I think to an extend that this book has been overlooked because the movie is so good. Hammett's original book really is a spellbinding read and was difficult to put down. It's refreshing to remember a time when mystery and suspense writers had such a wonderful mastery of language.

The only conceivable flaw for the reader is that so many of the characters and settings have become token or stock characters since it was originally published. The thing to remember was that it started here.

I remember LOVING this book as a little kid. Little did I know that eventually my hair would look like that every morning.

It is great for showing kids that not everything is perfect all the time and it's still okay.

Okay, it's a great murder mystery and a fun read.....However, upon finishing it I did forcefully throw the book across the room.

One of the things that Agatha Christie did well was turn the conventions of the genre on its ear. When you find out who actually committed the murder, you do feel a little cheated. It's tricky. I defy you to figure out the murderer before Hercule Poirot announces it.