Crime Smashers #9

Dan Turner watches a movie studio's recreation of a railroad wreck turn into something far more sinister when a real corpse is discovered in a Pullman berth on the sound stage. With a knife-wielding killer who may have struck the wrong victim and a mysterious actress fleeing the scene, Turner must untangle the web of jealousy, blackmail, and mistaken identity before the culprit escapes—and before they strike again.

Gail Ford, Inspector Madson's resourceful secretary, goes undercover to crack a murder case when a petty crook is found shot in the river—and her investigation leads her straight into the dangerous world of Big Jim Cinzano's waterfront mob. Posing as a newcomer to town, Gail befriends the victim's jealous girlfriend and earns Cinzano's attention, but a love triangle and a carefully timed confession force the crime boss to reveal far more than he intended. With Mac and the police closing in, Gail's quick thinking and nerve prove that sometimes the best detective work comes from understanding people better than any man could.

Ray Hale, the Midvale Clarion’s star reporter, is summoned by the city editor with a mysterious assignment that could lead to his next big story—though what exactly he’s chasing remains shrouded in intrigue. Penciled and inked by H. C. Kiefer, this 5-page tale unfolds with the crisp, noir-tinged style that defined the era.