From The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, "The Five Orange Pips" connects vanishing ships, the American Civil War, and what happens when Holmes’s considerable powers are not enough to save the day. Sarah and Marisa discuss Doyle’s depiction of the KKK and his contentious relationship with racism, the kinds of adaptations we’re excited to see in the future, the hand of God, and why Lovecraft sucks. Content warning: This episode contains death by drowning, murder and threats of murder, discussions o...
Aug 05, 2021•59 min•Season 1Ep. 33
"The Five Orange Pips" from The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes by Arthur Conan Doyle, narrated by Courtney Herber. “No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may take the flies, but not before.” Courtney Herber is a historian of early modern England and she studies performance, theatre, and power. She recently defended her dissertation on consortship in Tudor and early Stuart England and Scotland and has published her work on representation, memory, and popular culture in severa...
Jul 15, 2021•42 min•Season 1Ep. 32
In this short story with a title straight out of a Western, Holmes hosts a sleepover and gives a man a bath. "The Man with the Twisted Lip" is perplexing not only for where it's ended up in our chronology, but for its red herring plot twist full of questionable decisions. What does the opium den represent in the Victorian imagination, and is it as racist as it sounds? How does this story explore the malleability of British social class and identity? Should the New Yorker unionize? And why on ear...
Jul 01, 2021•57 min•Season 1Ep. 31
"The Man with the Twisted Lip" from The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes by Arthur Conan Doyle , narrated by Christopher Wilson “I reached this one,” said my friend, “by sitting upon five pillows and consuming an ounce of shag." This episode is narrated by Christopher Wilson. Christopher is a stage and voiceover actor currently based in Chicago, IL. He has provided his voice to numerous game, commercial, eLearning, and podcasting projects, including Unwell: A Midwestern Gothic Mystery , Superstitio...
Jun 17, 2021•42 min•Season 1Ep. 30
Book Club Case File: My Dearest Holmes, by Rohase Piercy First published in 1988 by the Gay Men’s Press, My Dearest Holmes by Rohase Piercy is a very special pastiche that boasts something very rare—it’s one of the very few and certainly among the earliest published gay pastiches about the great detective and his good doctor. It celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2018. We're thrilled to have Rohase on the podcast today in our very first interview! We discuss her her depiction of a Holmes and Wat...
Jun 10, 2021•50 min•Season 1Ep. 29
Other than Holmes and Watson themselves, Irene Adler (of dubious and questionable memory) may be the most adapted character from the canon. And most of the time, modern adaptations do not do her justice. She played a prominent role in four recent TV and film adaptations of the stories - depicted as a professional thief, a sex worker, a European (for some reason?) and literally a fictional character. Today, we discuss the many faces of Irene Adler. Spoilers abound! A transcript of this episode is...
Jun 03, 2021•44 min•Season 1Ep. 28
Shotgun weddings, scandalous photographs, and a seven per-cent solution all come together in perhaps the most beloved story in the canon, featuring the woman who casts the longest shadow: Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable memory. "A Scandal in Bohemia" was Doyle's first short story about Holmes and Watson, and its impact colors the way we consider the rest of the canon. Kings and Boswells, romances and menswear and Holmes's misogyny. What truly is the point of Scandal? And why does everyb...
May 27, 2021•1 hr 1 min•Season 1Ep. 27
"A Scandal in Bohemia" from The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes by Arthur Conan Doyle, narrated by Natalie Hunter. "And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were beaten by a woman’s wit." This story is narrated by Natalie Hunter. Natalie has been a fan of the Holmes stories for as long as she can remember; her all-time favourite adaptation is the Granada series, though Great Mouse Detective holds a special place in ...
May 13, 2021•1 hr 7 min•Season 1Ep. 26
Holmes and Watson go on a much-deserved vacation—and naturally, crime follows them. “The Adventure of the Reigate Squire” introduces us to one of Watson’s old friends, and an unusual case of burglary, amateur theatrics, and how minutiae can solve murder. We discuss Holmes's health and Watson's desire to do something about it, as well as handwriting, holiday tropes, Essie Davis, and the meta experience of interactive detective fiction. Content warning: This episode contains some falsehoods Holmes...
Apr 29, 2021•41 min•Season 1Ep. 25
"The Adventure of the Reigate Squire" from The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes by Arthur Conan Doyle, narrated by Kyle Carey Miller. "Watson, I think our quiet rest in the country has been a distinct success, and I shall certainly return much invigorated to Baker Street to-morrow.” This episode is narrated by Kyle Carey Miller. Kyle is a proud graduate of Wright State University, where he earned his BFA in Acting with an Emphasis in Musical Theatre. Kyle has worked around the country including at the...
