I Hear of Sherlock Everywhere

John Bennett Shaw and the Terrible, Hysterical, NSFW Essay

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"this really is something a little recherché" [MUSG]</h4>
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About three years ago, we shared a list of the <a href="http://www.ihearofsherlock.com/2013/09/the-top-10-most-suggestive-lines-from.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Top 10 Most Suggestive Lines from the Sherlock Holmes Stories</a>. This was from a little publication we assembled some two decades prior called <i>Some Sherlockian Sillies</i>. (Privately printed, Boston, 1997)</div>
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Imagine our delight when we were alerted to the existence of a paper along those same lines that John Bennett Shaw delivered to the Baker Street Irregulars, which later ended up in print. We later discovered that <i><a href="https://bakerstreetirregulars.com/the-baker-street-journal/" target="_blank">The Baker Street Journal</a></i> rejected it (not surprising, as straight-laced BSI editor Julian Wolff, BSI ("The Red-Headed League") was likely red-faced after John's reading at the dinner). </div>
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But after this rejection, the essay landed in the hands of young Bruce Kennedy, BSI ("Bannister"), who edited a publication called <i>Shades of Sherlock</i>. This particular essay appeared in Number 18, from August 14, 1971, which we effortlessly tracked down on eBay.</div>
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After receiving permission from John Bennett Shaw's children, we're reproducing it here. And just for fun, here's the Shaws' response:<br />
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"My position is that you and anyone and anyone to come after us can use, re-use but not without attribution anydamnthing my father ever wrote.  He wrote it for you, for me and for anyone and everyone who had the time and good will to read it."</blockquote>
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We're glad to see the Shaw apples didn't fall too far from the tree.</div>
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So then, without further ado, we bring you this long-forgotten and ribald work. </div>
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<i><b>WARNING: there is some risque material below. While this is typically a family publication, we must provide an advance alert. If you're offended by off-color material </b></i><b><i>— well, first</i></b><i><b> we're sorry for you, as you might not get as much humor out of life </b></i><b><i>— </i></b><i><b>and second, you might want to hit the "back" button on your browser. But why miss out? Consider yourself forewarned.</b></i></div>
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Editorial</h4>
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On <a href="http://www.bsitrust.org/2015/10/the-1971-bsi-dinner.html" target="_blank">January 8, 1971, the annual dinner</a> of the Baker Street Irregulars was held at the Player's Club [sic] in New York City. All of these yearly get-togethers are similar in many respects, but usually differ greatly in the type of papers read.</div>
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Most of these papers run in the comical vein and this year was no exception including, among others, a rather unconventional translation into French of one of the Holmes episodes and another by our own John Bennett Shaw which is my subject for this editorial.</div>
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"To Shelve or to Censor" was read to some ninety uproarious Irregulars by the author who, obviously, enjoyed the topic even more than did his audience. This paper dealed [sic] with many "lewd" references in the Canon, and, admittedly, was not in the best of taste. Immediately after its reading, it was promptly refused by <i>The Baker Street Journal</i>. However, because it gave an indirect plug for an essay in our anthology <i><a href="https://amzn.to/2KujJFt" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Four Wheels to Baker Street</a></i> ("On My Knees" by H.W. Starr), that I invited John to send it in for a future issue of SOS. And so, dear reader, in this issue you will find a brief sample of the scholarly work and efforts which go into making a typical meeting of the BSI so successful...</div>
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Shelve or to Censor: Some Disturbing Thoughts About and Disgusting Evidence
From the Sherlock Holmes Canon</h3>
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A paper read at the meeting of the Baker Street Irregulars, January 8, 1971</div>
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By John Bennett Shaw</div>
