Spoiler warning: this post explains the full ending of The Maltese Falcon. If you have not finished the book, stop here and come back later.
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Quick answer: Sam Spade discovers that Brigid O'Shaughnessy killed his partner Miles Archer, and although he may love her, he hands her over to the police. The famous falcon statuette turns out to be a lead fake.
Quick facts
– Book: The Maltese Falcon by Dashiell Hammett
– First published: 1930
– Type: A hardboiled detective novel
– Tone of the ending: Cynical
Table of Contents
What Leads Up to the Ending
Brigid hires Spade and Archer to follow a man. Archer is killed. Spade becomes involved with Joel Cairo, Kasper Gutman and Wilmer, who are all searching for a jewel-encrusted falcon statue.
What Happens at the End of The Maltese Falcon
The falcon arrives, but it is a fake. Gutman and Cairo leave to keep searching. Spade turns in Wilmer for murders. He confronts Brigid, who admits she killed Archer. Spade refuses to let her go, saying he won't play the sap. The police take her away. Spade returns to his office, where his secretary Effie is cold toward him.
The Ending in 4 Quick Points
- Brigid killed Archer.
- The falcon is fake.
- Spade chooses justice.
- Effie is upset with Spade.
What Happens to the Main Characters
| Character | What happens to them |
|---|---|
| Sam Spade | Hands Brigid to police |
| Brigid O'Shaughnessy | Arrested |
| Kasper Gutman | Leaves to keep searching |
| Effie Perine | Disillusioned with Spade |
What the Ending Means
The ending shows Spade's personal code. He chooses justice over love.
Other Ways to Read the Ending
Some readers see Spade as cold, while others admire his integrity.
Themes the Ending Brings Together
Greed. Everyone wants the falcon.
Integrity. Spade follows his own rules.
Deception. Brigid lies constantly.
Is the Ending Happy or Sad?
Most readers describe the ending of The Maltese Falcon as cynical. How you feel about it usually depends on what you hoped for the characters and what you expected Dashiell Hammett to do with the story, so it is worth asking friends how they felt before you compare notes.
Who Will Like This Ending
Readers who enjoy endings that are cynical will find a lot to talk about here. If you prefer every thread tied up neatly, it helps to know in advance how Dashiell Hammett closes the story, which is exactly why many readers look it up. Either way, the final chapters reward a second look once you know where everything is heading, because small details from the middle of the book start to matter. If you are reading with a group, agree beforehand whether everyone has finished, so nobody has the last chapters spoiled.
Book Versus Adaptation
The 1941 film keeps the ending, adding the line “the stuff that dreams are made of.”
Discussion Questions About the Ending
If you are reading The Maltese Falcon with a book club or a friend, these questions work well once everyone has finished:
- Did the ending surprise you, or had you seen it coming from the first chapters?
- What does the final scene say about greed, and do you agree with Dashiell Hammett's view?
- Which character made the most important choice in the last part of the book, and was it the right one?
- How would the story feel if it had ended one chapter earlier or one chapter later?
- Does the ending leave you hopeful about the characters, or do you worry about what comes next?
- Would you describe the ending as cynical, or would you choose a different word?
How to Read the Final Chapters Again
- Compare the opening with the close. Look at how the first chapter introduces greed and how the ending answers it.
- Track each final choice. The table above shows where every main character ends up, so ask which of those outcomes was earned.
- Notice what Dashiell Hammett leaves unsaid. Gaps in the last pages are often deliberate, and they are where most of the debate about the ending begins.
- Listen for echoes. Images, phrases or settings from earlier in The Maltese Falcon often return in the final scene with a new meaning.
Questions to Ask Yourself After Finishing
- Was the ending of The Maltese Falcon earned by what came before it, or did it feel sudden?
- Which character's final moment affected you most, and why?
- If you could change one thing about the last chapters, what would it be?
- Did the ending change how you think about the opening pages?
Check price of The Maltese Falcon on Amazon
Books to Read After The Maltese Falcon
- The Big Sleep by Raymond Chandler
- The Thin Man by Dashiell Hammett
Related: The Maltese Falcon by Dashiell Hammett: Summary and Key Takeaways · 15 Books Like The Maltese Falcon You’ll Love
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens at the end of The Maltese Falcon?
Sam Spade discovers that Brigid O'Shaughnessy killed his partner Miles Archer, and although he may love her, he hands her over to the police. The famous falcon statuette turns out to be a lead fake.
Is the ending of The Maltese Falcon happy or sad?
Most readers call it cynical.
What does the ending of The Maltese Falcon mean?
The ending shows Spade's personal code.
Is the ending of The Maltese Falcon the same in the adaptation?
The 1941 film keeps the ending, adding the line “the stuff that dreams are made of.”
Who wrote The Maltese Falcon and when was it published?
The Maltese Falcon was written by Dashiell Hammett and first published in 1930.
Is The Maltese Falcon worth reading if I already know the ending?
Yes, especially if you enjoy hardboiled detective novels. Knowing the ending can make a first read richer, because you notice how Dashiell Hammett prepares for it from the opening chapters.
Should I read The Maltese Falcon before reading the ending explained?
Yes, if you plan to read it, because this post gives away the whole ending.