I Hear of Sherlock Everywhere

"Secretly Selected" [VALL]

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.theedgars.com/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh6KVP-WNNuK7HcSN-l_fTkMtwwEVCRc9Zc1rkq0w0LnJYtKQ3jmQE0FZNr18HLlDXFC4pW1tz21akSKTc1EDDhYsOlZZMpAaVqkNfN3qjkvhBTtuvUvsnAaUCbK9jzS-3TjxluRytYr9-/s200/Edgar.gif" /></a></div>Earlier this week, the <a href="http://www.mysterywriters.org/">Mystery Writers of America</a> announced their <a href="http://www.theedgars.com/nominees.html">nominations for the 2011 Edgar Allan Poe Awards</a> (commonly referred to as "The Edgars"). While not quite a banner year for nominations as 2007 (there were<a href="http://www.bakerstreetblog.com/2007/01/your-merits-should-be-publicly.html"> seven Sherlock Holmes-related nominees</a>), we're very happy to see <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Sherlock-Holmes-Dummies-Steven-Doyle/dp/0470484446?ie=UTF8&tag=thebakerstree-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Sherlock Holmes For Dummies</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=thebakerstree-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0470484446" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> by Steven Doyle, BSI ("The 'Western Morning News'") in the Critical/Biographical category. The press announcement began thusly: <blockquote>Mystery Writers of America is proud to announce on the 202nd anniversary of the birth of Edgar Allan Poe, its Nominees for the 2011 Edgar Allan Poe Awards, honoring the best in mystery fiction, non-fiction and television published or produced in 2010. The Edgar® Awards will be presented to the winners at our 65th Gala Banquet, April 28, 2011 at the Grand Hyatt Hotel, New York City.</blockquote> Below are a few categories of nominees. If you'd like to see the full list, please <a href="http://www.theedgars.com/nominees.html">click here</a>. BEST NOVEL <ul><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Caught-Harlan-Coben/dp/052595158X?ie=UTF8&tag=thebakerstree-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Caught</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=thebakerstree-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=052595158X" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> by Harlan Coben (Penguin Group USA - Dutton)</li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Crooked-Letter-Novel/dp/0060594667?ie=UTF8&tag=thebakerstree-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Crooked Letter, Crooked Letter</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=thebakerstree-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0060594667" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> by Tom Franklin (HarperCollins – William Morrow)</li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Faithful-Place-Novel-Tana-French/dp/0670021873?ie=UTF8&tag=thebakerstree-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Faithful Place</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=thebakerstree-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0670021873" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> by Tana French (Penguin Group USA - Viking)</li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Queen-Patpong-Rafferty-Thriller-Thrillers/dp/0061672262?ie=UTF8&tag=thebakerstree-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">The Queen of Patpong</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=thebakerstree-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0061672262" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> by Timothy Hallinan (HarperCollins – William Morrow)</li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Lock-Artist-Novel-Steve-Hamilton/dp/B004HB1D7M?ie=UTF8&tag=thebakerstree-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">The Lock Artist</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=thebakerstree-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B004HB1D7M" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> by Steve Hamilton (Minotaur/Thomas Dunne Books)</li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Id-Know-You-Anywhere-Novel/dp/0061706558?ie=UTF8&tag=thebakerstree-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">I’d Know You Anywhere</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=thebakerstree-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0061706558" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> by Laura Lippman (HarperCollins – William Morrow)</li></ul> BEST FIRST NOVEL BY AN AMERICAN AUTHOR <ul><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Rogue-Island-Bruce-DeSilva/dp/0765327260?ie=UTF8&tag=thebakerstree-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Rogue Island</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=thebakerstree-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0765327260" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> by Bruce DeSilva (Tom Doherty Associates – Forge Books)</li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Poachers-Son-Mike-Bowditch-Mysteries/dp/0312558465?ie=UTF8&tag=thebakerstree-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">The Poacher’s Son</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=thebakerstree-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0312558465" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> by Paul Doiron (Minotaur Books)</li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Serialist-Novel-David-Gordon/dp/1439158487?ie=UTF8&tag=thebakerstree-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">The Serialist: A Novel</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=thebakerstree-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=1439158487" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> by David Gordon (Simon & Schuster)</li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Galveston-Novel-Nic-Pizzolatto/dp/B004E3XD1M?ie=UTF8&tag=thebakerstree-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Galveston</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=thebakerstree-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B004E3XD1M" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> by Nic Pizzolatto (Simon & Schuster - Scribner)</li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Snow-Angels-James-Thompson/dp/0399156178?ie=UTF8&tag=thebakerstree-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Snow Angels</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=thebakerstree-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0399156178" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> by James Thompson (Penguin Group USA – G.P. Putnam’s Sons)</li></ul> BEST PAPERBACK ORIGINAL <ul><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Long-Time-Coming-Robert-Goddard/dp/0385343612?ie=UTF8&tag=thebakerstree-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Long Time Coming</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=thebakerstree-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0385343612" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> by Robert Goddard (Random House - Bantam)</li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/News-Where-You-Are-Novel/dp/0805091807?ie=UTF8&tag=thebakerstree-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">The News Where You Are</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=thebakerstree-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0805091807" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> by Catherine O’Flynn (Henry Holt)</li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Expiration-Date-Duane-Swierczynski/dp/0312363400?ie=UTF8&tag=thebakerstree-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Expiration Date</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=thebakerstree-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0312363400" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> by Duane Swierczynski (Minotaur Books)</li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Vienna-Secrets-Liebermann-Mystery-Mortalis/dp/0812980999?ie=UTF8&tag=thebakerstree-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Vienna Secrets</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=thebakerstree-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0812980999" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> by Frank Tallis (Random House Trade Paperbacks)</li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Ten-Little-Herrings-L-Tyler/dp/0330472135?ie=UTF8&tag=thebakerstree-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Ten Little Herrings</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=thebakerstree-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0330472135" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> by L.C. Tyler (Felony & Mayhem Press)</li></ul> BEST FACT CRIME <ul><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Scoreboard-Baby-Football-Complicity-ebook/dp/B004D4Z6IK?ie=UTF8&tag=thebakerstree-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Scoreboard, Baby: A Story of College Football, Crime and Complicity</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=thebakerstree-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B004D4Z6IK" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /></li><li>by Ken Armstrong and Nick Perry (University of Nebraska Press – Bison Original)</li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Eyes-Willie-McGee-Tragedy-Secrets/dp/0061284157?ie=UTF8&tag=thebakerstree-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">The Eyes of Willie McGee: A Tragedy of Race, Sex, and Secrets in Jim Crow South</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=thebakerstree-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0061284157" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> by Alex Heard (HarperCollins)</li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Finding-Chandra-Washington-Murder-Mystery/dp/1439138672?ie=UTF8&tag=thebakerstree-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Finding Chandra: A True Washington Murder Mystery</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=thebakerstree-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=1439138672" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> by Scott Higham and Sari Horwitz (Simon & Schuster - Scribner)</li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Hellhound-His-Trail-Stalking-International/dp/0385523920?ie=UTF8&tag=thebakerstree-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Hellhound on his Trail: The Stalking of Martin Luther King, Jr and the International Hunt for his Assassin</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=thebakerstree-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0385523920" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> by Hampton Sides (Random House - Doubleday)</li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Killer-Little-Shepherds-Forensic-Science/dp/0307266192?ie=UTF8&tag=thebakerstree-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">The Killer of Little Shepherds: A True Crime Story and the Birth of Forensic Science</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=thebakerstree-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0307266192" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> by Douglas Starr (Alfred A. Knopf)</li></ul> BEST CRITICAL/BIOGRAPHICAL <ul><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Wire-Truth-Be-Told/dp/B004H8GM44?ie=UTF8&tag=thebakerstree-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">The Wire: Truth Be Told</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=thebakerstree-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B004H8GM44" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> by Rafael Alvarez (Grove Atlantic – Grove Press)</li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Agatha-Christies-Secret-Notebooks-Mysteries/dp/B004E3XI8A?ie=UTF8&tag=thebakerstree-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Agatha Christie's Secret Notebooks: Fifty Years of Mysteries in the Making</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=thebakerstree-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B004E3XI8A" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> by John Curran (HarperCollins)</li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Sherlock-Holmes-Dummies-Steven-Doyle/dp/0470484446?ie=UTF8&tag=thebakerstree-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Sherlock