69 episodes
Point Blank: Hardboiled, Noir, & Detective Fiction Justin & Kurt
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4.5 • 66 Ratings
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Point Blank is a podcast about hardboiled, noir, and detective fiction. Mixing serious analysis and humor, the co-hosts (Justin and Kurt) discuss a classic or contemporary work of crime fiction each episode. In addition to major works, they offer shorter reviews, and examine noir-ish topics such as alcoholism in detective fiction, the femme fatale, and race and labor in crime fiction. Stroll with Kurt and Justin down the rain drenched alleys and mean streets as they explore the fascinating world of crime fiction.
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E65: Razorblade Tears -- Mildred Pierce -- The Asphalt Jungle
Hello, again, Point Blank Listeners!
Sorry for the delay. I've been sick. Here's episode 65.
We cover the bestselling, award-winning Razorblade Tears. S.A. Cosby delivers another powerful noir tale, and we get down into the grit to examine why this one is making all of the "best" lists. Justin provides a short review of the classic James M. Cain novel Mildred Pierce , and we discuss the noir film The Asphalt Jungle.
Contact the show:
pointblanknoir@gmail.com
Find Us on Facebook:
Point Blank: Hardboiled, Noir and Detective Fiction -
Episode 64 -- Margaret Millar -- Beast in View
Blankers!
This episode we discuss Margaret Millar's terrific noir classic Beast in View. This book's got it all: murder, threatening phone calls from bar telephones, a waterproof woman, domestic drama, gender politics, unreliable narrators, and a twist that will knock your socks off.
Want to get in touch with the show?
Email: pointblanknoir@gmail.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pointblankpodcast/
$ Support: https://www.patreon.com/pointblankcrime
Give us a review on iTunes.
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E63 -- Tartan Noir -- Laidlaw
We are back! Sorry for the delay. We needed an extended holiday break.
In this episode, we discuss Tartan/Scottish Noir through the lens of what is considered the first Tartan Noir Laidlaw.
Laidlaw is a gritty detective novel taking place on the streets of Glasgow in the 1970s. William McIlvanney or Gus to his friends is considered the father of Scottish noir and gives us working-class fiction from a working-class town.
Want to get in touch with the show?
Email: pointblanknoir@gmail.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pointblankpodcast/
Give us a review on iTunes.
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E62 -- Cop Hater -- Ed McBain
Hey Blankers -
Kurt & I finally got around to recording Episode 62. This time we take a walk down the mean streets of Isola with Ed McBain's Cop Hater. The first novel in the acclaimed 87th Precinct series, Cop Hater (1956) set the blueprint for modern police procedurals. Does it hold up? Tune in & find out!
Get in touch with the show:
Email: pointblanknoir@gmail.com
Twitter: @pointblanknoir
Facebook: Point Blank: Hardboiled, Noir, and Detective Fiction
Good Reads Point Blank page: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/747867-point-blank
Support the show:
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/pointblankcrime
Don’t forget to rate us on Apple Podcasts and share the show with your friends!
Itunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/point-blank-hardboiled-noir-detective-fiction/id1276038868 -
E61 -- Ecological Noir -- The Monkey Wrench Gang -- Animals
What in the world is eco-noir?
We attempt to answer that question by looking at a few texts that might be ecological noir. In the discussion, we mention:
The Monkey Wrench Gang by Edward Abby
Animals by Will Staples
Zodiac by Neal Stephenson
The Glass Factory by Kenneth Wishnia
Nature Noir by Jordan Fisher Smith
Captiva by Randy Wayne White
If you'd like to get in touch with the show:
Email: pointblanknoir@gmail.com
Facebook: Point Blank: Noir, Hardboiled, and Detective Fiction -
E60 -- 5 Round Review: Summer Edition
Blankers!
Find your sun hat, stab that beach umbrella into the sand, and break out the Banana Boat -- this is Five Round Reviews: Summer Edition.
We have 13 short reviews for you--from Jim Harrison & Dorothy B. Hughes to David Heska Wanbli Weiden & Nick Kolakowski. (See the full list below.)
Get in touch with the show:
Email: pointblanknoir@gmail.com
Twitter: @pointblanknoir
Facebook: Point Blank: Hardboiled, Noir, and Detective Fiction
Good Reads Point Blank page: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/747867-point-blank
Support the show:
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/pointblankcrime
Don’t forget to rate us on Apple Podcasts and share the show with your friends!
Itunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/point-blank-hardboiled-noir-detective-fiction/id1276038868
Books reviewed (full list)
No Room at the Morgue by Jean Patrick Manchette
The Prone Gunman by Jean Patrick Manchette
Timber Beasts: A Sage Adair Historical Mystery by S.L. Stoner
The Great Leader by Jim Harrison
The Big Seven by Jim Harrison
Paradise Palms: Red Menace Mob by Paul Haddad
The So Blue Marble by Dorothy B. Hughes
Maxine Unleashes Doomsday by Nick Kolakowski
Noir by Christopher Moore
White Tears by Hari Kunzru
Palm Springs Noir ed. by Barbara DeMarco-Barrett: ARC
Someone to Watch Over Me by Dan Bronson
Winter Counts by David Heska Wanbli Weiden
Customer Reviews
Great crime fiction discussion
This is a great podcast. It’s the first time I’ve been exposed to a serious critical analysis of the books I love. Along with deep dives into classic hard boiled novels there are ratings and brief discussions of lots of other books. It’s a great way to add to my TBR list.
Not perfect, which makes it great
As a Chandler fan, my intro to Point Blank was the Big Sleep episode (3). I binged ten more over the next couple of days and I continue to sample random episodes here and there. It’s obvious after a few minutes that Justin and Kurt have a sincere love and deep knowledge of the genre(s). Their excitement is infectious, even when I’m not particularly into a book or author, or disagree with their opinions. Yet they’re not annoyingly geeky or over-caffeinated, which ruins a lot of other podcasts. Like good writers, they have a great sense of pacing, something else other podcasts could learn from. They’re able to take deep dives without exhausting the subject (or being exhausting), and their short reviews and analyses don’t feel shallow or slight. Another refreshing aspect is that I feel I’m listening to actual people talking, not “performers.” They’re just professional enough to keep it smooth and listenable, but it feels intimate and real (most of the time — see below). They’re opinionated without being obnoxious or pretentious, humble enough to allow the existence of other points of view, and aren’t afraid to call out their own biases. They have distinct personalities and approaches that helps keep things interesting. My one big critique is far from a deal-breaker, but bears mentioning… The discussions are fresh and natural, yet many solo reviews feel too formal, where it’s obvious they’re reading from prepared texts. Podcasts aren’t audiobooks or lectures. A minor criticism, which is admittedly out of their control, is that they agree too much! I’d love to hear more Siskel and Ebert-like (dating myself…) arguments. Overall, I can’t see a serious crime fiction/noir fan not finding Point Blank interesting and entertaining, and I think it would be a great intro for an avid reader who’s not familiar with the genres but would like to dive in. PS: A few reviews here call out PB for being “political” or “woke.” This is extremely misleading, as the podcast is anything but. They only broach such subjects as race, sexuality, gender, etc when it’s integral to the material itself, or context is required in analyzing books from the 1920s-70s in the 21st century. While they don’t attempt to be neutral or “fair and balanced,” they don’t preach, at all.
Hawaiian listener
These guys introduced me to some of my favorite writers (e.g. Dorothy B. Hughes and now Scott Kikkawa). Highly recommended for anyone interested in hardboild, noir, and dtective fiction.