I Hear of Sherlock Everywhere

Episode 105: Echoes of Sherlock Holmes

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"The detectives and I must have echoed it" [VALL] </h4>
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Laurie R. King, BSI ("The Red Circle") and Leslie S. Klinger, BSI ("The Abbey Grange") are no strangers to the mystery genre. Laurie is probably best known for her Mary Russell-Sherlock Holmes stories, and Les has annotated the Sherlock Holmes stories, Dracula, Sandman and H.P. Lovecraft.<br />
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Together, the two have edited two anthologies of stories inspired by Sherlock Holmes: <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Study-Sherlock-Stories-Inspired-Holmes/dp/0857689320/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1475202335&sr=1-1&keywords=a+study+in+sherlock" target="_blank">A Study in Sherlock</a></i> and <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Company-Sherlock-Holmes-Stories-Inspired/dp/1605986585/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1475202361&sr=1-1&keywords=in+the+company+of+sherlock" target="_blank">In the Company of Sherlock Holmes</a></i>. They're back at it again with a third volume, <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Echoes-Sherlock-Holmes-Stories-Inspired/dp/1681772256/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1475202292&sr=1-1&keywords=echoes+of+sherlock+holmes" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Echoes of Sherlock Holmes</a></i>, and we sit down with them to discuss what it's like pulling together the work from a wide variety of mystery writers.<br />
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Echoes-Sherlock-Holmes-Stories-Inspired/dp/1681772256/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1475202512&sr=1-1&keywords=echoes+of+sherlock" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTGkBpaiA-edCOI4beXWd4U2PPthWoZsdO3Tr6arxFDd1YJIjx85GvB_WOgEOi66LtaTQIeMD7E9U55ZcwTnOcoyJeH4gVAf0DPIk2LWJcKAU81Q0fzpdXMkrzYp7JAPehZnIVxGHFHpiY/s320/EchoesOfSherlockHolmes.jpg" width="211" /></a></div>
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If you'd like to see Laurie and Les in person, they'll be at the <a href="http://www.poisonedpenevents.com/?ai1ec_event=laurie-r-king-signs-mary-russells-war-and-echoes-of-sherlock-holmes-with-leslie-klinger&instance_id=2047" target="_blank">Poisoned Pen</a> in Scottsdale, Arizona on October 1 at 2:00 pm; and at <a href="http://www.bookpassage.com/marin-events" target="_blank">Book Passage</a> in Corte Madera, California on October 8 at 5:00 pm. And there will be a celebration of the publication of <i>Echoes of Sherlock Holmes</i> via the <a href="http://www.meetup.com/SHERLOCK-BREAKFAST-CLUB/events/234351431/?rv=ea1&_af=event&_af_eid=234351431&https=off" target="_blank">Sherlock Holmes Breakfast Club</a> in Los Angeles on October 9 at 3:00 pm.<br />
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Sponsors</h3>
This episode includes our two longtime sponsors, plus a special sponsor. Please support our sponsors by visiting their sites:<br />
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<a href="http://traffic.libsyn.com/ihearofsherlock/ihearofsherlock105.mp3" target="_blank">Download</a> [Save As] | File size 27.8 MB, 59:02</h4>
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Links</h3>
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<li>Echoes of Sherlock Holmes (Amazon)</li>
<li><a href="http://laurierking.com/" target="_blank">Laurie R. King's website</a></li>
<li>Laurie's latest book: <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Mary-Russells-Russell-Sherlock-Holmes/dp/146420733X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1475202559&sr=1-1&keywords=Mary+Russell%27s+War+%26+Other+Stories" target="_blank">Mary Russell's War and Other Stories</a></i></li>
<li><a href="http://lesliesklinger.com/" target="_blank">Leslie Klinger's website</a></li>
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<i>Image credit: <a href="http://sisters-in-crime-sinc.blogspot.com/2010/12/sinc-at-bouchercon-2010.html">Sisters In Crime</a></i><br />
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Episode 105: Echoes of Sherlock Holmes

"The detectives and I must have echoed it" [VALL] Laurie R. King, BSI ("The Red Circle") and Leslie S...

