"Crooked Souls" is an early short story by Dashiell Hammett, the master of hard-boiled detective fiction. First published in 1923 under the title "The Gatewood Caper," this tale introduces us to the unnamed Continental Op as he investigates a seemingly straightforward kidnapping case that quickly unravels into a web of family secrets, deceit, and twisted motives.

Set against the backdrop of a prosperous lumber company and featuring a cast of morally complex characters, "Crooked Souls" showcases Hammett's signature style: gritty realism, sharp dialogue, and a keen eye for the darker side of human nature.

The Narrator

This week's guest narrator is MIchael Rutland. Michael was a professional journalist and photographer for several years, before earning a CELTA and moving to China to teach. He did so for nearly a decade before moving home to Austin, Texas, to earn a master's degree from Harvard and focus on his writing. He has recently registered with ACX for recording audiobooks, and has won several contracts to produce both fiction and non-fiction. He can be reached at [email protected].

The Author

Born Samuel Dashiell Hammett in 1894, this American author rose to fame as a pioneer of hard-boiled detective fiction. After leaving school at fourteen and working various jobs, he became a Pinkerton detective, an experience that would deeply inform his writing. Hammett's gritty realism and unflinching portrayal of violence and corruption revolutionized the genre, establishing him as a literary icon. His most famous works include The Maltese Falcon and The Thin Man, featuring iconic characters like Sam Spade and Nick and Nora Charles. Despite his success, Hammett's writing career was relatively short, and he spent his later years embroiled in political controversy and facing health issues. However, his legacy as a master of crime fiction remains undisputed.

 

If you enjoy classic detective stories with a hard-boiled edge, be sure to subscribe to The Classic Detective Stories Podcast and explore our library of captivating tales from the golden age of mystery and suspense.

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