Dashiell Hammett's writing career began with the publication of The Parthian Shot, a tiny short story in The Smart Set in 1922, and virtually ended when he published 3 outstanding stories in Collier's in 1934. During this period, he published 60 short stories, 5 novels--including The Maltese Falcon and The Thin Man--a few minor poems, some nonfictional prose, and a series of astute book reviews. Though he lived until...