Shows
Hark! The 87th Precinct PodcastEd McBain's The Big Bad City - Book 49, Bonus: A Hint Of AirportHark! It's an 87th Precinct Podcast Bonus Episode.
We've looked into the 49th novel of the series, The Big Bad City, in our main episode so now it's time for our usual examination of the book covers of the original editions in the US and UK, as well as some other overseas versions. Then it's time to trawl through the music, movies and television of 1999 for some context of the period.
See you soon for Book 50 - The Last Dance.
Fare thee well.2021-08-2336 min
Hark! The 87th Precinct PodcastEd McBain's The Big Bad City - Book 49: Tired Snakes Painted YellowHark! It's the 87th Precinct Podcast!
We're back, after a slightly longer than usual break, with a look at the 49th book of the series - the last of the Twentieth Century - The Big Bad City. Otherwise known as Nuns and Cookies? We speculate on the relevance of the title, McBain's approach to writing about popular music as well as looking what the author was up to and what was going on in the world in 1999.
Join us soon for the bonus episode, then it's onto the year 2000 and book number 50 - THE LAST...2021-08-1658 min
Hark! The 87th Precinct PodcastEd McBain's Nocturne - Book 48, Bonus: Much Scenery Was ChewedHark! It's an 87th Precinct Podcast bonus episode.
This is the bonus material for our examination of 1997's 'Nocturne'. We look at an increasingly poor selection of book cover designs and then dig into what was in the cinema, on television and in the charts in the year it was released. As usual we then offer up our picks from the period as well.
See you soon for book 49 - The Big Bad City.
Fare Thee Well.2021-06-1241 min
Hark! The 87th Precinct PodcastEd McBain's Nocture - Book 48: The Essence Of A Big HatHark! It's an 87th Precinct Podcast.
McBain returns, after a break from the series in 1996 for reasons we outline, to bring us this tale of terrible things happening at nighttime. This is a dense book with stories that are in turns tragic, comic, graphic and upsetting.
This is our first podcast 'together' since the pandemic hit and we're a little giddy with excitement, especially when Stevo gets hold of the 1997 TV Guide containing the story 'Reruns' (see our last extra episode!) and then Paul gives us a round-up of everything going on in McBain/Hunter's...2021-06-0453 min
Hark! The 87th Precinct PodcastEd McBain's Reruns - Minipod: Something Fall GuyHark! It's an 87th Precinct podcast mini-episode.
This is a little bonus for you all whilst we're still getting sorted ready to tackle Nocturne, the next 'main' book in the series. It gives me an opportunity to tell you all about the TV Guide exclusive 87th Precinct story Reruns. Meyer and Carella are dealing with a burglary at an actor's apartment. Who are all these people taking his stuff to the pawn-shops?
I also answer a listener question all about Ed McBain's working habits - where and when did he write? If you'd like to...2021-05-2716 min
Hark! The 87th Precinct PodcastEd McBain's Romance - Book 47, Bonus: Scrabble With An Exotic BirdHark! It's an 87th Precinct podcast bonus episode.
This is the bonus attached to our review of Book 47 - the theatrical whirlwind that is 'Romance'. As usual this episode takes in the original book cover designs in the UK and US with some international editions thrown in for good measure, before we did into the Movies, TV and Music of 1995 and offer up our own pick.
Stay tuned for a TWIST ENDING! Line of Duty's got nothing on us! See you soon for Nocturne!
Fare thee well.2021-05-0634 min
Hark! The 87th Precinct PodcastEd McBain's Romance - Book 47: A Pudding That Can Change ColourHark! It's an 87th Precinct podcast.
We've reached 1995. McBain has reached the 47th book in his long running series and he's decided that it's theatre-land's turn for a mystery. There's a lot more autobiographical and bibliographical referencing in this book than you might know and we lay out the author's own history with the stage as well as trying to get to grips with this play-within-a-book murder mystery.
Join us soon for our bonus episode and then onwards, to 1997, and book 48, Nocturne.
Fare thee well.2021-04-2744 min
Hark! The 87th Precinct PodcastEd McBain's Mischief - Book 45, Bonus: Mr Soft Bendy Strange ThingHark! It's an 87th Precinct podcast bonus episode.
This is the bonus episode to accompany our look at 1993's Mischief. We take a look at the covers of the US and UK releases and also investigate an Italian and Japanese edition. Please smell along at home.
Then it's into our round up of 1993 in music, film and television and our personal picks from the year. Keep listening to hear Paul tell you all about two more Evan Hunter/McBain books he's read as well.
See you soon for book 47 (46 was the Christmas story...2021-04-0137 min
Hark! The 87th Precinct PodcastEd McBain's Mischief - Book 45: Worse Than Dutch Ghosts?Hark! It's an 87th Precinct Podcast!
The year is 1993 and after last year's pretty straightforward offering (Kiss), Mr McBain brings us the exact opposite! Lots of story threads! Loads of cops! Hardly any Steve Carella! And.... THE DEAF MAN IS BACK.
Join us as we try and untangle this dense mix of torment, abandoment, murder, riots and music. Keep listening to hear extracts from contemporary reviews of the book and McBain's answers to a questionnaire from the period.
We'll be back soon with the bonus episode then we skip the christmas book (see...2021-03-2356 min
Hark! The 87th Precinct PodcastEd McBain's Kiss - Book 44, Bonus: Old Wardrobe OdourHark! It's an 87th Precinct Podcast bonus episode.
Of course, we begin as usual with our look at the original US and UK book covers - and an international edition! Then we get stuck into a pretty self-indulgent look at 1992. We reach a watershed moment in the podcast, which Paul almost misses and then we talk about 'Gamesmaster' for too long.
Join us again soon for Ed McBain's Mischief (book 45) and more of this daftness for 1993.
Fare thee well.2021-03-0241 min
Hark! The 87th Precinct PodcastEd McBain's Kiss - Book 44: No Disrespect To Walter MatthauHark! It's an 87th Precinct Podcast.
We've reached book 44 and the year 1992 and McBain's offering for the year is KISS. Courtroom drama, a triangle of distrust and betrayal and a few digs at the real world. Is McBain back to his best with Kiss? Find out what we think in this episode!
We also look at a whole bunch of other Hunter/McBain/Pseudonymous projects that emerge in 1992 and make fun of Dan Quayle along the way.
Join us soon for our bonus episode and then after that we'll be back with MISCHIEF. Fare thee well.2021-02-2248 min
Hark! The 87th Precinct PodcastEd McBain's Widows - Book 43, Bonus: As Real As A Cooked DinnerHark! It's an 87th Precinct Podcast bonus episode.
Following on from our look at 1991's Widows, we explore 1991 in general. Eyes on music, cinema and TV as usual. We also spoil the ending of 'The Brittas Empire', so you've been warned. Of course we have our usual look at the original designs of the book covers and check out the editions we're reading from too.
Thanks for listening and see you soon for book 44 - Kiss.
Fare thee well.2021-02-0237 min
Hark! The 87th Precinct PodcastEd McBain's Widows - Book 43: What An Awful DayHark! It's an 87th Precinct Podcast.
Happy new year everyone. Join us on our January adventure through the 43rd book in McBain's series - the multi-crimed Widows. Bodies are piling up all over the city and Carella's family life is changed forever.
We take our usual look through some significant events of 1991 and then pick apart this somewhat schizophrenic novel. Spoilers ahoy, as always.
Thanks for listening and we'll see you again for the bonus episode and 'Kiss' soon.
Fare thee well.2021-01-2644 min
Hark! The 87th Precinct PodcastEd McBain's And All Through The House - Xmas episode: Cast Your BacksHo Ho Hark! It's an 87th Precinct Christmas party episode!
Whilst we're counting it as an official entry in the 87th Precinct books canon (book number 46), the Christmas miniature story And All Through The House is offered here out of sequence as our Christmas treat to you. We take a moment away from stuffing our faces with Turkey, Pigs in Blankets, Potatoes and Pudding to tell you all about the publication history of the book and also answer some listener questions and reflect on Christmasses past.
See you in the New Year for the rest...2020-12-2535 min
Hark! The 87th Precinct PodcastEd McBain's Vespers - Book 42, Bonus: Two Up And One AcrossHark! It's an 87th Precinct podcast bonus episode.
Following on from our main episode's examination of the satantic tale, Vespers, we explore the covers of the editions as they were originally issued in the US and UK - worthy of note now editions on both sides of the pond are coming from new publishers.
Then, of course, we dig into 1990. A new decade and a year we remember all too clearly. Music, Films, TV and our personal picks for the year. Thanks for joining and we'll see you again soon for book 43 - Widows.
2020-12-1637 min
Hark! The 87th Precinct PodcastEd McBain's Vespers - Book 42, TreerinessHark! It's an 87th Precinct Podcast.
We enter a new decade and McBain begins it in dark, despairing mode, with the story of a murdered priest, drugs, hitmen and recollections of confessions. We learn all about the folk to whom the book is dedicated, explore what was going on in McBain/Hunter's life in 1990 and look at some contemporary reviews of the book as well.
Keep your eyes open for our bonus episode soon, before we bring you a Christmas treat and then it's on to Book 43 - Widows.
Fare thee well.2020-12-0848 min
Hark! The 87th Precinct PodcastEd McBain's Lullaby - Book 41, Bonus: The Beige SpectrumHark! It's an 87th Precinct Podcast bonus episode.
This is the accompanying thingy for our main episode all about 1989's Lullaby - murder, guns and therapy. Such larks.
We begin by looking at the original releases of the book in the US and the UK, which is of interest as we see new publishers arrive and old publishers producing their last editions, plus a bonus edition of The Mugger as well. Then, as usual, we get stuck into 1989 in film, TV and music and proffer up our personal picks from the year.
Thanks...2020-11-1739 min
Hark! The 87th Precinct PodcastEd McBain's Lullaby - Book 41: The Krypton Factor with Lech WałęsaHark! It's an 87th Precinct Podcast.
1988 was untroubled by any McBain 87th Precinct books, so we're now in 1989 with the 41st entry into the series with Lullaby. Domestic murders, burglaries, city-wide drugs and gang warfare and therapists. It's all here.
As usual, we mention a few key 1989 landmark moments and there's plenty going on in the life and near-death of the author as well. Then we get stuck into the book and explore some contemporary reviews.
Join us again next time for the bonus episode and then it's onto Book 42, Vespers.
F...2020-11-1049 min
Hark! The 87th Precinct PodcastEd McBain's Tricks - Book 40, Bonus: A Yeti Goes To A HouseHark! It's an 87th Precinct Podcast bonus episode.
Seen as we looked at 1986 in the last episode, we're catching back up to 1987 this time with a look at the TV, Music and Films that were around - including our personal picks from the year. Paul also reveals a family story about Dudley Moore!
We open with our usual look at the book covers from the original US and UK editions and those that we've got as well.
See you soon for LULLABY.2020-10-0939 min
Hark! The 87th Precinct PodcastEd McBain's Tricks - Book 40: The Final SquirrelHark! It's an 87th Precinct Podcast.
It's the second of the books in the series to come out in 1987 and this time McBain has firmly targeted the Halloween market with the 40th entry in the series. We try and unpack this bumper book of Halloween horrors - which is a new read for two of us. Also, listen out for a cameo appearance from Stevo's cats.
Paul also fills us in on some interesting info discovered whilst researching the dedicatee of the book and we take a quick look at other stuff going on in 1987...2020-09-3050 min
Hark! The 87th Precinct PodcastEd McBain's Poison - Book 39, Bonus: 200 Year Old ScouserHark! It's an 87th Precinct Podcast Bonus Episode.
So, here's to Golden Days and Purple Nights! In this bonus we explore the origins of this phrase (let us know if you know anything about it) before we get into our usual book cover exploration, book-huffing and general tomfoolery.
Although Poison came out in early 1987, we're still focusing on 1986 in the episode (mainly so Paul can talk about his favourite film). See you soon for the next book in the series - TRICKS.
Fare thee well.2020-09-1037 min
Hark! The 87th Precinct PodcastEd McBain's Poison - Book 39: Richie Benaud BlazerHark! It's an 87th Precinct Podcast.
We've arrived into 1987 - a year in which two 87th Precinct books appear - so we spend some of this episode explore McBain/Hunter's activities in 1986 to get us up to date. Then it's time to get stuck into Poison - a remarkable and quite harrowing character study - but is it genuine 87th Precinct material?
Paul also fills everyone in on the hidden true story in Evan Hunter's 1966 novel The Paper Dragon as well.
See you soon for the bonus episode and then the next book...2020-09-0345 min
Hark! The 87th Precinct PodcastEd McBain's Eight Black Horses - Book 38, Bonus: Very Fretless BassHark! It's an 87th Precinct podcast bonus episode.
Following our run-down of the Deaf Man's schemes in our main episode, we turn our attention to the designs of the original UK/US releases and Paul introduces a new fifth design into the scheme! Then prepare yourself for some epic book-huffing before settling into the 1985 nostalgia fest of music, movies, television and our personal picks from the year.
Thanks for joining us for these lockdown episodes. Hopefully we'll be face-to-face again before too long. Next book: Poison.
Fare Thee Well!2020-08-0640 min
Hark! The 87th Precinct PodcastEd McBain's Eight Black Horses - Book 38: Professor HairHark! It's an 87th Precinct podcast. We're in 1985 and who better to come along to mark the halfway point of the decade but the 87th Precinct's nemesis, The Deaf Man? Making his fourth appearance in the series, he returns full of schemes and anger. How will the boys from Grover Avenue cope this time?
Along the way we discuss some key cultural, political and technological points from 1985. Paul offers his 'McCartney' theory for the book and we look at some contemporary reviews of the novel as well. As always, we appreciate any ratings, reviews or s...2020-07-2849 min
Hark! The 87th Precinct PodcastEd McBain's Lighting - Book 37, Bonus: Dystopian Fozzy BearHark! It's an 87th Precinct Bonus Episode.
Following on from our discussion of the dark and difficult book 'Lightning' we take our usual gander at the original book cover designs and then get stuck straight into as much 1984 ephemera as you can shake a stick at. We've reached a point in the series publication year where we actually remember a lot of things coming out, so apologies for the ongoing transition into a very specific nostalgia account!
We offer up our picks of 1984 movies and albums as well and Paul adds some important Quincy based...2020-07-0241 min
Hark! The 87th Precinct PodcastEd McBain's Lightning: A Lunatic Empire ManHark! It's an 87th Precinct Podcast.
This episode is all about the 37th book in the series - a brutal and dark tale of serial criminals. We discuss if this is McBain at his most difficult - violence against women, issues of race and much more. Along the way, we also discuss where Evan Hunter was in his career, including some of his notable failures (published and otherwise) and look again at his disgust at the success of Hill Street Blues.
We'll be back soon with our look at the original publication designs, our editions...2020-06-2451 min
Hark! The 87th Precinct PodcastHark! Bonus Interview with Erin MacDonaldHark! It's an 87th Precinct Podcast special edition.
Joining Paul for this interview is author and professor of English, Erin MacDonald. Erin wrote the essential guide to Evan Hunter's many works, "Ed McBain/Evan Hunter - A Literary Companion", which was published in 2012, and has just completed her new companion piece to the works of Ian Rankin, "Ian Rankin - A Companion to the Mystery Fiction", both available from McFarland.
