What I try to do is write a story about a detective rather than a detective story. Keeping the reader fooled until the last, possible moment is a good trick and I usually try to play it, but I can't… — Dashiell Hammett Copy Share Image
The truth is you don't like the theater except the times when you're in a room by yourself putting the play on paper. — Dashiell Hammett Copy Share Image
It's sometimes better to pretend I don't hear the sound of somebody in the nearby woods with a shotgun. — Dashiell Hammett Copy Share Image
“This damned burg's getting me. If I don't get away soon I'll be going blood-simple like the natives.” — Dashiell Hammett Copy Share Image
“You know Quinn?" Macaulay asked me. "Ten minutes ago I was putting him to bed." Macaulay grinned. "I hope you keep his acquaintance like… — Dashiell Hammett Copy Share Image
“Gutman smiled benignly at him and said: “Well, Wilmer, I’m sorry indeed to lose you, and I want you to know that I couldn’t… — Dashiell Hammett Copy Share Image
“...I guess I can put two and two together." "Sometimes the answer's four," I said, "and sometimes it's twenty-two...” — Dashiell Hammett Copy Share Image
Nora: "How do you feel?" Nick: "Terrible. I must've gone to bed sober. — Dashiell Hammett Copy Share Image
A lot of fancier yarns come from people trying to tell the truth. It’s not easy once you’re out of the habit. — Dashiell Hammett Copy Share Image
Three times I have been mistaken for a prohibition agent, but never had any trouble clearing myself. — Dashiell Hammett Copy Share Image
Listen, Dundy, it's been a long time since I burst into tears because a policeman didn't like me. — Dashiell Hammett Copy Share Image
“...What do people think about my staying with Harrison with him chasing everything that's hot and hollow?” — Dashiell Hammett Copy Share Image
“Don't be so damned patronizing. Your performance so far has been a little less than dazzling." "I didn't mean no harm," I said and… — Dashiell Hammett Copy Share Image
...What disturbed him was the discovery that in sensibly ordering his affairs he had got out of step, and not into step, with Life. — Dashiell Hammett Copy Share Image
