Mysteries and thrillers make up the most popular sub-genre of literature and no part of that sub-genre has gotten as much critical acclaim as detective fiction. While many sub-genres still struggle to get recognition as serious or literary fiction, Raymond Chandler’s 1953 classic “The Long Goodbye” has been included on at least one list of the best 100 novels in 20th century English literature. Start your introduction to detective fiction by reading three classics of the genre and then comparing them to their best film adaptations, two of which are among the best of Film Noir.
“The Maltese Falcon”
Dashiell Hammett introduced his character Sam Spade in his 1930 novel, “The Maltese Falcon.” It was serially published in the detective magazine “The Black Mask” the previous year. Widely considered his best novel, it has been voted No. 2 of The Top 100 Mystery Novels of All Time] by the Mystery Writers of America.