We've been trying to get hold of Erin for a while, so we're thrilled to have had a chance to chat to her about her...2020-06-1732 min
Hark! The 87th Precinct PodcastEd McBain's Ice - Book 36, Bonus: Perfumey TangHark! It's an 87th Precinct Podcast bonus episode.
Join us as we dip nose-deep into our varying copies of McBain's 1983 epic, ICE as well as exploring the original book cover designs for the UK and US releases. Then we drift into our usual look at music, movies and TV and proffer some personal picks from the year. Apologies for minimal McBain content in these current Bonus episodes, but they're intended as a nice distraction for us, as much as you, during the rather bizarre period in which they're being recorded.
See you all soon for...2020-06-0336 min
Hark! The 87th Precinct PodcastEd McBain's Ice - Book 36: Orbit of a UFOHark! It's an 87th Precinct Podcast.
So McBain took a year off in 1982, but in 1983 he returned to the precinct with Ice - a longer novel and one that is usually considered in the top tier of the series. Will we agree? It's a tale of murder, murder, murder, drugs and fraud (and murder). We catch up with the newly divorced Bert Kling and meet an old friend in Eileen Burke.
Find out what we think in this new episode which also takes in looming nuclear disaster, just to cheer you all up. Thanks to...2020-05-2649 min
Hark! The 87th Precinct PodcastEd McBain's Heat - Book 35, Bonus: No Context MidriffHark! It's an 87th Precinct podcast bonus episode.
1981. An alcoholic cop steps out of his car. He's reached the island. The place he could make a difference. He pulls his brown leather jacket close about him. Jim Bergerac has arrived.
In this episode we revel in our usual book cover review and huffing, the music, films and TV of 1981 and offer up our own personal choices of records and movies from the year for you. Stevo is called away on an urgent errand and a listener question inspires a interesting thought - can you create...2020-05-0635 min
Hark! The 87th Precinct PodcastEd McBain's Heat - Book 35: Ten PopesHark! It's an 87th Precinct Podcast!
And we begin with an apology - no backup recording means Paul's mic is terribly distorted. Sorry, but you're going to have to suffer the Dalek delivery in this episode.
We're back in 1981 and what we posit is the start of a new 'season' of 87th Precinct adventures. It's hot. There's a corpse. There's betrayal. There's lust for revenge. There's a drugs bust. Everything is happening in this fascinating tale of trust destroyed in so many ways. We hope you enjoying our study of the many 'easter eggs' McBain...2020-04-271h 01
Hark! The 87th Precinct PodcastEd McBain's Ghosts - Book 34, Bonus: Maritime CalamitiesHark! It's a remote-recorded 87th Precinct Bonus Episode.
Are you ready for the world's first ever round of remote-recorded book-huffing? Will Morgan's schnozz rise to the challenge? Will Paul manage to get through his intro without saying the word 'Ghoosts'? Will Stevo ever remember the name of that Roxy Music album? All these questions - and more - are answered in our bonus episode to our podcast about the book GHOSTS - McBain's exercise in spooky tale-telling from 1980.
During the current situation (pandemic lockdown, future listeners) these bonus episodes are likely to be a bit...2020-04-0732 min
Hark! The 87th Precinct PodcastEd McBain's Ghosts - Book 34: AWOL In The BushHark! It's an 87th Precinct Podcast.
This is the podcast all about 1980's spooktacular story, Ghosts. Has McBain gone mad or is he just showing off to Stephen King? Find out as we follow along as Carella hooks up with a Medium whilst investigating two deaths at an apartment block. Poor old Steve is about to have one of the weirdest Christmases ever.
This is our first podcast recording done 'remotely' and we hope it sounds okay. Learned a few lessons whilst doing it, but at least we know we can keep bringing you this...2020-03-3049 min
Hark! The 87th Precinct PodcastEd McBain's Calypso - Book 33, Bonus: Schrödinger's CatchphraseHark! It's an 87th Precinct Podcast bonus episode!
Firstly - sorry, this goes on a bit and it also gets quite silly and pretty self-indulgent. What, a podcast self indulgent? Who'd have thought it, eh?
However, we do explore the covers of the UK/US original editions of the 1979 novel CALYPSO and Stevo achieves a new world-huffing-speed record. There's lots and lots of chat about 1979 in music, films and television. Then everything goes really weird for a bit, then we stop.
Join us soon for the next book in the series, Ghosts. Fare thee well!2020-03-1243 min
Hark! The 87th Precinct PodcastEd McBain's Calypso - Book 33: Approved By HorseHark! It's an 87th Precinct podcast.
Book 33 in the sage takes up to the end of the 1970s. It's 1979 and Calypso singer King George Chadderton has been shot. So has his manager. And a wannabe singer. And a Locksmith. And things aren't looking too good for that dog either. Gulp. Carella and Meyer try to unravel this mystery across many precincts.
In this episode we have a look around the world of 1979, explore mythological influences on the story and Paul becomes crippled by incredulity at the concept of a Calypso album by someone you wouldn't...2020-03-0658 min
Hark! The 87th Precinct PodcastMini-Pod: A Selection of Pseudonyms for Sal LombinoHark! It's an 87th Precinct podcast Mini-pod.
To fill a gap in our main schedule, Paul presents this quick run-through of the various pseudonyms/name changes used by Evan Hunter throughout his life. This is based in part on some of the research currently being done for the proposed 87th Precinct book that's being worked on at the moment. Hope you find this little stop-gap interesting - let us know your thoughts on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram or email us at Hark87Podcast@gmail.com.
Fare Thee Well.2020-02-2517 min
Hark! The 87th Precinct PodcastEd McBain's Long Time No See - Book 32, Bonus: Dickens With FerretsHark! It's an 87th Precinct podcast bonus episode.
This is our bonus episode for book 32 in the series, a tale of war-trauma, multiple slayings and a possibly rabid dog. As usual we begin with our look at the book covers of the original UK and US releases and our own editions, before getting stuck into some more charts and trivia from 1977.
We're also looking at a new way to carry on our 'Fantasy Casting' for an 87th Precinct TV series, so keep watching FB/Instagram/Twitter for news on that. Thanks everyone for contributing. Join...2020-02-1031 min
Hark! The 87th Precinct PodcastEd McBain's Long Time No See - Book 32: Tubes Up To The MoonHark! It's an 87th Precinct Podcast.
Welcome to 2020 everyone. Now that that's out of the way, let's go back to 1977 and the grim slayings of Blind people on the streets of Isola and beyond. It's a busy time for Carella as he looks after a seeing-eye dog, has to fend off flirtatious approaches and get to grips with Freudian interpretation of dreams as they relate to the Vietnam war. All in a days work, etc.
We look at some contemporary reviews, explore a little of the world in 1977 and speculate on why McBain seems obsessed...2020-01-3157 min
Hark! The 87th Precinct PodcastSide-pod: Find The Feathered Serpent - ReduckulousHark! It's an 87th Precinct side-pod!
Happy New Year everyone. Thanks for joining us again in 2020. To kick things off, whilst the regular team are still off on holiday, here's a special episode 'completing the set' of the early Evan Hunter juvenile fiction novels for the Winston Science Fiction range. It's the first of those stories, 1952's Find The Feathered Serpent - a tale of time machines, vikings and the hunt for a Mayan god.
Returning to discuss this book is author Garry Abbott (find his books here), Paul's brother. As you can probably hear...2020-01-0655 min
Hark! The 87th Precinct PodcastSide-pod: Barney Miller, Christmas Story - Exotic YoxallHark! It's an 87th Precinct podcast bonus Christmas episode!
