The Glass Key

In this gripping detective novel by Dashiell Hammett, Paul Madvig is a morally complex ward heeler with aspirations beyond his corrupt roots, and his relationship with the daughter of a prominent senator adds intrigue. As suspicion mounts around a potential murder, the question of Madvig’s innocence—and who might be framing him—becomes central to the tense narrative. Praised for its tight plot, vivid characters, and sharp writing, this book exemplifies Hammett’s mastery of the hard-boiled crime genre.