Apr 15, 2021•37 min•Season 1Ep. 24
Welcome to Book Club Case Files on the However Improbable Podcast! We're taking a look at our very first case file on a Sherlock Holmes pastiche—stories that are about Sherlock Holmes and often in Arthur Conan Doyle’s style, but not written by him. And we’re starting with a special one: The House of Silk by renowned mystery novelist Anthony Horowitz, the only pastiche to have the stamp of approval by the Conan Doyle Estate. This book is full of thrilling moments, clever cameos, unique frameworks...
Apr 08, 2021•22 min•Season 1Ep. 23
Sherlock Holmes himself spin us a story in this week's episode. “The Adventure of the Musgrave Ritual” is the second story that gives us a look back at Holmes’s life before he met Watson - this time in a very Gothic tale of buried treasure and cryptic rituals. We talk about Holmes's early years, stories within stories, Stephen King, coming-of-age murder rituals, and if 221B really is the most famous room in the world. Content warning: This episode contains murder by suffocation, and casual misog...
Apr 01, 2021•58 min•Season 1Ep. 22
"The Adventure of the Musgrave Ritual" from The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes by Arthur Conan Doyle, narrated by Travis Bihn. “There are cases enough here, Watson,” said he, looking at me with mischievous eyes. “I think that if you knew all that I had in this box you would ask me to pull some out instead of putting others in.” “These are the records of your early work, then?” I asked. “I have often wished that I had notes of those cases.” This episode is narrated by Travis Bihn. Travis recently fou...
Mar 18, 2021•44 min•Season 1Ep. 21
Exciting news: We're expanding our case file episodes to include literary pastiches! In these short episodes, Marisa and Sarah will chat about some of our favorite Sherlock Holmes novels not written by Arthur Conan Doyle. And we're starting this off on April 8 with Anthony Horowitz's novel The House of Silk! Read along with us to be up to speed when we air our episode. Access our Bookshop! https://bookshop.org/shop/howeverimprobable Find recommended reading, more stories, info about the show and...
Mar 15, 2021•2 min
From 1984 to 1994, British actor Jeremy Brett starred in 36 one-hour episodes and five feature-length specials in the Granada Television Studios series The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes. Yes, here's our case file about arguably the most iconic Sherlock Holmes television series made in the last 50 years in two parts. The first of two! In Part 1, we’re walking through the first two seasons of the show - starring Brett and David Burke as Watson - to look at how it was developed, who was cast, and h...
Mar 11, 2021•53 min•Season 1Ep. 20
So far we’ve seen Sherlock Holmes solve the mysteries behind poisonings, hangings, and missing wives—and in “The Adventure of the Second Stain” he stops a war by looking at a rug. There's a lot to discuss in this dense little mystery, including sexy spies, queer street, Holmes's misogyny, the perils of nationalism, and Watson's romantic libido. Content warning: This episode contains murder, blackmail, misogyny, and casual depictions of racism. A transcript of this episode is available here: http...
Mar 04, 2021•47 min•Season 1Ep. 19
"The Adventure of the Second Stain" from The Return of Sherlock Holmes, narrated by Alaina Laethem. “We also have our diplomatic secrets,” said he, and picking up his hat he turned to the door. This episode is narrated by Alaina Laethem. Alaina is an award-winning indie actor working in Mesa, Arizona. When she's not on set, she's hanging with her boyfriend Eric and their two cats Susan and Amigo. You can connect with Alaina on her Instagram - instagram.com/alaina.laethem Content warning: This ep...
Feb 18, 2021•56 min•Season 1Ep. 18
Runaway brides, rude lords, and the return of Doyle’s American West. In “The Adventure of the Noble Bachelor,” Holmes finds himself assisting a Lord with a personal problem: his new bride vanishing the day after their wedding. Sarah and Marisa talk about armchair detective fiction, Watson's traveling war wound, Lestrade's wet laundry, and which one of us gets to propose marriage to Hatty Doran first. Content warning: This episode contains some very Victorian depictions of racism and sexism. NOBL...
Feb 04, 2021•45 min•Season 1Ep. 17
"The Adventure of the Noble Bachelor" from The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, narrated by Rosie French. “Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety,” he answered, smiling, “and the humbler are usually the more interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie.” This episode was narrated by Rosie French. Rosie is a qualified primary school teacher and Holmes enthusiast living in the South West of England. They sp...
Jan 21, 2021•37 min•Season 1Ep. 16
Join us to delve into a Holmes film like no other. "The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes," directed by Billy Wilder, was released in 1970 with mixed results. Fifty years later, it retains a certain cult status. Narrated by Dr. Watson, it covers a scandalous untold case with international implications. But it’s also a personal look into Holmes—what was the famous consulting detective really like without the veneer of Watson’s storytelling? Sarah and Marisa talk about the film's merits as an unusua...
