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A classic hard-boiled detective tale
Nick and Nora Charles are enjoying Christmas in New York, with its merry round of parties, speakeasies, and the theatre, when a young woman approaches Nick and asks whether he's heard from her father. Nick recognizes the girl as Dorothy Wynant, whom he last knew years ago when he worked a case for the girl's father, eccentric inventor Clyde Wynant. Nick used to be a private detective, but as he explains to Dorothy, he's no longer in the trade.
Not that his insistence on that fact means anything when Clyde Wynant's assistant suddenly turns up dead. The police, the former Mrs. Wynant, mob enforcers, Clyde Wynant's lawyer, even Nick's wife---everyone seems to believe Nick should be working the case. And despite his protests, Nick finds himself intrigued. There are plenty of suspects, and Nick can't entirely accept that the most obvious one---Clyde Wynant, himself---is the real culprit.
I don't read mystery often, but when I do, it's usually of the hard-boiled detective variety. Considering that The Thin Man is a well-known classic in that genre, it's unsurprising that I enjoyed reading it. Nick and Nora Charles are charming, the mystery compelling, and the minor characters engaging.even if they are familiar types. I loved Nick's voice, and the fast-paced patter of dialogue, although I will say I rather missed some of the more atmospheric, noirish description I've encountered in other hard-boiled detective fiction. Still, The Thin Man is a lot of fun, and the perfect introduction to a classic author.4 out of 4 people found this review helpful.
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Anonymous
Posted September 24, 2012
Noir
Classic noir fun read
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Anonymous
Posted January 20, 2005
Here is the 'skinny' on The Thin Man
The Thin Man, by Dashiell Hammett is an exceptional realistic modern suspense novel. Anyone who liked Hammett¿s previous books such as ¿The Maltese Falcon,¿ The Continental Op, and Red Harvest will love The Thin Man. While a little short on action, The Thin Man has well-developed interesting characters, none of which are spared suspicion for murder. The Thin Man is the story of Nick Charles, an ex- detective living with his wife, Nora, in San Francisco. The year is 1933, and he hasn¿t worked on a case for 6 years, and wasn¿t planning on ever working on one again. But that was before he ran into Dorothy. The story begins when Nick and Nora are staying in New York City for the winter holidays. Dorothy is the daughter of a former client, Clyde Miller Wynant. The next day, there is an article mentioning her father, Clyde, in the paper. His employee (and supposed girlfriend), Julia, has been murdered in her apartment. Suspiciously, the person who found her dead was Clyde¿s recently re-married ex-wife, Mimi Jorgensen, who was searching for her ex-husband when she stumbled upon Julia¿s body. Nick Charles soon discovers that it is a smaller world than he thought, and people he knew and dealt with previously are mysteriously connected to the murder. Who killed Julia Wolf? And why? Was it Wynant himself? Was it the perhaps jealous ex- wife? Was it the rival inventor with whom Wynant had had a row with years before? Even Nick Charles is a suspect. The answers can only be found in the thrilling pages of ¿The Thin Man,¿ a novel recognized as Hammett¿s very best.
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Anonymous
Posted June 2, 2002
The Last Novel Completed by Hammett
Although this was the last novel completed by Hammett, he did live for over twenty-six more years until 1961. The story introduced the dashing couple Nick and Nora Charles. If you entertain romantic notions about New York City in the 1930's, this will help you enjoy the book.
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Anonymous
Posted April 24, 2012
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Posted September 27, 2012
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Posted February 24, 2011
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Posted March 22, 2011
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Posted August 25, 2011
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Posted January 14, 2012
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Posted August 27, 2011
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