Hark! The 87th Precinct Podcast

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 well. Thanks to everyone who got in touch - we love being able to respond, so please contact us through social media or via [email protected]

We'll be back soon to enjoy the next 87th Precinct novel, Doll, with you, but we should have some super-special bonus stuff coming up soon as well. Fare thee well!

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.

**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 to helpless idiots whilst Stevo attempts to perform another story from the "TRUE CRIME?" canon. Please, forgive us our indulgences!

Apologies, also, for the sound of loose-elbows hitting microphone boom arms. We'll list the books we've read/recommended on our blog/website. Join us next time in 1965 for "He Who Hesitates". Chop chop!

**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 initiation for new readers and listeners, before tackling our usual round of "What happened in this year?" in advance of our discussion, in an almost spoiler-free fashion, of the book. There's plenty of giggling at craps as well.

This week we feature a promo for our friends at [Loaded Literature Podcast](http://loadedliteraturepodcast.com/) - check them out, and remember to use #lithappens on social media to find more literature and books podcasts.

A rating or review on iTunes is super-appreciated and super-useful for helping us reach new listeners or if you wish to contribute another way, we're rattling our digital donations cup over at [Ko-fi.com](http://ko-fi.com/harkpodcast).

Join us soon for our bonus episode and then we're onto book 19 which is (wait for it...) "He Who Hesitates". Fare Thee Well!

**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 sky – beak sharpened and pointed at your eyes) into what made this film a success, a failure or simply a cinematic curiosity, depending on your point of view (if you’ve got any eyes left after the dive-bombing).

Along the way we hear an interesting theory about how horror and police procedurals work, learn about the magical German device known as the Trautonium and find out what magpies get up to on the winter holidays.

If you want to know more about Hitch and Hunter’s relationship, Evan’s book “Me and Hitch” is a fascinating read, but we’ll put more on the blog about it for you to follow up!

Find “Trial Of A Timelord” on [Twitter](http://twitter.com/whotrial) and [Podbean](http://trialofatimelord.podbean.com) – and why not start with the Paradise Towers episode, eh?

Fare thee well!

**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, and then presents Morgan and Stephen with presents all the way from America. We love each other dearly, you know!

Join us again for the next book in the series - "Ax" (1964) - and please keep contributing, sharing and commenting. Fare thee well!

**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! 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](http://www.mysteriousbookshop.com/) next time you're in New York, or exploring the [Mysterious Press](http://mysteriouspress.com/) 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](http://www.hark87podcast.blogspot.com/) and buy us a coffee at [Ko-Fi](http://www.ko-fi.com/harkpodcast/) . Fare Thee Well!

**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 proposal for a podcast spin-off called "True Crime?" and you can hear our slow but inexorable collapse into heat fatigue.

We'll be back soon with 1963's Ten Plus One, plus some special bonuses for you. Please rate, review and share on the podcast apps and social media you use. Thanks! Fare Thee Well.

**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 publication of the abridged version of the story. We look into the publishing history of the book as well and how it afforded McBain the chance to take the mickey out of J D Salinger.

Thanks for listening. As always, please share, rate and review wherever you get the podcast. We've got some more exciting stuff on the horizon to share with you soon! In the meantime, point your crime-eyes towards "Ten Plus One", the next in the series! Fare Thee Well.