Definition
Dashiell Hammett was a groundbreaking American author renowned for his hard-boiled detective fiction. He created iconic characters like Sam Spade ('The Maltese Falcon') and Nick & Nora Charles ('The Thin Man'). His writing style is marked by sharp dialogue, cynicism, and gritty realism, mirroring the urban underworlds he depicted. Hammett's works revolutionized crime fiction by emphasizing authenticity. He redefined the detective novel with his tough, morally ambiguous characters.