THE RETURN OF THE MALTESE FALCON by Max Allan Collins
Publisher: Hard Case Crime
First sentence…
Samuel Spade, leaning back in his swivel-chair, studied the modest pine tree that might have sprouted tinsel-trimmed from where his late partner’s desk had till lately stood.
The Overview: Beware of Spoilers…
THEN…
Detective Sam Spade was pulled into the search for the legendary Maltese Falcon, a jewel-encrusted gold statuette intended as a gift for the 16th century King of Spain. Spade’s partner was murdered. Spade was the prime suspect.
Brigid O’Shaughnessy who hired Spade, was willing to use money, her female charms and anything else to get Spade’s protection from criminals after the Falcon. The others were Casper Gutman, an obese gentleman malefactor and his thugs, Cairo and Wilmer Cook. Gutman depended on his brains and lies. When that didn’t work, Cairo and Cook would use their guns.
In addition to Spade’s partner, two others were killed in pursuit of the bird. Turns out Brigid was the murderess. She’s now behind bars. So is Cairo. But the story doesn’t end there…
NOW…
About a week has passed since Sam Spade’s life was upended. Rhea Gutman, the teenage daughter of Casper Gutman, wants to hire Spade to find the Maltese Falcon. Rhea informs Spade, her father was murdered, but she wants to complete his life’s mission. Rhea believes the Falcon is somewhere close. Spade accepts her retainer.
In short order, Spade is approached independently by several people who also want the Falcon.
- Dixie Monahan, an infamous and dangerous Chicago gambler. He has no legal claim to the bird, but sees an opportunity to make money.
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Corinne Wonderly, the younger sister of the imprisoned Brigid O’Shaughnessy wants to get and sell the Falcon. She plans to use the money raised to help her sister get a good lawyer.
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Stewart Blackwood is a British Museum curator. He claims that he legally purchased the Maltese Falcon and it was stolen. Blackwood has a bill of sale.
Never one to turn down money, Spade accepts retainers from each.
Spade then works to untangle the lies, double crosses, twisted motivations and shifting alliances brought on by greed and self-preservation. Several people have already died in pursuit of the jewel-encrusted bird.
More will as well.
+++++
Recently Max Allan Collins gave away several copies of RETURN OF THE MALTESE FALCON. I was a lucky winner. Truth be told, I would have bought a copy had I not won one.
Collins is an author that I follow. I’m a huge fan of Max Allan Collins’ Nate Heller series. Every new Heller tale is a must-buy for me. Collins also completed several of Mickey Spillane’s Mike Hammer novels (from partially finished manuscripts and outlines). I’ve read almost all of them. Collins’ Quarry crime novels are also good. I’ve read some of them. Same could be said for Collins’ Ms. Tree comics, his Dick Tracy strips and his movie adaptations and other novels. Max Allan Collins can be counted on to deliver a great tale each time out, but it’s his Nate Heller series that does it best for me.
RETURN OF THE MALTESE FALCON shouldn’t be thought of as a sequel. It’s a continuation of the story. Taking on Hammet’s classic characters was a bold move. I’m very happy to say that Collins met the challenge.
Collins is to be commended. Not only for daring to step up and continue Hammet’s classic, but also for his ease at transporting readers to 1928 San Franciso. Collins take on Spade and the other characters feels like Hammet from their motivations to dialogue. Collins humor (just the right amount) and witty dialogue shine. The plot twists are unexpected, but not outlandish. They work to provide a surprisingly and satisfying climax.
RETURN OF THE MALTESE FALCON not only reaches the bar set by Collins’ Nate Heller novels but that of Hammet in the original tale. I don’t say this lightly.
I’d love to see Collins provide us with another Sam Spade outing. Maybe even one that crosses over with Nate Heller.
RETURN OF THE MALTESE FALCON gets my highest recommendation.
Rating:
