Recommended reading - The Big Heat (1953):

The Big Heat

By William P. McGivern.

First published 1953.

Published by Ibooks.

Paperback.

ISBN-10: 0743452704

ISBN-13: 978-0743452700

Description:

A tough suspense novel of hero cops, cool killers and hot broads...

“A powerful story, powerfully told.” – New York Times.

MURDER WAS IN THE AIR. A COP HAD KILLED HIMSELF, AND EVERY CROOK IN TOWN KNEW THAT WOULD BE SURE TO BRING ON THE BIG HEAT. It started almost innocently when a cop committed suicide – worry over ill health, said his wife. Detective Dave Bannion wasn’t so sure, but when he started digging, he was told to lay off – fast! Instead, he turned in his badge and started stalking the city streets and bars in search of the truth where he uncovers a red-hot story of murder and corruption that would blow Philadelphia’s underworld sky high. Bannion was big, strong, and angry enough to kill, but he was only one honest man in a city full of mobsters and crooked cops. The big heat was on.