Our book choice for July 2014 is The Maltese Falcon by Dashiell Hammett. Sam Spade is hired by the fragrant Miss Wonderley to track down her sister, who has eloped with a louse called Floyd Thursby.
The novel opens with Sam Spade and his partner, Miles Archer, being hired by a woman named Ruth Wonderly to follow her sister, Gabrielle, who has run off with a man named Floyd Thursby. Archer takes the first shift, but he is found dead the next morning. Spade suspects that Thursby is responsible for Archer’s death, but he also has his suspicions about Wonderly.
Spade is soon approached by Joel Cairo, a perfumed grifter who is also looking for Thursby. Cairo tells Spade that he is working for a man named Gutman, who is also interested in the Maltese Falcon. Spade is initially reluctant to help Cairo, but he eventually agrees to meet with Gutman.
Gutman is a fat man with a taste for expensive cigars. He tells Spade that he is the rightful owner of the Maltese Falcon, and he offers Spade a large sum of money to find it. Spade is intrigued by the Maltese Falcon, and he agrees to help Gutman.
Spade’s investigation leads him to Brigid O’Shaughnessy, a beautiful woman who is also looking for the Maltese Falcon. Brigid claims that she is Thursby’s widow, and she asks Spade for his help. Spade is initially suspicious of Brigid, but he eventually falls in love with her.
Spade’s investigation takes him to a number of different locations, including a shipyard, a hotel, and a cemetery. He also encounters a number of other characters, including a corrupt police lieutenant, a gun-wielding thug, and a mysterious woman known as the Woman in Green.
The Maltese Falcon is a classic example of the hard-boiled detective novel. It is a fast-paced and suspenseful story with a complex plot and well-developed characters. The novel is also notable for its sharp dialogue and its gritty realism.
The novel’s protagonist, Sam Spade, is a tough and cynical detective. He is a man of integrity, but he is also willing to bend the rules if it means getting his job done. Spade is a complex character, and he is one of the most memorable detectives in literature.
The other characters in the novel are also well-developed. Joel Cairo is a slippery grifter, Gutman is a sinister fat man, and Brigid O’Shaughnessy is a beautiful and treacherous woman. The novel’s supporting characters are also memorable, and they help to create a vivid and realistic world.
Here are some additional details about the characters and plot of The Maltese Falcon:
- Sam Spade is a tough, cynical private detective who is determined to solve the mystery of the Maltese Falcon and bring the killers to justice.
- Brigid O’Shaughnessy is a beautiful and manipulative woman who is hiding a dark secret.
- Joel Cairo is a perfumed grifter who is obsessed with the Maltese Falcon.
- Gutman is a fat man with a violent temper who is willing to do anything to get his hands on the Falcon.
- Wilmer Cook is a young, ruthless gunman who is loyal to Gutman.
Discussion Questions for The Maltese Falcon
- Did you enjoy it?
- How does it compare with others of the same genre?
- What was your view on the characters?
- Did it feel dated (in terms of themes)?
- What was Spade’s moral compass like?
- How did Hammett create atmosphere and mood with his writing?
- Did you find the plot easy to follow?
- Which were your favourite characters?
- To whom would you recommend this book? And for what reasons?
Individual Ratings
DKB's Rating 
Catherine's Rating
Anthony's Rating 
Sue's Rating