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The Glass Key Paperback – July 17, 1989

4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 768 ratings

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From one of the great pioneers of detective stories, a classic tale reissued with a new introduction by Laura Lippmann

Ned Beaumont is a gambler and a professional troubleshooter for his friend Paul Madvig, a cheerfully corrupt political power broker who aspires to greater things. Madvig has his eyes set on none other than the daughter of Senator Ralph Bancroft Henry, the heiress to a dynasty of political purebreds. When the senator’s son turns up dead, Madvig becomes the prime suspect. But if he is innocent, then which of his dozens of enemies is doing an awfully good job of framing him?

Dashiell Hammett’s tour de force of crime fiction combines a bulletproof plot, authentically corrupt characters, and writing of telegraphic crispness.
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"Hammett's prose was clean and entirely unique. His characters were as sharply and economically defined as any in American fiction. His gift of invention never tempted him beyond the limits of credibility."

-- The New York Times

From the Inside Flap

Paul Madvig was a cheerfully corrupt ward-heeler who aspired to something better: the daughter of Senator Ralph Bancroft Henry, the heiress to a dynasty of political purebreds. Did he want her badly enough to commit murder? And if Madvig was innocent, which of his dozens of enemies was doing an awfully good job of framing him? Dashiell Hammett's tour de force of detective fiction combines an airtight plot, authentically venal characters, and writing of telegraphic crispness.

A one-time detective and a master of deft understatement, Dashiell Hammett virtually invented the hard-boiled crime novel. This classic Hammet work of detective fiction combines an airtight plot, authentically venal characters, and writing of telegraphic crispness.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Vintage Crime/Black Lizard; First Thus edition (July 17, 1989)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 214 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0679722629
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0679722625
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 8.8 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.11 x 0.65 x 7.96 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 768 ratings

Customer reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars
768 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers enjoy the intricate and suspenseful plot of this detective story. They find the book enjoyable to read with well-described characters and vivid scenes. However, opinions differ on the writing quality - some find it clean and descriptive, while others consider it amateurish or difficult to read. There are also mixed reviews regarding character development, with some finding them detailed and realistic, while others feel the main character is only mildly interesting.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

20 customers mention "Plot"17 positive3 negative

Customers enjoy the plot. They find it intricate, suspenseful, and fun. The story is told mainly through sharp dialogue and references to people's eyes. It's described as an honest and good detective novel that still holds up after more than 80 years.

"...or the subtle inuendo hiding behind sarcasm — just expect a good, honest story and you will be pleased." Read more

"...The plot is intricate and satisfying, but not confusing, and the novel is peopled with memorable secondary characters and vivid scenes...." Read more

"...Historically, it was very interesting to read about the crime, speakeasies and corrupt Chicago politics...." Read more

"...The Glass Key is a fantastic tale of loyalty, politics, and power...." Read more

17 customers mention "Readability"17 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book. They find it enjoyable, with well-developed characters and a satisfying plot. Readers praise the edition and consider it an interesting novel in this genre.

"...The plot is intricate and satisfying, but not confusing, and the novel is peopled with memorable secondary characters and vivid scenes...." Read more

"...Even if it is Madvig... The Glass Key is a great read. It even became the basis for the Coen Brother's classic Miller's Crossing...." Read more

"...The Glass Key is an ugly story, beautifully written. Highly recommended." Read more

"This a a fantastic book. The characters are just perfectly deatailed...." Read more

8 customers mention "Characterization"8 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the characterization. They find it to be one of Hammett's finest novels, with plenty of first-class showing rather than telling. The book is described as one of the best in its genre, better than the Maltese Falcon, and told in crisp, uncomplicated language.

"...one of the lesser known of his five novels, I found this to be one of Hammet's best...." Read more

"...Hammett unflinchingly tells this brutal tale using crisp, uncomplicated language that flows smoothly...." Read more

"Plenty of first-class “showing, not telling.” The writing may be stronger than the plot, but the plot’s fun, too...." Read more

"...I liked the characterization." Read more

3 customers mention "Visual quality"3 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book's visual quality. They find the scenes stunning and easy to visualize.

