$125
HAMMETT, Dashiell
[191] pp.
Dell Publishing Company, Inc.
1947
Second Printing
6 1/2" x 4 1/2"
w/ crime map on back cover
VG
Our operative with the Continental Detective Agency happens to be in the San Francisco branch one day when he gets called into the Old Man's office - his name for the office manager!
There he finds a young woman he's been reading about in the papers for days. She's Lillian Shan, the daughter of the late Shan Fang, a prosperous but controversial California businessman. Two of her Chinese servants have been murdered and two more are missing. The finger of the local police is pointing her way. Continental agrees to help her get to the bottom of the situation and the Old Man gives the assignment to the Op, "You handle it. Use what men you need." Get set for a tale full of thrills and twists and confusion.