Ed McBain's Fat Ollie's Book - Book 52, Bonus: Residual Swamp Musk

Hark! It's an 87th Precinct Podcast bonus episode!

Merry christmas and happy holidays to you all. This is the bonus episode to accompany our look at McBain's comic tour-de-force Fat Ollie's Book. We go through some contemporary reviews (forgot to do them in the main episode - sorry!), then take the opportunity to explore the year 2002, even the book was published in '03, and in particular the Christmas music charts. It's our Christmas Office Party!

 

Thanks for keeping along on the journey with us this year. Only three more books to go!

 

Fare Thee Well.

Ed McBain's Fat Ollie's Book - Book 52: NINETY MINUTES?

Hark! It's an 87th Precinct podcast.

 
It's 2002/03 and Ed McBain has written probably the most overtly comic novel in the entire series of the 87th Precinct. Follow us as we tag along with Fat Ollie Weeks to see if he can find (a) a murderer, (b) his book and (c) love and redemption?

Oh, we forgot to look at the contemporary reviews of the book in this episode, so watch out for them in our Christmassy Bonus Episode coming soon. Then it's onto book 53, The Frumious Bandersnatch.
Fare Thee Well.

 

Ed McBain's Money Money Money - Book 51, Bonus: Howitts Made

 Hark! It's an 87th Precinct Podcast bonus episode.

Having slogged through the grim world of 2001's terrorism, money laundering and drugs in the 51st book of the series, we retire to our safe space of the bonus episode to take a look at the book cover designs and then our usual run down of the charts, movies and television of the period.

What were your favourite things of 2001? Let us know on the usual social media places.

Until next time - Fat Ollie's Book - we will say simply,

Fare Thee Well.

Ed McBain's Money Money Money - Book 51: Harmless Corruption

 Hark! It's an 87th Precinct Podcast.

It's 2001 and, shortly before everything changed, McBain publishes his 51st novel in the series, which takes in drugs, money and international terrorism. It's strange to read back this story which feels so relevant to the period. A dense tome, populated by assassins, burglars, the secret service and much, much more - we try our best to tackle everything that goes on in this story.

Paul also offers up some info on another attempt to make the 87th Precinct into a TV series and we look at some contemporary reviews. Pop along for the bonus episode soon, then we'll be back with 2002's FAT OLLIE'S BOOK.

Fare thee well.

Ed McBain's The Last Dance - Book 50, Bonus: Dutch Silly Pop

Hark! It's an 87th Precinct podcast bonus episode.

The year is 2000. The millenium has ticked over and we're still not flying in personal rockets to the moon. However, we have finished reading the 50th novel in McBain's series, The Last Dance. As usual we look at the book covers of the UK and US editions, as well as some other international versions, then delve into the charts, movies and TV of the year to recall what life was like for us as we entered the future space year 2000!

We'll be back soon with our main episode on Book 51 - Money, Money, Money.

Fare thee well.

Ed McBain's The Last Dance - Book 50: Rotor Quota

 Hark! It's an 87th Precinct podcast

It's the 21st century and Ed McBain has just released the 50th book in the 87th Precinct series. It's The Last Dance and we're back to the theatre again for a tangled tale of drugs, murders, intellectual property rights and homonyms.

Is it a worthy celebration for the 50th tale or a mess of bits and pieces? Find out what we think here. As usual our bonus episode looking at the year in more context will be along soon.

Fare Thee Well.

Ed McBain's The Big Bad City - Book 49, Bonus: A Hint Of Airport

 Hark! 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. 

Ed McBain'sThe Big Bad City - Book 49: Tired Snakes Painted Yellow

 Hark! 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 DANCE! Thanks for listening.

Fare thee well.

Ed McBain's Nocturne - Book 48, Bonus: Much Scenery Was Chewed

 Hark! 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.

Ed McBain's Nocturne - Book 48: The Essence Of A Big Hat

 Hark! 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 life during this period.

We'll return soon with our bonus episode, then it's onto book 49 - The Big Bad City.

Fare Thee Well.

Ed McBain's Reruns - Minipod: Something Fall Guy

Hark! 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 ask us something please use 'Hark87Podcast' on most social things or email us.

Fare thee well.

Ed McBain's Romance - Book 47, Bonus: Scrabble With An Exotic Bird

 Hark! 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.

Ed McBain's Romance - Book 47: A Pudding That Can Change Colour

Hark! 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.

Ed McBain's Mischief - Book 45, Bonus: Mr Soft Bendy Strange Thing

 Hark! 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!) - Romance.

Fare Thee Well.

Ed 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 our December episode!) and jump straight to book 47 - Romance.

Fare thee well.

Ed McBain's Kiss - Book 44, Bonus: Old Wardrobe Odour

 Hark! 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.

Ed McBain's Kiss - Book 44: No Disrespect To Walter Matthau

 Hark! 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.

Ed McBain's Widows - Book 43, Bonus: As Real As A Cooked Dinner

 Hark! 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.

Ed McBain's Widows - Book 43: What An Awful Day

Hark! 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.