Many festive greetings unto you and yours from us and ours. We've finally taken the plunge and delved into the world of Barney Miller, as so many of you suggested that it seems very much like McBain's 87th Precinct tales. And what better episode to watch than Series 3, Episode 10 - Christmas Story. Broadcast over the holidays in 1976, this was on TV between the last book we looked at (So Long As You Both Shall Live) and the next one we'll do (Long Time No See). Sgt Yemana has...2019-12-2343 min
Hark! The 87th Precinct PodcastSide-pod: Appointment On Mars - The Phantom Of The Opera DuckHark! It's an 87th Precinct Podcast side-pod!
Paul is joined in this episode by old friend and this podcast's first ever guest, illustrator Adam Paxman. They're looking at Appointment on Mars, the S.A.Lombino story for the television anthology series, Tales of Tomorrow in 1952. This was Lombino/Hunter/McBain's first credited piece of television and draws heavily on his skills as a writer of science-fiction short stories.
Along the way we discuss the cast, the production, the high quality of C H Maslan carpets and Adam tells an unexpected tale about a duck. So...2019-12-131h 11
Hark! The 87th Precinct PodcastEd McBain's So Long As You Both Shall Live - Book 31, Bonus: Drinking Tea In An IglooHark! It's an 87th Precinct Bonus Episode!
This is the bonus episode for book 31, So Long As You Both Shall Live - Bert and Augusta are married. Happiness from hereon in then? Ah well. Never mind. At least we can relax and take our usual look at the book covers for the original and our editions of the story - including a book-huffing of an early UK edition which nearly takes the top of Stevo's head off.
After that we plummet into 1976 trivia - music, movies and more and then onwards we march to the f...2019-12-0136 min
Hark! The 87th Precinct PodcastEd McBain's So Long As You Both Shall Live - Book 31: Famed For Chili MeasurementHark! It's an 87th Precinct Podcast.
It's 1976, it's Bert Kling and Augusta Blair's wedding day and nothing can surely trouble the boys of the eight-seven on such a happy occassion? Well, maybe a scalpel wielding kidnapper might. But, look on the bright side, at least Fat Ollie Weeks is here to help Carella and company find Mrs.Kling and restore her to the loving arms of Bertram.
We take our usual looks at what else Evan Hunter was up to at the time, do a bit of a look at 1976 in broad terms and encourage...2019-11-2547 min
Hark! The 87th Precinct PodcastEd McBain's Blood Relatives - Book 30, Bonus: Mad As A HairbrushHark! It's an 87th Precinct podcast bonus episode.
As per usual, we follow up our main episode discussion (all about Blood Relatives) with our examination of the covers of the various original editions and the obligatory book-huffing test for our copies, before delving into the media of 1975 to provide context for the time in which the book was written. This time, we get quite silly. Marvel at Morgan's Alice Cooper enthusiasms, Gasp at Paul's impression of Oliver Reed and be wowed by Stevo's development of an entire new form of cinema!
We also look at...2019-10-2831 min
Hark! The 87th Precinct PodcastEd McBain's Blood Relatives - Book 30: Binyon's GulchHark! It's an 87th Precinct Podcast.
It's a dark and tragic tale that Steve Carella finds himself investigating in 1975's Blood Relatives. This shocking story was adapted into the 1978 film Les Liens De Sang by Claude Chabrol, featuring Donald Sutherland in the Carella role. It's a scary and shocking tale.
We round out our discussion of the book by taking our usual run-down of things-from-the-year-that-we've-noticed for context, look at some contemporary reviews and what else Evan Hunter/Ed McBain was up to in print and in the theatre.
Join us soon for the...2019-10-2142 min
Hark! The 87th Precinct PodcastEd McBain's Bread - Book 29, Bonus: Mid-70s Derek NimmoHark! It's an 87th Precinct podcast bonus episode.
We follow up our main episode's discussion of the 29th Book in the series, Bread, with our usual examination of the various editions of the original publication (and Paul does some Show & Tell for this!) and then delve deeper into the music, television and films of 1974, including some serious discussion on how the policy of OPEC might have affected the career of Perry Como.
Lastly, we sift through examples of those folk who've portrayed Detective Meyer Meyer on screen and who we could get to play him...2019-09-3031 min
Hark! The 87th Precinct PodcastEd McBain's Bread - Book 29: ProntsHark! It's an 87th Precinct Podcast!
After book 28, the satirical Nixon-baiting Hail To The Chief, we're back on firmer procedural ground with 1974's Bread - a complex tale of arson, fraud, smuggling, violence and deprivation. Roger Grimm's warehouse of little wooden animals has burned down, but what has that got to do with Diamondback Developments? Readers will meet the 83rd Precinct's Detective 'Fat' Ollie Weeks for the first time. Get used to him folks, there's lots more of Ollie to come!
We also look at a few items of interest in 1974, find out what else...2019-09-2344 min
Hark! The 87th Precinct PodcastEd McBain's Hail To The Chief - Book 28, Bonus: A Double Donald ScenarioHark! It's an 87th Precinct bonus episode!
We follow up our discussion about 1973's HAIL TO THE CHIEF with a bit of a quiz of the year in music and film, a look at the book covers of our and the original editions and then look at screen portrayals of Teddy Carella - with your fantastic suggestions for our Fantasy Casting under scrutiny.
Paul also discovers that Stevo and Morgan have some strangely specific knowledge of fast food retail outlet origins in the UK. It has almost no relevance to anything else. Check out www...2019-09-0438 min
Hark! The 87th Precinct PodcastEd McBain's Hail To The Chief - Episode 28: Grotbags?Hark! It's an 87th Precinct Podcast!
Here we are, still in 1973, but sat next to Ed McBain, examining his typewriter which surely took some beating as he punched out the text of his Nixon-hating Gang-Warfare Allegory, HAIL TO THE CHIEF. Join us as we spot the parallels (based on our rather limited knowledge of the politics of the US in the early 70s...) and discuss this most violent and unusual 87th Precinct novel.
Also: we're over half-way through the series! If you'd like to get us a present as a reward, then head to https...2019-08-2955 min
Hark! The 87th Precinct PodcastEd McBain's Let's Hear It For The Deaf Man - Episode 27, Bonus: Little Jimmy The CrocHark! It's an 87th Precinct podcast bonus episode.
Here we are, off the back of our review of the 27th book in the series, Let's Hear It For The Deaf Man, with our usual blend of book cover and design chat, the great quiz of '73 (first bit of the year) and most importantly - Fantasy Casting for THE DEAF MAN! Thanks so much for all your contributions. Apologies to Cary Elwes for my terrible pronunciation of his name!
Next time you need to think about who you'd cast as our central civilian female character...2019-08-0733 min
Hark! The 87th Precinct PodcastEd McBain's Let's Hear It For The Deaf Man - Episode 27: Weeping For Dusty-BinHark! It's an 87th Precinct Podcast!
It's 1973 and The Deaf Man is back to taunt the cops of the 87th Precinct and to confirm his status as Steve Carella's nemesis. Join us for our discussion of this novel which takes in all three of the story threads, the relationship of the book to the film Fuzz, its place in Evan Hunter's work for the year and how it influences the lives of some of the characters to come. We explore some contemporary reviews of the book as well, with a mature and grown-up approach...
Remember...2019-07-3155 min
Hark! The 87th Precinct PodcastHark! Solo-pod: Short Stories - Roger Lasagna?Hark! It's an 87th Precinct Podcast bonus stopgap, er, thing...
Just so you don't go mad waiting to hear Paul's dulcet tones again, here's a short episode that takes a quick trek around his bookshelves looking at collections of short-stories he loves and then an examination of Ed McBain/Evan Hunter's story collections in a little more detail. We appreciate it's taken a little longer than usual to get round to the next 87th Precinct book, so this is offered by way of a little stopgap.
Featured in this episode particularly are the books THE...2019-07-1934 min
Hark! The 87th Precinct PodcastEd McBain's Sadie When She Died - Episode 26, Bonus: The Chimp Looks GreatHARK! It's an 87th Precinct bonus podcast.
