Collected here are the first two novels from acclaimed mystery and hard-boiled crime writer Dashiell Hammett - "Red Harvest" and "The Dain Curse" - each of which features his famous, nameless detective, the Continental Op.

In "Red Harvest" we follow the Op as he arrives in the corrupt mining town of Personville (nicknamed "Poisonville"). Hired to investigate threats against a newspaper publisher, the Op finds himself in the middle of a war between rival gangs and corrupt officials. He orchestrates a brutal campaign to pit the criminal factions against each other, cleansing the town through violence and manipulation.

The Dain Curse involves the Op investigating a diamond theft that spirals into a complex case involving the Dain family's supposed curse. The mystery encompasses murder, drug addiction, religious cults, and psychological manipulation.

Both novels showcase Hammett's hard-boiled detective style and the Op's pragmatic, morally ambiguous approach to justice.

They are presented here in their original and unabridged formats.