Black Mask 3--The Maltese Falcon

November 28, 2011
This compilation features original writing—never before available on audio—from the pages of Black Mask, the pulp fiction magazine credited with giving birth to the hard-boiled detective genre. Dashiell Hammett’s classic thriller, The Maltese Falcon—an earlier draft of his later published novel—takes center stage. Narrator Jeff Gurner provides a distinct classic noir feel to his characterizations of private eye Sam Spade and the convoluted cast of characters. And while his staccato narration certainly captures the essence of the material, listeners not steeped in the genre’s conventions may find his approach off-putting. The collection’s remaining two short stories also pack a powerful punch. In performing Frederic Brown’s “Cry Silence,” Oliver Wyman ably captures the author’s ironic and strangely folksy tale of unpunished crime. And narrator Pete Larkin—the public address announcer for the New York Mets from 1988 to 1993—provides a chilling depiction of passion and loyalty among thieves in his reading of William Cole’s “Waiting for Rusty.”

Starred review from November 1, 2011
This initial trio in an eventual ten-volume collection offer a lucky 13 short stories that are the cream of vintage hard-boiled fare lifted from the pages of the late, great "Black Mask" magazine. While all are mysteries/thrillers, the stories feature protagonists that vary from traditional PIs and cops to a doctor and even a press photographer. The series standout is Dashiell Hammett's "The Maltese Falcon" (included here is the original serialized version, which is a bit tougher than the reedited novel published later), but there is gold in every set, including Talmadge Powell's "Her Dagger Before Me," Richard Sales's "The Dancing Rats," and Lester Dent's "Luck." Multiple narrators, for example, Jeff Gurner, Pete Larkin, and Oliver Wyman, do justice to the material, often jumping among gruff men, femme fatales, and foreigners with ease and skill. Volume 1 includes Keith Alan Deutsch's intro; a brief, detailed bio of each author precedes their story. Hitting like a Tommy gun blast, these pulse-pounding collections will leave mystery hounds panting for the next installment. ["A hefty hunk of hard-boiled heaven and a noir lover's dream," read the starred review of the Vintage: Random hc, "LJ" 9/1/10; "Black Mask 4: The Parrot That Wouldn't Talk" will publish in February 2012.—Ed.]—Mike Rogers, "Library Journal"

Copyright 2011 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.