The Maltese Falcon is a classic novel by Dashiell Hammett, first published in 1930. It is a hard-boiled detective story set in San Francisco, and follows the exploits of private detective Sam Spade as he investigates the mysterious disappearance of a valuable statuette known as the Maltese Falcon.
The novel begins with Spade being hired by a mysterious woman named Miss Wonderly to investigate the disappearance of her sister, who is believed to have been kidnapped by a man named Thursby. Spade quickly discovers that Miss Wonderly is actually a con artist named Brigid O'Shaughnessy, and that she is involved in a complex plot to acquire the Maltese Falcon, a valuable statuette that is believed to be worth a fortune.
Spade is soon joined in his investigation by a number of colorful characters, including the shady Joel Cairo, the eccentric Kasper Gutman, and the mysterious Wilmer Cook. As the investigation progresses, Spade discovers that the Maltese Falcon is actually a fake, and that the real one was stolen by a man named Floyd Thursby.
Spade eventually discovers that Thursby was murdered by Brigid O'Shaughnessy, and that she is in possession of the real Maltese Falcon. He also discovers that Gutman and Cairo are involved in a plot to acquire the statuette, and that Wilmer Cook is working for them.
In the end, Spade is able to outwit the criminals and recover the Maltese Falcon. He then turns it over to the police, and is rewarded with a large sum of money.
The Maltese Falcon is a classic novel that has been praised for its complex plot and memorable characters. It is a thrilling story of mystery and suspense, and is considered to be one of the best detective novels ever written.