“a case for personal investigation” [SUSS] The number of Sherlock Holmes pastiches is endless. They include stories and novels set in any era, any place, and any time. They all bring the Great Detective to new audiences — so how do you go about selecting (just) fifty-two to explore? Join our conversation with Paul Bishop as we explore his new book, . Paul is the author of 15 novels and numerous TV and film scripts — and also a 35-year veteran of the Los Angeles Police Department. Paul’s new book...
Jul 15, 2025•58 min•Season 19Ep. 314
“it's the king of diamonds” [MAZA] It took Laurie R. King six years to find a publisher for her first book, but it was worth the wait. She won the Edgar in 1994 for Best First Novel with A Grave Talent, which launched her Kate Martinelli series, set in San Francisco. That same year, The Bee-Keeper’s Apprentice introduced the impressive, young Mary Russell, who would meet and eventually marry the retired Sherlock Holmes — “the least marriageable man I knew,” according to Mary, in 1921. Since then...
Jun 30, 2025•59 min•Season 19Ep. 313
“from Portsmouth at midday” [LAST] The Portsmouth Library is home to the Arthur Conan Doyle Collection, largely made possible by the bequest of Richard Lancelyn Green. This world-renowned collection, the work of one of the foremost Doylean scholars, is a treasure trove for researchers, enthusiasts, and the public. The Collection preserves books, manuscripts, artifacts, and ephemera that illuminate Conan Doyle's life, his beloved Sherlock Holmes, and the cultural impact of his work. Laura Weston ...
Jun 15, 2025•1 hr 14 min•Season 19Ep. 312
“You can file it in our archives, Watson” [RETI] North America is home to a number of public collections, libraries, museums, and archives that hold treasures related to Sherlock Holmes and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Not least among them is the Toronto Public Library. Home to the famed Arthur Conan Doyle Collection, the TPL is a great friend to Sherlockians and Doyleans everywhere and regularly welcomes visitors to view and research its more than 25,000 items related to Conan Doyle. And curator Jes...
May 30, 2025•1 hr 11 min•Season 19Ep. 311
“we can bring it to a successful conclusion” [EMPT] When we discussed the Midwest Canonical Conclave in Episode 308, we weren't exactly sure what to expect. Organizer Steve Doyle, BSI ("The Western Morning News") gave us a general idea of what the aim was and what we might see there, but our expectations were blown away. Unlike any other Sherlockian event we've attended, the inaugural BSI Canonical Conclave (this of the Midwest variety) was a true delight. Burt and Scott reflect on the event and...
Apr 30, 2025•53 min•Season 19Ep. 310
“good enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences” [SCAN] Don't care for Sherlockian chronologies? Well, you're not alone! Neither did our guest today, and he's written a number of books on the subject. Brad Keefauver, BSI ("Winwood Reade") is a member of the Sherlockian Chronologist Guild and author of Holmes In an Hour or Two: A Sherlock Holmes Fan's First Sherlockian Chronology, or Create Your Own Timeline of Sherlock Holmes's Life in the Shortest Time Possible. It's not a matte...
Apr 15, 2025•59 min•Season 19Ep. 309
“grazed the subclavian artery” [STUD] While the Baker Street Irregulars is the most well-known of Sherlockian societies, it is by no means the only one — nor even the most important. There are gatherings happening every week, in person and virtually, of Sherlockian societies. And just like the Sherlockian societies that sprouted up in those early years of the hobby, Steve Doyle, BSI ("The Western Morning News") thought it might be helpful to bring some of them together in a spirit of building Sh...
Mar 31, 2025•1 hr 16 min•Season 19Ep. 308
“able to evolve from their own inner consciousness” [STUD] Now in its 12th year, 221B Con has become a mainstay of annual Sherlockian events, drawing people from all over the world to Atlanta every April. It was founded as a response to Sherlock on BBC, but has expanded beyond that to include the original stories as well as all forms of media. Last year, the founders announced that this year would be the final 221B Con. As we narrow in on that date, regular attendee and volunteer Johanna Draper ...
Mar 16, 2025•1 hr•Season 19Ep. 307
“the high opinion formed of him by his contemporaries.” [VALL] When the first Sherlock Holmes short stories came on the scene, they were something of a novelty: non-serialized, self-contained tales that put the Strand Magazine on the map. As with any success story, this one inspired imitators. These contemporaries of Sherlock Holmes inhabited the pages of the Strand and many other magazines of the day. Author Michael Cohen has stepped forward to catalog and categorize them from the years 1891 to...
Feb 28, 2025•1 hr 4 min•Season 19Ep. 306
“a wistful look on his wrinkled face” [BLAN] The first Sherlock Holmes adventure authored by Sherlock Holmes was “The Blanched Soldier.” It tells the tale of a family’s attempt to protect their son, a friend’s dedication to determining the truth, and Holmes’s actions to explain everything. Ira Matetsky, BSI ("The Final Problem") edited this volume and in the process, assembled a group of Sherlockians who have unique talents to apply to the analysis of the story and the manuscript, which was gene...
