Red Harvest is a novel by Dashiell Hammett, published in 1929. It is the first novel to feature the Continental Op, a hard-boiled detective who works for the Continental Detective Agency.
The novel is set in the corrupt town of Personville, also known as "Poisonville," which is controlled by a powerful gangster named Jimmie Hanrahan. When the Op is hired by a local businessman to investigate a series of murders, he becomes caught up in the town's power struggles and must navigate the treacherous world of corrupt officials, gangsters, and other shady characters.
Throughout the novel, the Op uses his cunning and detective skills to uncover the truth behind the murders and bring the perpetrators to justice, but his efforts are hindered by the corruption and violence that permeate every aspect of life in Poisonville.
Red Harvest is considered a classic of the hard-boiled detective genre and is notable for its gritty, realistic portrayal of crime and corruption. It has inspired numerous adaptations, including the films Yojimbo and A Fistful of Dollars.