Lighting the Pipes

Lighting the Pipes
  • 0.0 (0)
  • BOOKS
  • EVERY TWO WEEKS

Blending research and literary analysis with conversation and review, we lock down crime stories and read them their rights. The game is afoot!

  1. 22 JAN

    The Haunted Monastery (1961)

    Inspired by the real life Tang-dynasty magistrate, Di Renjie, Robert van Gulik's Judge Dee stories continue a rich history of Chinese crime writing, gong'an, featuring government figures who solve mysteries. In this adventure, Judge Dee and his entourage find themselves seeking shelter in the Morning Cloud Monastery, suspiciously linked to the mysterious deaths of three young women. Dee and his lieutenant Tao Gan leave no stone unturned (and no tea undrunk) in their pursuit to unravel the dark secrets of this two-faced, peace-proclaiming sanctuary! We had a great time talking about this intriguing text, recommended to us by our buddy Nick over at The Book Graveyard (https://www.youtube.com/@TheBookGraveyard). FastFacts@9:45; Summary@46:00; PIPES@1:07:15

    2h 6m

  2. 16 JAN

    The Saint Around the World (1956) - Part 2

    In the conclusion of our two-part feature on Leslie Charteris' globetrotting collection from 1956, we join The Saint on his three final adventures. In "the Lovelorn Sheikh", Simon Templar buddies-up with a sympathetic dowser in the Middle East to aid his zany struggle for freedom and finance. Then it's off to Singapore, where a Somerset Maugham story holds the key to understanding the criminal conflict and history behind "The Pluperfect Lady". This gives way to the final yarn, "A Sporting Chance", wherein The Saint looks to expose the links of a drug chain while enjoying a spot of fly-fishing in Canada's great outdoors. Story 1@01:30; Story 2@30:00; Story 3@57:30

    1h 26m

  3. 9 JAN

    The Saint Around the World (1956) - Part 1

    Our exploration of Leslie Charteris's famous character continues here in the first of a two-part special on this (not-so) short story collection from 1956. From the warm beaches of Bermuda to a naturalist colony on Ile du Levant, the Saint's predictable charm, comeuppance and occasional moral lecturing are all on display here amidst a series of globe-trotting capers. This episode features reviews of stories 1-3 in the collection, "The Patient Playboy", "The Talented Husband" and "The Reluctant Nudist". Pack lightly and leave your disbelief behind - you're travelling with Simon Templar, remember! Story1 @04:00; Story2 @26:00; Story3 @48:00

    1h 8m

  4. 30/12/2025

    LTP 007: Brokenclaw (1990)

    In this episode, our final of the year, we send 2025 on its way with a deep-dive into John Gardner's ninth James Bond continuation novel. While on "vacation" in Canada, Bond's forced leisure is cut short when he's sent to investigate Lee Fu-Chu, aka "Brokenclaw", a half-Blackfoot, half-Chinese billionaire with a penchant for deception and murder. When leading scientists begin disappearing across the continent, 007 gets drawn further into Brokenclaw's criminal world and his plans of economic sabotage.

    1h 15m

  5. 27/12/2025

    2025 Review & Holiday Quiz

    2025 has been a great year on the pod and in this episode we look back at this successful and surprising stretch of reading and collaborating across thirty episodes. In addition to sharing our rankings for the shared novels and stories we explored, we also share some laughs and challenges in tackling our annual Sherlock and Year-in-Review quizzes!

    56 min

  6. 19/12/2025

    LTP Festive: Dancing Dan's Christmas (1932)

    Damon Runyan's Broadway stories are characterised by crooks, rogues and revelers with hearts of gold. In "Dancing Dan's Christmas" from 1932, we see a trio of pals, led by Dan, on a Christmas mission to make Gammer O'Neil believe in Santa. All it will take is a cheap disguise, some stolen jewels and the courage that only comes from necking Tom and Jerry cocktails for a couple hours beforehand! LTP Festive continues with Josh's choice for 2025 and a deep-dive into this short, charming holiday caper. FastFacts@3:15; Summary@14:00; PIPES@19:45

    52 min

  7. 16/12/2025

    LTP Festive: Waxworks (1930)

    It's Christmas Eve in Oldhampton and as residents enjoy what's left of their pre-holiday errands, cub reporter Sonia is looking to eschew the society fluff of her regular assignments by tackling a more thrilling angle. Nobody has yet spent a night among the wax effigies in the local Hall of Horrors without meeting a ghastly end. Success here would certainly propel Sonia over the bigoted jibes and through the glass ceiling of her toxic workplace. Ethel Lina White's "Waxworks" first appeared in the December 1930 edition of Pearson's magazine and was the precursor to her 1935 novel, "Wax". In Part 1 of LTP's Festive Season Triptych, your hosts explore this fascinating short story and its context. Fast Facts@14:45; Summary@38:45; PIPES@45:45

    1h 22m

  8. 26/11/2025

    Killer in the Rain (1935)

    Before Philip Marlowe there was... "shamus"... aka Proto-Marlowe! In this episode, Scott goes on solo assignment through the pages of Black Mask magazine to share his thoughts on Raymond Chandler's 1935 story "Killer in the Rain", the key progenitor of The Big Sleep. From salacious booksellers to double-crossing hoods, this complex story presented readers with the blueprint for what would become a sinful California and a gripping, fool-proof character methodology that Chandler would draw and double-down upon for years to come. So grab your trench-coats and join LTP through the drenched pavements and heavy secrets of LA. Watch where you step, it's wet out there.

    37 min
See All (129)

About

Blending research and literary analysis with conversation and review, we lock down crime stories and read them their rights. The game is afoot!

Information

  • Creator
    Lighting the Pipes
  • Years Active
    2018 - 2026
  • Episodes
    129
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2017
  • Show Website
    Lighting the Pipes