132 episodes

Ed McBain's 87th Precinct police-procedural novels were published between 1956 and 2005. There were 55 books in the series and Paul, Morgan and Stephen explore them, the spin-offs, adaptations and more from the author.

Hark! The 87th Precinct Podcast hark87podcast

    • Arts
    • 4.7 • 12 Ratings

Ed McBain's 87th Precinct police-procedural novels were published between 1956 and 2005. There were 55 books in the series and Paul, Morgan and Stephen explore them, the spin-offs, adaptations and more from the author.

    Ed McBain's Fiddlers - Book 55, Bonus: Celebration Train

    Ed McBain's Fiddlers - Book 55, Bonus: Celebration Train

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

    In fact, it's the last ever bonus episode. And everything went fine, yessir, no technical hitches or anything (*nervously runs finger around collar, eyes darting about the room*). 

    We explore as always the original UK and US covers of the books and those of our own editions and some international versions before getting into the films, television and music from the year of release - in this case, 2005. Paul, Morgan and Stevo have made their picks from the year as well. Sort of.

    See you soon for a concluding episode looking back at our scores and reflecting on the series - thanks for sticking with us.

    Fare thee well!

    • 41 min
    Ed McBain's Fiddlers - Book 55: A Very Long Pope

    Ed McBain's Fiddlers - Book 55: A Very Long Pope

    Hark! It's an 87th Precinct Podcast. In fact, it's the last (except our bonus episode) of the main series of this podcast as we arrive at the final book in the saga of the boys of Grover Avenue. It's Fiddlers. The corpses are piling up and the squad have to figure out what links the killings, whilst navigating their own matters of love, loss and family.

    Does McBain leave us on a high? Find out within as we investigate not only the book itself, but the other things released by McBain/Hunter during the final year of his life and after that. 

    Thank you so much for sticking with us and keeping us motivated to do this project. We truly appreciate it. So, until the bonus episode arrives, we'll merely say...

    Fare Thee Well!

    • 51 min
    Ed McBain's Merely Hate - Book 54a: FIFTY-SIX?

    Ed McBain's Merely Hate - Book 54a: FIFTY-SIX?

    Hark! It's an 87th Precinct bonus extra minipod!

    Before we approach the final book in the official series of the 87th Precinct, we need to divert down a side-track to look at the book TRANSGRESSIONS - ten novellas selected and edited by Ed McBain. The book includes a novella from the author, set in the 87th Precinct, called Merely Hate, so we can't ignore it.

    In this brief episode Paul will outline the other authors in the book and a little about this short(-ish) story, whilst you wait for us to bring you our last official episodes! 

    Until then, 

    Fare Thee Well.

    • 9 min
    Ed McBain's Hark! - Episode 54, bonus: Stars In Your Mouths

    Ed McBain's Hark! - Episode 54, bonus: Stars In Your Mouths

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

    This is the bonus for our show all about the 54th (of 55!) novel in the series, Hark!

    As usual we take a look at the cover designs for the book then settle back into the usual nonsense from the year of publication - in this case it's 2004. Prepare yourself for the Dave Mathews Band, Look and Read and some sequels. 

    See you soon for the concluding story in the series - FIDDLERS.

    Fare thee well.

    • 37 min
    Ed McBain's Hark! - Book 54: Violins All Round

    Ed McBain's Hark! - Book 54: Violins All Round

    Hark! It's an 87th Precinct Podcast.

    It's 2004 and we're finally examining the book that we named the podcast after... HARK! Our old frenemy, The Deaf Man, is back and this time his scheme is more baffling than ever. We dig into this, the penultimate entry in the canon. Nearly there, folks!

    We outline some of the events in 2004 and you can, of course, join us in the bonus episode for more from that year. Join us soon for the FINAL book in the series, Fiddlers.

    Fare thee well.

    • 55 min
    Ed McBain's Love Or Money - Book 53a: Air Vent Temptation

    Ed McBain's Love Or Money - Book 53a: Air Vent Temptation

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

    In 2003 the BBC ran a writing competition and amongst the eight 'famous' authors taking part was Mr McBain himself. After generating a short-story for the competition entrants to complete, the authors also wrote their own end to the tale and so we get an extra little slice of the 87th Precinct to enjoy.

    Click on the links here for the archived BBC website and the PDF of the complete tale.

    See you soon for Book 54 - Hark!

    Fare thee well.

    • 17 min

Customer Reviews

4.7 out of 5
12 Ratings

12 Ratings

Avengers93 ,

Absolutely Love this Podcast!!

Listen to this podcast while I walk then go home and read an 87th Precinct novel of which I’m a huge fan. Thanks to the Paperback Warrior guys for recommending this!!

321056406 ,

Great discussion

Also has the best theme song in podcasting!

Cliff Marsland ,

I thought I was alone

Via Google search for background on my favourite non-Elmore Leonard crime writer, I have found in this podcast hundreds of hours of delight. If you like Ed McBain, this podcast cannot be missed. If you like a group of humorous British people talking in depth about an American crime series from the dawn of the genre, this podcast cannot be missed.

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