Jan 14, 2021•56 min•Season 1Ep. 15
Disguise, duped doctors, and deadly retribution. "The Adventure of the Resident Patient" is the first of many cases Holmes and Watson solve together in 1886. Today, we tackle Watson the true crime chronicler, Holmes's questionable sense of humor, a convenient shipwreck, and John le Carré. Read le Carré's introduction to The New Annotated Sherlock Holmes here: https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2004-nov-14-bk-lecarre14-story.html Content warning: Our discussion includes descriptions of a sui...
Jan 07, 2021•44 min•Season 1Ep. 14
"The Adventure of the Resident Patient" from The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes. " Having secured him, it is evident to me that a consultation of some sort was held. Probably it was something in the nature of a judicial proceeding." Please note that there's some variation in editions of this story. In many editions, it begins with the "mind reading" scene from "The Adventure of the Cardboard Box," something Doyle added to this tale after deciding CARD wouldn't be published in this collection of shor...
Dec 24, 2020•43 min•Season 1Ep. 13
Encrypted letters, old college friends, and murderous mutiny. “The Adventure of the Gloria Scott” takes us back in time to the story of Sherlock Holmes’s very first case. Today, Marisa & Sarah discuss men on boats, queer allegory and how to approach it, the lasting impact the very first great friend you make can have on your life, and Stephen Sondheim. Content warning: Discussion of violence and gore, death, blackmail, and homophobia. A transcript of this episode is available here: https://w...
Dec 10, 2020•46 min•Season 1Ep. 12
"The Adventure of the Gloria Scott", from The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes, narrated by Ryan James Horner. “You never heard me talk of Victor Trevor?” he asked. “He was the only friend I made during the two years I was at college." This episode was narrated by Ryan James Horner, a writer, podcaster, and voice actor from SoCal with a lifelong passion for storytelling. Find him buried under his many cats, scattered fragments of notepaper, or a pile of blankets with a scary movie. You can follow him ...
Nov 26, 2020•42 min•Season 1Ep. 11
Welcome to our first Case File episode! Today, Sarah and Marisa take a look at the man behind the canon: Arthur Conan Doyle. We want to discuss Conan Doyle as a person and writer before we get too far into the stories. Besides creating Sherlock Holmes, what else is Conan Doyle known for? What was his life like? And what were his opinions about detective fiction and the world he lived in? Content warning: Discussion of racism and misogyny. A transcript of this episode is available here: https://w...
Nov 19, 2020•24 min•Season 1Ep. 10
Serpents, sinister step-fathers, and sisters dying in the dead of night. “The Adventure of the Speckled Band” is usually considered one of the best Holmes stories—and one of Doyle’s favorites. Sarah & Marisa discuss Gothic heroines, racist red herrings, fear and the British empire, and geographically confused baboons. Question of the episode: What's your favorite locked room mystery? Share it with us in a voice memo at howeverimprobablepod@gmail.com, or let us know on Twitter. A transcript o...
Nov 12, 2020•42 min•Season 1Ep. 9
"The Adventure of the Speckled Band, from The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes. “Holmes,” I cried, “I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible crime.” “Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong he is the first of criminals." This episode is read by Kira Apple! Kira is the voice of Jack St. James on Superstition and the Narrator on The Way We Haunt Now . When she's not voice acting, Kira is writing her PhD dissertati...
Oct 29, 2020•59 min•Season 1Ep. 8
Want to read more mysteries? More pastiches? More Doyle? Visit our Bookshop.org page to find our curated bookshelves of Doyle’s other works, our favorite Holmes pastiche stories, scholarship on detective fiction, and books we feel carry the spirit of the stories. Bookshop is an online bookstore with a mission to financially support local, independent bookstores - and purchasing books this way also supports our podcast. Find our Bookshop affiliation here: https://bookshop.org/shop/howeverimprobab...
Oct 22, 2020•3 min
Mortuary meet-cutes, the science of deduction, and murderous Mormans. Join Marisa and Sarah to discuss A Study In Scarlet - the story that famously introduced us to Holmes and Watson. Do you really know Sherlock Holmes like you think you might? What does this tale tell us about Holmes, Watson, and what’s coming in the following fifty-nine stories? And what’s the deal with the Mormons anyway? Question of the episode: What's your favorite adaption of how these two characters (or any versions of th...
Oct 15, 2020•45 min•Season 1Ep. 7
A Study In Scarlet Part II Chapter 6: A Continuation Of The Reminiscences of John Watson, M.D. Chapter 7: Conclusion “You should publish an account of the case. If you won’t, I will for you.” This episode is narrated by Alma Roda-Gil. Alma is a freelance goth begrudgingly living in the UK. They write about culture and are currently rewatching (and crying at) CBS' Elementary. You can find them on Twitter at @knifefemme or peruse their portfolio here . Content warning: Depictions of murder and vio...
Oct 06, 2020•30 min•Season 1Ep. 6
