First published as a paperback original in 1954 by Ace, The Steel Noose is a tightly plotted murder mystery in which newspaperman Boyd McGee sleuths out the truth, two or three steps ahead of the sometimes cooperative, sometimes antagonistic NYPD. Gangsters, blackmail, and politics all play a role in this fast-paced crime drama. I think this was Drake’s only novel, which is unfortunate because he turned in an excellent manuscript, which could easily have been the first novel of a series. He spent more of his career in comics with DC, Marvel, Dell, and Charlton. He also wrote a couple of screenplays for low-budget drive-in flicks.
McGee is tapped into the NY scene at every level. His sources run the gamut from high-society to hard-luck street sleepers. His daily gossip column is so popular he calls most of the shots despite his sometimes testy relationship with his editor and publisher. When his latest effort highlights an affair with a high profile tobacco baron, he finds himself closer to the edge than usual. And as the story progresses, his troubles only blossom.
The Steel Noose is a fine, hardboiled crime novel. Loaded with clever patter, elements of noir, and a cocky protagonist who manages to right himself after several missteps along the way—some nearly fatale. All-in-all, a terrific read.