Category Archives: Dash

Hammett: Interesting Old News

Posted on November 25, 2025 by Don

Will Murray has been delving into the vasty archives of newspapers available on the net for the dedicated researcher. You’ll remember him here for his discovery that, in fact, Hammett did not write the story “The Diamond Wager”. A major … Continue reading →

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Hammett: In the Jeopardy! Matrix

Posted on November 14, 2025 by Don

Obviously deeply imbedded in the neurons that summon up clews for Jeopardy! What can I say, the ghost of Hammett strikes again. On November 13, S42E49, in the first round. Category: Whosolvedit? The $400 clew: With the name of a … Continue reading →

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Hammett: The Grit Conundrum

Posted on November 5, 2025 by Don

Or, The Return of Terry “Pure Texts” Zobeck! Apparently there’s no end to the fine-tuning on issues in re: pure texts. Take it away, Terry: Here’s another example of a Hammett story reprinted by Frederic Dannay where the edits predate … Continue reading →

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891 Post: The Halloween Caper

Posted on November 2, 2025 by Don

Got word that some inhabitants of 891 Post — the building where Hammett wrote The Maltese Falcon — put together a murder mystery for Halloween. That’s Mark Murphy as Sam Spade — or is it the ghost of Sam Spade? … Continue reading →

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Hammett: More Spadework from Coggins

Posted on October 11, 2025 by Don

Mark Coggins drops me a note to say, “I’ve a second Spade story, “The Russian Egg” in Eclectica Magazine which follows immediately from the first. “It has a little to say about the backstory of Gutman’s daughter.” Mark also supplies … Continue reading →

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Hammett: Jeopardy! Combines the Obvious with a Huh-What?

Posted on September 19, 2025 by Don

Last season — S41E207 — 6/24/25 — in the first round Jeopardy! offered the category “Chapter & Non-Verse.” The $600 clew: “The Black Bird”: “Yes, with ten thousand insurance, no children, and a wife who didn’t like him.” “The Black … Continue reading →

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Hammett: Jeopardy! Does a Double-Tap

Posted on September 18, 2025 by Don

Jeopardy! just kicked off a new season, S42, while I still have a couple of posts in the files mentioning clews from earlier in the year. The most interesting use was that in their sideshow, Jeopardy Masters. S3E2, aired on … Continue reading →

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Hammett: Back in the Jeopardy! Saddle

Posted on September 17, 2025 by Don

Last week Jeopardy! returned with Season 42, and took me by surprise by immediately dropping a Hammett clew into the mix. S42E4 9.11.2025 — the Double Jeopardy round. Category: Writers at Rest. The $1200 clew: Lillian Hellman spoke of his … Continue reading →

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Hammett: Mockingbird Joins Early What Could be Legions

Posted on July 6, 2025 by Don

Mark Coggins, big Hammett fan (and crime novelist, etc & etc) just dropped me a note to say: “Hammett’s probably spinning in his grave, but I joined Mr. Collins in attempting a Spade story, published at Eclectica Magazine. “Floyd Thursby’s hotel … Continue reading →

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Hammett: A Jeopardy! One-Two Punch

Posted on April 21, 2025 by Don

Jeopardy! kind of laid off Hammett clews for while, then surprised me with a sudden two-fisted assault. S41E154 — April 10, 2025 — in the initial round offered the category Mystery Loves Company. The $1000 clew: 8 paragraphs in on … Continue reading →

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