Learn everything about 1972, the year in which the 26th book in the 87th Precinct series was published, in our bonus episode. Albums, Singles, Films, TV... and we do manage to talk about Ed McBain and the books as well.
We investigate our copies of the book and look at the original editions - find everything on our Instagram page - and decide on who we're putting forward for our fantasy-casting of the unluckiest cop in the squad - Detective Bob O'Brien. Find out who we set our casting si...2019-06-2534 min
Hark! The 87th Precinct PodcastEd McBain's Sadie When She Died - Episode 26: Played By An OcelotH*A*R*K It's an 87th Precinct podcast!
The year is 1972 and Gerald Fletcher has just come home to find his wife eviscerated on the bedroom floor and his apartment burglarised. Luckily the police catch the burglar. Case solved? Well, not quite. Carella becomes Columbo in this tale of identity, betrayal, lost and found (and lost again) loves at Christmas in the Eight-Seven. [This episode marked as 'Explicit' due to some of the words taken from this book...]
Paul, Morgan and Stevo discuss the book and take a look at what Evan Hunter was...2019-06-2052 min
Hark! The 87th Precinct PodcastSide-Pod - Rocket To Luna - Your Eyebrows Ran AwayIGNITION! It's an 87th Precinct Side-Pod.
Strap on your heavy metal space boots, take a sip from your feeding tube and hail that space taxi - we're launching into orbit and beyond in this special edition all about the Richard Marsten science-fiction book Rocket To Luna.
Another story in the Winston Science Fiction range (as with Danger: Dinosaurs), Rocket To Luna sees Marsten/Hunter speculate on what could happen on the first trip to the moon in the far off year of 1983, imagine what it would be like to be seventeen and in space and...2019-06-0948 min
Hark! The 87th Precinct PodcastEd McBain's Hail, Hail, The Gang's All Here! - Episode 25, Bonus: Orange Orange OrangeHark! It's an 87th Precinct Bonus Episode.
Well, here we are with our usual look at the book covers of the original US and UK editions of this 1971 story, followed by the now-displaced exploration of the year (music, movies, politics, infrastructure) for the benefit of all of you who can't wait to hear people trying to guess which "Carry On..." movie came out, again. Find the photos of the covers and other stuff at our Instagram feed: www.instagram.com/hark87podcast
We then move into exploring options for who we might cast as Detective...2019-05-2935 min
Hark! The 87th Precinct PodcastEd McBain's Hail, Hail, The Gang's All Here! - Episode 25: A Little BileHark! It's an 87th Precinct Podcast!
It's celebration time for the eight-seven, because this is the twenty-fifth book in the series and McBain has invited ALL of the detectives to come along. Experience a night and a day in and around the precinct, with tales of murder, criminal damage, missing persons and dutch ghosts. You know, the usual party stuff.
In this episode we forgo our usual examination of the year it was published (it's coming in the bonus episode though) and focus on this atypical example of the series, which has a lot going o...2019-05-2255 min
Hark! The 87th Precinct PodcastEd McBain's Jigsaw - Episode 24, Bonus: Bald At HomeHark! It's an 87th Precinct Bonus Episode.
We follow up our examination of the twenty-fourth 87th Precinct book with our usual run-down of the original editions as released in the US and UK and then we turn our attention to the important business of 'Casting The Eight-Seven' - this time we look at the listener suggestions for who could play Lieutenant Peter Byrnes. For the next episode we'd like you to get thinking about who you'd cast as the star of Jigsaw - Detective Arthur Brown.
Remember to check our Instagram and other social feeds...2019-04-2329 min
Hark! The 87th Precinct PodcastEd McBain's Jigsaw - Episode 24: Lascivious ScaresHark! It's an 87th Precinct Podcast.
Well, we've done it everyone - we've made it to the Seventies and the first book of that decade is JIGSAW - Detective Arthur Brown is on a quest to locate all the pieces of a sliced-up photograph and ends up with a pile of dead bodies along the way, as well as the loss of his trousers.
A tricky tale to read with modern eyes in parts, thrill to the amazing sound of three polite, liberal men stumbling around issues of race, sexuality and sex as expressed by...2019-04-1758 min
Hark! The 87th Precinct PodcastHark! Solo-pod: Ed McBain Magazines and ComicsHark! It's an 87th Precinct extra-special bonus side-pod podcast!
Inspired by a query about a particular magazine from the 1970s by the author Sarah Weinman on Twitter, I fell down a research rabbit-hole and have emerged clutching a whole bunch of information about the various attempts at 'spinning-off' from the 87th Precinct.
The early sixties saw the emergence of Ed McBain's Mystery Book and the 87th Precinct comic and the seventies brought us Ed McBain's 87th Precinct Mystery Magazine. Who brought these to life, how long did they last, who contributed? All questions are, sort...2019-03-2921 min
Hark! The 87th Precinct PodcastEd McBain's Shotgun - Episode 23, Bonus: John Candy and The BorrowersHark! It's an 87th Precinct bonus episode.
We're back for our follow-up to the main podcast all about the gruesome story from 1969, Shotgun. As always, we kick off with a look at our editions, including a near lethal huffing for Stevo, and then reveal the original UK and US designs for the book and the mysterious Canadian Star Weekly release. Find these photos on our Instagram feed here.
Then we get stuck into the main business of the day - Casting the Fantasy 87th Precinct series - Phase One: WHEN? Paul reveals some of the...2019-03-2024 min
Hark! The 87th Precinct PodcastEd McBain's Shotgun - Episode 23: Belly PrestonHark! It's an 87th Precinct Podcast
The cops of the Eight-Seven are often dealing with some pretty messy crimes and this book, Shotgun, has one of the messiest. Join Carella, Kling, Meyer and Hawes as they tackle two shootings and a stabbing, with plenty of hep-cat beat poetry thrown in along the way. There's also a nice reward for the series reader here, as book 19, He Who Hesitates, bleeds into the story.
Alongside our usual discussion of 1969 in music, film, TV and politics, we have an examination of the gun-permit laws in NYC now and...2019-03-1558 min
Hark! The 87th Precinct PodcastSidepod: Fuzz (1972) - Nourish A VagrantHark! It's an 87th Precinct Sidepod!
In this episode, Paul is joined by fan-of-Burt-Reynolds and podcaster (in that order?), John Rain. You can find info about John's fantastic James Bond and Michael Caine podcast, SMERSHPOD through the Twitter page and keep an eye open for John's new podcast, All Rather Mysterious, which aims to solve the mysteries of the past, in the presence of comedians Eleanor Morton and David Reed.
John and Paul got together to chat through the 1972 film version of Ed McBain's 1968 book, Fuzz (find that podcast using this link!) which finds the 87...2019-02-2555 min
Hark! The 87th Precinct PodcastEd McBain's Fuzz - Episode 22, Bonus: A Ginger SniffHark! It's an 87th Precinct Bonus Episode!
Welcome back to 1968 and Ed McBain's "FUZZ". In this episode we, of course, take our traditional look at the original covers of the UK and US editions, as well as the film tie-in cover, and discuss/huff our own rather battered copies of the book. Visit our Instagram for photos and more McBain content as well.
We get stuck into our delayed-from-the-main-episode Quiz of 1968, during which we're driven mad by the notion of the most exciting cross-over event in movie history! Be prepared for some of the finest...2019-02-1827 min
Hark! The 87th Precinct PodcastEd McBain's Fuzz - Episode 22: Chewing A DonkeyHark! It's an 87th Precinct Podcast!
Even the most prolific writers need a year off, and so we've skipped past 1967 in our wait for the next 87th Precinct novel, and arrived in 1968 with "Fuzz". This book, one of the better known of the series, sees the return of the squad's nemesis, The Deaf Man!
