This note contains spoilers for the book.

One of the famous classics, of course. Don't recall that I've read it before. I harbor a suspicion that most people remember it from a movie, but I don't think I've seen the movie, either.

This is a complicated plot. Lots of double-crosses. At least three murders. And they never had the real falcon anyway (yes, I did flag this entry as containing spoilers; and the book is 75 years old!).

But what's really interesting is Sam Spade's relationships with his secretary, his partner's wife (widow), and his client. Especially the client. He's pretty much in love with her, and also knows she's a double-crossing lying twelve-cylinder selfish bitch on wheels. In the end he hands her over to the police to get about 20 years in prison.