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by Scott Monty

Sherlock Holmes in the 23rd Century — An Animated Series That Never Was

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“…the future only could show how strange it was to be” [TWIS]</h4>
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Many Sherlockians are aware of <i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sherlock_Holmes_in_the_22nd_Century" target="_blank">Sherlock Holmes in the 22<sup>nd</sup> Century</a></i>, an animated series that aired in the United States from 1999-2000. But how many would be aware of <i>Sherlock Holmes in the 23<sup>rd</sup> Century</i>, a show planned more than a decade before, in 1988? It all began with space cowboy and would have been brought to you by the creative team behind He-Man.</div>
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<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Filmation" target="_blank">Filmation Studios</a> was known in the '60s, '70s and '80s for its massive animated output. Its cartoons included DC superheroes, Archie comics, Fat Albert, Star Trek, Gilligan’s Island, Tom and Jerry, He-Man and She-Ra. But its tie to the Sherlockian world comes from its last animated series, <i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BraveStarr" target="_blank">Bravestarr</a></i>.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<i>Bravestarr</i> was a space western set on the planet of New Texas in the 23<sup>rd</sup> century, and aired in syndication from 1987 to 1988. Marshal Bravestarr, the titular character of the series, kept peace and order on his planet in episodic installments.  <o:p></o:p></div>
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One notable exception to this format is the two-part episode, “Sherlock Holmes in the 23<sup>rd</sup> Century,” meant to spin off as its own show. The first episode opens with <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=idSfpY4-kmk" target="_blank">the standard Bravestarr theme song</a>, and then takes the viewer to 1893 where Holmes and Professor Moriarty are battling atop the Reichenbach Falls during a brutal lightning storm.<o:p></o:p><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A decidedly gray Moriarty and Sherlock Holmes at the Reichenbach Falls</td></tr>
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But it ends differently this time.  As Watson watches from below, Moriarty pushes Holmes off the cliff!  Luckily, a time warp opens and Holmes is transported to the year 2249.  Holmes crashes through the roof of a futuristic hansom cab and is taken to the nearest hospital by Dr. Wt’sn, an alien of substantial strength.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dr. Wt'sn - experience with women in three separate galaxies?</td></tr>
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Holmes adjusts quickly to his new surroundings, and shows a strong knowledge of astronomy, specifically the constellation Rigel. Wt’sn equips Holmes with a suitably futuristic jacket and deerstalker while Holmes tries to get used to having a scanner pipe and his newfound power to blast lightning bolts from his hands. The duo moves through New London on their way to 221B Baker Street to meet a Scotland Yard agent descended from the Holmes family, Ms. Mycroft Holmes (and her very large gun).</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ms. Mycroft Holmes</td></tr>
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Baker Street has been turned into a Sherlock Holmes Museum, where Marshal Bravestarr finally makes his entrance to the story. Bravestarr is tracking down a lost alien boy who was aboard a hijacked space freighter and comes to the great detective for help. During their interview, Holmes is kidnapped but is saved by three street urchins and their dog, Baskerville. Chief Inspector Kitty Lestrade comes to take the would-be kidnapper away, and our heroes find that he was working for a larger foe. While tracking down this new villain, Holmes, Wt’sn, Bravestarr and Mycroft become trapped in a dungeon, but our heroes escape and find the lost alien child.<br />
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And then Moriarty shows up.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I won’t spoil the second half of this story, but things escalate quickly and include the Eiffel Tower and a futuristic punk rock band. You can watch <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nTqu5ryoU5o" target="_blank">part two</a> of the episode on YouTube or own the episodes on DVD from <a href="https://smile.amazon.com/Bravestarr-Complete-65-Episode-Collection/dp/B004RA7XZE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1474054547&sr=8-1&keywords=bravestarr" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Amazon</a>.<o:p></o:p><br />
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Of course, there never was a <i>Sherlock Holmes in the 23<sup>rd</sup> Century</i> series. Filmation was in financial trouble at this point. It was bought by the cosmetics company L’Oreal, and eventually shuttered, with no new series made after <i>Bravestarr.</i><o:p></o:p></div>
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But one could wonder what the series would have looked like. These two episodes spent a lot of time world building. Sherlock Holmes is quickly outfitted for the future, with his new powers, gadget and sidekick. An overarching foe is established in Professor Moriarty, and one assumes he would have a new scheme each week. New London is built up with street urchins to take the place of the Baker Street Irregulars, and Mycroft Holmes and Kitty Lestrade take the place of the Victorian Lestrade and Gregson. It wouldn’t be a far stretch to assume that Holmes and Wt’sn would take up residence in the Sherlock Holmes museum, and the finicky curator would take the place of Holmes’ previous landlady (I wouldn’t be surprised if the caretaker even turned out to be named Hudson).<o:p></o:p></div>
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But we will never know. It’s a mystery what could have been.<o:p></o:p><br />
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Sherlock Holmes in the 23rd Century — An Animated Series That Never Was

“…the future only could show how strange it was to be” [TWIS] Many Sherlockians are aware of Sherlock Holmes in the 22 nd Centur...

+ Read more »

by Rob Nunn

Sherlock Holmes and Moriarty's Web

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"it is a singular and a dangerous web" [DANC]</h4>
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Over the years, Sherlock Holmes has inspired many board and card games. Among the earliest was <a href="http://www.grandoldtoys.com/toydb_Detail.php?id=1254" target="_blank">a Parker Bros. card game issued in 1904</a>. And while he wasn't named as part of the cast of characters, Sherlock Holmes was referenced in early editions of Clue.<br />
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With all of the focus on video games and virtual reality lately, we were delighted to discover that someone is doubling down on board games again, and in a very stylish way.<br />
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In this case, that someone is Lucy Keifer and her creation is <a href="https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/118555799/sherlock-holmes-and-moriartys-web" target="_blank">Sherlock Holmes and Moriarty's Web</a>. The game is being sourced on Kickstarter, and Lucy needs your help to bring this game to life. She's very close — just days away and so close to achieving her budget. Read on and watch below, and see if you're convinced <a href="https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/118555799/sherlock-holmes-and-moriartys-web" target="_blank">to support this project</a> (complete with rewards!).</div>
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London is flooded with unsolvable crimes. Play as Holmes, Watson, Mycroft, Irene Adler, Inspector Lestrade and Mrs. Hudson to trace them back to the nefarious Professor Moriarty. But be careful! Moriarty is ruthless and brilliant, and unless you’re very, very careful you will find yourself caught in Moriarty’s Web.</blockquote>
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Sherlock Holmes and Moriarty's Web is a collaborative, moving board game. Unlike most board games which feature a static fold-out board, this is a build-your-own model, which changes based on how the game unfolds. This creative, unexpected approach fits with Professor Moriarty's cunning plans and solving it is fit for the brilliant mind of Sherlock Holmes.</div>
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In this case, brilliance can happen at ages 10 and up, and the game can accommodate three to six people. And players need to collaborate with each other in order to work their way through Moriarty's Web.<br />  <div>
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The <a href="https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/118555799/sherlock-holmes-and-moriartys-web/updates" target="_blank">Kickstarter page</a> has many more graphics and even a 30-minute video with a preview of what actual game play looks like.<br />
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Minimum investment is $40, but there are other levels with deluxe models, incentives and other goodies to help you make your decision.<br />
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We're looking forward to adding this to our collection. We hope you are too. But, even if you aren't, please share this article to help make this wonderful project a reality.<br />
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Sherlock Holmes and Moriarty's Web

"it is a singular and a dangerous web" [DANC] Over the years, Sherlock Holmes has inspired many board and card games. Among...

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by Scott Monty

The Symmetry of Sherlock

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"a little short and thick for symmetry" [NAVA]</h4>
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Sherlock Holmes said, "Art in the blood is liable to take the strangest forms." And with his penchant for noticing details that others fail to notice, one might wonder if his tendencies border on the obsessive.<br />
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Take, for example, the classic scene in which Holmes asked Watson about a very common architectural feature in Baker Street, in this scene, described by Watson:<br />
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I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I remarked," the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled, until you explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good as yours."<br />"Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen the steps which lead up from the hall to this room."<br />"Frequently."<br />"How often?"<br />"Well, some hundreds of times."<br />"Then how many are there?"<br />"How many! I don't know."<br />"Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, because I have both seen and observed."</blockquote>
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That level of detail and minutiae — a level that escapes the average person — is what sets Sherlock Holmes apart.</div>
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So when Steve Lawes, the principal cinematographer for the series, had an opportunity, he was equally as obsessive about the details of some of his shots. In particular, <a href="https://vimeo.com/cgmzz">Celia Gómez</a> determined that a number of shots were arranged in a perfectly symmetrical fashion. She created <a href="https://vimeo.com/183124955" target="_blank">a short video</a> (embedded below) that highlights her astute observations.<br />
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It's quite clever, and the cinematography reflects the nature of Holmes's ordered mind. What do you think? </div>
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<i>Tip of the deerstalker: We originally discovered this video via Bob Katz, BSI ("Dr. Anstruther") on Facebook, where he shared a link to <a href="http://www.ew.com/article/2016/09/23/sherlock-video-symmetry-cinematography" target="_blank">an article on Entertainment Weekly</a>.</i><br />
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The Symmetry of Sherlock

"a little short and thick for symmetry" [NAVA] Sherlock Holmes said, "Art in the blood is liable to take the strangest f...

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by Scott Monty

Review — The R.X. Problem (The Adventures of Watts and Sherlock Book 1)

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"in which the future city was sketched out" [STUD]</h4>
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Sherlock Holmes and science-fiction have a surprisingly good relationship. Many great science-fiction authors from Harlan Ellison to Isaac Asimov to <a href="http://www.ihearofsherlock.com/2016/04/interview-with-sci-fi-legend-jack.html" target="_blank">Jack McDevitt</a> have written their own Holmes scholarship and pastiches. Perhaps because, unlike fantasy, science-fiction must be grounded in the realm of logic and possibility, it is much easier to see Holmes dealing with mechanical menaces than fairies or gnomes.  Spooks need not apply, but computers are another matter.  Which brings us to Katie Magnusson's delightful cyberpunk Holmes story collection, <i>The R.X. Problem (The Adventures of Watts and Sherlock, Book 1)</i>.<br />
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In this book which technically is a short story collection but has a narrative thread connecting all of the tales together, we have a Holmesian character (not Sherlock Holmes, though he is inspired  by the great detective) who becomes roommates with Dr. Watts, a wounded veteran who now has a portion of his body replaced with cybernetics — much better treatment than poor Dr. Watson received for his injury from Maiwand. After being discharged from combat, Watts must find a roommate, and he is connected with the mysterious Sherlock, a consulting detective from a Historic Colony (a village where people still live as if it is the Victorian time period), who now resides in the city.<br />
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While the beginning of the story is a futuristic revision of the introductory chapters of <i>A Study in Scarlet</i>, once the mysteries begin, we are in all new adventures. A smart move on Ms. Magnusson's part. She sprinkles in connections to Doyle's adventures such as adding in Irregulars and a Lestrade stand-in with Detective Murphy, but the vision of this dystopian future in which corporations run what remains of the world and a vast wasteland is all that's left of the suburbs is entirely her own creation. We have traditional Holmes adventures grounded in this bleak futuristic world which makes for a great read. The overarching mystery connecting the stories together deals with a new highly addictive street drug known as "sunshine" and its connection to the supposedly benevolent R.X. corporation.<br />
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The writing is quite good and rightly focuses on the development of the friendship between the two men. Sherlock is very much like Sherlock Holmes. When reading his voice, you can feel the Doyle connection. Watts is quite different from Dr. Watson. He is a gruff, no nonsense doctor jaded from his battle experience. I found his voice to be more like that of characters from Chandler than characters from Doyle, and that is not a criticism. He makes a nice bridge between the two worlds, save with one exception. At one point, Watts uses a vulgar expletive. It isn't necessarily out of character, but it did not seem to fit the book, and I almost saw Dr. Watson taking Watts to task for using such a term in his name. <br />
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My only other complaint is one that fits with most other cyberpunk books — the technology. It is difficult to find the right footing in a futuristic world and while some of the changes such as easily getting an arm replacement are visionary, they are juxtaposed with standard technology that feels like it too should be more advanced. In a world where people can literally plug into the Internet via connections in their arms, they are still using cell phones and sending text messages.  In a world where people can get a mechanical leg replacement at a local hospital or even in the black market, police still have to send DNA evidence away to a lab to get tested. It is a minor complaint, but it is one that took me out of the stories on a few occasions. The writing is of such high quality, however, that it did not take me long to be rapt in the tales again.<br />
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On a different point, the story I found to be the absolute best in the collection was also the most traditional. "A Murder in the Colony," has Sherlock returning to his home historic colony and solving a murder that his father supposedly committed. It is not completely traditional. The new technology is important to the tale, but for the most part, the characters must only use what was available in the Victorian time period as well as their wits. The relationship between Sherlock and his parents is strained and we get glimpse into what made the man become the futuristic consulting detective.  Even if you are not a fan of anything non-traditional with Sherlock Holmes, I still recommend reading this collection if only for this story.  It is truly exceptional.<br />
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I look forward to Katie Magnusson's next Watts and Holmes collection (the book ends with a sneak peek at the second volume), and I also hope she writes a traditional collection of Holmes tales as well.  She is a talented writer and can easily write for both worlds. <br />
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<i>The R. X. Problem (The Adventures of Watts and Holmes Book 1)</i> is available as a <a href="https://www.amazon.com/R-X-Problem-Adventures-Watts-Sherlock/dp/1532929242/" target="_blank">paperback</a> and  an <a href="https://www.amazon.com/R-X-Problem-Adventures-Watts-Sherlock-ebook/dp/B01EAZN066/" target="_blank">ebook</a> on Amazon.  You can also visit the series' <a href="http://www.wattsandsherlock.com/" target="_blank">website</a>.<br />
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<i style="background-color: white; font-family: "times new roman";">Derrick Belanger is the author of the #1 bestselling book in its category <a amzn-ps-bm-asin="1519511957" class="amzn_ps_bm_tl" data-amzn-link-id="9e2003200f68f2fe44eb4bcdd1a73f6d" data-amzn-ps-bm-keyword="Sherlock Holmes: The Adventure of the Peculiar Provenance" href="http://www.amazon.com/Sherlock-Holmes-Adventure-Peculiar-Provenance/dp/1519511957/ref=as_li_bk_tl/?tag=thebakerstree-20&linkId=9e2003200f68f2fe44eb4bcdd1a73f6d&linkCode=ktl" id="amznPsBmLink_3292728" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Sherlock Holmes: The Adventure of the Peculiar Provenance</a><img alt="" border="0" height="0" id="amznPsBmPixel_3292728" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?source=bk&t=thebakerstree-20&bm-id=default&l=ktl&linkId=9e2003200f68f2fe44eb4bcdd1a73f6d&_cb=1451973203084" style="border: none; height: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; width: 0px;" width="0" />, which was in the top 200 bestselling books on Amazon. He also is the author of the MacDougall Twins with Sherlock Holmes books, the latest of which is <a amzn-ps-bm-asin="B017862MVS" class="amzn_ps_bm_tl" data-amzn-link-id="5293cce6e7483fecbc2d08a80a6fd7fa" data-amzn-ps-bm-keyword="Curse of the Deadly Dinosaur" href="http://www.amazon.com/Deadly-Dinosaur-MacDougall-Sherlock-Holmes-ebook/dp/B017862MVS/ref=as_li_bk_tl/?tag=thebakerstree-20&linkId=5293cce6e7483fecbc2d08a80a6fd7fa&linkCode=ktl" id="amznPsBmLink_7842789" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Curse of the Deadly Dinosaur</a><img alt="" border="0" height="0" id="amznPsBmPixel_7842789" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?source=bk&t=thebakerstree-20&bm-id=default&l=ktl&linkId=5293cce6e7483fecbc2d08a80a6fd7fa&_cb=1451973247482" style="border: none; height: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; width: 0px;" width="0" />, and he edited the Sir Arthur Conan Doyle horror anthology <a amzn-ps-bm-asin="B00P4E8AVI" class="amzn_ps_bm_tl" data-amzn-link-id="a71c0c4edf6b4a9c56848bf35d8b468a" data-amzn-ps-bm-keyword="A Study in Terror: Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's Revolutionary Stories of Fear and the Supernatural" href="http://www.amazon.com/Study-Terror-Revolutionary-Stories-Supernatural-ebook/dp/B00P4E8AVI/ref=as_li_bk_tl/?tag=thebakerstree-20&linkId=a71c0c4edf6b4a9c56848bf35d8b468a&linkCode=ktl" id="amznPsBmLink_5010397" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">A Study in Terror: Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's Revolutionary Stories of Fear and the Supernatural</a><img alt="" border="0" height="0" id="amznPsBmPixel_5010397" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?source=bk&t=thebakerstree-20&bm-id=default&l=ktl&linkId=a71c0c4edf6b4a9c56848bf35d8b468a&_cb=1451973259426" style="border: none; height: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; width: 0px;" width="0" />. Mr. Belanger has recently started the publishing company <a href="http://www.belangerbooks.com/" target="_blank">Belanger Books</a> which released the Sherlock Holmes anthology <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Beyond-Watson-Sherlock-Anthology-Stories/dp/1533202273/" target="_blank">Beyond Watson</a>. Derrick Belanger also is a frequent contributor to I Hear of Sherlock Everywhere. He resides in Colorado and continues compiling unpublished works by Dr. John H. Watson.</i><br />
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Review — The R.X. Problem (The Adventures of Watts and Sherlock Book 1)

"in which the future city was sketched out" [STUD] Sherlock Holmes and science-fiction have a surprisingly good relationshi...

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by Belanger Books

Episode 104: Sherlockians at Chautauqua

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"I had never heard of the institution" [GREE] </h4>
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Every four years, the Baker Street Irregulars, the New York-based literary society dedicated to studying Sherlock Holmes, arranges an excursion somewhere in the United States. These events happen outside of the usual BSI Weekend, and like the weekend itself, are open to all interested Sherlockians.<br />
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The first in 2004 took the group to Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania to the locales that inspired <i>The Valley of Fear</i>; then in 2008, the group went to Salt Lake City on the trail of <i>A Study in Scarlet</i>; in 2012, Los Angeles played host to a film-related conference. And in 2016, the group headed to the <a href="http://ciweb.org/" target="_blank">Chautauqua Institution</a> for "The Mind and Art of Sherlock Holmes."<br />
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And this time, we were there! We managed to not only listen to and see some wonderful presentations, but we gave one of our own on the future of our little publication. But in the meantime, we nabbed a few of the speakers and got their stories — stories that went beyond the presentations. We even have some audio (and video clips below) of Philip Carli at the piano during the silent showings of the William Gillette film and Eille Norwood shorts. We even have some breaking news on a newly-discovered silent Sherlock Holmes film — the last one ever produced, in 1929.<br />
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Join us to hear why this hobby is about more than the collective events and publications; it's about relationships.<br />
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<b>Notes</b></h3>
1:36 Intro<br />
6:22 Sponsor: Wessex Press<br />
7:34 On the ground in Chautauqua<br />
9:12 Interview with computer science legend Alan Kay<br />
12:39 Bonnie MacBird talks about the Vernet family<br />
14:45 Glen Miranker takes us to the WWI trenches<br />
20:30 Henry Boote, Sherlockian entertainer<br />
24:09 Tim Greer on staging Sherlock Holmes<br />
29:12 Sponsor: <i>The Baker Street Journal</i><br />
31:22 Silent films<br />
34:30 Philip Carli at the piano during the Norwood films<br />
37:15 Russell Merritt talks about the silent films — and a newly discovered one!<br />
41:59 Philip Carli accompanies the Gillette film<br />
44:42 Jeffrey Hatcher on his inspiration for Holmesian screenwriting and playwriting<br />
53:12 Closing thoughts<br />
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Sponsors</h3>
This episode includes our two longtime sponsors and we thank them. Please support our sponsors by visiting their sites:<br />
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<li><a href="http://www.wessexpress.com/" target="_blank">Wessex Press</a>, where the future and the past come together.</li>
<li><a href="http://www.bakerstreetjournal.com/" target="_blank"><i>The Baker Street Journal</i></a>, where we can reflect, be part of the big tent and find a community. </li>
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Would you care to become a sponsor? You can find <a href="http://www.ihearofsherlock.com/p/contact.html#.Vc1Qx7JViko" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">more information here</a>.</div>
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<a href="http://traffic.libsyn.com/ihearofsherlock/ihearofsherlock104.mp3" target="_blank">Download</a> [Save As] | File size 26.5 MB, 57:32</h4>
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Links</h3>
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<li><a href="http://ciweb.org/">The Chautauqua Institution</a></li>
<li>Bonnie MacBird on <a href="http://ihose.co/ihose103">Episode 83: Art in the Blood</a></li>
<li>That <a href="https://flic.kr/p/7nAsnC">Moroccan table</a></li>
<li><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eille_Norwood">Eille Norwood</a></li>
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Additional Images / Videos</h3>
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<div style="font-family: "times new roman"; margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";">--</span></div>

Episode 104: Sherlockians at Chautauqua

"I had never heard of the institution" [GREE] Every four years, the Baker Street Irregulars, the New York-based li...

+ Read more »

by Scott Monty

An Interview with the John H. Watson Society Treasure Hunt Master

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“This is treasure
trove indeed." [BLUE]</h4>
<o:p></o:p></div>
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Every August, online Sherlockians can count on the <a href="http://johnhwatsonsociety.com/treasure-hunt">John H. Watson Society Treasure Hunt</a>
taxing their knowledge of the sacred writings. 
Having just ended its fourth annual treasure hunt on September 1, we
interviewed “The Napoleon of Questions” behind the event, Margie Deck.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>I Hear of Sherlock
Everywhere: How did the John H. Watson Society Treasure Hunt get started?  Have you been associated with it since the
beginning?</b></h4>
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<b>Margie Deck:</b>
The Treasure Hunt, along with the John H. Watson Society as a whole, was the
brain-child of the late Don ‘Buttons’ Libey. He was a brilliant, enthusiastic,
friendly and kind man.  He conceived the
Treasure Hunt in 2013 as an individual competition. I read a posting he made at <i>Welcome
Holmes</i> about the society and the hunt. My first thoughts were that I wanted to give it a try, and, instead of
going it alone, I wanted to try it as part of a team made up of some of my Sherlockian
friends from <a href="http://soundofthebaskervilles.com/">The Sound of the Baskervilles</a>. I wrote to Buttons asking if the JHWS would consider adding a
team division to the hunt; he readily agreed. 
Our Sherlockian friendship began at that time, and I was fortunate to enjoy
working with him until his passing in early 2015. </div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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The first Treasure Hunt was insanely difficult and
wonderfully entertaining. I have no idea
how many hours we worked on it but, in the end, the SOBs prevailed--and my SOB
team mate and best friend, Sheila Holtgrieve, and I were solidly hooked on the
process. I believe that first year two
teams and one individual, the very clever Denny Dobry of Reading, Pennsylvania,
<a href="http://johnhwatsonsociety.com/treasure-hunt/results">actually finished it</a>. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Buttons was posting a weekly quiz for the JHWS at that time.
Sheila and I started doing those each week in order to practice for the next
Treasure Hunt.  With Buttons’ urging, I began
a puzzle column for <i><a href="http://johnhwatsonsociety.com/the-watsonian">The Watsonian</a></i>; we discussed quizzing and the Treasure Hunt
process often.  Buttons wrote the 2014
edition of the hunt, and the SOBs earned High Honors that year as well.  <o:p></o:p></div>
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In late December 2014, Buttons asked me to write the 2015
Treasure Hunt. I declined because I
wanted to be a contestant one more time, and, to be honest, I was a little
nervous about the whole idea. I made a commitment at that time to write the
2016 edition. When he passed away suddenly in March, it seemed only right that
I volunteer to write for 2015. He had previously asked me to do so, and I
wanted to help the JHWS continue. His
loss was a crushing blow for me personally and for the society. It literally
takes a dozen people to do all the tasks he took care of for JHWS. I miss him
every day.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I wrote the 2015 and the 2016 edition; I’m very proud of the
work. I like to think Buttons would be proud of it as well.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<h4>
<b>IHOSE: How have you
seen the treasure hunt change over the years?</b></h4>
</div>
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<b>MD:</b> The main
change has been the number of participants actually submitting an entry. We have doubled each year, and I’m hopeful
2016 will be our best year yet in number of competitors. One thing I have loved about the Treasure
Hunt is that it has been an international competition from the beginning.
Having teams from various countries makes our competition unique. In 2015, we
added teams from Canada and the UK to compete with our returning French, Italian
and American teams. This year we added
competitors from <a href="http://www.sherlockholmessociety.in/">The Sherlock Holmes Society of India</a>. I hope the growth
continues.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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One change I
instituted is the scoring by points. Each question is, of course, one point unless it has more than one
element, and then each element has a point. I believe in the 2016 edition, questions range from one point to up to
four or five points. I added this simply
to make the hunt more competitive. Holmes said playing the game is its own reward but I think we still like
to win. The points help mix it up a bit.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The other changes in the hunt are in the writing process. Buttons
crafted his hunts with lengthy threads where one answer was required in order
to have the needed information to answer the next question.  The threads were good fun, but I made the decision
to not use them. His threads required
the use of a specific edition of the Canon due to the need for specific page
numbers and word counts. I thought we might have more competitors if any
edition of the Canon would suffice as a reference. Also, Buttons’ hunts required access to a
great deal of the scholarship, including the old and new series of <i><a href="http://www.bakerstreetjournal.com/">The Baker Street Journal</a></i> and <i>The Baker Street Miscellanea</i>. When I was a competitor, I did not have access
to those publications, and I found it difficult to work on the threads without
them at hand. So, again, I hoped to increase our numbers by not requiring that
access.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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However, I do want to honor the scholarship and I do include
some scholarship questions. When I write questions that require going outside
the Canon, I spend some time on the internet looking for the sought
answer. I do not use a question from
outside the Canon that I cannot find an answer for with an internet search of
some sort.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<h4>
<b>IHOSE: Have you
already started working on next year's devilish questions yet?  How far in advance do you start?</b></h4>
</div>
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<b>MD: </b>Actually, as
the plan is now, I will be a competitor again in 2017. The amazing Michele Lopez of the <a href="http://www.unostudioinholmes.org/homepage.htm">Uno Studio in Holmes</a> of Italy has
agreed to be Treasure Hunt Master next year. He is a driving force within the Sherlockian community in Italy, and his
team scored High Honors in the 2015 Treasure Hunt, and Honors in 2014. He has written some of the weekly quizzes at
JHWS and I know he is going to be a terrific hunt master.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Asking Michele to write next year’s hunt was my idea; I
think all volunteer organizations need a healthy spirit of rotation in order to
thrive. Taking a break should help my
creative process and keep my question writing from becoming stale; it is also
good to be reminded what it is like to be a competitor. I hope to come back as Treasure Hunt Master
in 2018, or 2019, depending on how things work out.  Should something go awry with our plan, I
will write in 2017 if needed. Hopefully,
I will have plenty of notice as it does take some time to craft the questions. <o:p></o:p></div>
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In 2015, I did not know until March, of course, that I
needed to write the hunt, so I had from March 15 to July 31. I finished the final draft about July 20<sup>th</sup>. For 2016, I knew that I had a year to
prepare.  I started drafting ideas in
October, and writing questions in earnest in January; the final draft was
complete around July 1. For my writing
process, I need about six months. I do
not know how long it took Buttons to write the first hunt; I know he did the
second one in a month. I would not be
able to do it in a month.  But then, he
had read the Canon from beginning to end every single year for thirty
consecutive years. He knew his Holmes
and Watson.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The time it takes to finish somewhat depends on the time my
proof reader has available to work with me. 
While I believe Buttons worked alone, I do not want to.  For 2015, my friend, the very astute Melissa Anderson
of the Peoria-based <a href="http://www.sherlockpeoria.net/Hansom_pages/Hansomsmain.html">Hansoms of John Clayton</a>, worked with me, and in 2016, my SOB teammate Sheila Holtgrieve and
I were back working together.   <o:p></o:p></div>
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<h4>
<b>IHOSE: Can you
describe the question making process for us?</b></h4>
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<b>MD: </b>For me, the
first step is, oddly enough, the last question. “What is the treasure for the year?” must be answered first. Once that question is sorted, I spend a great
deal of time just reading. When
something seems interesting to me, I make a note, and then go back to
reading. Like most people I know, I have
a stack of Sherlockian books in the house. I open one at random, read a few paragraphs,
make a few notes, close it, pickup another one and do the same thing. Before long, I have a stack of notes about
things I found interesting from different sources. I take those topics to the Canon, and start
searching for the applicable parts of the stories. I often get side-tracked. I will be reading a story, looking for one
thing based on the notes I made, find something else more interesting, and
start working on it. Once I am clear on the idea for the question, then I start
working on the wording. The question
must not be too easy but it must be answerable. This year I chose a quote from the Canon for the theme, and then crafted
the questions in a manner that reflected the theme.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Once I have some questions written, I share them with my
proof-reader. Besides the standard
check-for-grammar-typing-spelling-errors, I ask my helper to apply a three-part
assessment to each question:<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br />
<ol>
<li>When you read the question, do you understand what you
are being asked to find? </li>
<li>Do you see something in the wording that gives you a clue
as to where to begin to look for an answer?</li>
<li>Does the answer I have seem appropriate for the question
as written?</li>
</ol>
<o:p></o:p></div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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If the helper cannot answer yes to each of the three
questions, then I re-write it until she can. One question this year was re-written at least six times. Sheila went one step farther this year and
drafted some question ideas as well; while she didn’t actually write questions,
her ideas were very helpful. Being a
three-year veteran of the hunt, she has some mad quizzing skills and I trust
her instincts. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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When I have 100 questions written, I read the document out
loud to see if it actually flows. Reading aloud engages a different part of the brain than reading
silently; Sheila and I read it aloud in June, and found two errors that had
been on the thing for months that our eyes simply didn’t ‘see.’ It is an interesting process. I like that you used the word ‘devilish’ when
referring to the questions. As a matter
of fact, Sheila referred to them the same way. I have no idea why I can write them that way.  I just can.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<h4>
<b>IHOSE: What was your
inspiration for the mixture questions that were added to this year's hunt?</b></h4>
</div>
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<b>MD: </b>The mixtures
idea came from the quote used for the theme—“…that mixture of imagination and
reality which is the basis of my art…”  I was telling someone about the chosen theme, and I said “Here, I go.
I’m going to mix things up,” and the idea for the structure just popped into my
head.  <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<h4>
<b>IHOSE: Sherlockian
research and mentions of Holmes in other writer's works have appeared in
questions from time to time.  How far do
you allow yourself to stray from the Canon when making the questions?</b></h4>
</div>
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<b>MD: </b>As I’ve noted
before in this discussion, I want to honor the scholarship in a few questions,
and occasionally something really interesting relating to Holmes and Watson
will pop up in another, non-Sherlockian text. When I find something I would like to use, I use Google, or a similar
search engine to see if I can arrive at the information online. If I can, then I start working with the
information to craft a question. If I am
directly quoting another writer, I try to make it very clear so the treasure
hunter can see that he or she has the option of searching for those exact
words. </div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<h4>
<b>IHOSE: Have you had
any upset participants when a ruling didn't go in their favor?</b></h4>
</div>
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<b>MD: </b>My experience
has always been positive. Actually I
think the only person ever even a tiny bit snappy about the Treasure Hunt was <i>me</i>; I was fussy with Buttons about a
certain question pertaining to a proper noun in 2014. If anyone were to be
grumpy with me, I would probably write it off to “third-week fatigue” and just
go on. That was certainly the case with
me, Buttons, and that proper noun. I understand it.  I have yet to have a truly rotten experience
with a Sherlockian about anything.  </div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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For those of us that read <a href="http://ihose.co/ihose56" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Brad Keefauver</a>’s blog at <i><a href="http://sherlockpeoria.blogspot.com/">Sherlock Peoria</a></i>, we know that he has had some opinions about the Treasure Hunt,
and, last year, he wrote a piece calling me out a bit for going too far to help
someone with a question about the Treasure Hunt. His words were blunt but he was absolutely
right. I appreciate the honesty.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<h4>
<b>IHOSE: What is your
favorite Canonical story?</b></h4>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>MD: </b>Most of the
time, my favorite is "Charles Augustus Milverton," but I like "The Adventure of the Dying Detective" quite a bit, and I have a soft spot
for "The Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle." I guess that means that I am
unable to name just one. I can tell you
that "The Adventure of the Mazarin Stone" is my least favorite, except for that one line about Watson never
failing to play the game. Love that!</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<h4>
<b>IHOSE: The John H.
Watson Society Treasure Hunt is available all over the world because of online
communication.  What are your thoughts on
the rise of online Sherlockiana?</b></h4>
</div>
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<b>MD: </b>In 2003 I
discovered the online group <i>Welcome
Holmes</i>, and it changed my life. 
Talking with Sherlockians from everywhere became an integral part of my
life; when I moved to the Pacific Northwest in 2006, I joined The Sound of the
Baskervilles, and added the fellowship of a local group. I would not want to give up either way of
having Sherlockian friends.<br />
<br />
Now, ten
years later, online communication has exploded and it seems quaint to think
there was a time it wasn’t available. Since BBC Sherlock became a force on the net, I feel happily
over-whelmed by it all. I’ve given up trying to keep up, and as a tiny fish in
vast ocean, I enjoy what comes my way and do not worry too much about the
rest. I have never really enjoyed
Sherlockian pastiche and therefore I tend to pass up the fanfic, and I don’t
participate in Facebook, so I miss a lot. I have made some lasting, wonderful friendships online and I’m grateful
for that. I understand there are some
dust-ups online from time to time between various mind-sets about what
constitutes being a Sherlockian. I stay
out of the fray. I think online
Sherlockiana is a blessing.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
[<i>Editor's note:</i> follow Margie on Twitter at <a href="https://twitter.com/pawkypuzzler" target="_blank">@pawkypuzzler</a>]<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<h4>
<b>IHOSE:  Is there anything else you would like to share with
the I Hear of Sherlock Everywhere readers about the John H. Watson Society or
its treasure hunt?</b></h4>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>MD: </b>I appreciate
your time and attention. I hope you will consider forming a Treasure Hunt team
next year. Or perhaps joining The John H
Watson Society—the publications are amazing. 
Or both!</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br />
<br /></div>
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<b>Margie Deck</b> is a
member of The Sound of the Baskervilles and The John H. Watson Society. She also volunteers for <a href="http://www.sherlock-seattle.org/">Sherlock Seattle</a>.  She has been interested in Holmes since 2003, and active in Sherlockian societies since 2006.</div>
<br />
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<a href="http://www.johnhwatsonsociety.com/" target="_blank">The John H. Watson Society</a> was established in 2013 and is
always seeking new members at all stages of involvement in Watsonian,
Sherlockian and Holmesian interests.  Their
publication, <i>The Watsonian</i>, is
published on a bi-annual basis.  The
society also publishes members’ longer works as part of their <a href="http://johnhwatsonsociety.com/product-category/publications/fiction-series">Fiction Series</a> and <a href="http://johnhwatsonsociety.com/product-category/publications/monograph-series">Monograph Series</a>.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
--<br />
<br /></div>

An Interview with the John H. Watson Society Treasure Hunt Master

“This is treasure trove indeed." [BLUE] Every August, online Sherlockians can count on the John H. Watson Society Treasure Hun...

+ Read more »

by Rob Nunn

Petr Kopl's Sherlock Holmes — A Review

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"...with the same feverish animation as before" [DYIN]</h4>
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<br />
Graphic novel and comic book adaptations of Sherlock Holmes often use canon as a departure point, crafting unique tales that create a properly Victorian atmosphere of high drama.<br />
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Czech artist <a href="http://www.petrkopl.cz/" target="_blank">Petr Kopl's</a> adaptations of <b>"<a href="http://mxpublishing.com/product/9781780926803/A+Scandal+In+Bohemia+%E2%80%93+A+Sherlock+Holmes+Graphic+Novel" target="_blank">A Scandal In Bohemia</a>"</b> and <b><i><a href="http://mxpublishing.com/product/9781780927237/The+Hound+of+The+Baskervilles++%E2%80%93+A+Sherlock+Holmes+Graphic+Novel" target="_blank">The Hound of the Baskervilles</a></i></b> (both translated by Paul and Jana Simpson and released by MX Publishing) are a rare breed of pastiche: integrating the Canon and other Victorian-era references into a great mix that make for an astoundingly fun read.<br />
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One of Kopl's strengths in both novels is his reliance on the original Sherlock Holmes stories to guide his storytelling, making these novels feel very Holmesian in spirit. (It's no wonder that the <a href="http://www.sherlockholmes.cz/" target="_blank">Czech Society of Sherlock Holmes</a> granted him an honorary membership in 2000). His adaptation of <b>A Scandal in Bohemia</b> manages to integrate <a href="http://sherlockholmes.stanford.edu/readings2.html" target="_blank">"The Adventure of the Speckled Band"</a> seamlessly, making it part of the overall story without any artificiality. Although seemingly the most retold Holmes tale in the canon, Kopl's adaptation of <b><i>The Hound of the Baskervilles</i></b> manages a pitch-perfect atmosphere of brooding horror and malevolence.<br />
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What makes both of Kopl's Holmes adaptations work is a strong sense of wit. Despite the slightly exaggerated quality of his art, Kopl never plays his Holmes and Watson strictly for laughs...although there are some legitimately laugh-out-loud moments. Kopl also integrates many clever references to other Victorian literary figures such as Phineas Fogg and a familiar character who got on the wrong train. (To say more would be spoiling). There is only one false note - an appearance by a more fantastic Victorian-era character - but otherwise these are spectacular works of Sherlockian lore.<br />
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(Note: Kopl indicates that these two novels are part of a larger series narrative; however, both of these work very well as stand-alone reads. The third in the series—not reviewed for this article—is "<a href="http://mxpublishing.com/product/9781780928357/The+Final+Problem+%E2%80%93+A+Sherlock+Holmes+Graphic+Novel" target="_blank">The Final Problem</a>").<br />
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With many artists and writers crafting graphic novel adaptations of the canon, there is a diverse range of works for Sherlockian scholars and fans to enjoy. Petr Kopl's "<b>A Scandal In Bohemia"</b> and <b><i>The Hound of the Baskervilles</i></b> are excellent starting points).<br />
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All three of these Holmesian adaptations are available from <a href="http://mxpublishing.com/product/9781780926803/A+Scandal+In+Bohemia+%E2%80%93+A+Sherlock+Holmes+Graphic+Novel" target="_blank">MX Publishing</a>.<br />
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As a bonus, here's a video of Petr Kopl at work on <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T9oXwBXDf-k" target="_blank">a portrait of Sherlock Holmes</a>.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/T9oXwBXDf-k?rel=0" width="640"></iframe><br /></div>
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<i>Special thanks to Robert Skel for his assistance in acquiring review copies</i><br />
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