The Maltese Falcon

"The Maltese Falcon" is a classic detective novel by Dashiell Hammett, published in 1929. It follows private investigator Sam Spade as he becomes embroiled in a complex case involving a valuable, elusive artifact—a black statuette of a falcon. Various characters, including femme fatales and ruthless criminals, pursue the statuette for their own gain, leading to intrigue and betrayal. The story is notable for its hard-boiled style, exploring themes of loyalty, greed, and moral ambiguity. It has been adapted into several films, most famously the 1941 version starring Humphrey Bogart, solidifying its status as a cornerstone of the noir genre.