Pat Novak, for Hire

The S S Harmonia Docks in Belize

English · Mystery & Thriller, Radio

Pat Novak, for Hire follows Pat Novak, a hard-boiled San Francisco private detective whose cases draw him into the city’s criminal underworld. Novak narrates in a wry, first-person voice, bringing a streetwise perspective to the dangers and complications he encounters.

The program is a crime drama built around Novak’s investigations, with tough clients, suspicious characters, and trouble that rarely stays simple. His exchanges with police lieutenant Jocko Madigan add a sharp, often combative edge, while Novak’s narration supplies the clipped humor and cynical observations that define the series.

With its shadowy atmosphere, brisk dialogue, and blend of suspense and dry comedy, the show offers a distinctive slice of postwar radio noir. This episode is titled “The S S Harmonia Docks in Belize.”

This recording is part of the Old Time Radio collection.