There are many main characters as it's a collection of stories. But often there are tough - as - nails detectives who are the central figures in each story, like Sam Spade - type characters.
The main characters in these stories range from street - smart detectives to femme fatales. The detectives are usually the heroes, trying to solve crimes in a world full of danger and deception. The femme fatales are often alluring and mysterious, sometimes involved in the crimes themselves or leading the detectives astray. There are also the criminals, from small - time crooks to masterminds, all of which add depth and intrigue to the stories in the 'Black Lizard Big Book of Black Mask Stories'.
There are probably detectives as main characters, as it's a collection of crime stories. They might be tough and resourceful.
Dashiell Hammett is one of the authors. His works are known for their tough and cynical view of the world, and his stories in this collection are great examples of the hard - boiled detective genre.
Well, 'The Maltese Falcon' is also quite significant. It introduced Sam Spade, a classic detective figure. The complex plot and the web of lies and greed in the story are what make it stand out in the collection.
One interesting story could be about a detective's pursuit of a shadowy criminal in the city. The complex characters and the gritty settings in these stories often make them captivating.
One notable story could be 'Red Harvest' by Dashiell Hammett. It's a classic noir tale filled with complex characters and a gritty setting that showcases the hard - boiled detective genre typical of Black Mask stories.
Well, there are many great stories in it. Some of the stories are known for their hard - boiled detective elements. They often feature tough and resourceful detectives dealing with complex mysteries in a gritty urban setting.
Maybe some criminals are also main characters in a sense. Their actions and attempts to evade the law create the conflict in the stories. For instance, a mastermind criminal who devises elaborate schemes that the detective has to figure out.
Dashiell Hammett is one of the main authors. His works in this collection are known for their tough - minded detectives and complex plots. Hammett's writing style set the standard for much of the hard - boiled detective fiction in the Black Mask Stories.
It had a huge influence. It popularized the hard - boiled detective genre. The stories in this book were different from the traditional genteel detective stories. They were more violent and the detectives were tougher.
Detectives are often main characters. They are the ones who drive the story forward by investigating crimes. There might also be criminals as main characters in some stories, showing their perspective on the events.