Friday, 25 December 2020

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!

Wednesday, 16 December 2020

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.


Tuesday, 8 December 2020

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.


Tuesday, 17 November 2020

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.

Tuesday, 10 November 2020

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.

Friday, 9 October 2020

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.

Wednesday, 30 September 2020

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.