Can you recommend the best Hammett short stories for a beginner?

For a beginner, 'The Tenth Clew' could be a great choice. It shows Hammett's ability to construct a mystery. The story unfolds in a way that makes it accessible for those new to his works, while still having the elements that make his writing so appealing.

I'd also recommend 'Requiem'. It's a short but powerful story that shows Heinlein's ability to evoke deep emotions. It's about an old man's final wish to go to the moon, and it's both poignant and inspiring.

Some of the best Dashiell Hammett short stories include 'The Continental Op' stories. These are great because they feature his signature hard - boiled detective style. The Op is a tough and cynical character, and Hammett's writing in these stories really sets the mood of the seedy underworld of crime.

One great Hammett short story is 'Fly Paper'. It has a really interesting plot where the detective gets caught up in a complex web of lies and deceit. Hammett's ability to create suspense and keep the reader guessing is on full display here. The characters are well - drawn, each with their own motives and secrets.

I would also recommend 'The Dream of a Ridiculous Man'. It's a short but powerful story that contains many of Dostoevsky's typical themes like the search for meaning and the nature of humanity. The narrative is not overly convoluted, so it's accessible for those new to his works.

For a beginner, 'Sally' is a great Asimov short story. It's about self - driving cars that have a sort of sentience. It's an engaging story that doesn't require a lot of prior knowledge of Asimov's works. And 'Flies' is also interesting. It's a short but thought - provoking story that can get you hooked on Asimov's unique brand of science fiction.

I'd suggest 'Scary Stories for Young Foxes' by Christian McKay Heidicker. It's a great starting point as it has scary elements but is also accessible for those new to the genre. The stories are engaging and not overly gory or complex.

Sure. 'The Aurelian' is a good start. It's relatively easy to follow compared to some of his more complex works. It has an interesting plot about a lepidopterist.

Sure. 'SCP - 1981' is a good one for beginners. It's in the form of a found VHS tape. The story is told through the footage on the tape which is disturbing and mysterious. It gives a good taste of the SCP style of storytelling.

Sure. 'I Am Legend' is a great start. It's not too complex and has a really interesting take on the zombie - like creatures. It gives you a good sense of the isolation and danger in a zombie - infested world. Another good one is 'The Girl with All the Gifts'. It has a simple enough plot for a beginner to follow but also has some really thought - provoking ideas about the zombies and the survivors.