The Dashiell Hammett Prize is an award presented annually by the North American Branch of the International Association of Crime Writers. It honors the best original crime fiction written in English, recognizing works that exemplify the hard-boiled style associated with the author Dashiell Hammett. Established in 1991, the prize aims to celebrate outstanding contributions to the crime genre. The award is named after Hammett, known for his influential novels like The Maltese Falcon and The Thin Man, which have shaped modern detective fiction.