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: Donald Bain's Murder on Parade (2008)

    EPISODE 2

    Murder She Wrote: Donald Bain's 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: Carla Jablonski's Shadow of the Sphinx (2003)

    EPISODE 3

    Charmed: Carla Jablonski's 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: Lee Goldberg's Mr. Monk and the Blue Flu (2007)

    EPISODE 4

    Monk: Lee Goldberg's 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. Stranger Things: Adam Christopher's Darkness on the Edge of Town (2019)

    EPISODE 5

    Stranger Things: Adam Christopher's Darkness on the Edge of Town (2019)

    In this episode, I'll be taking a look at a novel where I know nothing/nada/nowt about the TV show, so this should be interesting! The novel is 'Darkness on the Edge of Town' by Adam Christopher, and the TV series is 'Stranger Things'. Can you understand a tie-in novel when you haven't seen one episode of the TV series? Can it work as a standalone novel and/or an entry point to the TV series? What, if any, are the differences between this novel and the ones we've already looked at? On top of all that, we're revisiting an author that appeared in the first season (episode 4), so feel free to go and listen to that before you dive in here! Email: outoforderbookclub@outlook.com Useful links and sources: Adam Christopher's Website Stranger Things Books Penguin Random House site M.J. Clarke - The Strict Maze of Media Tie-In Novels Matt Hills -Torchwood's trans-transmedia: Media tie-ins and brand 'fanagement' Filipo Gilardi and James Reid - Transmedia storytelling: Paradigm shift in literary studies, narrative, adaptation, teaching and learning The Psychgeist of Pop Culture: Stranger Things - Edited by Anton Roberts Richard Lawson's Vanity Fair Review Jonathan Pile's Empire Review Lucy Mangan's Guardian Review

    50 min
  6. The Man from U.N.C.L.E.: Michael Avallone's The Man from U.N.C.L.E. (1965)

    EPISODE 6

    The Man from U.N.C.L.E.: Michael Avallone's The Man from U.N.C.L.E. (1965)

    In the sixth episode of our TV tie-ins mini-season, Mal, with contributions from a 'Resident Expert' (i.e. her Mum), takes a look at a 60 year old novel - The Man From U.N.C.L.E. by Michael Avallone. This was written in the 1960s, at a time when tie-in authors couldn't immerse themselves in the world of the TV show because they probably had to watch it once a week at the same time the rest of the population did. Does that mean that the novels were a mass of contradictions and discrepancies? Join me for an episode that takes a look at the challenges faced by tie-in authors in the 60s, as well as a (not long enough!) look at the author Michael Avallone the "Fast typewriter in the East". A special thanks should go out to Lee Goldberg who shared the book 'Tied In: The Business, History and Craft of Media Tie-In Writing' with me. He edited this book of essays and the one by David Spencer about tie-in writing in the 50s, 60s and 70s was so useful in this episode. Content Warning: As this book is a spy thriller from the 60s, women aren't depicted or described in the most comfortable way. In addition, I talk briefly about how one of the female characters is threatened with sexual assault and I read examples of some of Avallone's famously bad writing (not from The Man from U.N.C.L.E., I should add!). I take a moment to warn listeners, so when we get to that point feel free to skip 10 minutes. Email: outoforderbookclub@outlook.com Useful Links and Sources: manfromuncle.org: This contains an interview with Jon Heitland and the Kathleen Crighton introduction to the TV show which I use in the episode. The site itself is dense with information, but is absolutely worth your time. Morgan Richter: This contains a warm and fun breakdown of The A-Team episode which reunited David McCallam and Robert Vaughn. Tied in: This book is edited by Lee Goldberg. The essay by David Spencer about working as a tie-in writer in the 50s through to the 70s was both fascinating and invaluable in this episode. Michael Avallone's obituary in The Independent: Written by Jack Adrian, this is unlike any obit I've ever read for an author! Thrilling Stories article about Michael Avallone: This contained really useful context and, more importantly, enthusiasm for the stories behind Michael Avallone's work. Gun in Cheek: Bill Pronzini's first book about 'alternative classics' was helpful in showing the range of 'bad writers' there are out there, and how enjoyable they are. Son of Gun in Cheek: The second book by Bill Pronzini contains the chapter on Michael Avallone, which I quote from at length. Reading this Life: Descend into Paperback hell - Michael Avallone's Satan Sleuth series: A quick and fun run through of this series from the 21st century perspective. M.J. Clarke - The Strict Maze of Media Tie-In Novels (2009) Filipo Gilardi and James Reid - Transmedia storytelling: Paradigm shift in literary studies, narrative, adaptation, teaching and learning (2014)

    1h 3m
  7. The X-Files: Charles Grant's Whirlwind (1995)

    EPISODE 7

    The X-Files: Charles Grant's Whirlwind (1995)

    In this episode, Mal will be going back to the '90s to revisit one of her first real TV addictions ('The X-Files') with 'Whirlwind' by Charles Grant. In this episode, there will be a distinction made between fans and real 'X-Philes', and a related discussion on whether the TV show itself was contradictory putting the TV show and fans at odds with each other. The episode will address the questions this throws up, such as - What does a tie-in writer do if the TV show is contradictory? How does a writer deal with a 'will they/won't they' couple? What's the big theme in the TV show and is it echoed in this novel? In addition, there'll be a quick definition of 'Quiet Horror' and whether The X-Files and their tie-ins are a perfect fit for that genre. Content Warning: There is one extract which is a little gross when Mulder and Scully are looking at photos of mutilated cattle and a little swearing (unconnected!) Email: outoforderbookclub@outlook.com Useful links and interesting sources: 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) Paula Cappa and Quiet Horror (2016): This provided a useful definition of quiet horror and background into how Charles Grant was a champion of it.. Ryan Coogler update on his X-Files reboot (Collider, 2026) Neil Snowdon - Dancing with Shadows: The Charles L. Grant Blogathon (2016): One of the key sites I discovered that showed me the impact of Grant on other authors Mikel J. Koven's chapter on The X-Files (2010) Douglas Kellner's The X-Files and the Aesthetics and Politics of Postmodern Pop (1999) Christine A. Wooley's Visible Fandom: Reading The X-Files through X-Philes (2002)

    50 min
  8. 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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