Holmes for Dummies</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=thebakerstree-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0470484446" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> by Steven Doyle and David A. Crowder (Wiley)</li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Charlie-Chan-Honorable-Detective-Rendezvous/dp/0393069621?ie=UTF8&tag=thebakerstree-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Charlie Chan: The Untold Story of the Honorable Detective and his Rendevouz with American History</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=thebakerstree-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0393069621" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> by Yunte Huang (W.W. Norton)</li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Thrillers-100-Must-Reads-David-Morrell/dp/1933515562?ie=UTF8&tag=thebakerstree-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Thrillers: 100 Must Reads</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=thebakerstree-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=1933515562" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> edited by David Morrell and Hank Wagner (Oceanview Publishing)</li></ul> BEST JUVENILE <ul><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Zora-Me-Victoria-Bond/dp/0763643009?ie=UTF8&tag=thebakerstree-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Zora and Me</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=thebakerstree-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0763643009" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> by Victoria Bond and T.R. Simon (Candlewick Press)</li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Buddy-Files-Case-Lost-Book/dp/0807509329?ie=UTF8&tag=thebakerstree-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">The Buddy Files: The Case of the Lost Boy</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=thebakerstree-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0807509329" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> by Dori Hillestad Butler (Albert Whitman & Co.)</li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Haunting-Charles-Dickens-Lewis-Buzbee/dp/0312382561?ie=UTF8&tag=thebakerstree-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">The Haunting of Charles Dickens</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=thebakerstree-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0312382561" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> by Lewis Buzbee (Feiwel & Friends)</li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Griff-Carver-Hallway-Patrol-Krieg/dp/1595142762?ie=UTF8&tag=thebakerstree-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Griff Carver: Hallway Patrol</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=thebakerstree-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=1595142762" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> by Jim Krieg (Penguin Young Readers Group - Razorbill)</li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Secret-Life-Ms-Finkleman/dp/0061965413?ie=UTF8&tag=thebakerstree-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">The Secret Life of Ms. Finkleman</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=thebakerstree-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0061965413" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> by Ben H. Winters (HarperCollins Children’s Books)</li></ul> BEST YOUNG ADULT <ul><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/River-Mary-Jane-Beaufrand/dp/0316041688?ie=UTF8&tag=thebakerstree-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">The River</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=thebakerstree-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0316041688" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> by Mary Jane Beaufrand (Little Brown Books for Young Readers)</li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Please-Ignore-Vera-Dietz-King/dp/0375865861?ie=UTF8&tag=thebakerstree-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Please Ignore Vera Dietz</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=thebakerstree-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0375865861" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> by A.S. King (Random House Children’s Books – Alfred A. Knopf)</li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/7-Souls-Barnabas-Miller/dp/0385736738?ie=UTF8&tag=thebakerstree-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">7 Souls</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=thebakerstree-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0385736738" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> by Barnabas Miller and Jordan Orlando (Random House Children’s Books – Delacorte Press)</li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Interrogation-Gabriel-James-Charlie-Price/dp/0374335451?ie=UTF8&tag=thebakerstree-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">The Interrogation of Gabriel James</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=thebakerstree-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0374335451" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> by Charlie Price (Farrar, Straus, Giroux Books for Young Readers)</li><li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Dust-City-Robert-Paul-Weston/dp/1595142967?ie=UTF8&tag=thebakerstree-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Dust City</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=thebakerstree-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=1595142967" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> by Robert Paul Weston (Penguin Young Readers Group - Razorbill)</li></ul> <iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=thebakerstree-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=0470484446&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align: left; height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe> Please consider visiting our sponsors (in the right column and footer of the site) from time to time. 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"Secretly Selected" [VALL]

