Books in Order: Exploring the Works of Dashiell Hammett

Dashiell Hammett was a prominent American author who shaped the realm of hardboiled crime fiction with his groundbreaking characters like Sam Spade, Nick & Nora Charles, and the conscientious Continental Op. Born in 1894 and living until 1961, Hammett’s influence extends over many generations. His time as a Pinkerton agent coloured his narratives, giving them a taste of authenticity and grit.

In a compelling revelation, Hammett once conceded that every character he created is actually “based on people I’ve known personally, or known about”. Despite his career stopping abruptly in 1934, Hammett continued to engage in left-wing activism and a stalwart opposition to fascism. This brings an intriguing aspect to his otherwise crime-fiction focused writings.

A Close Look at the Hammett’s Books in Order

Hammett’s foray into writing started with the publication of his first story, The Gatewood Caper back in 1923. This was soon followed by his inaugural novel, Red Harvest in 1929. He then continued to write his books in order, ending with his final novel The Thin Man published in 1934.

It’s interesting to note that each of Dashiell Hammett’s novels initially appeared as 3-to-5 part serials in popular pulp magazines. Here’s a closer look at the chronological order of Hammett’s books:

Publication Order of Standalone Novels

Red Harvest	(1929)
The Dain Curse	(1929)
The Maltese Falcon	(1930)
The Glass Key	(1931)
Woman In The Dark	(1933)
The Thin Man	(1934)
They Can Only Hang You Once	(1944)