"The building tension, chilling and killing dialogue, stunning scenes, I planned to pause my reading 2.5 hours ago...." Read more

"...and the novel is peopled with memorable secondary characters and vivid scenes...." Read more

"...The characters are just perfectly deatailed. I was able to visualize them easily and Ned Beaumont was fascinating...." Read more

8 customers mention "Writing quality"5 positive3 negative

Customers have different views on the writing quality. Some find the prose clean and descriptive, making it an easy read. Others find the writing amateurish, difficult to read, and confusing.

"...He one of the great underrated writers." Read more

"The writing was typical of the times (1931). Each movement of the characters was described fully -- almost like it was intended to be a screenplay...." Read more

"...With that expectation, I was horrified to find the writing barren, amateurish, and stifled...." Read more

"...never read Hammett before, this is a good place to start, the prose is very clean yet descriptive and will have you constantly turning pages." Read more

7 customers mention "Character development"4 positive3 negative

Customers have different views on the character development. Some find it fantastic, with realistic politicians, thugs, and murderers in the corrupt city. Others say the main character is only mildly interesting and the political intrigue lacks depth.

"...Hammett described realistic politicians, thugs and murderers in the corrupt city, mostly from experience...." Read more

"...The characters are largely unlikable. And that includes the novel's protagonist, Ned Beaumont. Perhaps especially Ned Beaumont...." Read more

"The writing was typical of the times (1931). Each movement of the characters was described fully -- almost like it was intended to be a screenplay...." Read more

