A CHRONOLOGY OF HAMMETT’S FICTION
The following is a fairly comprehensive list of Hammett’s fiction, organized by date of publication, along with where these stories can be located today.
“The Parthian Shot” (a one-
Original publication: The Smart Set, October 1922
Most recently reprinted in Lost Stories, 2005
"The Great Lovers" (sketch)
Original publication: The Smart Set, November 1922
Most recently reprinted in Lost Stories, 2005
“Immortality” (written as “Daghull Hammett”)
Original publication: 10 Story Book, November 1922
Most recently reprinted in Lost Stories, 2005
“The Barber and His Wife,” AKA “Strength” (written as “Peter Collinson”)
Original publication: Brief Stories, December 1922
Most recently reprinted in Lost Stories, 2005
1922
1923
“The Sardonic Star of Tom Doody” AKA “Ah, Fate!” (written as “Peter Collinson”)
Original publication: Brief Stories, February 1923
Most recently reprinted in Lost Stories, 2005
Reprinted elsewhere as “Wages of Crime”
“The Road Home” (written as “Peter Collinson”)
Original publication: Black Mask, December 1922
Most recently reprinted in Lost Stories, 2005
“The Master Mind” (sketch)
Original Publication: The Smart Set, January 1923
Most recently reprinted in Lost Stories, 2005
“From the Memoirs of a Private Detective”
Original publication: The Smart Set, March 1923
Most recent reprint: Crime Stories & Other Writings, 2001
“The Joke on Eloise Morey”
Original publication: Brief Stories, June 1923
Most recently reprinted in Lost Stories, 2005
“The Vicious Circle” (written as “Peter Collinson”)
Original publication: Black Mask, June 15, 1923
Most recent reprint (although it’s not recent at all): Woman in the Dark, 1951, under the title “The Man Who Stood in the Way.”
“The Crusader” (written as “Mary Jane Hammett”)
Original publication: The Smart Set, August 1923
Most recently reprinted in Lost Stories, 2005
“Arson Plus” (written as “Peter Collinson")
Featuring the Continental Op in his first adventure
Original publication: Black Mask, October 1, 1923
Most recent reprint: The Big Book of the Continental Op, 2017
“Slippery Fingers” (written as “Peter Collinson”) and
“Crooked Souls” (written as “Dashiell Hammett”) Reprinted elsewhere under the title “The Gatewood Caper.”
Both of these Continental Op stories originally appeared in the same issue of Black Mask, October 15, 1923.
Both were reprinted in The Big Book of the Continental Op, 2017
“The Dimple” AKA “In The Morgue.”
Original publication: Saucy Stories, October 15, 1923
Most recently reprinted in Lost Stories, 2005
“The Green Elephant”
Original publication: The Smart Set, October 1923
Most recently reprinted in Lost Stories, 2005
“Laughing Masks” AKA “When Luck’s Running Good”
Original publication: Action Stories, November 1923
Most recently reprinted in Lost Stories, 2005
“It,” AKA “The Black Hat That Wasn’t There”
Original publication: Black Mask, November 1, 1923
Most recent reprint: The Big Book of the Continental Op, 2017
Woman in the Dark, 1951, under the title “The Black Hat That Wasn’t There.”
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1924
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“The Second-
Original publication: Black Mask, November 15, 1923
Most recent reprint: Nightmare Town, 1999
“Bodies Piled Up” (AKA “House Dick”)
Original publication: Black Mask, December 1, 1923
Most recent reprint: The Big Book of the Continental Op, 2017
“Itchy” AKA “Itchy the Debonair”
Original publication: Brief Stories, January 1924
Most recent reprint: Lost Stories, 2005
“The Tenth Clew” (sometimes spelled “The Tenth Clue,” including on this magazine cover.)
Original publication: Black Mask, January 1, 1924
Most recent reprint: The Big Book of the Continental Op, 2017
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1925
“The Man Who Killed Dan Odams”
Original publication: Black Mask, January 15, 1924
Most recent reprint: Nightmare Town, 1999
“Esther Entertains”
Original publication: Brief Stories, February 1924
Most recent reprint: Lost Stories, 2005
“Night Shots”
Original publication: Black Mask, February 1, 1924
Most recent reprint: The Big Book of the Continental Op, 2017
“The New Racket”
Original publication: Black Mask, February 15, 1924
Most recent reprint: The Adventures of Sam Spade, 1944, under the title “The Judge Laughed Last.”
