SPADE & ARCHER by Joe Gores

The Prequel to Dashiell Hammett’s The Maltese Falcon
Publisher: Vintage
Date published: March 2010
ISBN: 978-0-307-27706-0
Crime
Paperback
Reviewed by Valerie
Obtained by Publisher


Seven years before Sam Spade solves the famous case of the Maltese Falcon he sets up his own agency in San Francisco. He hires Effie Perrine, or she hires herself. He won’t do domestic, but he is soon busy finding missing people, dealing with booze runners, gold smugglers and bumbling policemen. Later, Miles Archer joins him. Miles is married to Sam's old lover, Iva, who he took up with when Sam went to war. Iva however, is still interested in Sam and they start an affair. Of course, this might not turn out as the best thing, as taking on Miles may not turn out too well either.

All through the years, Sam is after the one villain who seems to always slip through his fingers.

I haven’t read Dashiell Hammett’s THE MALTESE FALCON, nor can I remember seeing the film though I am sure I have. Taking this book on its own, though, I must say, that I enjoyed the story. It reminded me of those old dark, noir detective films of long ago. Those kind of films with Humphrey Bogart smoking a cigarette, on a dark, rainy corner. I enjoyed reading about the characters, where they came from, how they got together and how they interacted with each other. I also enjoyed the mystery and crime elements too. It seems that Mr. Gores has captured the era, the feeling and the actions of the 20’s and I felt like I was taking a trip back in time while reading. Now I want to pick up THE MALTESE FALCON and read the continuing story.

This is an objective review and not an endorsement of this book.

SPADE AND ARCHER by Joe Gores

Publisher: Random House
Publication Date: February 2009
ISBN: 978-0-30726464-0
Historical Fiction
Hardcover

Reviewed by Gina




Did you ever wonder how Sam Spade came to be investigating the death of his partner, Miles Archer, in The Maltese Falcon? A hero who never wanted to be one, Sam Spade signed on to go to war, returned and went to work as a private investigator in a well known San Francisco firm. The need to do the right thing and, well losing Iva, the woman he loved, to Archer, Spade travels to Seattle. Yet Iva still figures into his life. She’s not one to let go. Upon his return to San Francisco Sam sets about setting up his office and before he can turn around twice, seventeen year old Effie Perine has stepped in as his secretary. That would be after she has told all the other candidates the job is taken. So begins the professional relationship between Sam Spade and his right hand, Effie. The adventure begins.

Taking on a seemingly cut and dried case, Sam goes in search of a young man with dreams of the south seas in his future. While searching on the foggy docks of San Francisco’s waterfront he suddenly finds himself on the case of a missing gold shipment. The two cases soon become entwined with one outcome dependent on the other. While one is solved, the other becomes deeper and Sam finds himself walking the fine line between safety and danger. Elements of the missing gold turn up at different times and places over the next few years, yet the culprit evades Sam at each turn.

SPADE AND ARCHER was my introduction to Mr. Gores and it is one I wish had been made a long time ago. He has a unique writing style that embraces Dashiell Hammett’s, flavors the dialogue in a wonderful Bogartesque style and from his own voice vividly paints the images of San Francisco of the 1920’s. As a San Franciscan I take a long hard look at any books taking place in our city and Mr. Gore's completely captures the rhythms and pulse of the city. I’ve had meals at Julius Castle and the Blue Rock Inn and shared moments of “me too!” when those locales are visited in the book.

I am also a long time Bogart fan and simply had to watch the Maltese Falcon again after reading SPADE AND ARCHER. The transition from this well done prequel to the movie was seamless. Normally I am not a movie fan, however this one is a favorite. If SPADE AND ARCHER were made into a movie it is one I would say would be more powerful if done in black and white.

Gina@Loveromancesandmore.com