# Effie Perine — The Maltese Falcon character guide

> Effie Perine in The Maltese Falcon by Dashiell Hammett.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Effie

**First appearance:** 0002-i-spade-archer

## Snapshot

Spade's lanky, sunburned secretary, playful and sharp-eyed, she runs the outer office and sees more than she lets on.

## Who they are

Effie announces clients, teases her boss, and keeps the agency running while Spade chases the falcon through San Francisco's fog. She is loyal to Spade without being blind to him, and her easy banter with him is one of the few warm things in the book. When the case turns deadly, her steadiness and her judgment matter more than her typing speed, and Spade trusts her with tasks he'd trust no one else.

## Relationships

### [Sam Spade](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_maltese_falcon_se/characters/sam_spade)

_professional_

Loyal and efficient secretary who admires Spade and supports him unconditionally, though she is often troubled by his methods.

### [Sam Spade](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_maltese_falcon_se/characters/sam_spade)

_professional_

Loyal and efficient secretary who admires Spade and supports him unconditionally, though she is often troubled by his methods.

### [Sam Spade](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_maltese_falcon_se/characters/sam_spade)

_professional_

Loyal and efficient secretary who admires Spade and supports him unconditionally, though she is often troubled by his methods.

## In the story

### [Spade & Archer](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_maltese_falcon_se/chapters/i-spade-archer)

Spade's secretary, who announces Miss Wonderly's arrival and describes her as a knockout.

### [Death in the Fog](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_maltese_falcon_se/chapters/ii-death-in-the-fog)

Mentioned as having been sent by Spade to inform Iva Archer of Miles's death.

### [III: Three Women](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_maltese_falcon_se/chapters/iii-three-women)

Effie manages the office, reports on Iva's visit and police inquiries, and relays Brigid's message.

### [The Black Bird](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_maltese_falcon_se/chapters/iv-the-black-bird)

Spade's secretary, who defends Brigid's character and warns Spade not to take advantage of her.

### [The Fat Man](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_maltese_falcon_se/chapters/xi-the-fat-man)

Mentioned by Iva Archer as having snooped around her clothes; Spade sent Brigid to Effie's house.

### [XII: Merry-Go-Round](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_maltese_falcon_se/chapters/xii-merry-go-round)

Reports that Brigid never arrived; confronts Spade about the situation.

### [XIV: La Paloma](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_maltese_falcon_se/chapters/xiv-la-paloma)

Found asleep at her desk; takes dictation of the falcon's history and agrees to visit her cousin at the university to verify it.

### [XVI: The Third Murder](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_maltese_falcon_se/chapters/xvi-the-third-murder)

Helps Spade with the dead body, witnesses the falcon's discovery, and receives Brigid's desperate phone call.

### [XVII: Saturday Night](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_maltese_falcon_se/chapters/xvii-saturday-night)

Effie updates Spade on police questioning and the falcon's safety.

### [XX: If They Hang You](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_maltese_falcon_se/chapters/xx-if-they-hang-you)

Reacts with shock and disgust after learning Spade turned Brigid in, refusing his touch.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_maltese_falcon_se/characters/effie_perine
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_maltese_falcon_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_maltese_falcon_se/characters