I Hear Of Sherlock Everywhere

“the summit of St. Paul’s” [SIGN]    After one episode, we find ourselves back in Minnesota — this time, talking with longtime author Larry Millett about his latest Shadwell Rafferty book, Mysterious Tales of Old St. Paul. Those who have followed the nine previous books will have a good sense of this 1890s-era saloon owner who perished in the ninth book (no spoiler there, as it was titled Shadwell Rafferty's Last Case).  This latest volume gathers three novellas, casting back to Rafferty’s beginnings to recount a trio of intriguing cases that honed his skills before he joined forces with Sherlock Holmes. In addition, we take a side-tour to talk about architecture (if that's your kind of thing), and the good old days of Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota. We also bring you the Sherlockian news, a trifling podcast review in Madeline Quinones’ "A Chance of Listening," and the Canonical Couplet quiz. The winner, chosen at random from all correct answers, will receive a copy of Mysterious Tales of Old St. Paul

“You are here as a spy” [ILLU]  In Spy Hunter, it’s 1914 and Sherlock Holmes has been murdered. Nobody knows who did it, but Wiggins, former Baker Street Irregular and Holmes' protégée, suspects a German spy. This is where H.B. Lyle's fourth installment in his Irregular series picks up. Ben joined us to share his journey as a writer focused on historical fiction, and how easily the ringleader of Holmes's street urchins turned to spycraft. The early days of MI5 and MI6 hold particular interest, and we learn about an inspiration by George MacDonald Fraser along the way. We also bring you the Sherlockian news, another podcast review in Madeline Quinones' "A Chance of Listening," and the Canonical Couplet quiz. The winner, chosen at random from all correct answers, will receive a copy of Spy Hunter. Send your answer to comment @ ihearofsherlock .com by October 14, 2024 at 11:59 a.m. EDT. All listeners are eligible to play. If you become a  of the show, not only will you help to ensure we can keep doing what we

“two tickets for the theatre” [BRUC]    Jeffrey Hatcher, BSI ("The Five Orange Pips") and Steve Hendrickson have teamed up for a new Sherlock Holmes play in which we find one mystery, separated by 25 years. Holmes has the first crack at it, followed by Hercule Poirot decades later.  Appropriately enough, it is called Holmes Poirot. And it premieres in St. Paul, Minnesota in October 2024. Hatcher is known to Sherlockians for his screenplay for Mr. Holmes as well as two other Sherlockian plays. Hendrickson has played Sherlock Holmes on stage numerous times before with Bob Davis as his Watson. The two of them swap roles in the second act of this play, with Hendrickson assuming the role of Captain Hastings and Davis as Poirot. We talk with Jeff and Steve about their experience creating this innovative new play, about their early starts with Sherlock Holmes, and much more.  We have the latest podcast entries in Madeline Quinones' "A Chance of Listening," and another Canonical Couplet quiz. The winner, chosen at

“there appeared a long telegram” [SECO]  Nicholas Meyer's first Sherlock Holmes book, The Seven Per-Cent Solution, became and remains the high-water mark for Sherlock Holmes pastiches. So when he edits another one of Dr. Watson's recovered manuscripts, it's always worthwhile. The latest is Sherlock Holmes and the Telegram from Hell, published by Mysterious Press, and it takes Holmes and Watson across the Atlantic, dodging German U-boats in pursuit of a coded telegram from Berlin to an unknown recipient in Mexico. We talk with Nick about his choice of setting and time, get into psychological and even philosophical discourses, and get a tantalizing preview of his next book: Sherlock Holmes and the Real Thing. You'll also hear the Sherlockian news, some listener voicemail with an inquiry that you might help with, a dramatic multi-podcast entry of Madeline Quinones' "A Chance of Listening," and another Canonical Couplet quiz. The winner, chosen at random from all correct answers, will receive a copy of Sherloc

“culminated in that moment of revelation” [3GAR]    As an educator, Tracy Revels makes sure her students have fun learning. Which would explain why at her college, students can take one of her classes about Sherlock Holmes. But Tracy's own love of learning and reading gave rise to another outlet for her fascination with Sherlock Holmes: writing. Her Shadow trilogy (, , and ) find Sherlock Holmes in the world of the occult, and her series of 41 short stories, previously published in various volumes of , are due out as a trilogy this fall. We explore these with her, as well as some of the more memorable projects that have sprouted from the creative minds of the students that Tracy inspired along the way. You won't be disappointed with the Sherlockian news, Madeline Quinones' segment "A Chance of Listening," and another Canonical Couplet quiz. The winner, chosen at random from all correct answers, will receive a piece of Sherlockiana from our vaults, Send your answer to comment @ ihearofsherlock .com by Aug