In this episode we explore how McBain uses the real world of politics to inform the 87th Precinct, find out all about decoy cops and consider the weird decisions made when publishing American books in the U.K.. We skip the...2019-02-1156 min
Hark! The 87th Precinct PodcastEd McBain's Eighty Million Eyes - Episode 21, Bonus: Bees or Capsules?Hark! It's an 87th Precinct Bonus Podcast!
Hullo again - here we are with our usual extra-slice of McBain-ing, where we take our usual look at the publishing history and the front covers of the first editions of the book, in this case 1966's Eighty Million Eyes, as well as letting you know what we've been reading and, most importantly, how they smell. Stevo is at his most huffingly poetic in this.
We then tackle a listener question about formats for adapting the 87th Precinct and then jump back to investigate the film "Morgan: A...2019-01-1527 min
Hark! The 87th Precinct PodcastEd McBain's Eighty Million Eyes - Episode 21: Full Hovercraft DetailsHark! It's the 87th Precinct Podcast.
Well, it's January 2019, but we want to drag you over the time-platters back to 1966 and the twenty-first entry into the 87th Precinct series, Eighty Million Eyes. The novel itself is made up of two intertwined 'novelettes' and we look at the publishing history of the stories in their original form and then explore some of the features that make up the published work. The on-screen death of a TV star sends Meyer and Carella into a Witness chasing frenzy and Kling is assigned guard duty.
Before we get going, we...2019-01-101h 02
Hark! The 87th Precinct PodcastSide Pod: Danger: Dinosaurs! - A Slimy AssistantROAR! It's an 87th Precinct Side-pod.
Come with us now as we skate over the surface of time, bumping back through the years to 1953 and to the story, DANGER: DINOSAURS! by Richard Marsten.
Evan Hunter, king of pseudonyms, wrote a few juvenile fiction/Sci-fi books early in his career of which this is one such lizard-filled example. Taking time-travel as a starting point, Hunter/Marsten brings us Goodies, Baddies, Monsters, Mayhem, Machinations and a Singing Chef. Who could ask for more?
Trying to make sense of the story with Paul this episode is his brother, Garry Abbott, a writer...2018-12-311h 04
Hark! The 87th Precinct PodcastSide Pod: 87th Precinct Line Of Duty - Good Hat ActingHark! It's an 87th Precinct side-pod!
We jump time-streams from the 87th Precinct of the written-word to the 87th Precinct of the acted-world, as we explore the fifth episode of the NBC TV series (1961-62) based on Ed McBain's stories. McBain/Hunter himself only wrote three teleplays for the series. Two were based on books but this one, Line Of Duty, was an original story.
Paul shares what he's found out about the story and we speculate on how it relates to the broader concept and series of the 87th Precinct and we also say the word "Haberdashery" several...2018-12-1951 min
Hark! The 87th Precinct PodcastEd McBain's Doll: Episode 20, Bonus - Rabbit or Darth VaderHark! It’s an 87th Precinct Podcast Bonus Episode!
Our focus is on the covers of our editions of Ed McBain’s twentieth 87th Precinct novel, Doll and we discuss those as well as the original release covers of the US and UK editions.
Book Huffing is discussed in ludicrous detail and Stevo reveals his love for supergroup “Book Huffington and The Huffers” as we descend even further into Bonus Episode madness. We also tackle some listener questions both McBain based and personal.
Join us soon for the next book, Eighty Million Eyes. As always please rate, review and share wh...2018-12-0624 min
Hark! The 87th Precinct PodcastEd McBain's Doll: Episode 20 - A Surprise RogerHark! It’s an 87th Precinct Podcast!
Welcome back to 1965 and to the savage and strange world of “Doll” – the 20th novel in the series.
We have a look at the context in which it was released by exploring the Christmas charts and television of that year, with an exclusive Dave Clark Five rendition thrown in as well. Paul shares some intriguing research linking McBain with the espionage writer Eric Ambler and we share another mutual passion as we talk about Joseph Wambaugh. Oh – we go on about motorways a bit as well. Sorry.
Join us in the next episode fo...2018-11-2954 min
Hark! The 87th Precinct PodcastHark! Bonus Interview: James NaughtieHark! It's an 87th Precinct Extra Special Bonus Podcast!
We're delighted to be able to bring you this short extra episode, which features a discussion with radio presenter, James Naughtie, who is a well-known voice to millions in the UK, as presenter of the fantastic show, [Bookclub](https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006s5sf), on BBC Radio 4 (also available as a podcast), the former presenter of the flagship morning news programme, Today, amongst other duties as a special correspondent. He's also a writer himself, having written history and music books, as well as thriller stories.
During the...2018-11-0231 min
Hark! The 87th Precinct PodcastEd McBain's He Who Hesitates - Episode 19, Bonus: A Bridge Glued To The Side Of His HeadHark! It's an 87th Precinct Bonus Episode!
We're back with our usual round of exploring the physical book - looking at the editions and covers of the versions we've got of Ed McBain's "He Who Hesitates", as well as the original releases. Stevo gives his usual olfactory assessment of the books and seems to become slightly obsessed with the notion of 'fonts'.
We answer a couple of listener questions here, in particular about other lesser-known authors we enjoy and, what with it being late October, give our Haunted House Halloween Recommendations! All these are listed on the blog as...2018-10-2231 min
Hark! The 87th Precinct PodcastEd McBain's He Who Hesitates - Episode 19: A Normal Crab and IguanasHark! It's the 87th Precinct Podcast!
Ed McBain's first 87th Precinct of 1965 is "He Who Hesitates" and it's a change from the norm. Join us as we tag along with Mountainy Man Roger Broome as he walks the streets of Isola, trying to decide whether to go to the police about.... something.
As usual, we set the scene by taking a look at the pop culture and events of the time and Paul outlines all the research bits'n'pieces he can find about the book, and we share contemporary reviews of the story and some of our listeners' opinions as...2018-10-1759 min
Hark! The 87th Precinct PodcastEd McBain s Ax Episode 18 Bonus Chief Superintendent Strange Noise**Hark! It's an 87th Precinct Podcast Bonus Episode!**
Following on from our main episode discussion of Ed McBain's 1964 87th Precinct novel, Ax (or Axe, if you like), we take our usual dive into the editions we own and the original publications. In a shocking turn of events, Morgan reveals that his edition has reawoken his dormant sense of smell. This is book huffing To The Max.
We then ruminate on matters such as what Crimey things we've been watching and reading, where you'd set a US adaptation of Inspector Morse, before the evening takes its toll and reduces us all...2018-09-2535 min
Hark! The 87th Precinct PodcastEd McBain s Ax Episode 18 Drunken Bumdom**Hark! It's an 87th Precinct Podcast!**
Careful with that ax(e), Eugene! Let's take a trip in the time-travelling toolshed back to 1964 and the 18th novel in the 87th Precinct police-procedural series by Ed McBain. The clear winner of the shortest-title-in-the-series competition - "Ax" - is a gruesome whodunnit, leading the cops of the Eight-Seven down blind-alleys and into dark-basements as they attempt to find out why poor old George Lasser ended up eating a faceful of chopper.
We open this episode with a little recap over what the essence of this book series is, as a recap and an...2018-09-201h 01
Hark! The 87th Precinct PodcastSide pod The Birds Oh My Giddy Aunt THWACK**Hark! It's an 87th Precinct Sidepod!**
Join Paul and his special guest, Herbert West of the Doctor Who Podcast “Trial Of A Timelord”, as they discuss Alfred Hitchcock’s 1963 film “The Birds”.
