Samuel Dashil Hammett (1894-1961) is one of the most popular American writers, a classic of the detective genre, the creator of the literary direction, later called "cool detective". The works of this author are characterized by a dynamic development of the plot, which keeps the reader in constant tension, not allowing a single moment to distract from the book. The Dark City . Dry law . Sales Policy. Paul Madwig, the shadow father of the city The next election is approaching and his head is busy with the problem of how his candidates will win them. In the center of the story is the “right hand” of Paul Madwig, the young Ned Beaumont a classic detective using the deductive method, unraveling the intricate knots of intrigue, foreseeing a political and sham game two steps ahead. And at the same time, Beaumont is a criminal himself, which is quite pleasant, tickling, a departure from the canon.