interested in the 30's.

It's good enough I'd like to see the movie, but not so good I'll be likely to read it again. My copy will soon be looking for a home in a Little Library.