ROGUE COP

I finished reading ROGUE COP (1954) yesterday evening. It's one of several crime novels by William P. McGivern that I've read over the last year or so. McGivern was a very good writer and I have yet to be disappointed with any of his books.

In ROGUE COP, tough, two-fisted cop Mike Carmody takes graft and bribes from local crime bosses Beaumonte and Ackerman. When Carmody's brother Eddie (also a cop), witnesses a mob related murder, his testimony can blow open a major crime syndicate operation. Beaumonte and Ackerman put pressure on Mike to get Eddie not to testify but Eddie, unlike his brother, is a straight arrow cop who refuses to give in to the mob's demands. The pressure on Mike is increased and he's confident he can get Eddie to eventually come around.

But that never happens because Eddie is gunned down by an out-of-town hit man. Eddie's death sends Mike on a trail of revenge as he starts his own investigation to gather evidence that will bring the crime bosses down, even it means the end of his career as a cop. Or his life.

ROGUE COP is a swiftly paced, "down and dirty" crime novel that kept me turning the pages at a rapid clip. There's nothing new here, either thematically or narratively. But it's a good story nonetheless and McGivern spins his yarn with style, mixing solid characterizations with brutal violence as Carmody seeks vengeance.

ROGUE COP was filmed in 1954. The cast includes Robert Taylor, Janet Leigh, George Raft, Steve Forrest and Anne Francis. It was directed by Roy Rowland. I haven't seen this noir but based on the quality of the book, I'll definitely have to track down the film version to see how they compare.

Thumbs up.