Pat Novak, for Hire: "Death in Herald Square" (Aired 11/30/1947)

Podcast: Choice Classic Radio Detectives | Old Time Radio
Episode Released: November 15, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode of Pat Novak, for Hire delivers a hard-boiled detective drama steeped in classic noir, featuring Novak as a sharp-tongued waterfront fixer unwittingly caught in a complex plot involving murder, a missing book, and a $10,000 reward. The story's gritty San Francisco setting and brisk dialogue propel Novak through double-crosses, dangerous dames, and corrupt cops as he races to uncover the truth behind the murder of Thomas Van Dyke.

Key Discussion Points & Narrative Beats

1. A Job from "Joe Adams" & a Busted Door

• Pat Novak is hired by Joe Adams to watch his ransacked apartment after Adams claims to have lost his key and urgently needs to leave town.
• Novak is immediately suspicious, noting, "So far it makes about as much sense as an eight fingered glove." (Pat Novak, 02:47)
• The job quickly looks fishy, as Adams seems jittery and Novak senses there’s more at play than just babysitting an apartment.

2. Enter Inspector Hellman: The Van Dyke Murder

• Inspector Hellman arrives unexpectedly, accusing Novak of housebreaking and referencing the unsolved murder of Thomas Van Dyke.
• The murder links back to the apartment through an elusive mystery novel, "Death in Herald Square."
• Memorable exchange:
  • Hellman: "He hired a bulldog to watch a steak." (06:06)
  • Novak: "You don’t like his story, huh? What do you want, mad musicians?" (06:08)
• Hellman suspects Novak’s involved for the $10,000 reward.

3. The MacGuffin: "Death in Herald Square"

• The novel becomes the center of intrigue; it apparently contains clues key to solving Van Dyke's murder.
• Novak is stonewalled at the library, ambushed by a mystery woman (Dodo Sandberg) who wants the book, then knocked down the stairs and relieved of his only copy.
  • Dodo: "A very good friend of mine wrote that book." (11:11)
• Every bookstore in town is out — a clear sign someone is systematically removing all evidence.

4. Dangerous Company: Dodo and Pete Crowley

• Dodo Sandberg, a femme fatale, alternates between seduction and threats, pushing Novak to stay focused on the book, not Adams.
• Pete Crowley, a well-connected thug, warns Novak to stay away — both from the murder investigation and from Dodo.
  • Crowley: "You looked like a fairly bright boy. Take a tip. Fade out of this scramble while you’re still in Mobile." (14:29)

5. Allies and Alibis: Jocko Madigan

• Jocko, Novak’s inebriated friend, offers comic relief and some detective footwork, tracking down the true story behind the pivotal book and its missing page 187.
• Jocko: "For $10,000 I can get a count on the fillings in their teeth." (18:06)

6. The Setup & The Double Cross

• Novak realizes multiple parties (Hellman, Dodo, Crowley, and the elusive Adams) have intersecting interests, with everyone hunting the incriminating book or its missing page, which describes Van Dyke's killer.
• After a tense rendezvous, Dodo and Crowley hand Novak 50 mutilated copies of the book—all missing page 187:
  • "After they’d gone, I went through the books. Page 187 was torn out of each one of them." (24:55)

7. Revelations & Showdown on the Beach

• Jocko uncovers that Van Dyke authored the book, and page 187 describes the killer—a person with a star tattooed on their chest.
• Novak races to a seaside shooting gallery for the climax. Crowley confesses he arranged the whole affair, hired Adams to kill Hellman, and tried to frame Novak.
• Standoff as Crowley tries to lure Hellman into a trap; Dodo awaits backup.
  • Crowley: "Yeah, I killed him [Adams]. Just as I'll kill you if you got any fancy ideas." (28:36)
• Hellman arrives, chaos ensues, Crowley is caught, and Dodo is revealed as the true mastermind.

8. Case Closed

• Crowley receives the gas chamber, Novak gets his cut of the reward, and Dodo is revealed as Van Dyke’s killer—a fact deduced from a tattoo glimpsed under her negligee.
• Novak’s parting words: "That negligee of Dodo’s only left one thing to wonder about. That was how she kept warm." (31:28)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Pat Novak:
  • "Sure, I'm Pat Novak for hire. Down on the San Francisco waterfront, the only use they have for sentiment is to pick your pocket while you're saluting the flag." (01:35)
  • "I'm not buying the show the way you're staging it. Something sour in the deal." (03:40)
• Inspector Hellman:
  • "Just stand still, sweetheart, till I get my flash working." (05:33)
  • "He hired a bulldog to watch a steak." (06:06)
• Dodo Sandberg:
  • "What if a girl’s lonely?" (11:30)
  • "There’s help and help." (11:27)
• Pete Crowley:
  • "You looked like a fairly bright boy. Take a tip. Fade out of this scramble while you’re still in Mobile." (14:29)
  • "I picked up Van Dyke's rackets when he dropped them. They pay off very nicely." (14:02)
• Jocko Madigan:
  • "With your usual luck, you probably end up with Hellman stepping on it." (16:20)
  • "Some people collect seashells...but not Patsy Novak. Oh, no. Patsy wants to collect murders." (16:46)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [01:35] - Pat Novak introduced and accepts Adams' mysterious offer.
• [05:24] - Inspector Hellman confronts Novak, tying the plot to Van Dyke's murder.
• [10:45] - Dodo Sandberg confronts Novak at the library, wrestling away the key book.
• [13:12] - Showdown in the bookstore with Crowley—first explicit threats.
• [16:06] - Pat meets Jocko and sets him to work on unraveling the leads.
• [21:30] - Novak interrogates Dodo at her apartment; further plot revelations.
• [24:55] - Novak finds mutilated books—all missing page 187.
• [25:19] - Jocko discovers the significance of page 187.
• [27:47] - Novak’s final deduction, rush to the beach for the showdown.
• [28:21] - The confrontation at the shooting gallery; Crowley confesses.
• [30:16] - Final wrap-up; Dodo’s role as the real killer is revealed.

Tone, Style, and Takeaways

The episode is marked by rapid-fire, sardonic banter, layered double-crosses, and a brooding noir atmosphere. Pat Novak’s wise-cracking, world-weary narration sets the tone, with suspense and humor undercutting each other at every turn. It’s a prime example of Golden Age detective radio: shadowy, cynical, and irresistibly entertaining.

Recommended For:
Fans of vintage detective radio, lovers of noir, listeners who appreciate clever dialogue, and anyone who enjoys twisty, layered mysteries with a sense of humor.