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About DonHerron.com
In 1977 Don Herron began leading The Dashiell Hammett Tour, now the longest-running literary tour in the nation. On this site you’ll find information on current walks — dates, where to meet, arranging tours by appointment — plus a hard-boiled blog with news, reviews of books and film, and a dash of noir.
The latest and greatest edition to self-guide you up and down the mean streets.
Willeford: The Book
Includes the first “Mr. Hunt” story, “Knives in the Dark.”
Category Archives: Dash
Rediscovered: “From Viv”
As the third author selected for Autograph Hound Super-Sunday, Kevin Cook pulls no less than E. Charles Vivian out of his sleeve — I bet you guys don’t see Vivian signatures raining down from the skies. Obviously Kevin picked up … Continue reading
Hammett: 125 Big Ones
On this final Monday of the month, a.k.a. Memorial Day, you might give a moment to ponder the birth of Dashiell Hammett 125 years ago, May 27, 1894. Snuck up on me. One hundred-and-twenty-five years, gone, just like that. Probably … Continue reading
Posted in Dash
Hammett: Jeopardy! Watch
They haven’t been dropping Hammett clews on Jeopardy! recently, although I did notice another Lovecraft item with a mention of Cthulhu — could old HPL be easing out Hammett as the show’s new go-to pulp-era writer? Nathan Ward has been … Continue reading
Hammett: And Fechheimer
Got a note in from Nathan Ward commenting on the death of P.I. David Fechheimer. “Here is my Hammett-related obit that was picked up in Crimereads. “Just repaying a debt. “Too bad that guy never wrote his book. “I had … Continue reading
Hammett: Fechheimer v. Spade
You know Terry Zobeck, if he notices some ref to Hammett he considers “off,” he’s on it like a dog on a bone. He spotted just such a remark in the obit for David Fechheimer. Here’s Terry: As Don deduced, … Continue reading
Hammett: The Passing of Fechheimer
Just heard from Terry Zobeck, who heard it from Larry Block, who must read the New York Times, that David Fechheimer died April 2 at the age of 76 — reportedly from complications after open heart surgery. Once again, ouch. … Continue reading
Posted in Dash, Frisco, Tour
Tagged David Fechheimer, Hal Lipset, Ken Nordine, Lawrence Block, Mechanics' Library, Nathan Ward, New York Times, Terry Zobeck
Hammett: Zobeck v. Otto
Just got a note from Terry Zobeck commenting on the auction of Hammett titles from the library of Otto Penzler. Terry reports: “I lost out on that Red Harvest—I went as high as $70,000 but had to stop when my … Continue reading
Hammett: Chump Change
Evan Lewis, my de facto reporter on the ground for news of the auction of books from the Otto Penzler collection — which is to say, I’m never going to bother to follow something like that, whereas Evan is covering it like … Continue reading
Posted in Dash, News
Tagged Evan Lewis, Lillian Hellman, Otto Penzler, Red Harvest, The Big Knockover
Hammett: A Paperback for Lillian Hellman
Apparently a large chunk out of Otto Penzler’s personal collection is going on the block over the next year or two. I know this news because A) it is public information, no black cats out of the bag or anything, … Continue reading
Posted in Dash, News
Tagged Autographs, Book Collecting, Creeps by Night, Evan Lewis, Frederic Dannay, Lillian Hellman, Otto Penzler, Pru Whitfield
Hammett: Only $227 mil
Brian Wallace just popped me the news that Sam Spade’s office building in 111 Sutter has sold for a mere 227 million bucks. Makes the sale of Sam Spade’s big cushy armchair for $90,000ish seem like chump change. In addition … Continue reading
