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Books matching: hard boiled mystery

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  1. #1

    The Thin Man by Dashiell Hammett
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    The book 'The Thin Man' by Dashiell Hammett is a hard-boiled noir mystery classic that centers on Nick Charles, a former PI, and his wife Nora Charles. The couple is reluctantly pulled into a murder case involving an old client, leading them to investigate a wealthy inventor's disappearance and his secretary's murder. Set in the 1930s New York, the story unfolds through witty banter, dialogue-driven narrative, and a tangled web of clues and half-truths that Nick navigates to solve the mystery. The book portrays Nick as a streetwise detective with a sophisticated edge, while Nora's character, though underused, adds depth to the storyline.

    The narrative captures the essence of the era with its portrayal of speakeasies, parties, hard-nosed cops, and a complex plot that keeps the reader engaged. Despite some dated elements and differences from the movie adaptations, 'The Thin Man' is praised for its clean prose, character development, and the chemistry between Nick and Nora Charles. The novel offers a blend of mystery, comedy, and suspense, providing a fast-paced and entertaining read that showcases Hammett's skill in crafting a classic detective story with a unique twist.

    1 I was leaning against the bar in a speakeasy on Fifty-second Street, waiting for Nora to finish her Christmas shopping, when a girl got up from the table where she had been sitting with three other ...

  2. #2
    I, the Jury
    Book 1 in the series:Mike Hammer

    I, the Jury - Mike Hammer by Mickey Spillane
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    'I, the Jury' by Mickey Spillane follows the hard-hitting private investigator, Mike Hammer, on a mission to avenge his friend's murder. Set in New York City in the late 1940s, the book is filled with fast-paced action, two-dimensional characters, and an abundance of stereotypes. The writing style is characterized by hard-boiled dialogue, misogyny, racism, and violence, reflecting the era in which it was written.

    I shook the rain from my hat and walked into the room. Nobody said a word. They stepped back politely and I could feel their eyes on me. Pat Chambers was standing by the door to the bedroom trying to...

  3. #3
    Red Harvest
    Book 2 in the series:Continental Op

    Red Harvest - Continental Op by Dashiell Hammett
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    In 'Red Harvest' by Dashiell Hammett, the Continental Op is summoned to Personville, a town overrun by corruption and violence. Upon arrival, he finds his client murdered and embarks on a mission to clean up the town by manipulating the various criminal factions to turn against each other. The narrative is fast-paced, filled with brutal action, double-crosses, and a high body count, all set in a gritty and corrupt environment. The writing style is hard-boiled and direct, with sharp language and a focus on the relentless pursuit of justice amidst a morally bankrupt society.

    I first heard Personville called Poisonville by a red-haired mucker named Hickey Dewey in the Big Ship in Butte. He also called his shirt a shoit. I didn’t think anything of what he had done to the ci...

  4. #4

    The Maltese Falcon by Dashiell Hammett
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    The Maltese Falcon is a classic noir novel set in San Francisco, revolving around private detective Sam Spade who takes on a case involving a valuable black statuette of a bird. As the mystery unfolds, Spade navigates through a web of lies and deceit while dealing with dangerous adversaries and mysterious motives. The writing style is described as gritty, fast-paced, and filled with witty dialogue, creating a world where characters like Spade and the femme fatale Brigid O'Shaughnessy come to life in a story that explores themes of obsession, loyalty, and justice.

    Samuel Spade’s jaw was long and bony, his chin a jutting v under the more flexible v of his mouth. His nostrils curved back to make another, smaller, v. His yellow-grey eyes were horizontal. The v mot...

  5. #5

    The Moonstone by Wilkie Collins
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    'The Moonstone' by Wilkie Collins is an early English detective novel that revolves around the theft of a large diamond known as the Moonstone. The story unfolds through a series of narrations from different characters, each providing their perspective on the theft and recovery of the precious jewel. Set in a Victorian backdrop, the novel combines mystery, suspense, and humor, creating an engaging narrative that delves into the complexities of the characters and the investigation surrounding the stolen diamond.

    The narrative structure of 'The Moonstone' is characterized by multiple narrators, each with a unique voice and perspective, contributing to the rich character development throughout the story. As the mystery of the Moonstone unfolds, readers are taken on a journey filled with twists and turns, culminating in a suspenseful and intriguing exploration of the human psyche and societal norms of the time.

    Only yesterday, I opened my Robinson Crusoe at that place. Only this morning (May twenty-first, Eighteen hundred and fifty), came my lady’s nephew, Mr Franklin Blake, and held a short conversation wit...

