# The Maltese Falcon — Character guide

> Key figures in The Maltese Falcon by Dashiell Hammett.

- [Sam Spade](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_maltese_falcon_se/characters/sam_spade.md): Hard-boiled private detective in San Francisco, central to the hunt for the Maltese Falcon.
- [Brigid O'Shaughnessy](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_maltese_falcon_se/characters/brigid_oshaughnessy.md): Mysterious femme fatale who hires Spade and becomes entangled in the falcon's pursuit.
- [Casper Gutman](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_maltese_falcon_se/characters/casper_gutman.md): Corpulent mastermind obsessed with recovering the jewel-encrusted Maltese Falcon.
- [Joel Cairo](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_maltese_falcon_se/characters/joel_cairo.md): Effete, perfumed criminal who schemes to acquire the falcon for himself.
- [Wilmer Cook](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_maltese_falcon_se/characters/wilmer_cook.md): Gutman's young, trigger-happy bodyguard and hitman.
- [Effie Perine](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_maltese_falcon_se/characters/effie_perine.md): Spade's loyal and capable secretary who assists him throughout the case.
- [Miles Archer](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_maltese_falcon_se/characters/miles_archer.md): Spade's partner, murdered early in the story while on a stakeout.
- [Iva Archer](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_maltese_falcon_se/characters/iva_archer.md): Miles Archer's widow and Spade's former lover.
- [Tom Polhaus](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_maltese_falcon_se/characters/tom_polhaus.md): Friendly police detective who investigates Archer's murder.
- [Lieutenant Dundy](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_maltese_falcon_se/characters/dundy.md): Antagonistic police lieutenant who distrusts Spade.
- [Floyd Thursby](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_maltese_falcon_se/characters/floyd_thursby.md): Brigid's former partner, found murdered after Archer's death.
- [Captain Jacobi](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_maltese_falcon_se/characters/jacobi.md): Captain of the La Paloma who delivers the falcon to Spade before dying.
- [Sid Wise](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_maltese_falcon_se/characters/sid_wise.md): Spade's friend and attorney who provides legal advice.
- [District Attorney Bryan](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_maltese_falcon_se/characters/bryan.md): District attorney who questions Spade about the murders.
- [Luke](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_maltese_falcon_se/characters/luke.md): Night watchman at Spade's building who reports a disturbance.
- [Dixie Monahan](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_maltese_falcon_se/characters/dixie_monahan.md): Gambler who originally owned the Maltese Falcon, mentioned as deceased.
- [Charilaos Konstantinides](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_maltese_falcon_se/characters/charilaos_konstantinides.md): Greek dealer who sold the falcon to Gutman.
- [Flitcraft](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_maltese_falcon_se/characters/flitcraft.md): Subject of a parable Spade tells about a man who disappears after a near-death experience.
- [Corinne](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_maltese_falcon_se/characters/corinne.md): A woman mentioned in passing, possibly a former client of Spade's.
- [Phil Archer](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_maltese_falcon_se/characters/phil_archer.md): Miles Archer's brother, who briefly confronts Spade.
- [Shilling](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_maltese_falcon_se/characters/shilling.md): A minor character who appears at the Belvedere Divan.
- [Mr. Freed](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_maltese_falcon_se/characters/mr_freed.md): A man who calls Spade about a case, mentioned briefly.
- [Ted](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_maltese_falcon_se/characters/ted.md): A young man who works at the Belvedere Divan.
- [Harriman](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_maltese_falcon_se/characters/harriman.md): A man who Spade mentions in a story about a missing person.
- [Papa](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_maltese_falcon_se/characters/papa.md): Gutman's affectionate term for Wilmer, not a separate character.

HTML index: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_maltese_falcon_se/characters