🕵️♂️ Book Review: Return of the Thin Man by Dashiell Hammett
A fascinating archival release that offers a glimpse into Hammett’s screenwriting legacy—more screenplay than novel, but still packed with noir charm and razor-sharp banter.
The Return of the Thin Man is not a traditional novel but a collection of two novella-length screen treatments—After the Thin Man and Another Thin Man—written by Dashiell Hammett for the sequels to the original 1934 film The Thin Man. Edited by Richard Layman and Julie M. Rivett, this volume also includes a brief outline for a never-produced third sequel, making it a unique addition to Hammett’s body of work.
🧠 What’s Inside
- After the Thin Man: Nick and Nora Charles return to San Francisco to investigate the murder of Nora’s cousin’s husband. It’s witty, fast-paced, and arguably the more inventive of the two stories.
- Another Thin Man: The couple, now with a baby, are summoned to Long Island by Colonel Burr MacFay, who fears for his life—and rightly so. This installment gives Nora more to do, though in a more domestic role.
- Unproduced Sequel Outline: A brief sketch of a potential third film that never made it to production.
💬 Critical Reception
- Kirkus Reviews praised the editors for preserving Hammett’s voice and noted how closely the films followed his original treatments, including much of the iconic banter between Nick and Nora.
- The Scotsman appreciated the historical value of the collection but cautioned that the stories read more like screenplays than fully fleshed-out fiction. While the dialogue sparkles, the narrative depth is limited.
- Goodreads readers give it a modest rating of 3.63/5, with many noting that while it’s not Hammett’s strongest literary work, it’s a treasure for fans of the Thin Man series and classic noir.
🏁 Final Verdict
The Return of the Thin Man is best approached as a behind-the-scenes look at Hammett’s contribution to Hollywood’s golden age of detective films. It’s not a novel in the traditional sense, but for fans of Nick and Nora Charles—or anyone curious about the evolution of noir storytelling—it’s a stylish, nostalgic treat.