The March 1, 1924 issue of Black Mask contained two Hammett stories: “Zigzags of Treachery,” which featured the Continental Op and “Afraid of a Gun,” which didn’t.
“Zigzags:” The Big Book of the Continental Op, 2017
“Afraid:” Nightmare Town, 1999
“One Hour”
Original publication: Black Mask, April 1, 1924
Most recent reprint: The Big Book of the Continental Op, 2017
“The House in Turk Street”
Original publication: Black Mask, April 15, 1924
Most recent reprint: The Big Book of the Continental Op, 2017
“The Girl with Silver Eyes”
Original publication: Black Mask, June 1924
Most recent reprint: The Big Book of the Continental Op, 2017
“Women, Politics and Murder”
Original publication: Black Mask, September 1924
Most recent reprint: The Big Book of the Continental Op, 2017
“The Golden Horseshoe”
Original publication: Black Mask, November 1924
Most recent reprint: The Big Book of the Continental Op, 2017
“Who Killed Bob Teal?” (by "Dashiell Hammett of the Continental Detective Agency.")
Original publication: True Detective Stories, Nov. 1924
(Hammett originally intended this story to be published in Black Mask, like the rest of his Continental Op stories, but the editor rejected it.
Most recent reprint: The Big Book of the Continental Op, 2017
“Nightmare Town”
Original publication: Argosy All-
Recent reprints: Crime Stories and Other Writings, 2001.
“Mike, Alec or Rufus?” AKA “Tom, Dick or Harry?”
Original publication: Black Mask, January, 1925
Most recent reprint: The Big Book of the Continental Op, 2017
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"Another Perfect Crime" (Until fairly recently, this story was believed to have been lost to the ages, but a copy finally surfaced!)
Original publication: Experience, February 1925
Most recent reprint: Lost Stories, 2005
“The Whosis Kid”
Original publication: Black Mask, March 1925
Most recent reprint: The Big Book of the Continental Op, 2017
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“Ber-
Original publication: Sunset , March 1925
Most recent reprint: Lost Stories, 2005
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“The Scorched Face”
Original publication: Black Mask, May 1925
Most recent reprint: The Big Book of the Continental Op, 2017
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“Corkscrew” (The Continental Op in the Wild West!)
Original publication: Black Mask, September 1925
Most recent reprint: The Big Book of the Continental Op, 2017
“Ruffian’s Wife”
Original publication: Sunset magazine, October 1925
Most recent reprint: Nightmare Town, 1999
“Dead Yellow Women”
Original publication: Black Mask, November 1925
Most recent reprint: The Big Book of the Continental Op, 2017
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“The Gutting of Couffignal”
Original publication: Black Mask, December 1925
Most recent reprint: The Big Book of the Continental Op, 2017
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“The Man Who Loved Ugly Women”
Original publication: Experience, exact date unknown
(No copies of this story are known to exist)
1926
“The Nails in Mr. Cayterer”
Original publication: Black Mask, January 1926
Most recent reprint: The Creeping Siamese, 1950.
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“The Assistant Murderer”
Original publication: Black Mask, February 1926
Most recent reprint: Nightmare Town, 1999
“Creeping Siamese”
Original publication: Black Mask, March 1926
Most recent reprint: Crime Stories and Other Writings, 2001
1927
“The Advertising Man Writes a Love Letter”
Original publication: Judge, February 26, 1927
Most recent reprint: Lost Stories, 2005
“The Big Knockover”
Original publication: Black Mask, February 1927
Most recent reprint: The Big Book of the Continental Op, 2017
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“$106,000 Blood Money”
Original publication: Black Mask, May 1927
Most recent reprint: The Big Book of the Continental Op, 2017
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Note: “The Big Knockover,” when combined with its sequel, “$106,000 Blood Money,” form Blood Money, which many consider to be Hammett’s true first novel, predating Red Harvest by two years. Since the 1960s, however, they have almost always been presented as two separate short stories, rather than as a novel.
“The Main Death”
Original publication: Black Mask, June 1927
Most recent reprint: The Big Book of the Continental Op, 2017
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“The Cleansing of Poisonville”
Original publication: Black Mask, November 1927
(Never reprinted in its original form, but would be reworked to become the first part of the novel Red Harvest.)
