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Jack Adrian is one of those small-press anthologists whose work has kept underread parts of crime-fiction history available to readers who would not otherwise have found them. The Dashiell Hammett Retrospective Anthology is exactly what the title suggests: a curated selection from across Hammett's shorter work, with editorial notes that put the stories in the context of their original Black Mask publication.
The Continental Op stories carry the volume. Adrian's editorial frame is the secondary attraction; he is a serious scholar of pulp history and the historical setup of each piece is useful for readers who only know Hammett through The Maltese Falcon. The collection includes some less-anthologized pieces that earn their place.
Four stars. Recommended to anyone interested in the actual development of the American hard-boiled tradition. Adrian's anthology work generally is undersung.
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