Robert Blake Daley, a prolific author known for his detailed portrayal of New York’s police force and other facets of American life, died on Tuesday in a Bronx hospital at the age of 96. His daughter, Suzanne Daley, an associate managing editor for The New York Times, confirmed his passing. Daley was a longtime resident of Bronxville, New York.

Over his career, Daley authored 31 books spanning fiction and nonfiction, covering subjects such as bullfighting, pro football, deep-sea treasure hunts, and horse racing. However, his primary focus remained the New York Police Department (NYPD), exploring its officers as protectors, investigators, victims, and sometimes corrupt figures. Many of his works gained international readership, with several adapted into films and television programs.

Daley’s most acclaimed book, “Prince of the City: The True Story of a Cop Who Knew Too Much” (1978), detailed the story of Robert Leuci, a detective who, after his own bribery arrest, infiltrated a narcotics unit to expose widespread corruption. The investigation led to 52 indictments and multiple prison sentences. The book’s gritty portrayal of flawed law enforcement earned high praise and was adapted into a 1981 film directed by Sidney Lumet, starring Treat Williams.

Daley served as the NYPD’s deputy commissioner for public affairs from 1971 to 1972 during a turbulent era marked by Mafia shootings, the assassination of police officers by Black nationalists, a high-profile hotel jewel heist, and a commission revealing deep-rooted police corruption. Known for his hands-on and outspoken style, he frequently appeared at crime scenes and communicated openly with the media—a stance that often put him at odds with the department’s leadership, including Commissioner Patrick V. Murphy.

His tenure ended in May 1972 following policy disagreements with Murphy. Daley later chronicled his experiences in his memoir “Target Blue: An Insider’s View of the N.Y.P.D.” (1973), which received mixed reviews citing his sometimes romanticized view of his role.

Daley’s other notable works set in New York’s criminal justice world include “Year of the Dragon” (1981), focusing on Chinatown gangs; “Tainted Evidence” (1993), about a prosecutor pursuing a cop-killer; and “Wall of Brass” (1994), centered on a police commissioner’s murder. Multiple titles were adapted for the screen, often under the direction of Sidney Lumet.

Born in Manhattan on May 10, 1930, Daley was one of four children of Arthur Daley, a Pulitzer Prize-winning sports columnist for The New York Times. He graduated from Fordham Preparatory School and Fordham University, and after serving a year in the Air Force, became the first publicist for the New York Giants football team. He promoted the team during six seasons, including their 1956 NFL Championship run.

Daley began his writing career freelancing for The Times and later worked as a foreign correspondent based in Europe and North Africa during the late 1950s and early 1960s. His reporting ranged from international sports coverage to stories on military conflicts and cultural life across 16 countries.

His final novel, “The Red Squad” (2013), examined the NYPD’s controversial Bureau of Special Services and Investigations in the 1950s, highlighting its surveillance of suspected Communists and the associated civil rights infringements.

Daley is survived by his wife Peggy Errnest, three daughters, two sisters, five grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren. Throughout his career, he emphasized a nontraditional approach to writing and journalism, seeking a life beyond the confines of the typical writer’s solitude.