Earlier this week, the Mystery Writers of America announced their nominations for the 2011 Edgar Allan Poe Awards (commonly referred to as...

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by Scott Monty

"Little Red Circles of Light" [TWIS]

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2591/4182490752_efb958617a_m.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2591/4182490752_efb958617a_m.jpg" /></a></div>Some 10 years ago or so at a Baker Street Irregulars dinner, Roger Johnson, BSI ("'Pall Mall Gazette'") alluded to the Gilded Age of Sherlock Holmes that we honor and lament as something of the past, yet he noted that at the time we were entering something of a Golden Age as interest was resurgent. Today, with the hype cycle once again waxing, coupled with the near-universal availability of Internet access, we believe that we're entering into something of a Platinum Age of Sherlock Holmes - where the subject of our interest intersects with burgeoning technology. One example of this is the proliferation of websites dedicated to Sherlock Holmes. We've selected a few of interest here in the sidebar - "Groups of Mysterious Persons" are some scion societies that have sites and includes a link to the master list of all societies; "Gathered From Many Nations" highlights some of the Sherlockian groups from around the world; "Perhaps He Desires the Publication to Read" is a short list of some of the sites that can help the avid Sherlockian attempt to sate the never-ending thirst for more. It goes without saying that <a href="http://sherlockian.net/">Sherlockian.net</a> is probably the grand-daddy of all of these. Recently, we were made aware of one of the older scion societies - <a href="http://www.redcircledc.org/">The Red Circle of Washington, DC</a>, having just celebrated its 60th anniversary - finally making the leap to the digital world. This is quite considerable, as Peter Blau, BSI ("Black Peter"), 2s, ASH, who has long been a sparking plug within the group (he holds no official title, incidentally), is known for his typed notices that even in this post-Web 2.0 world still find their way to inboxes and mailboxes alike. <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5ZEgMSAEWAuYFn5TUZu4nw9QGFlK5w8GegoH_2613kDbYLehYaHPwolL2rHL82NlvVjsbyu17__g5Cf8GxFOv7gVLL2F7MaJuy-O6AYT4SVJRcMvo2LvuqpCC-W-QJCv3WisI5vgN202f/s1600/REDC.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="389" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5ZEgMSAEWAuYFn5TUZu4nw9QGFlK5w8GegoH_2613kDbYLehYaHPwolL2rHL82NlvVjsbyu17__g5Cf8GxFOv7gVLL2F7MaJuy-O6AYT4SVJRcMvo2LvuqpCC-W-QJCv3WisI5vgN202f/s400/REDC.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Screenshot of <a href="http://www.redcircledc.org/">http://www.redcircledc.org</a></td></tr></tbody></table> If you take a look at the Red Circle's website, you'll find a nice layout with everything the Beltway native (or visitor) would need: notes of meetings past, present and future; a calendar of events, essential links, and perhaps our personal favorite: Black Peter's Logbook. It's an homage to the story from which Peter's investiture is taken, and a nod to what Peter is really doing: blogging (Shh - don't tell him!). Are there other favorite Sherlockian sites that you have? What should we add to our roster? Please share them in the form of a comment below. Please consider visiting our sponsors (in the right column and footer of the site) from time to time. It helps defray the costs associated with running this site.

"Little Red Circles of Light" [TWIS]

Some 10 years ago or so at a Baker Street Irregulars dinner, Roger Johnson, BSI ("'Pall Mall Gazette'") alluded to the Gil...

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by Scott Monty

"A Little Mystery Suddenly Clouded" [CREE]