“we have our story-teller here” [SIGN]  Glen Miranker is always good for a story. And more times than not, his stories involve fascinating items from his extensive collection. In this episode, we had a chance to talk with Glen about This Work of Storytelling: Arthur Conan Doyle's speech to the Authors' Club, London, June 29, 1896, published by Wessex Press. The book consists of a facsimile manuscript of the speech, together with other letters and documents, essays, and commentary from a variety of Sherlockians. Along the way, a mystery is solved and we have the added pleasure of the writing of Cathy Miranker, Glen's wife and co-conspirator in this and the traveling exhibition of 221 objects from his collection. Also, we have Sherlockian news, Madeline Quinones' segment "A Chance of Listening," and another Canonical Couplet quiz. The winner, chosen at random from all correct answers, will receive a piece of Sherlockiana from our vaults, Send your answer to comment @ ihearofsherlock .com by August 14, 2024 at

“quick insight into character” [BERY]     As Americans, it is always a joy to meet an Englishman, and doubly so if he portrays Sherlock Holmes. Luke Barton has done that not only on stage but in audiobooks as well. Our conversation with Luke explores how he has prepared for his many appearances as Holmes on stage — including one production in which he alternated the roles of Holmes and Watson. His insights into the deeper aspects of the detective are admirable, and his skill is evident. We have Sherlockian news, Madeline Quinones' segment "A Chance of Listening," and a special comedy feature feature written by our own Erik Deckers. Oh, and of course the Canonical Couplet quiz. The winner, chosen at random from all correct answers, will receive a piece of Sherlockiana from our vaults, Send your answer to comment @ ihearofsherlock .com by July 29, 2024 at 11:59 a.m. EDT. All listeners are eligible to play. And for supporters of the show, we have some bonus material in the form of more conversation with Luk

“remarkably rich tenor voice” [VALL]     Following the feedback we got from our previous , we thought we'd continue with another. This time, it's James Montgomery, BSI ("The Red Circle"), who was a frequent correspondent with Smith. Montgomery played an important role in the development of the   — a role whose effects are still felt until this day. His tenor voice graced many dinners of the Baker Street Irregulars and other Sherlock Holmes societies, and his scholarship still stands strong today. In addition to the audio clips of Montgomery, we have Sherlockian news, listener comments, Madeline Quinones' segment "A Chance of Listening," and of course the Canonical Couplet quiz. The winner, chosen at random from all correct answers, will receive a piece of Sherlockiana from our vaults, Send your answer to comment @ ihearofsherlock .com by July 14, 2024 at 11:59 a.m. EDT. All listeners are eligible to play. If you become a  of the show, not only will you help to ensure we can keep doing what we do, coverin

“we turned our faces westward” [SIXN]     While Sherlock Holmes is a perennial British subject, his influence in and by America cannot be denied. Conan Doyle and Sherlock Holmes were admirers of the United States, and A West Wind, a recent BSI Press book, delves into that relationship.  Co-editors Ray Betzner, BSI ("The Agony Column") and Tom Horrocks, BSI ("Colonel Sebastian Moran") join us to talk about this remarkable book. We're also joined by a contributor of the book who offers some insight into how Sherlock Holmes was presented to Americans visually. We have Sherlockian news, listener comments, our new segment, "A Chance of Listening," and of course the Canonical Couplet quiz. The winner, chosen at random from all correct answers, will receive a copy of A West Wind. Send your answer to comment @ ihearofsherlock .com by June 29, 2024 at 11:59 a.m. EDT. All listeners are eligible to play. If you become a  of the show, not only will you help to ensure we can keep doing what we do, covering file hosti