"This a a fantastic book. The characters are just perfectly deatailed...." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on October 12, 2024
    The building tension, chilling and killing dialogue, stunning scenes, I planned to pause my reading 2.5 hours ago. That didn't work; I had to finish the book. Only one quibble: Tough to track characters' names when switching between first and last ones.
  • Reviewed in the United States on October 12, 2021
    I won’t rehash the plot, because that would ruin the story. As Hammett’s favorite novel, The Glass Key involves a buddy trying to help his friend in love and crooked politics. The buddy makes sacrifices, trying to be a true friend and trying to maintain his own moral code, while others with power and wealth hold all the cards.
    Like all Hammett’s writing, The Glass Key is spare and unemotional, describing scenes and people as you would see them if you were in those same dangerous urban environments. You won’t see inside people’s heads or hearts — you’ll have to read the signs and figure it out for yourself, like you do in real life. If you’re not even a little shocked, you have been taking in more than your share of darkness.
    DASHIELL HAMMETT
    Dashiell Samuel Hammett was born on a farm in Maryland. He grew up in Philadelphia and Baltimore. Hammett left school at the age of fourteen and held several kinds of jobs thereafter—messenger boy, newsboy, clerk, operator, and stevedore, finally becoming an operative for Pinkerton’s Detective Agency. Fro ages of 21-28, Hammett was an operative for famous Pinkerton’s Detective Agency. Hammett contracted tuberculosis, perhaps while driving an army ambulance in World War I. Because he carried tuberculosis, Hammett was forced to leave his wife, Josephine Dolan, and his child. Writing and alcohol took their places.
    Hammett described realistic politicians, thugs and murderers in the corrupt city, mostly from experience. Hammett knew and wrote about real people without the cultural glaze, opulent lifestyle, snarky violence, or peculiar quirks that adorn other fictional detectives’ characters, even today. Raymond Chandler compared Hammett’s writing to Hemmingway’s. Hammett is called hard-boiled, but to me it is just realistic. I mean, the people you know are not necessarily as nice as you would like to believe.
    Overall, Hammett published over 44 stories and incorporated them into novels from 1922-1934 — he mostly stopped writing after age 40. His works found their way into over 14 films, as well as television, radio plays, and comics.
    Hammett was imprisoned in a West Virginia penitentiary for refusing to name names of Communist sympathizers. After his release, his work was blacklisted for 10 years and he became impoverished. Hammett spent the last 4 years of his life with author Lillian Hellman. He died in 1961 of lung cancer and complications of alcoholism.
    CONSIDERATIONS:
    When I picked up this book, I carelessly thought I was going to read a Raymond Chandler novel. With that expectation, I was horrified to find the writing barren, amateurish, and stifled. However, as I continued reading, I regained my appreciation for Hammett’s characters, story organization, and brutal honesty. I enjoyed the second half of the book, after that.
    RECOMMENDATIONS:
    I have recommended Dashiell Hammett’s novels and stories to friends for years, and I recommend The Glass Key to you, now. Don’t expect to be transfixed or carried to the clouds with the wordsmithing or the subtle inuendo hiding behind sarcasm — just expect a good, honest story and you will be pleased.
    5 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on September 27, 2020
    Although one of the lesser known of his five novels, I found this to be one of Hammet's best. He is one of my favorite writers so he can do little wrong in my eyes in any case. The story is told mostly thought diamond sharp dialog and repeated references to the look in people's eyes. The plot is intricate and satisfying, but not confusing, and the novel is peopled with memorable secondary characters and vivid scenes. Unlike his other stories this one is set in the realm of city politics and involves the intimate relationship between a politician and his closest adviser. I started reading another book right after this one and the come down from Hammet's prose to a more pedestrian talent was remarkable. He one of the great underrated writers.
    7 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on May 30, 2009
    The writing was typical of the times (1931). Each movement of the characters was described fully -- almost like it was intended to be a screenplay. Not one of the characters was anything other than criminal at heart, so it was difficult to relate to any of them. Historically, it was very interesting to read about the crime, speakeasies and corrupt Chicago politics. It was what I would consider a "guy's book": tough men, gangster-like loyalties (without real friendships), drinking, gambling and everyone-out-for-themselves. The men and women in this book had big city mentalities and killings were a part of the life they led. Fear and greed is what drove them. The main thing I didn't like was that it had too many things happening with too many characters -- many of which didn't lead anywhere and tended to make it a rather confusing read. I found myself re-reading passages, just to keep things straight. So, I guess there were parts that I liked, it was an easy read, but the poor character development left me disappointed. I never did guess who the murderer was until the end of the book - which probably makes it a good detective novel, in and of itself.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on August 21, 2014
    A wonderful suspenseful read by Dashiell Hammett, The Glass Key will not disappoint. The Glass Key is a fantastic tale of loyalty, politics, and power. Ward boss Paul Madvig wants to marry into a pure bread political family, the Taylors. When the son of the Taylor's is found dead all fingers point toward Madvig. Madvig's close friend and confidant Ned Beaumont is loyal but still doubts his friend's innocence. Beaumont goes on an investigation of sorts in order to find the real killer. Even if it is Madvig...
    The Glass Key is a great read. It even became the basis for the Coen Brother's classic Miller's Crossing. It is a noir style pulp fiction. If you have never read Hammett before, this is a good place to start, the prose is very clean yet descriptive and will have you constantly turning pages.
    3 people found this helpful
    Report

Top reviews from other countries

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  • M.A.Srinivasa Ravi Raman
    5.0 out of 5 stars Good product
    Reviewed in India on December 14, 2020
    It is an interesting Book
  • joseph ball
    5.0 out of 5 stars Perfection
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 21, 2020
    To put it simply: I think Chandler’s great, but Hammet’s better. Not a word wasted. Utterly believable and the most compelling author I have ever read. This is possibly his best work, and that’s saying something...
  • Flower girl
    3.0 out of 5 stars Corruption, politics & gumshoe interaction.
    Reviewed in Australia on December 6, 2020
    Liked it but actually a very fine movie was made of this which I found more enjoyable.
  • Andy Caspar
    5.0 out of 5 stars schnell und sauber!
    Reviewed in Germany on September 20, 2013
    die transaktion verlief ohne probleme. ich würde jederzeit wieder da bestellen. alles paletti und wunderbar und jetzt noch zwei wörter
  • OM
    5.0 out of 5 stars 傑作
    Reviewed in Japan on September 3, 2012
    ギャングのボスと流れ者。二人の男の友情というにはあまりに濃厚な関係を描く、ハードボイルドの元祖であり、かつ最高傑作の一つ。このジャンルでこれ以上のものはそうそう書けないだろう。以降の様々な作品に影響を与え続けている。「マルタの鷹」も素晴らしいが、個人的にはこちらの方を推す。