Empire City. Chenjerai Kumanyika takes us on a tour of the history of the New York City Police Department from the days of slave-catchers to the trial of Eric Adams. Spoiler alert: His thesis is that there aren't just a few bad apples but the whole barrel is rotten. 9 parts.
The Lion, The Witch, and the Wonder. Fantasy writer Katherine Rundell looks at the history and purposes of children's literature. It's full of fascinating reflections on the writing process and writers. "It's easier to trust a writer who writes good food. They are a person who has paid attention to the world." Did you know that J.R.R. Tolkien intentionally made his lectures difficult to listen to, in the hopes that his students would drop out and he could go back to writing? 5 parts.
Underfoot in Show Business. Helene Hanff is best remembered for 84 Charing Cross Road, her book about a 20-year correspondence with a London bookseller. It was made into a movie. But before that she wrote Underfoot in Show Business, about her attempt to become a Broadway playwright. The BBC recently dramatized it and it's all charming but I point it out here mostly because she talks about breaking into television - by writing for The Adventures of Ellery Queen.
The Blackburn Files. The BBC created this lighthearted private eye series in the 1980s. It is northern England at the time that Thatcher is closing down the coal mines. Stephen Blackburn is a young ex-pitman who lives with his mother and takes over a PI business. The result is comic, sometimes slipping into farce, usually because of our hero's ability to misunderstand people. (When his intern/secretary mentions Nietzsche he replies "Gesundheit.") 5 parts.
Main Justice. This award-winning podcast is hosted by Andrew Weissmann, and Mary McCord, both former high-ranking DOJ attorneys, now legal commentators for MSNBC. The show began as Prosecuting Donald Trump but following his re-election the focus shifted to analyzing the actions of the Justice Department. Fascinating and infuriating stuff.
The Mystery Hour. Have we mentioned this one on the blog before? Prize-winning podcaster Rabia Chaudry grew up on Alfred Hitchcock's and Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazines and each week she reads a story from one of those fine journals aloud. Among those whose works have been honored here are R.T. Lawton, Joseph S. Walker, and myself. There are probably more SleuthSayers in here but one flaw in this podcast is that Chaudry only lists titles. You have to listen to find out who the author is. Maybe some kind soul will create an index?
Rob, your podcast list is more interesting than mine!
ReplyDelete84 Charing Cross Road is intriguing in itself, but it has sort of a companion book, Between Silk and Cyanide by Leo Marks. The latter reads like a British spy thriller except it's real, all too true. The connection? In the back of 2nd floor of 84 Charing Cross was an unremarkable door to a remarkable room…
I highly recommend reading both.
The Helen Hanff podcast is the one I want to check out, too. Long obsessed with Queen.
DeleteI'm proud to say that Rabia Chaudry read my story, "The Seven Day Itch" on her podcast. Woo-hoo! Great company to be among!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations, Eve!
DeleteSorry I missed you, Eve. Maybe I'll have to create that index.
DeleteGreat list! Thanks Rob. Melodie
ReplyDeleteT.anks, all. I spent 3 hours today fighting t-mobile so I have not been too communicativeh
ReplyDeleteIt took some hunting to find, but Chaudry read my Edgar story, "The Road to Hana" for The Mystery Hour. Thanks, Rob.
ReplyDeleteMe too, me too. Rabia Chaudry read my story, "Death Will Walk the High Line," on The Mystery Hour." It's #6 in the lineup.
ReplyDelete