 “seventeen years of age” [SIGN] Mycroft Holmes spoke for all of us in "The Greek Interpreter" when he greeted Dr. Watson with the fateful line: “I hear of Sherlock everywhere since you became his chronicler.” And yes, in our minds, we'll always hear that line in the voice of the inimitable Charles Gray in the Granada series — a sound clip that serves as the opening for our podcast introduction. Little did we know when we began the podcast on June 14, 2007 — exactly 17 years ago today — that we'd have this kind of longevity. That is like a young animal trying to walk immediately after being born: awkward, unsteady, and far from refined. Cringy, even.   But it set the stage for what was to come, not only in nearly , but in our companion show  and in numerous other Sherlock Holmes podcasts started by other passionate Sherlockians. In Episode 289 of IHOSE, our special correspondent Madeline Quiñones will begin a segment called "A Chance of Listening," a series of short assessments of many of these Sherlock H

“do but get into the clutches” [BOSC]     We've held off a bit on the traditional interview with the editor of the BSI Manuscript Series this season — not for any lack of interest, but simply for scheduling reasons — but we hope it's worth the wait. Steve Doyle, BSI ("The Western Morning News") is the editor of Clutches of a Fiend, the BSI Manuscript entry for "The Adventure of the Illustrious Client," and he joined us to talk about this book. It's something personal for Steve, as he has a connection to the story via his local Sherlock Holmes society, The Illustrious Clients of Indianapolis. We talk about what makes this story (which was a favorite of Conan Doyle's) so different from others, about the ownership of the manuscript, and the striking visuals. We have Sherlockian news, a new segment, and of course the Canonical Couplet quiz. The winner, chosen at random from all correct answers, will receive a piece of Sherlockian memorabilia. Send your answer to comment @ ihearofsherlock .com by June 14, 202

“I wanted to speak with Mr. Smith” [SIGN]     This is the third in our series on Legends of the Baker Street Journal; we've previously explored publisher Ben Abramson (Episode 269) and BSI founder Christopher Morley (Episode 272). This time, we'll be looking at wordsmith and able administrator, Edgar W. Smith. It was Smith who deftly managed the operations of the Baker Street Irregulars and whose own interest in Sherlockian scholarship (his own and others) caused him to promote books and eventually found The Baker Street Journal. We follow Edgar's Sherlockian journey from his early correspondence with Vincent Starrett and Christopher Morley, to the 1940 dinner that brought the BSI roaring back to life, the Trilogy Dinner where three significant Sherlockian books were launched, the founding of the BSJ, and the addition of the Christmas Annual tradition. We have Sherlockian news, a special announcement, and of course the Canonical Couplet quiz. We thought last episode's was easy, but it looks like we tripp

“That was the curious incident” [SILV]     From time to time, we see analysis and debate about whether Sherlock Holmes was autistic, had , or is in some other way on the spectrum. As neurodiversity becomes more understood and accepted in the 21st century, it seems natural to explore this not only with Holmes, but with other characters in the genre as well.  In The Autistic Sleuth, Christopher Chan and Patricia Meyer Chan, Ph.D., test the question: Is the entertainment industry celebrating neurodiversity or is it reinforcing stereotypes? They analyze how two dozen characters appearing in filmed productions from around the globe who are presented as atypical minds. We have Sherlockian news, as well as another round of the Canonical Couplet quiz. It's a super-easy one this time. The winner, chosen at random from all correct answers, will receive a copy of The Autistic Sleuth. Send your answer to comment @ ihearofsherlock .com by May 14, 2024 at 11:59 a.m. EDT. All listeners are eligible to play. If you beco

“I am one of the hounds” [STUD]   The golden age of Hollywood brought us stars like William Powell and Myrna Loy, and of course Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce. In Elizabeth Crowens' new novel Hounds of the Hollywood Baskervilles, we find them (and Dashiell Hammett) intervowen in a story that begins with the disappearance of Asta from The Thin Man movies, and Rathbone's own lost pup. Young private detectives Babs Norman and Guy Brandt team up with him to dig up the reasons behind these canine crimes. Elizabeth joined us to talk about her Sherlockian and historical fiction writing amid her busy book launch schedule. It's a fascinating and fun conversation. We have Sherlockian news, as well as another round of the Canonical Couplet quiz. It's a super-easy one this time. The winner, chosen at random from all correct answers, will receive a copy of Hounds of the Hollywood Baskervilles. Send your answer to comment @ ihearofsherlock .com by April 29, 2024 at 11:59 a.m. EDT. All listeners are eligible to play. I

