In Dashiell Hammett’s famous crime novel, we meet one of the detective-story master’s most enchanting creations, Nick and Nora Charles, a rich, glamorous couple who solve homicides in between wisecracks and martinis. At once knowing and unabashedly romantic, The Thin Man is a classic murder mystery that doubles as a sophisticated comedy of manners.
This book, first published in 1932, introduced Nick Charles, hard drinking, skilled and witty but reluctant detective, and his wife, Nora, equally smart, witty. A glamorous, well matched couple.
This is a fabulous read every bit as enjoyable as the William Powell/Myrna Lou movie of the same name. Far more pleasurable than the movie sequels. …
I enjoyed this book a great deal. For years I have heard readers and literary pundits talk about how Chandler and Hammett are the grandfathers of mystery. For me, Chandler has always been the pinnacle, and no one else comes close. His turn of phrase and perception of life is unmatched. I read Hammett’s Red Harvest and thought, “eh.” Red Harvest …
Even better than The Maltese Falcon, in my opinion. By the man who pretty much invented hardboiled detective fiction. It doesn’t get any better than this!
This dialogue in this book is some of the best ever written. The witty, liquor-fueled, non-sentimental romance is among my favorite love stories. Hard-boiled retired private dick Nick Charles and his young, socialite wife are a force to be reckoned with. And the mystery is a good one, too.
Although there were several movies in the series, Hammet only wrote one novel with Nick and Nora Charles as the central characters. It’s a shame because they play off each other so well and make a great team. This takes the hard-boiled detective novel into new territory and all the crime fiction that came after.
There is something about this mystery that is just fun. Forget for a moment that this novel transformed the mystery genre by mixing the hardboiled detective with romance and a little comedy. And forget that it is one of the all-time greats of detective fiction. Nick and Nora are two of the most enjoyable protagonists in any detective novel. He’s a …
Glad I read it, but prefer the movie.
After seeing all the movies, I finally read the book. Nick and Nora Charles are trying to enjoy a Christmas in New York City, but a case involving one of Nick’s former clients keeps interrupting the holiday. I found this book lacked some of the spark of the movie version, but it was still enjoyable.