<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0374387672?ie=UTF8&tag=thebakerstree-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0374387672" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4SzAWQ4kYzIquDK3kz1kAklla_hM0oBSkRv41nnNHAa3e0MEhOe-2fbwxNNFHzuyUkHbX0_UguWbpDEWLhxAjaHJ4CyLrLDiOyjqLl6Q-LJL_HmWlGMW2j1nX8SLI3OacxMkUaClv1Vvt/s1600/Deathcloud.jpg" /></a> You're probably familiar with the 1985 film <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0000AUHPC?ie=UTF8&tag=thebakerstree-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0000AUHPC">Young Sherlock Holmes</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=thebakerstree-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B0000AUHPC" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />, but have you hear about the latest Young Sherlock Holmes book series by Andrew Lane? Pictured at left is the cover of the new book by Lane titled <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0374387672?ie=UTF8&tag=thebakerstree-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0374387672">Death Cloud</a>. It is available for pre-order from Amazon.com and will be released on February 1, 2011. The book is intended for a younger audience (as one would gather from the Justin Bieber-like image used for the cover art), specifically grades 6-9. The product description on Amazon is as follows: <blockquote>It is the summer of 1868, and Sherlock Holmes is fourteen. On break from boarding school, he is staying with eccentric strangers—his uncle and aunt—in their vast house in Hampshire. When two local people die from symptoms that resemble the plague, Holmes begins to investigate what really killed them, helped by his new tutor, an American named Amyus Crowe. So begins Sherlock’s true education in detection, as he discovers the dastardly crimes of a brilliantly sinister villain of exquisitely malign intent.</blockquote> And the School Library Journal gave the book a starred review: <blockquote>Sherlock Holmes, 14, is expecting a quiet summer, relaxing with his family after a difficult term at school. However, political upheaval in India, his mother’s illness, and brother Mycroft’s position in the Foreign Office result in Sherlock being sent to distant relatives instead. Adapting to life at Holmes Manor in Farnham, he makes friends with a village ruffian and is soon given an American tutor to keep him out of mischief. When Sherlock and Amyus Crowe, the tutor, discover a body covered with mysterious swellings, they are thrown into a conspiracy of chemicals, knives, and money. Over the course of his investigation, Sherlock is kidnapped twice by pale and crippled Baron Maupertuis, once after a brutal boxing match, and the second time while with beautiful Virginia Crowe, daughter of Amyus. In their final confrontation, Sherlock and Virginia discover the Baron’s plot to bring down the whole of the British Empire. Lane successfully blends the traditional Holmesian confidence with the teen’s awkward self-consciousness. The vulnerability of the character is well illustrated through his relationship with Mycroft, as well as his friendship with Matty, the young orphaned longboat operator. While the crush on Virginia seems a bit shoehorned in, her character does provide some needed humor. Occasionally the action overwhelms the investigative components, but the narrative still flows smoothly. A menacing villain and an unexpected twist make for a thoroughly engaging read that will keep readers turning pages. Now, it’s just a matter of waiting for the next tale.</blockquote>The author is particularly interested in this period of Holmes's life, as little attention has been given to it previously, either by Conan Doyle or by subsequent authors. Expect to see more in this series which we hope will bring young people to Sherlock Holmes. <center><iframe title="YouTube video player" class="youtube-player" type="text/html" width="480" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/I0jb0pLP6Z0" frameborder="0" allowFullScreen></iframe></center> Related link: <a href="http://www.beaconsociety.com/">The Beacon Society</a> Please consider visiting our sponsors (in the right column and footer of the site) from time to time. It helps defray the costs associated with running this site. --

"A Little Mystery Suddenly Clouded" [CREE]

You're probably familiar with the 1985 film Young Sherlock Holmes , but have you hear about the latest Young Sherlock Holmes book series...

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by Scott Monty

"The Honourable Record" [NAVA]

<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4YI-E7vo9GMveQzg0DBjaScg50uHuLsKWKHez_m21GtuQOeD8mZN_PL-6y0FXFhj9cnyxuiiZ2BhE9ihI-gto6zo0QTL-g_s5ZKpP4zbQ1fqywvP7WPybOhWkWLbkxXQM1ozJLGMbAFAs/s1600/knox350.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4YI-E7vo9GMveQzg0DBjaScg50uHuLsKWKHez_m21GtuQOeD8mZN_PL-6y0FXFhj9cnyxuiiZ2BhE9ihI-gto6zo0QTL-g_s5ZKpP4zbQ1fqywvP7WPybOhWkWLbkxXQM1ozJLGMbAFAs/s1600/knox350.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Order at <a href="http://wessexpress.com/html/knox.html">Wessex Press</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The evening of Friday, January 8 found Irregulars and invited guests gathering at the Yale Club for the annual dinner of the Baker Street Irregulars. As is customary, we began the evening honoring "The Woman" of 2011, who in this case was Gail Postal. Gail is the significant other of Jerry Wachs ("James Saunders"). Gail was toasted by Susan Rice, ("Beeswing"), who remarked on Gail's long-held dream of being an artist, which was interrupted briefly by a full career as a schoolteacher; only now has Gail returned to art - and even has a son who works for a digital animation company ("Art in the blood..."). Gail received the Golden Door - a charm/pendant that each "The Woman" recipient is awarded. 
 