“some short sketch of the essentials” [BLAC]     What are the essential volumes that every Sherlockian should have in their library? John Bennett Shaw had an idea with what became known as . But a more modest and attainable version was needed. In stepped Peter Eckrich and Rob Nunn, BSI (“Elementary”). IHOSE listeners may recall Peter and Rob from their previous work, . This time, they collected individuals who had a strong view as to which Sherlockian books ought to be part of every Sherlockian's library to develop 17 recommendations that make up . The 17 essays (a Canonically-appropriate number) are each a window into the interests, passion, and knowledge that the authors bring to their subjects, which range from some early Sherlockian scholarship to some latter-day must-haves. We have the Canonical Couplet quiz again. The winner, chosen at random from all correct answers, will win a copy Canonical Cornerstones. Send your answer to comment @ ihearofsherlock .com by March 29, 2024 at 11:59 a.m. EST. All l

“to Sherlock Holmes, she is always the woman” [SCAN]  This is a fascinating episode that brings us closer to the inside story of "The Woman" — an honor bestowed every year by the Baker Street Irregulars — and a bit of personal history from one of those very women. Beverly Wolov is a longtime Sherlockian and is well-known by the Sherlockian community as a longtime companion of Peter Blau, BSI ("Black Peter"). You've heard from Peter on four episodes previously (links to those below), but now you have an opportunity to hear about Bev's role — in particular how her journey is bookended by Michael Kean, "Wiggins" of the BSI. Bev does a wonderful job of bringing us back in time and helping us understand how The Woman is selected, what has happened at their dinners and how the proceedings have evolved, and even shares a bit of the tradition with us.   We have the Canonical Couplet quiz again. The winner, chosen at random from all correct answers, will win a copy of the 2022 Baker Street Journal Christmas Annua

“a most complete and remarkable woman” [LION]    It's odd to think that the Mary Russell series predates this show, yet we've never spoken with Laurie R. King, BSI ("The Red Circle") specifically about her most acclaimed series. The 18th book in the Mary Russell series, The Lantern's Dance, is available on February 14, and Ms. King joined us to talk about her creation. Her familiarity with Sherlock Holmes is far from typical, and this unusual pairing of Ms. Russell and Mr. Holmes, which began with The Beekeeper's Apprentice in 1994, is as fresh and resilient as ever. We talk about the development of the Sherlock Holmes character in her series, the impact of India, how fandom has responded and grown, and discover at which major events Laurie will be appearing this year.  The Canonical Couplet quiz is back, and it's an easy one! The winner, chosen at random from all correct answers, will win a copy of The Lantern's Dance. Send your answer to comment @ ihearofsherlock .com by February 14, 2024 at 11:59 a.m.

“those week-end parties” [SOLI]    The Baker Street Irregulars just marked their 90th anniversary with the BSI Weekend, filled with events for Sherlockians of all kinds. If you weren't able to make it to New York — or even if you were! — tune in to hear about some of the events, people, books, and more that were part of our experience. And plan ahead for other events in the year ahead. After all, it's meeting up with other kinsprits that make this little hobby so special. Our first Canonical Couplet quiz of Season 18 is here, and that means it's your chance to participate and see if you can win yourself something from the IHOSE vaults or the BSI Weekend. Send your answer to comment @ ihearofsherlock .com by January 29, 2024 at 11:59 a.m. EST. All listeners are eligible to play.   If you become a , not only will you help to ensure we can keep doing what we do, covering file hosting costs, production, and transcription services, but we have thank-you gifts at certain tiers and ad-free versions of the episo

“you have a good dossier there” [LAST]    There were supernatural elements in the original Sherlock Holmes stories. Elements of gothic intrigue like voodoo, a possible vampire, a family curse, and a spectral hound come to mind. So when Christian Klaver looked at the intersection of his interests in sci-fi, fantasy, Sherlock Holmes, and writing, it was only natural to find some existing and contemporary examples and bring them to life. Thus was born series from Titan Books. Christian shares stories of these passions with us, bringing us from his childhood inspiration to the Universal monsters, Cthulhu, and more. And we find ourselves back in 1890s London with Oscar Wilde and Conan Doyle for the third entry in the Dossier: . We even got Christian to spill his plans for his next series of books, so you'll want to tune in to hear about that. And if you are chosen as a winner of this Canonical Couplet quiz,  you'll get a copy of Christian's new book! Send your answer to comment @ ihearofsherlock .com by Janu