Spade & Archer

The Prequel to The Maltese Falcon

By: Joseph Gores

Narrated by: Scott Brick

Length: 8 hrs and 38 mins

Publisher's summary

When Sam Spade gets drawn into the Maltese Falcon case, we know what to expect: straight talk, hard questions, no favors, and no way for anyone to get underneath the protective shell he wears like a second skin. We know that his late partner, Miles Archer, was a son of a bitch; that Spade is sleeping with Archer's wife, Iva; that his tomboyish secretary, Effie Perine, is the only innocent in his life. What we don't know is how Spade became who he is. Spade & Archer completes the picture.

1921: Spade sets up his own agency in San Francisco and clients quickly start coming through the door. The next seven years will see him dealing with booze runners, waterfront thugs, stowaways, banking swindlers, gold smugglers, bumbling cops, and the illegitimate daughter of Sun Yat-sen; with murder, other men's mistresses, and long-missing money. He'll bring in Archer as a partner, though it was Archer who stole his girl while he was fighting in World War I. He'll tangle with a villain who never loses his desire to make Spade pay big for ruining what should've been the perfect crime. And he'll fall in love - though it won't turn out for the best. It never does with dames.

Spade & Archer is a gritty, pitch-perfect, hard-boiled novel - the work of a master mystery writer - destined to become a classic in its own right.

©2009 Joe Gores (P)2009 Random House

Great writing! Great read!

He did a great job of interpreting the old writing style and making a new story with his own twist and turns. if you like The Maltese falcon you'll love this!

An excellent experience

For anyone who knows and/or is a fan of Hammett's The Maltese Falcon, this book is a great treat. The author cleverly gives us a very plausible back-story to what happens in Hammett's classic; all is believable and all fits together beautifully. The reader is also first-class--Sam Spade really comes alive, as do all of the other characters as well.

Excellent

This is a great audiobook listen. Kept me entertained for miles and miles. Gores captures the essence of Hammet's style while adding his own touch. The descriptions of the San Francisco Bay Area in the 20s are great and it is well plotted. Highly recommend.

"A Real Joy"

I had low expectations when I ordered this book -- how could anyone compete with the Hammett's Maltese Falcon or with Bogart in the movie? So I was delightfully suprised that Gores does such an excellent job in capturing the spirit and atmosphere of the original. The narration was wonderful, too -- one could picture Bogie saying these lines. Probably the most enjoyable listening experience of the past 20 books I listened to.

Quite the Pair

So very well read by Scott Brick! It took me back to the first time I read hard-boiled detective paperbacks (I have a large collection) and watched Humphrey Bogart playing Sam Spade.

A prequel worth the listen

Im not usually big on prequels, but this is an exception. Great story that adds more to the Spade characters and keeps you guessing on whats next. Well worth a listen.

ghost of dashiell or what?

Spade is certainly there, the great dialogue is there also , every once in a while, Dashiells' echo could be heard. I even got a few chills from almost hearing Bogie.....Great story in the right vein, great narration Scott....... well done all!!!! Where is the movie?????

Stellar!

I have read hundreds of hard boiled detective novels and this one is equal to anything done my Hammet. Bravo!

nice work

This book exceeded my expectations on every level. Not only an adept prequel to an old favorite, but also the beginning of a new series in its own right. Do more of these . . .

Outstanding

Sam Spade gets it done with style!

Well written and very well read. A joy from start to finish.
Highly recommend it to anyone looking for a spirited story from days gone bye.