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 a prequel, set in 1928, to the original work based on The Thin Man characters created by Dashiell Hammett in 1933. His book was published in 1934 and soon afterward made into the hit movie of the same name starring William Powell and Myrna Loy as Nick and Nora Charles. The movie was so popular five more movies starring the same lead actors were made in the following thirteen years. The final movie, Song of the Thin Man, was released August 28, 1947. This story shows who Nick and Nora are, where they came from, and how they met to go on to become the iconic detective couple created by Dashiell Hammett.

Genres: Fiction

124 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 14, 2019

Reviews

[Patricia Bryce · Rating 5 out of 5]

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 · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[John M · Rating 3 out of 5]

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 · Rating 1 out of 5]

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 · Rating 5 out of 5]

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 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written and-sets the stage beautifully. Highly recommended

[Sandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.