In the late fifties and early sixties, Hitchcock and Evan Hunter crossed paths a few times in the course of the making of the TV series “Alfred Hitchcock Presents…” and this led to Hitch inviting Hunter to adapt the 1952 short story by Daphne Du Maurier into the screenplay for his next horror/thriller movie. The journey was not necessarily an easy one and we take a deep dive (from up in the s...2018-08-301h 11
Hark! The 87th Precinct PodcastEd McBain s Ten Plus One Episode 17 Bonus The Spiral Staircase**Hark! It's an 87th Precinct Bonus Episode!**
We continue to discuss the 1963 novel, Ten Plus One, or rather our copies and the various original editions of it, once we've got the important matter of "Poirot and The Spiral Staircase" out of the way (forgive us our indulgences. It was late. We'd got rather silly).
We also tackle a listener question which we'd love to hear your thoughts on: Who would make a good director for an 87th Precinct adaptation? We ponder the variables and make some suggestions. Paul also reveals more about adaptations that do exist, from Japan and Russia...2018-08-2128 min
Hark! The 87th Precinct PodcastEd McBain s Ten Plus One Episode 17 Quality Manly Reading**Hark! It's an 87th Precinct Podcast!**
Welcome back to the books! After our fantastic diversion off to New York to meet Otto Penzler, we're firmly back in the fictional city of Isola, dodging bullets from rooftops as we put together the pieces of the mystery that is Ten Plus One (1963).
The 17th book in the 87th Precinct series is a bloody and dark tale, with only a couple of amusing characters to lighten the mood of what is a battle against the odds to work out why seemingly unrelated victims are getting gunned down.
In this episode we take our...2018-08-1600 min
Hark! The 87th Precinct PodcastHark Bonus Interview Otto Penzler at the Mysterious Bookshop**Hark! It's an 87th Precinct Extra Special Bonus Podcast!**
We're absolutely thrilled to be bringing you this podcast - an interview with publisher and owner of the Mysterious Bookshop, Otto Penzler. Otto was a long time close friend and confidante to Evan Hunter and kindly agreed to meet up with Paul when he was recently in New York, to chat about their relationship and tell us more about what Hunter was like as a person.
During the conversation, we discuss how much Evan's background may have bled into his books, the success of Evan Hunter vs the longevity of the 87...2018-07-3144 min
Hark! The 87th Precinct PodcastEd McBain s Like Love Episode 16 Bonus Boris Becker In Jeopardy**Hark! It's an 87th Precinct Podcast Bonus Episode!**
You chose the title (well, the seven of you who voted), so find out what it's all about in this bonus episode about the 1962 87th Precinct story, Like Love.
As usual, there's a good book-huffing, a look at the covers of our different editions (check out our Instagram feed for pictures and more!) and we answer a number of listener questions in regard to how the series might have ended, female authors of crime fiction and more about who the best on-screen Carella was.
We also take in 'Call My Bluff', Stevo's...2018-07-1527 min
Hark! The 87th Precinct PodcastEd McBain s Like Love Episode 16 Put Rum In It**Hark! It's the 87th Precinct Podcast**
Put your time-trousers on and slip back with us to the second part of 1962, as we experience something Like Love...
Returning to the single-story format, the 87th Precinct is back with mountains of police procedures, lots of footwork and more bad luck for Steve Carella. He can't catch a break, that fella. It's an explosive tale of suicide, lost love and heartbreak for all involved.
We look at what was dominating the music charts in the latter part of 1962, what was (and wasn't) released in the cinemas and explore the source of the original...2018-07-0957 min
Hark! The 87th Precinct PodcastEd McBain s The Empty Hours Episode 15 Bonus Crime Prevention Knees**Hark! It's an 87th Precinct Podcast Bonus Episode!**
Paul's research into the different first editions of Ed McBain's 1962 collection of "novelettes", The Empty Hours, leads the team into some very silly places indeed. Prepare yourself for an entirely indulgent (and slightly tipsy) bout of INVENT A BOOK TITLE. Stevo is a natural.
Also, we see how nerdy Paul can get in his cover-image research and we become obsessed with Crime Causing/Crime Preventing knees.
Apologies for the sound issues with this (and the main podcast) - we seemed to be having some mic issues as a consequence (probably) of rushing...2018-06-1425 min
Hark! The 87th Precinct PodcastEd McBain s The Empty Hours Episode 15 Carry On Candelabra**Hark! It's an 87th Precinct Podcast!**
Join us on our journey to find out what happens during "The Empty Hours" - McBain's collection of three novellas released in one volume from 1962. Carella takes on a paper-chase in the title story, whilst Meyer questions his place in the world in *'J' *and Hawes goes out of town looking for loving and finding murder instead in *Storm.* Our research throws up some trivia about the original publication times and places for the stories, as well as info about forensic methods and a sobering look at the sort of idiots spreading race-hate then...2018-06-0759 min
Hark! The 87th Precinct PodcastSide Pod The Young Savages A Glistening Pompadour**Hark! It's an 87th Precinct Podcast Sidepod!**
The team takes in the John Frankenheimer directed film "The Young Savages" from 1961. The film was based on Evan Hunter's "A Matter Of Conviction" from 1959 and is the tale of Hank Bell (Burt Lancaster) and his quest for the truth in preparation for his prosecution of three Italian street-gang members accused of the First-Degree murder of a Puerto Rican boy. When placed alongside the 87th Precinct book "See Them Die" of 1960, it seems streets gangs were much on Hunter's mind.
As we go along we hear some great jazz-slang, Paul's Bin Mystery, Stephen's...2018-05-1755 min
Hark! The 87th Precinct PodcastEd McBain s Lady Lady I Did It Episode 14 Bonus Novelty P nis Frying Pan**Hark! It's an 87th Precinct Podcast bonus episode!**
FULL DISCLOSURE - we suffered our first ever real technical problem during the recording of this episode, so part way through there's a brief music-snippet to paste over the join. We do 'fess up to it and we didn't lose too much, so it's all okay!
In our follow-up to the main podcast episode, we finally reveal the details about Stevo's idea for the show "Criminals and Little and Large"! With amazing skill, Morgan manages to tie our chatter about 1980s/90s British comedy Double Acts back into the world of Police...2018-05-0224 min
Hark! The 87th Precinct PodcastEd McBain s Lady Lady I Did It Episode 14 Relatively Politely Spoken Flautist**Hark! It's the 87th Precinct Podcast!**
The year is 1961. 87th Precinct fans have had to wait an entire year since their last fix and they're desperate for another story - McBain finally provides them with the 14th novel in the series, the brutal and heartbreaking Lady, Lady, I Did It!
Join us for our usual mix of book-review and contextual-chatter (sorry, there's quite a bit of preamble this time!), as we discover all about what was going on around the world in music, TV and politics. Listen whilst Paul relates some communication from Hunter's literary agent Jane Gelfman (thanks, Jane...2018-04-2759 min
Hark! The 87th Precinct PodcastEd McBain s See Them Die Episode 13 Bonus A Papier mache Inspector Morse**Hark! It's an 87th Precinct Podcast Bonus Episode**
I mean, we do talk a bit about McBain in this rather silly appendix to our main podcast. Stevo, of course, provides us with the results of his book-huffing and we delve deep into the sorts of books you could get from the discount mail-order shops advertising in the NYT in 1962.
We also, as usual, retread some "Carry On..." ground and hark back to the days of the kids TV magazine show "How?", just in case you've not go enough UK emphera inside your heads. With a nod to the podcast, The...2018-04-0421 min
Hark! The 87th Precinct PodcastEd McBain s See Them Die Episode 13 To The Cafeterium**Hark! It's the 87th Precinct Podcast!**
We're coming to the end of 1960 when Ed McBain releases the thirteenth 87th Precinct novel, See Them Die. A tale of gangs, sieges, unrequited love, heat, tear gas and a big fat man. This is West Side Story as you've never experienced it before.
