This note contains spoilers for the book.

So, having given Chandler another try, it's time for Hammett.

Hammett is much more to my taste. I'm somewhat engaged by the main character. I'm even somewhat engaged by the people around him. It's complex, it features international escapes and even an escape from Devil's Island (off-stage).

I guess the main character must be "the Continental op", though he's never called that.

I'm noticing funny spelling and usages in various books around here; "okey", or even "oke" consistently. And also drug slang that may have changed meaning or something; was "coked up" specifically cocaine, or a more general term? And "dope" appeared to cover anything injected, I think; but aren't the effect rather different across the spectrum from morphine to cocaine?