Dashiell Hammett's detective, Sam SPADE, is a fictional private investigator who first appeared in the novel 'The Maltese Falcon' in 1930. He is known for his hard-boiled detective style and his cynical attitude. SPADE is a complex character who often finds himself in difficult situations, but always manages to come out on top. He is a classic example of the tough, no-nonsense detective that has become a staple of crime fiction.