Out of Order Book Club

Mal Bernhardt
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The Out of Order Book Club podcast is aimed at avid readers and aspiring writers everywhere who are interested in books from all sorts of genres. Every week, Mal takes you through a random book from a crime, fantasy or sci-fi series and asks whether this book in the series can be read out of order. Email: outoforderbookclub@outlook.com

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  1. Let's talk a bit about TV tie-in novels

    EPISODE 1

    Let's talk a bit about TV tie-in novels

    We're starting this mini-season with a bit of a bitesize (though not as bitesize as I intended!) episode laying the groundwork for the TV tie-in season. In this episode, we're not looking at any particular book but at the complex world of TV tie-in novels, and some of the challenges involved in writing them. In this episode, I will try to answer the following questions: What exactly is a TV tie-in novel?Why might fandom be a double edged sword for a TV tie-in author?What are the things that make TV tie-in writing difficult? (If you thought it was easy...) This episode also introduces some key sources used as research and referred to throughout the season. You can find the links below: M.J. Clarke - The Strict Maze of Media Tie-In Novels (2009) Matt Hills -Torchwood's trans-transmedia: Media tie-ins and brand 'fanagement' (2012) Filipo Gilardi and James Reid - Transmedia storytelling: Paradigm shift in literary studies, narrative, adaptation, teaching and learning (2014) Shaun Duke - Fan Fiction vs. Tie-in Fiction: A Framework (2023) Karen Raugust - Tie-ins Attract TV viewers to the mystery genre (2012)

    31 min
  2. Murder, She Wrote: Murder on Parade (2008)

    EPISODE 2

    Murder, She Wrote: Murder on Parade (2008)

    In the second episode of this season, we'll be taking a look at a novel tied to a series Mal is legitimately a fan of - Murder, She Wrote. The TV tie-in novel we'll be looking at is 'Murder on Parade' by Jessica Fletcher and Donald Bain. Join me for a trip to Cabot Cove where we'll dealing with these questions, amongst many others: Could you read this novel without knowing anything about Murder, She Wrote? (Is there anyone out there who doesn't know anything about Murder, She Wrote?!)How is this novel balancing the need to provide a good mystery while not changing or extending beyond the expectations of fan? Is it even trying to do that?Does this novel standalone as a mystery?Is Jessica more outspoken in the TV series than in this novel? Please note: I rerecorded large chunks of this because I kept calling Donald Bain 'Douglas' for reasons I can't imagine. However, a couple have slipped through because they were part of some adlibbing that I liked, and I wasn't sure I'd remember make the same points again if I rerecorded it! My apologies. Email: outoforderbookclub@outlook.com Social Media: Since recording this podcast, I have deactivated my Blue Sky account so I am less distracted. This means at the moment, you can't find me and follow me on Blue Sky. Hopefully, I'll be back there some day! Useful links and sources: Cozy Mystery List: Interview with Donald Bain (n.d.) Complete List of Murder, She Wrote novels from Cozy Crime Reads (2026) Wikipedia's Murder, She Wrote novel list: In the podcast, I slipped and said Donald Bain wrote 'nearly 40' of these novels, when I meant 'over' 40. The numbered list is here. and include contibutions from other Jessica Fletcher co-authors. M.J. Clarke - The Strict Maze of Media Tie-In Novels (2009

    44 min
  3. Charmed: Shadow of the Sphinx (2003)

    EPISODE 3

    Charmed: Shadow of the Sphinx (2003)

    In this week's episode of the the TV tie-in mini-season, we'll be taking a look at 'Shadow of the Sphinx' by Carla Jablonski, which is a Charmed novel. My knowledge of this series is based on watching a few episodes here and there when it was originally broadcast back in the late 90s and early 00s. Will it impact my understanding of the novel? Well, it is certainly a risk! If you mix that lack of knowledge with the fact that this is a novel that is linked to a particular series (sorry!) season of Charmed, and it's a great chance to see whether this TV tie-in can standalone which is what we're really interested in on this podcast. Email: outoforderbookclub@outlook.com Social Media: Since recording this podcast, I have deactivated my Blue Sky account so I am less distracted. This means at the moment, you can't find me and follow me on Blue Sky. Hopefully, I'll be back there some day! Useful links and helpful sources: Carla Jablonski's website M.J. Clarke - The Strict Maze of Media Tie-In Novels (2009) The Big Megillah interview A great interview called 'The collaboration between author and illustrator' which tells you all about that, and gives some idea about how Jablonski approaches the creative process. Charmed List of novels (Wikipedia) This was truly helpful in giving me an overview of the novel series and how they relate to the TV series. The House of Halliwell podcast I was right! In the podcast, I guessed that there was a podcast with the original cast members talking about the series, and here it is!

    44 min
  4. Monk: Mr. Monk and the Blue Flu (2007)

    EPISODE 4

    Monk: Mr. Monk and the Blue Flu (2007)

    In the fourth episode of this season, we're taking a look at 'Mr. Monk and the Blue Flu' by Lee Goldberg from the TV series 'Monk'. This is the first episode where the author of the novel has also written for the TV series, and I'll be using this novel to look at key ideas about fidelity and linearity in tie-in novels. In addition, I'll certainly be asking the usual Out of Order Book Club questions about whether this can standalone not only from the TV series but also the novel series as well. Personally speaking, this last point is quite difficult to answer! Email: outoforderbookclub@outlook.com Social Media: Since recording this podcast, I have deactivated my Bluesky account so I am less distracted and a wee bit more productive. This means at the moment, despite what I say in the podcast, you can't find me and follow me on Bluesky. Hopefully, I'll be back there some day! Useful links and helpful sources: Lee Goldberg's website M.J. Clarke - The Strict Maze of Media Tie-In Novels (2009) Matt Hills -Torchwood's trans-transmedia: Media tie-ins and brand 'fanagement' (2012) Filipo Gilardi and James Reid - Transmedia storytelling: Paradigm shift in literary studies, narrative, adaptation, teaching and learning (2014) Shaun Duke - Fan Fiction vs. Tie-in Fiction: A Framework (2023) Monk Fan Wiki

    50 min
  5. Season 2 Trailer: It's all about TV tie-ins

    12/27/2025

    Season 2 Trailer: It's all about TV tie-ins

    In January, Out of Order Book Club will be back with a new (mini) season. I'll be dipping my toe into the water of TV tie-in novels. I hope to answer some burning questions, at least for me, about: What makes a good TV tie-in novel?Do you need to know anything about the series in order to understand what is going on?Are there any common elements in TV tie-ins?Does being a fan ruin your enjoyment of TV tie-ins?Should I even attempt to do an episode on Doctor Who novels? Is that the Mount Everest of tie-ins?Plus, anything else I can think to add to the list. So join me, Mal Bernhardt, as I spend some time with Mulder, Scully, Fletcher, Solo (not that one) and many others for our TV tie-in season.

    1 min
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About

The Out of Order Book Club podcast is aimed at avid readers and aspiring writers everywhere who are interested in books from all sorts of genres. Every week, Mal takes you through a random book from a crime, fantasy or sci-fi series and asks whether this book in the series can be read out of order. Email: outoforderbookclub@outlook.com

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