Essential tales from the files of San Francisco’s hard-bitten, prototypical PI–penned by the undisputed “master of the detective novel” (The Boston Globe). Before Dashiell Hammett introduced such iconic sleuths as Sam Spade in The Maltese Falcon or Nick and Nora Charles in The Thin Man, he put to work the most influential detective ever to scour America’s hard-boiled literary landscape. An … America’s hard-boiled literary landscape. An operative of San Francisco’s Continental Detective Agency, the Continental Op was a world-weary, pragmatic, and inelegant company man–and though always nameless, he has remained as distinctive as a fingerprint.
Informed by Hammett’s own work with the Pinkertons, the twenty-three stories collected here–originally published between 1923 and 1930–introduced a bracing, jaded, dry-witted realism to the genre. Written with “the precision of a diamond cutter,” they are seminal masterworks in the legacy of a genuine original (Newsweek).
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All of the Continental Op stories in one volume. If you haven’t read any of the Hammett’s stories about the Op, get this set rather than buying them one at a time. You’ll want to read them all.
The unnamed Continental Op, based in San Francisco, gives a good look at the city during the 30s and 40s, as well as great character building among the various clients that come through his door.
More Dashiell Hammett in one volume than you can shake a stick at. The Op is one of the Hammett’s undersung creations and this volume will have a asking why.
No one tops Dashiel Hammett. Such writing!! Highly recommend
got tired of it after the first 15 stories
A wonderful collection of stories by a writing legend. Reading these pieces you can sense the author’s enjoyment at writing them. A perfect book to read at a leisurely pace over time.
From the original author of the “hard boiled detective” genre this collection of short stories and novelettes is a delight. I was amazed as story after story amused and perplexed me – it was over too soon, as was the authors life. His legacy lives on in police procedurals and detective novels, This book is a must have in your collection. I expect to revisit it many times.
I like the snapshot it gives you of the early 1900’s world.
old time and original
Best American detectve writer, with the best character this side of Archie Goodwin. If you like hardboiled, this is the definition.
If you love Dashiell Hammet and the Continental OP, this is a must read. As it is arranged chronologically, you get a wonderful picture of the OP as he evolves from clever SF gumshoe to the avenging angel of the dystopian Personville in “Red Harvest.”
Was very happy to find a compilation of Hammet’s Continental Ops stories. It provided an inside view of how he had matured into his Maltese Falcon and The Thin Man level of storytelling. A good and satisfying read.
great collection
It’s entertaining and enjoyable from an historical perspective—whose short stories take place in the 1920’s.
Great selection of Continental Op stories. Commentary and interviews were especially illuminating of the career of Dashiell Hammett. I highly recommend this volume as a prime source for those interested in the history of the “private eye” stories.
Lightweight short mystery stories by the master Dashiell Hammett. These are all from the weekly Continental Op stories. Entertaining to read – figure about 20-30 minutes each.
The Continental Op gave birth to Manny of the mystery genre of today. I could read Hammett forever and never miss any other authors. Needles to say I am a fan. If you don’t care for the hard boiled take no prisoners emotionally challenged detectives this is not the book for you. It if you like your male detectives to be the strong silent don’t give a s$#t type, Continental Op is your man
always trustworthy
Hammett is one of the best hard-boiled writers ever.
Hammett is the absolute master of the “hard boiled” detective story and the Continental OP is the prototype “hard boiled” detective. A must read for fans of noir mysteries.