“Crime Wanted -
Original publication: Black Mask, December 1927
Most recent reprint: The Big Book of the Continental Op, 2017
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1928
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“This King Business”
Original publication: Mystery Stories, January 1928
Most recent reprint: The Big Book of the Continental Op, 2017
(A rare appearance of the Continental Op in a magazine other than Black Mask.)
“Dynamite”
Original publication: Black Mask, January 1928
Most recent reprint: The Big Book of the Continental Op, 2017
“The 19th Murder”
Original publication: Black Mask, February 1928
Most recent reprint: The Big Book of the Continental Op, 2017
“Black Lives”
Original publication: Black Mask, November 1928
Most recent reprint: The Big Book of the Continental Op, 2017
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“The Hollow Temple”
Original publication: Black Mask, December 1928
Most recent reprint: The Big Book of the Continental Op, 2017
1929
“Black Honeymoon”
Original publication: Black Mask, January 1929
Most recent reprint: The Big Book of the Continental Op, 2017
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“Black Riddle”
Original publication: Black Mask, February 1929
Most recent reprint: The Big Book of the Continental Op, 2017
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Red Harvest (Hammett's first hardback novel)
Published by Alfred A. Knopf, February 1929
Recent reprint: Complete Novels, 1999
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The Dain Curse (Hammett’s second hardback novel, only five months after the first)
Published by Alfred A. Knopf, July 1929
Recent reprint: Complete Novels, 1999
“Fly Paper”
Original publication: Black Mask, August 1929
Most recent reprint: The Big Book of the Continental Op, 2017
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“The Maltese Falcon,” part 1 of 5
Original publication: Black Mask, September 1929
Reprinted in The Black Lizard Big Book of Black Mask Stories, 2010
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“The Maltese Falcon,” part 2 of 5
Original publication: Black Mask, October 1929
Reprinted in The Black Lizard Big Book of Black Mask Stories, 2010
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“The Maltese Falcon,” part 3 of 5
Original publication: Black Mask, November 1929
Reprinted in The Black Lizard Big Book of Black Mask Stories, 2010
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“The Maltese Falcon,” part 4 of 5
Original publication: Black Mask, December 1929
Reprinted in The Black Lizard Big Book of Black Mask Stories, 2010
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1930
“The Maltese Falcon,” part 5 of 5
Original publication: Black Mask, January 1930
Reprinted in The Black Lizard Big Book of Black Mask Stories, 2010
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“Diamond Wager” (written by “Samuel Dashiell”)
Original publication: Detective Fiction Weekly, October 19, 1929.
Only recently has it been determined that “Samuel Dashiell” was an entirely different writer, and NOT a pseudonym for Samuel Dashiell Hammett! Oh well, scratch this one from the list!
The Maltese Falcon (Hammett’s third hardback novel)
Published by Alfred A. Knopf, February 1930
Recent reprint: Complete Novels, 1999
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“The Farewell Murder”
Original publication: Black Mask, February 1930
Most recent reprint: The Big Book of the Continental Op, 2017
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“The Glass Key”
Original publication: Black Mask, March 1930
(Never reprinted in its original form, but would be reworked to become the first part of the novel The Glass Key.)
The Cyclone Shot”
Original publication: Black Mask, April 1930
(Never reprinted in its original form, but would be reworked to become the second part of the novel The Glass Key.)
“Dagger Point”
Original publication: Black Mask, May 1930
(Never reprinted in its original form, but would be reworked to become the third part of the novel The Glass Key.)
“The Shattered Key”
Original publication: Black Mask, June 1930
(Never reprinted in its original form, but would be reworked to become the final part of the novel The Glass Key.)
“Death and Company” (Hammett’s final Continental Op story)
Original publication: Black Mask, November 1930
Most recent reprint: The Big Book of the Continental Op, 2017
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1931
The Glass Key (Hammett’s fourth hardback novel, and his personal favorite). Published by Alfred A. Knopf, January 1931. For some reason, Knopf released The Glass Key slightly earlier in the UK than in the USA. The UK edition is shown here.
Recent reprint: Complete Novels, 1999
Creeps by Night: Hammett wrote the introduction to this 1931 horror anthology, and is credited as editor. Also released as Modern Tales of Horror. In 1961, a shortened version was published, retitled The Red Brain; later still, the title was changed to Breakdown.