From the cocktail hour, we moved upstairs to the dining room, where Mike Whelan, our "Wiggins," called the dinner to order and recognized four Irregulars in the crowd who each had 50 or more years in the BSI. They were: 
 
<ol>
<li>George McCormack ("Hosmer Angel") - 50 years</li>
<li>Russell Merritt ("The Trepoff Murder") - 51 years</li>
<li>Peter Blau ("Black Peter") - 52 years</li>
<li>Art Levine ("The Cutter 'Alicia'") - 56 years</li>
</ol>
<div>
Then Mike bestowed "Eddies" - the award for editing a BSI publication - on editors past and present. They included Andrew Fusco, General Editor; Otto Penzler, <a href="http://bakerstreetjournal.com/bohemiansouls.html">Bohemian Souls</a>, Laurie R. King & Leslie Klinger, <a href="http://bakerstreetjournal.com/grandgamev1.html">The Grand Game</a>; Peggy Purdue, the 2009 Baker Street Journal Christmas Annual; Nicholas Utechin, <a href="http://bakerstreetjournal.com/thequarteringpress.html">To Keep the Memory Green</a>; Erico Solito & Gianluca Salvatore, <a href="http://bakerstreetjournal.com/grandgamev1.html">Sherlock Holmes and Italy</a> and <a href="http://bakerstreetjournal.com/mandatemurder.html">Mandate for Murder.</a> </div>
 
 
And then, to thank Mike for his efforts behind the momentum of BSI Publications, Andrew Fusco, Steve Rothman and Leslie Klinger ambushed him at the podium to award him the "Wiggy." 
 
We then partook of all of the customary toasts and rituals, but the theme of the evening was Monsignor Ronald Knox, who is universally regarded as the father of the Sherlockian movement. It was 100 years ago that he began the tongue-in-cheek parody of Biblical scholarship with "<a href="http://www.diogenes-club.com/studies.htm">Studies in the Literature of Sherlock Holmes</a>," and it still rings true today. We'll be headed over to the Vendors Room in the morning to purchase a copy of Wessex Press' new title <a href="http://wessexpress.com/html/knox.html" style="font-style: italic;">Ronald Knox and Sherlock Holmes</a> (pictured above). Henry Boote led the group in the singing of "It's a Ron Knox Life" to the tune of "<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LR80EEsWauU">It's a Hard Knock Life</a>," naturally followed by "Aunt Clara." 
 
We stood on the terrace to quietly remember nine intrepid Irregulars who<a href="http://www.bakerstreetblog.com/search/label/terrace"> passed beyond the Reichenbach</a> in 2010. And then came the moment we were all waiting for: the Honours List. The reading of the names of newly investitured Irregulars. The Class of 2011: 
 
<ul>
<li>Vinnie Brosnan - "That Gap on the Second Shelf"</li>
<li>Lyndsay Faye - "Kitty Winter"</li>
<li>David Houle - "The British Museum"</li>
<li>Frank Ferry - "Dr. Leon Sterndale"</li>
<li>Peggy Perdue - "Violet Westbury"</li>
<li>Terence Faherty - "Sir Charles Baskerville"</li>
</ul>
 
With a wonderful reading of Vincent Starret's '221B' by Burt Wolder ("The Third Pillar from the Left") concluded the evening. 
 
Some photos for your enjoyment: 
 
 
<center>
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