Red Harvest by Dashiell Hammett is a gritty, fast-paced detective novel that helped define the hard-boiled crime genre. The story follows the Continental Op, an unnamed, tough, and unflinching private investigator who is sent to the corrupt mining town of Personville — or "Poisonville," as the locals call it. Hired by a local newspaper editor to clean up the town, the Op quickly finds himself embroiled in a violent web of power struggles, corruption, and revenge as he sets out to rid the town of its criminal overlords. Hammett's writing is lean, sharp, and filled with dark wit, capturing the harsh realities of a city poisoned by greed and lawlessness. As the Op uses his cunning and ruthlessness to pit criminals against each other, he is faced with moral ambiguity and the brutal consequences of his own methods. The novel's unflinching portrayal of violence and its cynical tone made it a groundbreaking work, influencing generations of noir fiction and film. This illustrated edition adds a visual depth to Hammett's story, bringing to life the moody, dangerous streets of Poisonville and the relentless character of the Continental Op. Red Harvest remains a classic of American crime literature, showcasing Hammett's skill in creating complex characters and capturing the gritty underworld of early 20th-century America. This edition is essential for fans of detective fiction and those interested in the roots of noir storytelling.