Crime Stories and Other Writings | The Kansas City Public Library

Red Harvest

by Hammett, Dashiell

Book - 1992

Red Harvest was the first of Dashiell Hammett's novels. It features the unnamed operative of the Continental Detective Agency (the Continental Op) as he ...Show more Red Harvest was the first of Dashiell Hammett's novels. It features the unnamed operative of the Continental Detective Agency (the Continental Op) as he goes to work in a town called Personville, but which locals and all who visit know as Poisonville. Tough talking, shady dealing and full of action. This is the place to start if you want to get a sense of PI novels in America. Show less

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The Maltese Falcon

by Hammett, Dashiell

Downloadable Audiobook - 2012

"The Maltese Falcon" is the most famous work of Hammett's, and it is worth reading (or listening to). John Huston's film version (1941) with Bogart is a faithful rendition, but the novel has an even tougher and rougher Sam Spade. "The Maltese Falcon" is the most famous work of Hammett's, and it is worth reading (or listening to). John Huston's film version (1941) with Bogart is a faithful rendition, but the novel has an even tougher and rougher Sam Spade. Show less

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The Thin Man

by Hammett, Dashiell

Book - 1989

A book better known as the springboard for a series of films featuring William Powell and Myrna Loy, the novel was Hammett's attempt at a softer detective...Show more A book better known as the springboard for a series of films featuring William Powell and Myrna Loy, the novel was Hammett's attempt at a softer detective figure and a more humorous take on the detective game (it was partly Lillian Hellman's influence). Still the book is worth reading in its own right. Show less

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The Big Sleep

by Chandler, Raymond

Book - 1992

Raymond Chandler followed in Dashiell Hammett's literary footsteps, but his detective, Philip Marlowe, though a tough guy, has a more literary name than S...Show more Raymond Chandler followed in Dashiell Hammett's literary footsteps, but his detective, Philip Marlowe, though a tough guy, has a more literary name than Sam Spade. In the first Chandler novel, Marlowe is hired to get a grafter off the back of Carmen Sternwood, and soon finds himself in a world of murder and pornography. Stylewise, Chander is a lot like Hammett, but with a more literate feel. Show less

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Farewell, My Lovely

by Chandler, Raymond

Book - 1988

Perhaps Chandler's greatest novel, here we find Marlowe falling into a case. First he is hired by Moose Malloy, fresh out of stir, looking for his girl, ...Show more Perhaps Chandler's greatest novel, here we find Marlowe falling into a case. First he is hired by Moose Malloy, fresh out of stir, looking for his girl, Velma, and then hired to get back some "lost" jewelry for another client. This book also shines a rather harsh light on the nature of race relations in 1940s LA (something not in the film version). Show less

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The Long Goodbye

by Chandler, Raymond

eBook - 2002

The Long Goodbye is Chandler's last great novel. As many films say in trailers -- "this time it's personal" -- Marlowe is hired to keep an eye ...Show more The Long Goodbye is Chandler's last great novel. As many films say in trailers -- "this time it's personal" -- Marlowe is hired to keep an eye on a drunken writer (modeled on Hemingway) but also has some unfinished business with an old friend who may have betrayed Marlowe's trust. Show less

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The Galton Case

by Macdonald, Ross

Book - 1996

This is the novel where MacDonald (Kenneth Millar) changed his approach to the detective novel from following Chandler (early Lew Archer novels are a lot ...Show more This is the novel where MacDonald (Kenneth Millar) changed his approach to the detective novel from following Chandler (early Lew Archer novels are a lot like Marlowe novels) to following Freud. Archer is also a bit less hard-boiled than Marlowe and a whole lot less than Spade. He's a world-weary guy who's seen a lot of the world and doesn't like it much. Show less

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The Blue Hammer

by Macdonald, Ross

Book - 1976

Macdonald's (Kenneth Millar's) last Archer novel. Soon after the publication of this novel, it was revealed that the author was suffering from Alzheimer'...Show more Macdonald's (Kenneth Millar's) last Archer novel. Soon after the publication of this novel, it was revealed that the author was suffering from Alzheimer's, and that there would be no further efforts from this master. But this last Archer novel is itself a masterpiece. Show less

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The Godwulf Manuscript

by Parker, Robert B.

eBook - 2009

Robert Parker got his Ph.D. in English and focused in his dissertation on the mystery novels of Hammett, Chandler and Ross MacDonald. And he puts that kn...Show more Robert Parker got his Ph.D. in English and focused in his dissertation on the mystery novels of Hammett, Chandler and Ross MacDonald. And he puts that knowledge of how to craft a hard-boiled detective novel to good use in the first of the Spenser novels. You'll be surprised if your knowledge of Spenser is largely from the later novels or the TV series (one with Robert Urich, and the other with Joe Mantegna), as Spenser is a much more cynical figure in his debut. Show less

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Looking for Rachel Wallace

A Spenser Novel

by Parker, Robert B.

eBook - 1987

The best of the Robert Parker "Spenser" novels -- Spenser is hired to provide protection for author Rachel Wallace, but fails, and then, like a knight on a quest, he goes in search of her. The best of the Robert Parker "Spenser" novels -- Spenser is hired to provide protection for author Rachel Wallace, but fails, and then, like a knight on a quest, he goes in search of her. Show less

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Early Autumn

by Parker, Robert B.

eBook - 1981

Spenser here is stuck in the middle of a bitter divorce, and to protect the teenage son of the couple, Spenser "adopts" him and teaches him important life skills. This is one of the most touching of the Spenser novels. Spenser here is stuck in the middle of a bitter divorce, and to protect the teenage son of the couple, Spenser "adopts" him and teaches him important life skills. This is one of the most touching of the Spenser novels. Show less

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A Catskill Eagle

by Parker, Robert B.

eBook - 1985

The last great Spenser novel (yes there were a half dozen or more from Parker, and even more by Ace Atkins) begins with Spenser having to break Hawk out o...Show more The last great Spenser novel (yes there were a half dozen or more from Parker, and even more by Ace Atkins) begins with Spenser having to break Hawk out of jail as the two try to help Susan Silverman, who left Spenser for another man, and is now having second doubts. After this novel, which should have been the final Spenser novel, Parker largely coasted with this character. Show less

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