Hark! Solo-pod: Ed McBain Magazines and Comics

Hark! 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 of, answered (or at least speculated on) in this solo-podcast from series host, Paul Abbott.

If you like the show, please consider rating & reviewing it on your podcast app, and telling friends who you think would like the show. The usual format is a three-way discussion about each book in the series. All the back-episodes are still available, including bonus interviews and reviews of adaptations and other related McBain stuff. 

Hope you enjoy this episode as much as I enjoyed researching it. Fare thee well!

Ed McBain's He Who Hesitates - Episode 19: A Normal Crab and Iguanas

Hark! 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 well.

Remember you can find us on all the podcast platforms and social media as HARK87PODCAST and you can contribute to the running of the show with a one-off donation at KO-FI.COM. Or help us out by writing a review and sharing!

We'll be back with our bonus episode soon, and then onto the next book in the series - "DOLL". Fare thee well.

Ed 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 usual look at the charts/movies/politics of the era, have a look at the issue of Argosy magazine this story was featured in, fail to effectively answer a listener question and collectively forget which books we've read and what happens in them - but at least you get the start of a bonus improvised Poirot story from Stevo!

Please do rate, review and share the show and perhaps show your love with a one-off donation to us via www.ko-fi.com/harkpodcast - bonus episode coming soon, plus sharpen your tools for the next story - AX(e)! Fare Thee Well.

Hark! 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 87th Precinct, who else fans of the 87th Precinct should be reading and Otto shares some personal recollections of a man who, it seems, was intense, honest, friendly, combative, funny and talented.

We can't thank Otto enough for being so open with us and agreeing to give up some of his working time to talk to us. Reward him by visiting the Mysterious Bookshop next time you're in New York, or exploring the Mysterious Press to find some amazing editions of classic authors. 

Thanks for listening. Please rate, review and share. We'd love as many people as possible to hear this great conversation. Visit us at our blog and buy us a coffee at Ko-Fi . Fare Thee Well!