The Dashiell Hammett Megapack

by Dashiell Hammett

"The Dashiell Hammett Megapack" collects 20 early and rare stories by the famous mystery writer, plus one poem. Included in this volume OF A GUNARSON PLUSTHE NEW RACKETBODIES PILED UPDEATH ON PINE STREETTHE MAN WHO KILLED DAN ODAMSMIKE, ALEC, OR RUFUSNIGHT SHOTSNIGHTMARE TOWNONE HOURTHE ROAD HOMERUFFIAN’S WIFETHE SECOND-STORY ANGELTHE TENTH CLUEWHO KILLED BOB TEAL?ZIGZAGS OF TREACHERYTHE WAGES OF CRIMENIGHT SHADETHE PARTHIAN SHOTIMMORTALITYCURSE IN THE OLD MANNERAnd don't forget to search this ebook store for "Wildside Press Megapack" to see many more entries in this series, covering mysteries, science fiction, fantasy, westerns, classics, and much, much more!

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Anthologies, Short Stories, Noir, Crime, Suspense

297 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2013

About the author

Also wrote as Peter Collinson, Daghull Hammett, Samuel Dashiell, Mary Jane Hammett

Dashiell Hammett, an American, wrote highly acclaimed detective fiction, including The Maltese Falcon (1930) and The Thin Man (1934).

Samuel Dashiell Hammett authored hardboiled novels and short stories. He created Sam Spade (The Maltese Falcon), Nick and Nora Charles (The Thin Man), and the Continental Op (Red Harvest and The Dain Curse) among the enduring characters. In addition to the significant influence his novels and stories had on film, Hammett "is now widely regarded as one of the finest mystery writers of all time" and was called, in his obituary in the New York Times, "the dean of the... 'hard-boiled' school of detective fiction."

See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dashiell...

Reviews

[Eden Baylee · Rating 5 out of 5]

***Entertaining pulp fiction from a master***

This collection by Mr. Hammett, author of classic novels such as "The Maltese Falcon" and "The Thin Man," is the first I’ve purchased as a Megapack.

There are 20 short pieces from the author’s early writings, some using pen names he had adopted like: Peter Collinson and Daghull Hammett.

Known primarily for noir, crime, and mystery genres, this collection showcased some of his other writing. One thing that came across loud and clear though, no matter the genre, Mr. Hammett’s talent as a storyteller shines through.

A bit of dated language, but it speaks to the era. Most importantly for me, Mr. Hammett’s style of writing is timeless.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Steve Threefall awakened without undue surprise at the unfamiliarity of his surroundings as one who has awakened in strange places before. Before his eyes were well open he knew the essentials of his position. The feel of the shelf-bunk on which he lay and the sharp smell of disinfectant in his nostrils told him that he was in jail. His head and his mouth told him that he had been drunk; and the three-day growth of beard on his face told him he had been very drunk.

SOOOOO GOOOOOOD. Ugh, I am so obsessed with Dashiell Hammett, and this electronic megapack (despite its ridiculously terrible cover) is a fantastic collection of short stories. I think "Nightmare Town" was my favourite, if only because I love poisonous towns (yessssss) and Steve Threefall reminded me of character archetypes that I am way into and also tend to write a lot (overgrown man-children who can't take themselves seriously doot doot).

Hammett's a classic, his writing is a punch to the gut and a kick to the jaw, and the stories in here are filled with fun little twists and turns -- trying to guess the whodunit is such a juicy part of this genre. I'm not usually a fan of collected editions, actually, but this one was fantastic.

I highlighted like 18927189721 quotes in this collection because of Hammett's wonderful grizzled noir voice and unique turns of phrase, and will someday edit my review to toss them in here under a spoiler cut -- but today is not that day, because there are like 18927189721 quotes.

[STEVE M DE ROSA · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun

I had never read Dashiell Hammett at all . Enjoyed every story. Very readable and clever plots. Loved the atmosphere.

[Maria Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great fun

This was good, old fashioned story telling about crime, criminals and the men who hunt for them. It was as also sprinkled with some wry little stories that were like a sudden wink from a sinister character.

[Jim Pozenel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had never read anything written by Dashiell Hammet before, but this was interesting. Quite a mixed bag of stories. Just started "Red Harvest" and look forward to reading all of Dashiell Hammett's works that are available to me. I seems like he was a very interesting person.

[Paulette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a prolific writer, many different types of people who want to take advantage of others. Either their money, property, or their lives. The closer they get to success the greater the risk of detection.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like the syntax. Strong command of the English language. Most of the stories have a classic twist on the whodunnit theme. Maybe three or four stories too long as it started to become redundant. Nonetheless, an excellent writing style without too much supposition or self-reflection.

[Chucker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hammett

Different than the more well-known novels. High Window, etc. Just writing to get the next 5 words required to post

[Dick Heimbold · Rating 4 out of 5]

These detective stories are most entertaining. Most have wildly complicated plots. Hammett a pioneer of hard boiled detective types risking danger of all sorts to solve murders. I'd seen movies made from his stories and I wanted to sample his work. The writing is great most of the time, with punchy, gritty metaphors and phrasing, but sometimes with usages that seem a bit stiff by today’s standards of raw and profane crime writing. The book has twenty stories in it and each is unique in plot and characters. Many revolve around a detective protagonist from a San Francisco PI agency. There are plenty of plot twists too for added surprises and excitement. It's a good book for light reading when doesn’t feel like taking on a whole book, but wants to sample the work of a master—with the whole mystery solved in one sitting. The book has occasional typos in it. Odd for a book so old. One would think the typos would have been fixed by now. But I am willing to forgive a master these trifles.

[Gilbert Stack · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dashiel Hammett is one of the all time great American mystery writers. He’s most famous for his novels, The Thin Man, and “The Maltese Falcon,” although my favorite is probably, “The Glass Key”. This is a great collection of his short works, many of which feature his protagonist, the never named “Continental Op.” Hammett’s stories tend to read well both as mysteries and as adventure stories. 3 stars.

[Huckleberry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good collection of short stories many featuring the continental op. Some basic who dunnits, some creative takes, some with twists, some straight forward. Contains "Nightmare Town" which had the feel of Dasheill's best full novel "Red Harvest". Other creative stories were "Afraid of a Gun" and "Second Story Angel"

[Stephen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love noir fiction. Dashiell Hammett wrote The Maltese Falcon. I still prefer Chandler however, but Hammetts stories are so unpredictable! My favourite is the one with three dead bodies stuck in an ironing cupboard.

[Jim Fisher · Rating 4 out of 5]

At the price, this is a good buy for Hammett fans as well as an intro for those not that familiar with his works. There are several Continental Op stories that make this eBook a must-have for Hammett fans.