What I try to do is write a story about a detective rather than a detective story. Keeping the reader fooled until the last, possible moment is a good trick and I usually try to play it, but I can't attach more than secondary importance to it. The puzzle isn't so interesting to me as the behavior of the detective attacking it.
Dashiell HammettA lot of fancier yarns come from people trying to tell the truth. It’s not easy once you’re out of the habit.
Dashiell HammettListen, Dundy, it's been a long time since I burst into tears because a policeman didn't like me.
Dashiell Hammett