Return of the Maltese Falcon
Good for: Shoppers who want a reliable, well-reviewed product
Watch out for: limited-analysis
Last analyzed: March 2026
Total Reviews
62
On Amazon
Verified
47%
Low
Amazon Rating
4.5
Original rating
Savinoo Rating
—
Adjusted rating
Our Recommendation
Limited analysis completed - check individual reviews carefully
Analysis Summary
- LIMITED ANALYSIS (19 reviews) With only 19 recent reviews available, we can only detect the most obvious manipulation patterns.
- The available reviews don't show obvious signs of manipulation, but more reviews would provide better analysis. Recommendation: With limited recent reviews, also check older reviews manually and look for products with more reviews if possible.
Customer Reviews from Amazon
Most Helpful Review
"This is a pretty good sequal to The Maltese Falcon. Some of the plotting is quite clever. Well written much in Hammet's style, but not too much. The ending was a bit disappointing. I would have preferred that the falcon was never found. Also, Spade gets beaten up multiple times, but is never the worse for wear--kind of like a cartoon character."
neal alhadeff
What a treat! Max Allan Collins has been a favorite of mine since the 1970s…
What a treat! Max Allan Collins has been a favorite of mine since the 1970s and he doesn't disappoint here. This story begins a week or so after the end of Dashiell Hammett's The Maltese Falcon.Collins has spent his career adapting styles that match the story he is telling, so it's no surprise that his voice fits nicely with Hammett's. Collins has always been a master plotter and it shows in Return. Wonderful character development and logical and surprising twists.Prior to reading Return of the Maltese Falcon, I reread the original. This isn't necessary, but I found it heightened my enjoyment as I was able to pick up Easter Eggs and other references to the Hammett classic.I know, it's pretty unlikely, but I'd buy any further Collins entries in the Sam Spade saga. But in reality, as long as Collins puts them out, I'll be buying them.I hope you enjoy the book as much as I did.jason platt
Return of the Maltese Falcon is the sequel I have been waiting for, and there…
Return of the Maltese Falcon is the sequel I have been waiting for, and there was no one better to bring it to us than Max Allan Collins. Granted, I was excited about this book when it was first announced a year-and-a-half ago. Was it worth the wait? Yes. Max Collins doesn't try to replicate Hammett's style of writing, but he captures the essence of who Sam Spade is, and the late 1920's San Francisco he lives in. For the year-and-a-half of waiting for the book to come out, I had wondered how it was all going to link up with Hammett's original classic. But (without giving anything away) Collins twists and turns the story, where the connection with the original wasn't just thrown in, but where it all links up and makes sense. But not just linking the black bird itself, he connects the reader with Hammett's original cast of characters, and adds new ones too. Granted, this book might be a richer experience with knowing the original source material, but man—what a great ride. Well worth the wait!devin rosni
I'd not read any of Max Allan Collins' work before, but I look forward to…
I'd not read any of Max Allan Collins' work before, but I look forward to spending time with his other novels soon. This picks up where The Maltese Falcon left off, quite directly. This isn't a new take or spin on Sam Spade and I mean that as high praise. The immediacy of the storytelling is compelling right outta the gate. Collins locks into Hammett's voice without feeling like an imitation. The plot is tight, the prose is brisk and the characters do the original justice. Other continuations of classic hard-boiled novels grip too tightly on the author's style and end up feeling like parody. Collins exceeded my expectations. I hope we'll get another entry in the future.nc reader
One damn good read!
jonathan sweet
Collins channels Hammett's style well, without falling into the trap of pastiche or mimicry. Would…
Collins channels Hammett's style well, without falling into the trap of pastiche or mimicry. Would recommend if you're a fan of the original or of Collins.michael a black
Having been a fan of Dashiell Hammett for many years, I looked forward with great…
Having been a fan of Dashiell Hammett for many years, I looked forward with great anticipation when I heard that Max Allan Collins was going to write a sequel to The Maltese Falcon. It was a long time coming, but well worth the wait. The Return of the Maltese Falcon is a great read. It picks up where the original left off, and takes Spade through a new adventure. Collins is one of the long established masters of the mystery genre, so it's fitting that it was he who did the sequel, and he's done an admirable job of writing in Hammett's laconic style. He pays homage to all of the characters in the original, and adds a bit of spice to the plot. If Sam were still around, I'm sure he'd approve of this one. Collins has once again proven himself to be a modern master, and this book proves he's still at the top of his game. Pick this one up and you won't regret it.What Customers Talk About
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Review Quality Analysis
Review quality helps identify authentic customer feedback. Longer, detailed reviews (50+ words) typically indicate genuine experiences, while high percentages of short reviews (under 20 words) may suggest incentivized or fake feedback.
Average Words
147
✓ Detailed reviews
Long Reviews
58%
✓ Good engagement
Short Reviews
11%
✓ Low brief reviews
Review Length Distribution
Authentic vs Brief Reviews
Average Word Count Gauge
Benchmark: 30 words = moderate, 50+ words = detailed & authentic
147
avg. words per review
Interpretation: Strong indicators of authentic, detailed customer feedback.
Review Velocity
Review velocity tracks how quickly reviews are posted. Steady, gradual accumulation is natural, while sudden spikes or bursts (20+ reviews in a single day) may indicate incentivized campaigns or coordinated activity.
Average Per Day
0.41
Natural pace
Max in One Day
2
Normal range
Variable Velocity Pattern
Review posting rate varies over time. This may be linked to promotions, product launches, or seasonal events.
Rating Breakdown
This chart shows how customers rated Return of the Maltese Falcon. Products with authentic reviews typically show a bell curve with most ratings in the 3–4 star range. A heavily polarized distribution — many 5★ and 1★ with few middle ratings — can be worth investigating further.
Warning Flags
limited-analysis
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This product scores 80/100 — better than most products we've analyzed. A strong trust signal.
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