A century ago, the hard-boiled detective story emerged as a response to societal chaos, influenced by events like the pandemic and Prohibition. Readers sought a genre that was visceral and critical of authority, contrasting the puzzle-oriented narratives of classic detectives. Authors like Dashiell Hammett brought this vision to life with raw, stripped-down prose, particularly in works like The Maltese Falcon. His groundbreaking style paved the way for future crime fiction, inspiring icons such as Raymond Chandler, whose character Philip Marlowe embodies the struggle for morality in a corrupt world, inviting readers into the gritty depths of society's ills.
The P.I. novel has evolved over time, but one thing remains constant: The private investigators at their hearts are beholden to no one, as they chase down corruption.
It took a former Pinkerton operative with a stripped-down style and a fiery rage roiling underneath to make art out of pulp, as Dashiell Hammett did in dozens of stories.
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