Feb 15, 2025•1 hr 1 min•Season 19Ep. 305
“One of the most precious public possessions of the empire” [BERY] Joel Meadows began what eventually became Sherlock Holmes and the Empire Builders: The Gene Genie in 2002 while working on Tripwire as a quarterly print magazine. He tells us the story of how it took two decades to bring this vision to life with illustrator Andy Bennett, and what the plans are for part two of the story. The initial Kickstarter for part one was wildly successful, and the Kickstarter for the sequel is under way. Th...
Jan 31, 2025•57 min•Season 19Ep. 304
“the rapidity and noiselessness of a serpent” [STUD] Sherlock Holmes, Dr. Watson, and Bonnie MacBird are back! In the sixth book in her series, Bonnie once again finds firm footing in London as Sherlock Holmes investigates a strange mystery involving a disfigured body, Windsor Castle, and some rather unpleasant reptilian encounters. We talk with Bonnie about the creative process, including the expert advice she received from two knights, her extensive research, and — wait for it — smoke enemas. ...
Jan 15, 2025•58 min•Season 19Ep. 303
“a combination of events” [3STU] Keeping track of everything going on in the Sherlockian world is no easy task. And yet, every year without fail, Ross Davies, BSI ("The Temple") oversees a team at The Baker Street Almanac that does exactly that. We first spoke to Ross about the enterprise on , but this time our conversation less about the mechanics and features than it is about some of the worthwhile items of note for Sherlockians in 2024. Ross chooses his top items and neatly divides things int...
Dec 30, 2024•1 hr 25 min•Season 18Ep. 302
“the preparation for submarine attack” [LAST] Good storytellers transport us to other places and times by virtue of their ability to create interesting characters and pull us along as the plot unfolds. Sherlock Holmes: Leviathan begins with two already interesting characters who are concerned with justice, and through Mike Baron's skillful storytelling that we find ourselves following the two as they unravel a global criminal conspiracy. Illustrated by artist Richard Bonk, it represents what may...
Dec 16, 2024•1 hr•Season 18Ep. 301
“Holmes’ triumphant expression and the ring of his voice” [STUD] Regular listeners know that when we have an opportunity to speak with other individuals involved in audio productions, we jump at the chance. For our 300th episode, we thought it was appropriate to speak to none other than an audio Sherlock Holmes. In this case, that means in the form of the detective from the Sherlock & Co. podcast, as portrayed by Harry Attwell. While we previously spoke to writer Joel Emery about the show on...
Nov 30, 2024•1 hr 42 min•Season 18Ep. 300
“I listen to their story, they listen to my comments” [STUD] Trial lawyers are supposed to be experts in conducting interviews and interrogating witnesses. Yet Stephen Chahn Lee discovered that such skills were hardly universal. Yet there was one shining example he could point to for questioning witnesses and getting to the truth. As you've already guessed, it is Sherlock Holmes. But then Lee turned his analysis and research to an eyewitness who he claims misled us—a central character whom we've...
Nov 16, 2024•56 min•Season 18Ep. 299
“no ghosts need apply” [SUSS] 'Tis the season! The season for monsters and ghosts, that is. And who better to treat us with a discussion of monsters, ghosts, and various biblioventures designed to make our skin crawl than Ed Pettit from The Rosenbach? It's not just the ghosts of Charles Dickens and the monsters of Robert Louis Stevenson, though. Ed also does a deep dive with us on Bram Stoker's Dracula and the wonderful connection between him and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. We also bring you the She...
Oct 30, 2024•1 hr 7 min•Season 18Ep. 298
“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 beginning...
Oct 15, 2024•52 min•Season 18Ep. 297
“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, an...
Oct 01, 2024•1 hr 13 min•Season 18Ep. 296
“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. Hendri...
Sep 15, 2024•53 min•Season 18Ep. 295
“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 rec...
Aug 31, 2024•1 hr 21 min•Season 18Ep. 294
“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 ...
Aug 16, 2024•49 min•Season 18Ep. 293
“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 o...
Jul 31, 2024•1 hr•Season 18Ep. 292
“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 Sher...
Jul 16, 2024•1 hr 11 min•Season 18Ep. 291
“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 a...
Jun 30, 2024•1 hr 6 min•Season 18Ep. 290
“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 int...
Jun 15, 2024•1 hr 18 min•Season 18Ep. 289
“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...
Jun 14, 2024•6 min
“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 connectio...
May 31, 2024•1 hr 15 min•Season 18Ep. 288
“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 ...
May 16, 2024•58 min•Season 18Ep. 287
“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 neurodivers...
Apr 30, 2024•1 hr 8 min•Season 18Ep. 286
