Ed McBain's And All Through The House - Xmas episode: Cast Your Backs

 Ho 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 of the season! Thanks for listening, getting involved and being part of the McBain fun over this bizarre year. Fare thee well!

Ed McBain's Vespers - Book 42, Bonus: Two Up And One Across

Hark! 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.

Fare thee well.

Ed McBain's Vespers - Book 42: Treeriness

 Hark! 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.

Ed McBain's Lullaby - Book 41, Bonus: The Beige Spectrum

 Hark! 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 for joining us. See you soon for Vespers. Fare thee well.

Ed McBain's Lullaby - Book 41: The Krypton Factor with Lech Wałęsa

 Hark! 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.

Fare thee well.

Ed McBain's Tricks - Book 40, Bonus: A Yeti Goes To A House

 Hark! 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.

Ed McBain's Tricks - Book 40: The Final Squirrel

 Hark! 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 as well. Join us soon for the bonus episode and then book 41, Lullaby.

Fare thee well.

Ed McBain's Poison - Book 39, Bonus: 200 Year Old Scouser

 

Hark! 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.

Ed McBain's Poison - Book 38: Richie Benaud Blazer

 Hark! 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 - Tricks. Fare thee well.

Ed McBain's Eight Black Horses - Book 38, Bonus: Very Fretless Bass

Hark! 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!

Ed McBain's Eight Black Horses - Book 38: Professor Hair

Hark! 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 shares of the episode you can give us.

Next up is book 39 - Poison. Until then, fare thee well.

Ed McBain's Lighting - Book 37, Bonus: Dystopian Fozzy Bear

Hark! 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 clarity.

See you soon for Eight Black Horses. Fare thee well.

Hark! 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 and more 1984 context in our bonus episode.

Fare thee well.

Hark! Bonus Interview with Erin MacDonald

Hark! 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 books and her research process and some of the things that Rankin and McBain have in common. Hope you enjoy this. Find Erin's books in physical and digital format where you'd normally go (but support indie booksellers where possible!) and you can find Erin's own website here.

Fare thee well.

Ed McBain's Ice - Book 36, bonus: Perfumey Tang

Hark! 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 'Lightning'. Fare thee well.

Ed McBain's Ice - Book 36 - Orbit of a UFO

Hark! 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 everyone who's contributed or commented. See you soon for the bonus episode and then onto book 37 - Lightning.

Fare thee well.

Ed McBain's Heat - Book 35, Bonus: No Context Midriff

Hark! 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 a jukebox to accompany the books, year by year?

We'll be back soon for book 36, ICE. Fare thee well.

Ed McBain's Heat - Book 35: Ten Popes

Hark! 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 has slipped into the book. Keep your ears open for a guest appearance from one of Stevo's cats and an old friend...

See you soon for the bonus episode and then we'll be back with ICE! Fare Thee Well.

Ed McBain's Ghosts: Book 34, Bonus: Maritime Calamities

Hark! 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 of a looser affair, although we promise to up the McBain content as much as possible! Remember, we love to answer queries and questions, so send them along and don't forget to visit www.instagram.com/hark87podcast to see the book covers we're discussing.

See you soon for HEAT. Fare thee well.

Evan Hunter Collectors Guide

HARK! It's a Lockdown Gift for you all! As so many of you are sorting & sharing images of your wonderful bookshelves & McBain collections (keep 'em coming!), the following link is to what is hopefully a *definitive* Evan Hunter/Ed McBain collectors guide.

Plus, there's a short biography of Hunter's life included. If anyone spots any omissions or amendments required, our contact details are on here. It's in PDF format (simply click the arrow to open the file in a new window and DOWNLOAD from there)

 

Ed McBain's Ghosts - Book 34: AWOL In The Bush

Hark! 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 stuff in this tricky time. We really hope you're all well and don't forget you can always get in touch with us via FB, Twitter, Instagram or Email.

See you soon for the bonus episode and then the next book in the series, HEAT.

Fare thee well.

Ed McBain's Calypso - Book 33, Bonus: Schrödinger's Catchphrase

Hark! 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!

Ed McBain's Calypso - Book 33: Approved By Horse

Hark! 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 expect. Join us in the bonus episode soon for book covers and more.

We'll be back soon with book number 34 - Ghosts. See you then and Fare Thee Well.

Mini-Pod: A Selection of Pseudonyms for Sal Lombino

Hark! 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.

Ed McBain's Long Time No See - Book 32, Bonus: Dickens With Ferrets

Hark! 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 us again soon for book 33 in the series, Calypso.

Fare thee well.

Ed McBain's Long Time No See - Book 32: Tubes Up To The Moon

Hark! 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 with British references in this book. See you soon for the bonus episode and we'll back in 1979 with book 33 - Calypso. Visit us on Twitter, Instagram or Ko-Fi. Please review and share wherever you can. Fare thee well.

Side-pod: Find The Feathered Serpent - Reduckulous

Hark! 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 on this episode, it was taped over Christmas. A long drive and a spot of Cava is the excuse for Paul's poorly-working-brain. Still, we dig into the implausibilities of this already implausible tale, identify a McBain-style of writing in gestation and also take a look at some British and US television and music from the time the book was published.

We'll be back soon with our main episodes and possibly some more bonus material to keep you ticking over. Thanks for staying on the McBain path with us. Fare thee well.