  6. #6

    No Orchids for Miss Blandish - Dave Fenner by James Hadley Chase
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    No Orchids for Miss Blandish is a dark and violent crime noir novel set in the mid-1930s in Kansas. The story revolves around the kidnapping of the beautiful daughter of a millionaire, Miss Blandish, by a gang of criminals led by Ma Grisson and her son Slim. The plot unfolds with twists and turns, showcasing depraved criminals, explicit descriptions of violence and a gritty, lurid atmosphere. The writing style is described as hardboiled, fast-paced, and unsentimental, with an authentic feel achieved through the use of American slang and detailed research on the criminal underworld.

    At the junction of the Fort Scott and Nevada roads that cuts Highway 54, the trunk road from Pittsburgh to Kansas City, there stands a gas station and lunchroom bar: a shabby wooden structure with one...

  7. #7

    The Killer Inside Me by Jim Thompson
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    'The Killer Inside Me' by Jim Thompson is a disturbing and fast-paced thriller that delves into the mind of Lou Ford, a small-town deputy sheriff who harbors a dark and sociopathic side. The book is narrated in the first person by Lou Ford, who presents himself as affable and slow-witted to those around him, while secretly indulging in a spree of calculated murders. The story unfolds in a chillingly realistic manner, showcasing the psychological complexities of a killer living among unsuspecting townsfolk in 1950s Texas.

    The narrative style of 'The Killer Inside Me' is described as raw, powerful, and unapologetically dark, drawing readers into the twisted mind of the protagonist. Through a first-person perspective, Jim Thompson skillfully portrays Lou Ford's descent into violence and depravity, keeping the readers on edge with its fast-paced storytelling and unsettling exploration of the protagonist's psyche.

    I’d finished my pie and was having a second cup of coffee when I saw him. The midnight freight had come in a few minutes before; and he was peering in one end of the restaurant window, the end nearest...

  8. #8

    The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins
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    'The Woman in White' by Wilkie Collins is a Victorian thriller filled with mystery and suspense. The story follows Marian Halcombe and Walter Hartright as they try to unravel the secrets surrounding a mysterious woman in white who holds the key to saving their friend Laura Fairlie from dark forces seeking to claim her estate and her life. The novel is masterfully crafted with classic Victorian elements such as unexplained apparitions, exotic dangers, a larger-than-life villain, secret ancestries, and the looming threat of an asylum next door.

    The plot of 'The Woman in White' unfolds through documents and diaries of the characters, slowly revealing a tale of societal position, inheritance, confused identities, secrets, and crimes. The narrative is rich with twists and turns, mistaken identities, and surprise revelations, keeping readers engaged in the investigation led by Walter Hartright after his eerie encounter with the woman in white. Overall, the book offers a strange and eerie mystery tale that is well worth reading, despite some dated aspects.

    If the machinery of the Law could be depended on to fathom every case of suspicion, and to conduct every process of inquiry, with moderate assistance only from the lubricating influences of oil of gol...

  9. #9

    The Mask of Dimitrios - Charles Latimer by Eric Ambler
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    The Mask of Dimitrios by Eric Ambler is a thrilling spy novel set in pre-World War II Europe. The story follows Charles Latimer, a mystery writer who becomes obsessed with uncovering the truth behind the notorious criminal Dimitrios. As Latimer delves deeper into the mystery, he finds himself entangled in a web of espionage, crime, and betrayal across various European countries. The novel is praised for its atmospheric noir setting, intricate plot filled with unexpected twists, and the portrayal of a continent on the brink of chaos.

    It is one of those convenient, question-begging aphorisms coined to discredit the unpleasant truth that chance plays an important, if not predominant, part in human affairs. Yet it was not entirely in...

  10. #10

    Farewell, My Lovely - Philip Marlowe by Raymond Chandler
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    Farewell, My Lovely by Raymond Chandler is the second book in the Philip Marlowe series, featuring the hardboiled detective Philip Marlowe. The plot revolves around Marlowe's task of tracking down Moose Malloy, a man who has recently killed a black nightclub owner. The story is described as intricate, with red herrings scattered throughout, leading to a cat and mouse game. The writing style is praised for its noir elements, sparse yet descriptive language, and the portrayal of a classic detective story set in 1940s Los Angeles.

    IT WAS ONE OF THE MIXED BLOCKS over on Central Avenue, the blocks that are not yet all Negro. I had just come out of a three-chair barber shop where an agency thought a relief barber named Dimitrios A...

    (Also, see 100 recommendations for the series Philip Marlowe )

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