Before the Thin Man: The Prequel to Dashiell Hammett's "The Thin Man"

by Christopher Allen

Before the Thin Man: The Prequel to Dashiell Hammett’s “The Thin Man” is the prequel to the original Hammett masterpiece published in 1934 and the following Thin Man series of movies. This story is set in 1928 and answers the questions of who are Nick and Nora Charles, where did they come from, and how did they meet to eventually become the iconic couple created by Dashiell Hammett.

Genres: Fiction

183 pages, Paperback

Published July 11, 2018

Reviews

[Christopher Taylor]

A story about the case Nick Charles took before the events in The Thin Man. Its mostly about how Nick met Nora, the famous couple, and has a simple case involved as well. It is not terrible but compared to Dashiell Hammet's crisp writing and dialog, it falls a bit flat. There are a few anachronisms as well in terms and language.

[Patricia Bryce]

I love when a writer hears the voice of a former writer and tells part of the story that wasn't given to us.. This is what happens in this wonderful telling of how Nora met Nick.
I so enjoyed this book, read it all in one sitting while I was having Chemo and it took my mind off my circumstances.
I recommend this lovely book.

[Cynthia Law]

The Vocabulary of 1980's.

I generally enjoyed this read. Like other Thin Man books, Nick's internal monolog propels the story along. And the reader knows what Nick does. No surprises. The dialogue between Nick and Nora did not disappoint. But the author used an expression from the 1980's to express Nick's satisfaction on discovering an important clue. When I read the phrase, "game changer", I was pulled completely out of the story. I had to look up the history of the phrase when I saw it. The phrase was first used in the 1980's as a sports reference. Not a phrase found in 1928 vocabulary. I do recommend the story to fans of The Thin Man or of Dashiell Hammett.

[Gilbert Stack]

The Thin Man is one of my favorite detective stories and so it was with great delight that I discovered this prequel tribute to that great tale. In it, Christopher Allen introduces many of the major characters of the classic detective story and gives a credible and at times touching account of how Nick and Nora met. He also provides a very solid mystery with enough clues to at least put the reader on to the correct suspect. He also very credibly places the story in the 1920s, helpfully making references to the major international events of that period and even using Germany's hyperinflation to add credence to the mystery.

But the real test of the story is how well Allen does in recreating Nick and Nora and for me his success was slightly mixed. I thought that he captured Nora perfectly—young, intelligent, enthusiastic, and very interested in criminal detective work. Nick was slightly less well done for me. The problem may be that in The Thin Man, Nick definitely doesn't want to get involved in the developing mystery and in this book, he is, as Dashiel Hammet described him, an actual practicing detective. If that is what is making me feel that something is off, then my complaints are invalid and Allen did a perfect job. But I just pictured the original Nick as being a little bit seedier than Allen recreates him. He definitely wasn't a bad guy, but for some reason I didn't picture him as a nationally famous very clean-cut detective.

Whether or not Allen got Nick perfectly or not, this is a great story that lovers of mysteries will enjoy whether they love The Thin Man or not.

[John M]

Mr. Allen tells us about when Nick met Nora.

Christopher Allen does serviceable job of prequeling "The Thin Man". Nick is there and Nora and Asta and New York City. We meet Nick Charles, the Detective and follow him as he meets Nora and other characters who will become known to us in later stories. Try toget it cheap.

[Mallory]

I thought this book had promise; I love the original Thin Man stories/movies. However, this was tedious to read. Every time someone made a phone call or saw someone, there was a page of niceties that flatlined the story.

[Elisabeth]

Great prequel

Not high tone literature, but a great story. A few too convenient plot devices, but overall a great story. And lives up to the Canon.

[Joseph Hageman]

Well written and-sets the stage beautifully. Highly recommended

[Sandy]

I absolutely love the era of the silver screen. Cary Grant, Audrey Hepburn, Gene Kelly, Bogie & Bacall. The list is endless. When offered the opportunity to read Before the Thin Man, I was elated. The meeting of Nick and Nora, for me, was a must-read.

Although the book itself could use a bit of “spit & polish,” the story was fantastic. It was obvious the author thoroughly researched the era, but the presentation of said historical facts needn’t be so blatant.

Getting past that, let me share with you the early days of Mr. Nick Charles and Miss Leticia Lenora Finhaden. Nick is known throughout New York City as a great private detective. Now owning his own agency, Nick is making a name for himself. His attention to detail, and sometimes with a bit of luck, has allowed the police force to close many high-profile cases. And now he has just been invited to work a case which promises to forever change his life.

Miss Lettie is a head-strong, independent, and highly capable young woman. Having majored in art, she is mere months away from becoming a Vassar graduate. While awaiting her father’s arrival at Grand Central Terminal, Lettie gets her first peek of the legendary Nick Charles.

I enjoyed watching Nick as he cleverly pieced together the puzzling mystery. I loved listening to the interaction between Nora and him. She maintained a playful banter. He recognized he would never meet anyone like Nora. She was a special kind of someone he knew he could take care of.

I loved taking this quick journey into the past. A romance as unique as this one could only be told of Nick and Nora.