Order of Dashiell Hammett Books

Dashiell Hammett (1894-1961) was an American writer known for his hardboiled crime fiction. He is most recognized for creating iconic characters such as Sam Spade, Nick and Nora Charles, and the Continental Op. Prior to his writing career, Hammett worked as a Pinkerton agent, a background that influenced his storytelling. He remarked, “all my characters were based on people I’ve known personally, or known about.” Although he passed away in 1961, his literary career effectively ended in 1934, after which he focused on left-wing activism and anti-fascism. Hammett's first published story, The Gatewood Caper, appeared in 1923, followed by his debut novel, Red Harvest, in 1929. His last novel, The Thin Man, was released in 1934. All of his works were initially serialized in pulp magazines in 3-to-5 part installments. Here is a list of Dashiell Hammett’s books in the order of their original publication: