I Hear of Sherlock Everywhere

Register for the Norwegian Explorers Conference

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"at this conference" [MAZA]</h4>
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The University of Minnesota Libraries has posted <a href="http://special.lib.umn.edu/rare/holmes/2007conferencebrochurefinal.pdf">the official brochure</a> (pdf) for the upcoming Sherlock Holmes conference "Victorian Secrets and Edwardian Enigmas" <a href="http://www.tc.umn.edu/~bergq003/norwegianexplorers/2007_conference.html">on their site</a>.<br />
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The conference runs from July 6-8, 2007 in Minneapolis and, if it's anything like past conferences put on by the Norwegian Explorers, it's going to be a good one. Featured speakers include:<br />
<ul>
<li>Michael Dirda, BSI </li>
<li>Michael Eckman </li>
<li>Cliff Goldfarb, MBt, BSI </li>
<li>Michael Kean, BSI </li>
<li>Elaine Hamill McCafferty, BSI </li>
<li>Jonathan McCafferty, BSI </li>
<li>Bill Mason </li>
<li>Dana Richards </li>
<li>Daniel Stashower, BSI </li>
<li>Sue Vizoskie, ASH, BSI</li>
<li>Randall Stock</li>
<li>Jon Lellenberg, BSI</li>
</ul>
That's a nice line-up. Registration is due to Julie McKuras by June 21.<br />
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To download a PDF of the flyer, <a href="http://special.lib.umn.edu/rare/holmes/2007conferencebrochurefinal.pdf">click here</a>.<br />
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Thanks to Randall Stock for the tip.<br />
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--<br />
<br />

Register for the Norwegian Explorers Conference

"at this conference" [MAZA] The University of Minnesota Libraries has posted the official brochure (pdf) for the upcoming Sh...

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by Scott Monty

Sherlock Holmes of the Movies

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"many people were moving to and fro" [EMPT]</h4>
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For the Sherlock Holmes enthusiast who is all about old movies and who has a broadband connection, this post will be welcome information.<br />
<br />
According to the <a href="http://precodecinema.blogspot.com/2007/03/free-movies.html">Trouble in Paradise</a> blog, the <a href="http://www.archive.org/details/feature_films">Internet Archive</a> has public domain films that are available for viewing on its site and downloadable files you can transfer to disc and watch at home for free.  There are a wide variety of films available, from Charlie Chaplin films to Stan Laurel comedies, to F.W. Murnau's legendary <span style="font-style: italic;">Nosferatu</span>. It's worth a browse.<br />
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Most importantly, there are a number of Sherlock Holmes films from which to choose as well. You even get your pick as to a leading actor. Here are the Holmes movies currently available:<br />
<br />
[<span style="font-style: italic;">Note</span>: quotes have been taken from the excellent book <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0517232790?ie=UTF8&tag=thebakerstree-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0517232790" style="font-style: italic;">Holmes of the Movies</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=thebakerstree-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0517232790" style="border: medium none; font-style: italic; margin: 0px;" width="1" /> by David Stuart Davies. Highly recommended.]<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">Owen, Owen, He's Our Man</span></h3>
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<span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />
</span>First up is Reginald Owen, appearing as a heavier and unconvincing Holmes in  <a href="http://www.archive.org/details/study_in_scarlet_ipod"><em>A Study in Scarlet</em></a> (1933). Owen had just come off of his role as Dr. Watson to Clive Brook's Sherlock Holmes in the the 1932 film <span style="font-style: italic;">Sherlock Holmes</span>. Why he was chosen for this role, I can only guess. David Stuart Davies writes "Owen seems to have been cast for the chief role because he has an English accent...". I have never appreciated his (ahem!) talent.<br />
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<h3>
<span style="font-weight: bold;">If He Can't Do it, Wonter Can</span></h3>
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<span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span>
He certainly can. Davies writes "Of all the actors to peer out from under the brim of the deerstalker and exclaim 'Elementary, my dear Watson,' none has received more acclaim from film critics and Holmes purists than Arthur Wontner."  Wonter bore a striking resemblance to Sherlock Holmes as portrayed by a number of artists and his approach was a calming, understated performance.<br />
<em><br />
<a href="http://www.archive.org/details/The_Sign_OF_Four">The Sign of Four</a></em> (1932) was Wonter's second outing as Holmes and it followed the plot of the story of the same name. The production values were not as high as the first Wontner film, but the actor was as solid as ever.  The other film available on this site is <em><a href="http://www.archive.org/details/Murder_At_The_Baskervilles">Murder at</a></em><em><a href="http://www.archive.org/details/Murder_At_The_Baskervilles"> the Baskervilles</a></em> (1937), originally titled <span style="font-style: italic;">Silver Blaze</span>, as it was based on that story.<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">It Wouldn't Be a Film Entry without...Rathbone</span></h3>
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<span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span>
Sherlock Holmes probably did more to help and hurt the career of Basil Rathbone than any other screen actor before or after him. Inextricably linked with the great detective, Rathbone's Holmes, according to Davies, was "an alert, energetic capricious and sardonic animal. Rathbone played with great style and authority..."  Rathbone inhabited the persona for 14 films alongside the <span style="font-style: italic;">Boobus Britannicus</span> extraordaire, Nigel Bruce.<br />
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Here we have three examples of their work together, <em><a href="http://www.archive.org/details/secret_weapon">Sherlock Holmes and the Secret Weapon</a></em> (1943), in which Holmes does battle with two foes: his hairdresser and Professor Moriarty. This has to be a favorite of many, as it features Holmes in three disguises throughout the film. Next up is ,  <a href="http://www.archive.org/details/terror_by_night_ipod"><em>Terror by Night</em> </a>(1946), which finds Holmes and Watson and other strangers on a train. And finally is <a href="http://www.archive.org/details/dressed_to_kill_ipod" style="font-style: italic;">Dressed to Kill</a> (1946), in which the Bank of England plates have gone missing and it's up to Holmes and Watson, using a music box melody, to find the thieves.<br />
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For more information on any of these films, check the <a href="http://www.imdb.com/find?q=sherlock+holmes&sourceid=mozilla-search">IMDb</a> (Internet Movie Database) or take a look at David Stuart Davies' seminal work <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0517232790?ie=UTF8&tag=thebakerstree-20&linkCode=as2&amp;amp;camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0517232790">Holmes of the Movies: The Screen Career of 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=0517232790" style="border: medium none ! important; margin: 0px ! important;" width="1" />.</i><br />
<br />
--<br />
<br />

Sherlock Holmes of the Movies

"many people were moving to and fro" [EMPT] For the Sherlock Holmes enthusiast who is all about old movies and who has a broa...

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by Scott Monty

"It Is Late in March, So Quarter-Day Is at Hand" [WIST]

<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtZxAbcDWT8IMXdI2jyj_mzCsIZPh1xrX5XohFIw0qPQXxEc5lyHtous1cgEci9ZkV7UFdjCASrDT7lG-ZPmoRllT12OYRhg46Q1q_MM_l284QuolCGCH5dAhB3EkVTqBphnoTB75UAudY/s1600-h/Spring.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5046082835583382130" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtZxAbcDWT8IMXdI2jyj_mzCsIZPh1xrX5XohFIw0qPQXxEc5lyHtous1cgEci9ZkV7UFdjCASrDT7lG-ZPmoRllT12OYRhg46Q1q_MM_l284QuolCGCH5dAhB3EkVTqBphnoTB75UAudY/s200/Spring.jpg" style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" /></a>It's that time again!  <a href="http://bakerstreetjournal.com/">The Baker Street Journal</a> is proud to announce that the first issue of Volume 57 is on its way. The Spring issue promises to be a popular one, with lots of juicy tidbits of information and scholarship to satisfy your cravings for material related to Sherlock Holmes.<br /><br />The featured article this quarter contains a bold thesis by Marshall (aka "Mike") Berdan. His contribution, <a href="http://bakerstreetjournal.com/currentvolumevol57/deaddetectiveno1.html">The Adventure of the Dead Detective</a>, makes some heretofore taboo assumptions about the war service of Mr. Sherlock Holmes. See what he writes and if you agree with his theory. This could make for some interesting <a href="http://bakerstreetjournal.com/contactus/letterstobakerstreet.html">Letters to Baker Street</a>.<br /><br />Other entries include:<br /><ul><li>The 2007 BSI Weekend festivities round-up - a perennial favorite for those who couldn't attend in person and for those who wish to reminisce about the whirlwind</li><li>Everyone is always interested in real estate, so Greg Darak's "Holmes and Homes" will certainly be relevant.<br /></li><li>Sonia Fetherston makes what seems to be her annual appearance in the BSJ with the unconventional "On the Catwalk: New Evidence of Worth Couture in the Canon."<br /></li><li>Probably the most avidly awaited entry (certainly by followers of her blog, <a href="http://laurierking.blogspot.com/2007/03/all-sherlock-holmes-all-time.html">Mutterings</a>, will attest) the writeup of Laurie R. King's talk for the BSI Distinguished Lecture series, "Meeting Mr. Holmes."</li><li>All this, plus our usual features: <span style="font-style: italic;">Art in the Blood</span>, the Commonplace Book, reports on Sherlockian socities, and "Stand with me here upon the terrace..."</li></ul>If you have not yet renewed for 2007, please don't wait any further! Head on over to the BSJ Web site, where you can find a downloadable subscription form as well as an online ordering system. And if you have renewed, thank you! Enjoy your upcoming Spring issue.

"It Is Late in March, So Quarter-Day Is at Hand" [WIST]

It's that time again! The Baker Street Journal is proud to announce that the first issue of Volume 57 is on its way. The Spring issue ...

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by Scott Monty

Did Conan Doyle Plot the Death of Houdini?

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"And what conclusions did the coroner come to?" [SPEC]</h4>
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It seems that Conan Doyle is in the news again, and all for the wrong reasons. Earlier this week it was the news that a Sherlock Holmes comic would inspire a new movie (check the Shared Articles in the right column below for rumors on who might play Holmes).<br />
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This time, <a href="http://www.scotsman.com/lifestyle/culture/the-classic-whodunnit-did-arthur-conan-doyle-plot-the-murder-of-harry-houdini-1-692395" target="_blank">Conan Doyle's name is being mentioned</a> in connection with the death of Harry Houdini. It seems that a relative of Houdini's wants his body exhumed for examination, to determine if he was murdered. This subject came up last year, when the biography <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0743272072?ie=UTF8&tag=thebakerstree-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0743272072"><i>The Secret Life of Houdini: The Making of America's First Superhero</i></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=thebakerstree-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0743272072" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> was released. As you may know, Houdini died of a ruptured appendix after receiving a blow to the abdomen when he wasn't properly prepared.<br />
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But because of Houdini's work on debunking frauds, the Spiritualists didn't appreciate his work. The book, which I believe was the impetus behind Houdini's great-nephew pushing for the autopsy, claimed that the Spiritualists essentially put out a hit on Houdini and that Doyle was one of the instigators.<br />
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Pure sensationalism, if you ask us. And using Conan Doyle's name in connection with it is pure showmanship. Ironic, but Houdini, the master showman, would probably approve of the publicity method, were he alive.<br />
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--<br />
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Did Conan Doyle Plot the Death of Houdini?

"And what conclusions did the coroner come to?" [SPEC] It seems that Conan Doyle is in the news again, and all for the wrong ...

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by Scott Monty

El Profesor Moriarty

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"a wonderful mixture of the Saxon and Latin" [SUSS]</h4>
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This comes from the sad, but true department. If you've been lucky enough to attend the Baker Street Irregulars' <a href="http://www.ihearofsherlock.com/2006/04/prime-favorite-with-racing-public-silv_14.html#.WDiWavkrLb0">Silver Blaze</a> festivities every other year, you are probably familiar with <a href="http://www.professormoriartys.com/ABOUT.HTM">Professor Moriarty's</a> restaurant.  Well, the next time you walk in, be sure to say<br />
<blockquote>
"Todo lo que tengo que decir ha cruzado ya su mente." <b>*</b></blockquote>
Because Professor Moriarty's is being sold. According to <a href="http://timesunion.com/AspStories/story.asp?storyID=573495&category=BUSINESS&BCCode=&newsdate=3/20/2007">the article from the Albany Times-Union</a>, "The 23-year-old restaurant and tavern, known for its cozy cherry-wood walls and English pub-like ambience, will be purchased by a former California businessman who wants to open <span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">an upscale Mexican eatery</span>."<br />
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To which we can only say, "Ai yai yai!" We have to wonder if they're working on renaming the entrees?  Here are a few suggestions:<br />
<ul>
<li>The Binomial Taco</li>
<li>Enchiladas with a sauce "of the most diabolical kind"</li>
<li>The Burrito of Crime</li>
<li>The Reichenbach Flan</li>
</ul>
Have you got others to add? Leave a comment with your ideas.  Ole!<br />
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<i><b>*</b> Translation: "All that I have to say has already crossed your mind." [FINA]</i><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-weight: bold;">R.I.P. Professor Moriarty's</span><br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">1984 - 2007<br />
</span></div>
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<br />

El Profesor Moriarty

"a wonderful mixture of the Saxon and Latin" [SUSS] This comes from the sad, but true department. If you've been lucky en...

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by Scott Monty

New Online Resource for Sherlockians

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"Mr. Sherlock Holmes was a very busy man" [SOLI]</h4>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh3GlUeqvY_YU-Rxiz8Xj6sfxOqny9ynjbDCSSpBlCUJJmFrDIQC8RFsjjhUvDbaZ_6u0sEXW1rwRqHDr_5YPr60OF8W5VJHSSocj2pCY5nB_kc1GjtBsuEO30C7ZRF_t7L5nW7GiQ0CqR/s1600/Twitter_logo.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="128" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh3GlUeqvY_YU-Rxiz8Xj6sfxOqny9ynjbDCSSpBlCUJJmFrDIQC8RFsjjhUvDbaZ_6u0sEXW1rwRqHDr_5YPr60OF8W5VJHSSocj2pCY5nB_kc1GjtBsuEO30C7ZRF_t7L5nW7GiQ0CqR/s640/Twitter_logo.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
There's a new tool available that's sweeping the Internet. It's called <a href="http://www.twitter.com/">Twitter</a> - it's a way to stay connected and it's extremely easy to use.  It's described as:<br />
<blockquote>
A global community of friends and strangers answering one simple question: <span style="font-style: italic;">What are you doing?</span> Answer on your phone, IM, or right here on the web!</blockquote>
You'll note that there's a Twitter feed for one @S_Holmes over in the right column of our site.  Follow his activity when you visit the blog.  Better yet, join Twitter yourself so we can all update each other on community activities.<br />
<br />
And if the bug really bites you, there are other Twitter-related sites to visit:<br />
<ul>
<li><a href="http://twittermap.com/maps">Twittermap</a> - see where other Twits are located<a href="http://twittermap.com/maps"><br /></a></li>
<li><a href="http://twittermap.com/twittervision">Twittervision</a> - real-time updates, mapped across the globe<a href="http://twittermap.com/twittervision"><br /></a></li>
<li><a href="http://rareedge.com/twitteroo/">Twitteroo</a> - tweet directly from your desktop</li>
</ul>
<div>
--</div>
<div>
<br /></div>

New Online Resource for Sherlockians

"Mr. Sherlock Holmes was a very busy man" [SOLI] There's a new tool available that's sweeping the Internet. It's...

+ Read more »

by Scott Monty

Baker Street Journal Contest Closes Soon

<h4 style="text-align: center;">
"He was reminded of his omission" [VALL]</h4>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-xIIr7Cu2ODuXSIvGZLmLN744Aqr7RXS8OPLyUZNXrzf6zvWbKijUB69ueZi7aJ_vZJld27os0waQezuBvsMlnSp2Y8dXKrVVe_0l1Qc3NjvN1Ol6Hrs0oko9V0Taei9gxaRliKyOl0Qq/s1600/Baker+Street+Journal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-xIIr7Cu2ODuXSIvGZLmLN744Aqr7RXS8OPLyUZNXrzf6zvWbKijUB69ueZi7aJ_vZJld27os0waQezuBvsMlnSp2Y8dXKrVVe_0l1Qc3NjvN1Ol6Hrs0oko9V0Taei9gxaRliKyOl0Qq/s640/Baker+Street+Journal.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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In case you haven't taken the time, please take a look at the post from <a href="http://www.ihearofsherlock.com/2007/02/have-endeavoured-to-illustrate-resi_26.html#.WDiR6fkrLb0" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">February 26</a>. It contains the rules related to the contest currently running for the <a href="http://bakerstreetjournal.com/">Baker Street Journal</a>. This is a rare opportunity for a chance to win a year's subscription to the BSJ.<br />
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The contest closes on March 21, so get your entries in now!<br />
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--<br />
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Baker Street Journal Contest Closes Soon

"He was reminded of his omission" [VALL] In case you haven't taken the time, please take a look at the post from February...

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by Scott Monty

New Sherlock Holmes Movie to Reinvent the Character

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"What one man can invent, another can discover" [DANC]</h4>
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It's all over the news and the blogosphere today: Warner Brothers is bringing an upcoming Sherlock Holmes comic book to the big screen. It's being reported by the <a href="http://blogs.nypost.com/movies/archives/2007/03/and_michael_cai.html">New York Post</a>, the <a href="http://www.themovieblog.com/archives/2007/03/sherlock_holmes.html">Movie Blog</a>, and <a href="http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117961256.html?categoryid=13&cs=1">Variety.com</a>, which wrote:<br />
<blockquote>
"Exact storyline is being kept under wraps, but creative execs at Warners say they are looking for the "Sherlock" team to reinvent the sleuth and his loyal No. 2 Dr. Watson in much the same edgy way that Christopher Nolan has reimagined Batman for Warners."</blockquote>
Interesting. This could be a big break for the Sherlockian world, bringing much-needed publicity to our hero.  The character received a revival in the 1970s, thanks to Nicholas Meyer's book and subsequent movie <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/6305078009?ie=UTF8&tag=thebakerstree-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=6305078009">The Seven Percent Solution</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=thebakerstree-20&l=as2&o=1&a=6305078009" style="border: medium none ! important; margin: 0px ! important;" width="1" /></i>.<br />
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<a href="http://www.themovieblog.com/archives/2007/03/sherlock_holmes.html">John Campea</a> aptly puts what we've known all along:<br />
<blockquote>
"The single greatest crime fighter and mystery solver in the history of fiction isn't Batman... it's <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sherlock_Holmes">Sherlock Holmes</a>.  Yes, the man who could tell what you had for breakfast 6 Tuesdays ago just by looking at the color of your tie is THE MAN."</blockquote>
We all know that Hollywood has taken liberties with the characters - Basil Rathbone as Holmes in the 1940s with Nigel Bruce as the bumbling Dr. Watson - but I wonder if they'll give us something closer to the true Holmes that we know.  Perhaps that's what they mean by "reinvent."<br />
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Keep your fingers crossed.<br />
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New Sherlock Holmes Movie to Reinvent the Character

"What one man can invent, another can discover" [DANC] It's all over the news and the blogosphere today: Warner Brothers ...

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by Scott Monty

"The Charming Climate of Florida" [FIVE]

<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtuXbg585qBTQYhAZCnl9rxv-4V8yycx2IMr7X0kZcR0VS-6pI3coLB4dWVGeHXmCj6Jaq6LjZWc-5-2HguNJc-05dZwf_NHcjRxpn9Hxq2ggiVI0d_8THOZb9-srk-IGkqmya4RJVFQ6i/s1600-h/Grosvenor-Character-Breakfast.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5041255880980933922" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtuXbg585qBTQYhAZCnl9rxv-4V8yycx2IMr7X0kZcR0VS-6pI3coLB4dWVGeHXmCj6Jaq6LjZWc-5-2HguNJc-05dZwf_NHcjRxpn9Hxq2ggiVI0d_8THOZb9-srk-IGkqmya4RJVFQ6i/s200/Grosvenor-Character-Breakfast.jpg" style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 215px; height: 158px;" /></a>I hope you'll excuse my lengthy absence from this space.  I recently spent a week in Florida with my family and then another week catching up on the drudgery of work.<br /><br />We spent nearly the entire week at <a href="http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdw/index?bhcp=1">Walt Disney World</a>, the self-proclaimed Happiest Place on Earth.  Most of the activities there were geared toward my toddler, so there weren't any opportunities to tie in Sherlockian interests. No sign of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00005T7H5?ie=UTF8&tag=thebakerstree-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00005T7H5">Basil of Baker Street,</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=thebakerstree-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B00005T7H5" style="border: medium none  ! important; margin: 0px ! important;" width="1" /> alas.<br /><br />The last time I was there, I had the opportunity to stop in at the <a href="http://www.grosvenorresort.com/the_grosvenor.html">Grosvenor Resort</a>, which features a few Sherlockian-themed dining areas: <a href="http://www.grosvenorresort.com/baskervilles.html">Baskervilles</a>, a restaurant with 19th century decor and a Sherlock Holmes museum; and <a href="http://www.grosvenorresort.com/moriartys.html">Moriarty's</a>, an English-style pub.<br /><br />I should take my deerstalker with mouse ears (is that a mousestalker?) out for a photo some time...<br /><br />P.S. I've added the following, thanks to the prompting of Bobby the Bike in the comments section.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaQqaeiF-TrfTGAZNFBy24mrI8f5azNXCQ5RsgRDHDUfESC8jchmc-DXWs044y0nXjxpBN_PAzdU18XnPLIaSk0TT9rZdgLDcv8JF_ZvnX2JasTuddUpwiGsPebakzS-SzQEaSuH9X0DBl/s1600-h/PDRM2915.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5041472540606180674" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaQqaeiF-TrfTGAZNFBy24mrI8f5azNXCQ5RsgRDHDUfESC8jchmc-DXWs044y0nXjxpBN_PAzdU18XnPLIaSk0TT9rZdgLDcv8JF_ZvnX2JasTuddUpwiGsPebakzS-SzQEaSuH9X0DBl/s320/PDRM2915.JPG" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" /></a>

"The Charming Climate of Florida" [FIVE]

I hope you'll excuse my lengthy absence from this space. I recently spent a week in Florida with my family and then another week catchi...

+ Read more »

by Scott Monty

Rags to Riches: A Cute Children's Story with Sherlock

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"all to rags" [SILV]</h4>
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Richard Roberts has written <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html?ie=UTF8&location=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.co.uk%2FRags-Riches-Case-Hire-Fiend%2Fdp%2F0955388414%2Fsr%3D1-5%2Fqid%3D1171174075%3Fie%3DUTF8%26s%3Dbooks&tag=thebakerstree-20&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=9325">Rags to Riches: the Case of the Hire </a><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html?ie=UTF8&location=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.co.uk%2FRags-Riches-Case-Hire-Fiend%2Fdp%2F0955388414%2Fsr%3D1-5%2Fqid%3D1171174075%3Fie%3DUTF8%26s%3Dbooks&tag=thebakerstree-20&amp;amp;linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=9325">Shop Fiend</a></i><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=thebakerstree-20&amp;amp;l=ur2&o=1" style="border: medium none ! important; margin: 0px ! important;" width="1" />, a tale in verse describing the events that unfolded at a clothing rental store. He sent me a copy and this is my review of the book after having read it to a test audience - my 3 1/2 year-old.<br />
<br />
This delightful book is illustrated with cute drawings that are very welcoming to children. The story, told in verse, is easy to follow and keeps the reader in suspense all the way to the ending, which thankfully, was a happy one.<br />
<br />
It concerns a mystery - who shot Saville Row and ripped Tiffany Ball Gown?  Along the way, we meet a variety of characters such as Rags, General Homestore Blazer, Poly Esther Dress and the gloves Fingers and Thumbs. The hero of the story, as you may have guessed, is a costume appropriately called Sherlock. There is a hint that there may be further adventures to come...<br />
<br />
According to a book review from <a href="http://www.childrenwebmag.com/content/view/268">Children's Webmag</a>, it's "an unusual book, but really good fun." The write that their readers - children - have had a very positive response to it:<br />
<blockquote>
"[The children] loved the illustrations and the story  made them laugh out loud. Very entertaining for children and parents alike."</blockquote>
I couldn't agree more. And the author is very community-minded:  a portion of the proceeds from this unique book go to <a href="http://www.mdf.org.uk/">MDF - the Bipolar Foundation</a>.  In addition, he wrote the following in his note to me:<br />
<blockquote>
I do hope that the book will introduce younger readers to the world of Sherlock Holmes and help to create a whole new generation of Sherlockians.</blockquote>
So do we.  You can learn more about the book and its delightful characters on the <a href="http://www.ragsriches.co.uk/">Rags to Riches </a>site. We look forward to more.<br />
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