To most people The Maltese Falcon and Sam Spade are all about Humphrey Bogart and the birth of Film Noir, but to fans of the printed page they are all about Dashiell Hammett's ability to create such believably authentic characters within a world of such compelling mystery. Hammett was able to draw us in and keep us guessing without ever needing to resort to the wilfully manipulative plot twists or showing off what great intellect he had in the way so beloved by many lesser writers - and let us not forget Spade's partner, Miles Archer... as without Miles the Maltese Falcon and this Maltese Falcon T-shirt would fall somewhat flat.