1) John Day, 1931 (hardback with dust jacket)
2) Tudor, 1932 (hardback with dust jacket)
3) Victor Gollancz, Ltd, 1932 (hardback with dust jacket)
4) World, 1941 (hardback with dust jacket)
5) Belmont, 1961 (hardback with dust jacket)
6) Belmont, 1961 (paperback)
7) Four Square, 1966 (paperback)
8) New English Library, 1968 (paperback)
1932
“On the Way”
Original publication: Harper’s Bazaar, March 1932
Never reprinted until The Hunter and Other Stories, 2013
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“A Man Called Spade”
Original publication: American Magazine, July 1932
Most recent reprint: Nightmare Town, 1999
Too Many Have Lived”
Original publication: American Magazine, October 1932
Most recent reprint: Nightmare Town, 1999
“They Can Only Hang You Once”
Original publication: Collier’s, November 19, 1932
Most recent reprint: Nightmare Town, 1999
1933
1934
After 1934, Hammett’s career as a fiction writer was effectively over. However, as
the decades passed, previously-
1934: A two volume compilation of Hammett-
1966: “Tulip,” an unfinished novel fragment is included in The Big Knockover, edited by Lillian Hellman.
2011: The Strand Magazine, issue number 33 includes “So I Shot Him,” which, despite its title, is not a crime story.
2012: Return of the Thin Man presents Hammett’s screen treatments for After the Thin Man (which has appeared in print before) and Another Thin Man (which has not).
1961: Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine prints “A Man Named Thin,” featuring Robin Thin, a Hammett character unseen since 1926’s “The Nails in Mr. Cayterer”
1975: City of San Francisco magazine presents an “all-
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The Thin Man (Hammett’s fifth and final novel)
Published by Alfred A. Knopf, January 1934.
Recent reprint: Complete Novels, 1999
“The Thin Man” (magazine preview of the upcoming novel)
Original publication: Redbook, December 1933
A condensed (and sanitized) version. Never reprinted in this form.
“Albert Pastor at Home”
Original publication: Esquire, Autumn 1933
Most recent reprint: Nightmare Town, 1999
“Night Shade”
Original publication: Mystery League Magazine, October 1, 1933
Most recent reprint: Lost Stories, 2005
“Woman in the Dark” (part 3 of 3)
Original publication: Liberty magazine, April 22, 1933
Most recent reprint: Crime Stories and Other Writings, 2001
“Woman in the Dark” (part 2 of 3)
Original publication: Liberty magazine, April 15, 1933
Most recent reprint: Crime Stories and Other Writings, 2001
“Woman in the Dark” (part 1 of 3)
Original publication: Liberty magazine, April 8, 1933
Most recent reprint: Crime Stories and Other Writings, 2001
“Two Sharp Knives” AKA “To a Sharp Knife.”
Original publication: Collier’s, January 13, 1934
Most recent reprint: Nightmare Town, 1999
“His Brother’s Keeper”
Original publication: Collier’s, February 17, 1934
Most recent reprint: Nightmare Town, 1999
“This Little Pig”
Original publication: Collier’s, 24 March 1934
Most recent reprint: Lost Stories, 2005
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“Holiday”
Original publication: The New Pearson’s, July 1923
Most recently reprinted in Lost Stories, 2005
2013: The Hunter and Other Stories consists almost entirely of “new” Hammett material, including an unfinished Sam Spade story.
...and, chances are, there’s still more to come!
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S I T E M E N U :
A short biography of Dashiell Hammett, followed by Frequently Asked Questions
“The Complete Works of Dashiell Hammett”
A chronology of Hammett’s fiction
The Continental Op: Hammett’s first hard-
Woman in the Dark: Hammett’s lost novel?
A photo tour of “Sam Spade’s apartment” (2003)
Dashiell Hammett Place: another former Hammett residence (2004)
The Flood Building: Hammett’s Pinkerton Detective office (2004)
The Maltese Falcon’s 75th anniversary (2005)
Interview with Hammett scholar Dr. George J. “Rhino” Thompson (2007)
The Dashiell Hammett Suite, Hotel Union Square (2008)
E-
Special thanks to:
Robert Mailer Anderson
Bill Arney
Vince Emery
Don Herron
Richard Layman
Jo Marshall
Eddie Muller
Julie Rivett
and so many others
for their many
contributions to this site.
Entire website ©2003-
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