I got this fair-condition softcover at a local thrift shop. From the title I assumed it was a parody of The Maltese Falcon, and to some degree it is - it uses many of the same plot-points, and similar characters - but it's more noir than funny. The premise is that an ex-cop named Herbert Simple has set up a detective agency and now calls himself Tim Diamond - but it's his 13-year-old brother Nick who's the brains behind the operation. Again, this seems as if it would lead to a wacky-hijinx type of story, but... not so much. Since I couldn't get into this one I'll pass it along unread, and hope someone else enjoys it.

[There's a TV Tropes page on the series, with some entertaining tidbits. And the book inspired a 1988 film, Diamond's Edge.]

I left this book on the book-swap shelf in the Tyngsboro post office lobby; hope someone enjoys it!

[See other recent releases in MA here.]

*** Released for the 2018 Great Backyard Bird Count release challenge. See this year's GBBC here. ***

*** Released for the 2018 Asian Zodiac Year of the Dog release challenge, for the embedded dog breed "Maltese" in the title. ***

*** Released for the 2018 Movie release challenge. ***