Red Harvest

by Dashiell Hammett

Overview

Red Harvest (1929) by Dashiell Hammett is a groundbreaking crime novel that helped shape the hard-boiled detective genre. It's a gritty, action-packed story set in a corrupt, crime-ridden town, and it features Hammett's signature tough, morally ambiguous characters. The novel is known for its stark realism, psychological depth, and its portrayal of violence and corruption.

Product Details

BN ID:	2940184553887
Publisher:	Dashiell Hammett
Publication date:	04/08/2025
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
File size:	224 KB

About the Author

Dashiell Hammett (1894–1961) was a groundbreaking American author and screenwriter, widely regarded as one of the most influential writers of crime fiction in the 20th century. His works, particularly his hard-boiled detective novels, helped shape the noir genre and established the template for modern crime stories with their stark realism, morally complex characters, and sharp dialogue.

Early Life and Background:
Born on May 27, 1894, in St. Mary's County, Maryland, Hammett came from a modest working-class family. His early life was marked by frequent relocations due to his family's financial struggles.

Hammett served in World War I and later worked in a variety of jobs, including as a detective for the Pinkerton National Detective Agency. His time with the Pinkertons, where he dealt with real-world criminal activity, was pivotal in shaping his writing style and understanding of the criminal underworld.

Writing Career:
Hammett's breakthrough came in the 1920s when he began publishing short stories in the pulp magazine Black Mask. His writing was distinct for its focus on hard-boiled realism and tough, morally ambiguous characters, which set him apart from earlier, more idealized detective stories.

His first major work, Red Harvest (1929), introduced the Continental Op, a nameless detective who operates with a brutal, no-nonsense approach to crime-solving. This novel, along with The Maltese Falcon (1930), cemented Hammett’s place as a key figure in crime fiction.

The Maltese Falcon, one of his most famous works, introduced the character of Sam Spade, another iconic figure in the detective genre. Spade, a tough, cynical detective, became one of the most enduring characters in crime literature.

Hammett's other notable works include The Glass Key (1931), which explores the relationships between gangsters, and The Thin Man (1934), which features a detective couple, Nick and Nora Charles, and showcases Hammett's ability to blend crime fiction with humor and sophistication.

Date of Birth:

May 27, 1894

Date of Death:

January 10, 1961

Place of Birth:

St. Mary, Maryland

Place of Death:

New York

Education:

Baltimore Polytechnic Institute

Editorial Reviews

CrimeReads: An analysis that delves into the novel's historical context, exploring how "Red Harvest" reflects the societal and political climate of its time.

CrimeReads: - N/A