On our travel to Isola's very own Spanish Harlem, we've discuss a whole load of stuff, including a pertinent listener question about the writing and release order of the books, the Ed McBain Mystery Book magazine series, Manhunt and the Puerto Rican diaspora. Stevo is possessed by the ghost of...2018-03-2959 min
Hark! The 87th Precinct PodcastSide Pod Bonus Inkaar Sellotape a Phone to a Banana**Hark! It's an 87th Precinct Podcast Side-Pod Bonus Episode! (Phew!)**
Hop once more onto the train that left from the station called "King's Ransom - 1959", stopped off at "High and Low - 1963" and is now on the way to "Inkaar - 1977" and then join us in our comfy, sunken living-room seating as Paul and his guest Lorraine (https://twitter.com/lolmidge and https://twitter.com/lolmidgefilms) discuss the late Seventies Bollywood movie Inkaar.
Inkaar was an adaptation of Kurosawa's film, yet is very different and also has some other aspects of McBain's book included. In this bonus-to-a-side-pod episode we discuss...2018-03-1644 min
Hark! The 87th Precinct PodcastSide Pod Kurosawa s High and Low Milkman s Day Out**Hark! It's an 87th Precinct Podcast Sidepod!**
Come with us now back to 1963, to Yokohama in Japan, to the glossy Highs of Mr.Gondo's hilltop villa and the seedy Lows of Mr.Takeuchi's shack in the slums. Join us as we follow Chief Detective's Tokura and "Bos'n" Taguchi on the trail of what appears to be a simple kidnapping case that turns into something much more dramatic.
Based on McBain's 1959 novel, King's Ransom, Akira Kurosawa's film Tengoku to Jigoku (Heaven or Hell, but widely known as High and Low) is a fantastic feature which not only provides plenty for the...2018-02-201h 06
Hark! The 87th Precinct PodcastEd McBain s The Heckler Episode 12 Bonus What About The Tuba Murders**Hark! It's an 87th Precinct Podcast Bonus Episode**
A very silly podcast.
Join us for our post-main-podcast descent into madness as we start out proper (the artwork of Tony Palladino, Hitchcock and the nature of The Deaf Man, Teddy Carella and good vs evil), before speculating on what the cover of Stevo's 1979 Penguin edition actually shows. From thereon in, we hear about the Three 'Crimey' Things Paul got up to that day and consider P J Hammond's adventure series Sapphire and Steel in a whole new (Cornish) light.
Get your book-eyes pointed at McBain's "See Them Die" in time for...2018-02-0222 min
Hark! The 87th Precinct PodcastEd McBain s The Heckler Episode 12 The Magnificats**Hark! It's the 87th Precinct Podcast**
The year is 1960 and the second of McBain's 87th Precinct books was The Heckler - a tale of threatening phone-calls, actual murders and some bombs along the way. Marvel at the machiavellian machinations of the 87th Precinct's nemesis-to-be and witness the inside of Detective Steve Carella's unconscious mind.
Along the way we discuss the real-life women who changed the world Ed McBain wrote about - Detective Mary Fitzgerald and crime-fiction critic Marilyn Stasio and we offer some critique of his rather chest-obsessed prose in this novel.
K.E.N.N.E.T.H. comes...2018-01-2957 min
Hark! The 87th Precinct PodcastSolo Pod Ed McBain Books in the 1950s DYNAMIC K E N N E T H**Hark! It's an 87th Precinct Podcast Solo Episode!**
Whilst we get organised for our next podcast proper (Ed McBain's "The Heckler") we've provided this little stopgap, with a look back over the books we've covered that were released in the 1950s.
During this solo excursion, Paul recaps the books, the adaptations, who's who in the squadroom and tells you all about K.E.N.N.E.T.H., our scoring computer, via some newly discovered archive evidence. Detective Steve Carella pops by as well.
Please continue to get involved via Twitter (@Hark87Podcast), email (Hark87Podcast@gmail.com) and via...2018-01-1820 min
Hark! The 87th Precinct PodcastEd McBain s Give The Boys A Great Big Hand Episode 11 Bonus The Incredible Malcolm Hulke**Hark! It's an 87th Precinct Bonus Episode!**
And what a bonus episode it is! After discussing our copies of the 87th Precinct book, with Paul demonstrating his inability to grasp the relative costs of pre-decimal currency, we get down to some important business.
Imagine a world where Roger Moore appears as himself in a children's crime-fighting story-book written by Doctor Who writer Malcolm Hulke, all set in or around an African Embassy and the BBC in 1977... now, STOP IMAGINING and listen to our reactions as we discuss "The Siege" - the first entry in the Roger Moore and The Crimefighters...2017-12-1225 min
Hark! The 87th Precinct PodcastEd McBain s Give The Boys A Great Big Hand Episode 11 Dropping A Steam Engine Onto A Battleship**Hark! It's the 87th Precinct Podcast.**
Ten books and four years into the 87th Precinct series, and we've reached 1960 and the grisly but gripping tale of severed appendages, rainy weather and missing musicians. Along the way you can learn about the great fashions on offer at "Urban Suburban", the history of UK publishers T V Boardman and hear Stevo morph briefly into a pensive lion.
We do our review of music and culture for 1960 and reveal the shocking secrets of Jeff Lynne's collusion with robot overlords. All this and Ed McBain too!
Thanks for listening and please continue to like...2017-12-0450 min
Hark! The 87th Precinct PodcastEd McBain s Killer s Wedge Episode 8 Bonus We re Not Graphologists**Hark! It's the 87th Precinct Podcast Bonus Episode!**
Hello and welcome to the sound of three men comparing the letter 'r' for your listening pleasure! In this episode we follow up on the last episode discovery of artist Theo Ramos's name in Stevo's book (have a look at https://artuk.org/discover/artists/ramos-theodore-b-1928 for some examples of his work) and we take a further look at the 87th Precinct TV episode, Lady In Waiting (2 October '61), and revel in the intense eye-acting work of Constance Ford. Also, if you're not from the UK and you've never heard of Art...2017-08-2119 min
Hark! The 87th Precinct PodcastEd McBain s Killer s Choice Episode 5 Bonus Who and The What Whats**Hark! It's the 87th Precinct Podcast Bonus Episode!**
A bit of a bumper bonus episode, as we take our traditional look at the editions of the books we've got and examine how the book was adapted for the TV episode in 1961. Along the way we get some info wrong and Groff Conklin pops up as the Fact-Checking Ghost to set us right!
Thanks for listening. Please continue to share, subscribe, review and get involved. Hark87Podcast@gmail.com2017-05-0215 min
Hark! The 87th Precinct PodcastEd McBain s Killer s Choice Episode 5 The High Road and Scotch Eggs**Hark! It's the 87th Precinct Podcast - Killer's Choice.**
We've returned, with a bumper episode based on the 1958 novel "Killer's Choice" by Ed McBain. Along the way we answer a surprising amount of listener questions, corpse exquisitely and consider the ultimate question; Which is better - The Pit and The Pendulum or Emmerdale?
Thanks for the listens, folks! Please share and, if you're listening on iTunes, like, subscribe and (even better) drop a review on there! Feel free to get in touch on Twitter, FB, or on Hark87Podcast@gmail.com if you like.2017-04-2548 min
Hark! The 87th Precinct PodcastEd McBain s The Pusher Episode 3 Large McGann**Welcome to Hark! Episode 3 - The Pusher!**
The third of Ed McBain's 87th Precinct series - we look at what could have been the last one, had they not been the successes they were and we answer some entirely unrelated listener questions along the way.
TECHNICAL NOTE - a problem with digital clicks plagues the second half of this podcast. I've fixed it up as best I can but I'm afraid you will notice it. SORRY! Solutions to prevent this in future are being pondered.
FOLLOW US, LIKE & COMMENT - Get involved! We use the sobriquet Hark87Podcast on Twitter...2017-02-0437 min