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I must begin my discussion with a personal reference which is concerned with circumstances surrounding my disturbing discoveries. Discoveries I must now grudgingly reveal. Last summer was a most eventful period in my life: I remarried, adopted two lovely and literate girls aged 12 and 14, and decided to move to Santa Fe, New Mexico. This was a decision which made me pause and consider as I had in my house more than twenty thousand books. I had to reduce this quantity to a manageable amount, say six thousand. One consideration for preservation in the Shaw Library was its relation to the world of Mr. Holmes, and another almost as important was the value and influence these books would have on my new girls. It happened that at the time I was in the process of rereading most of the Watson Canon and, heaven forbid, it dawned upon me that I just couldn't let the girls read such "literature." I made the mistake of reading some of the passages that shocked me aloud to my wife and she at once suggested either a locked room or packing the girls off to a convent.<br />
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The decision is not yet made, but I feel I must call this whole matter to your attention.<br />
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I was familiar with the tongue-in-cheek (excuse that word, I should have said jowl) salacity bruited about by some Sherlockians such as Bill Starr's "On My Knees." I had discounted this for knowing Bill I knew he had a dirty mind, coming from Philadelphia and all that. Even the last issue of <i>The Baker Street Journal</i> had an article about "busts": one can't pass this by without pointing out that this sheet is edited by a man appropriately named Wolff. I also recalled an article that incensed me some years ago by a man inappropriately named Wellman (his mind, I thought, could not be "well") who opined that Holmes was living in sin with Mrs. Hudson. And the noted social critic Stout even suggested that <a href="http://www.ihearofsherlock.com/2014/02/watson-actually-was-woman.html#.V6wQ15grLb0" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Watson was a woman</a> — I wish to God it was that simple.<br />
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Now I feel I must go on — I must share with you my notes made during that hot August in Tulsa (and let me say that my rereading these stories was the hottest thing going in Tulsa at this time) and as gentlemen, scholars, fathers and family men, and members of this (I almost said "uplifting") society, I ask you to excuse the vulgarity, suggestiveness, and shock that these excerpts will convey.<br />
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A Study in Scarlet</h4>
Hope, perhaps with more than revenge in mind, said <i>"I hung about all day but he never came…(and) I made my way into his room…"</i> Also, Hope is described as having <i>"speedily recovered from his temporary impotence."</i><br />
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The Sign of the Four</h4>
<i>"The man who addressed us mounted the box"</i>…then <i>"pulled up with a jerk."</i> Holmes makes some references that seem pointed; <i>"his stick," "I was limp," "I awoke with a start"</i> and almost immediately after this he said <i>"I can come with you."</i> Remember that most of these remarks were made to Watson to whom he says in the same story <i>"Watson, you never recognized my merits as a housekeeper."</i><br />
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"A Scandal in Bohemia"</h4>
<i>"As a lover he would have placed himself in a false position"</i> (this whole paragraph is fraught with psychological overtones and sexual undertones). There is reference to "sensitive instrument" and <i>"crack," "you have been getting wet lately" </i>and <i>"you have a clumsy and careless servant girl." </i>Watson says <i>"I fail to see how you worked it out"</i> and Holmes <i>"rubbed his long nervous hands together."</i> And in this story menstruation is first mentioned in the Canon: <i>"Women are naturally secretive and they like to do their own secreting."</i><br />
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"The Red-Headed League"</h4>
(Again suggestive imagery) <i>"with an apology for my intrusion I was about to withdraw when Holmes pulled me…" "You could not possibly have come at a better time"</i> and a little later on <i>"try the settee…" "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love"</i> (and I could have stopped quoting it here and it would have been bad enough) (Holmes goes on) <i>"of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions…" </i>A few pages later <i>"All the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect happiness, gently waving his long fingers…" </i>Then, later in the story, the banker tells the detective <i>"still I confess that I miss my rubber. It is the first Saturday night for seven and twenty years that I have not had my rubber"</i> (at least his habits were regular). Again with obvious double meaning Holmes says to detective Jones <i>"it will be the man upon whom you lay your hands."</i> John Clay must have been bi-sexual as Jones says of him <i>"He'll crack a crib"</i> (cribhouse I assume) <i>"in one week and be raising…"</i><br />
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"A Case of Identity"</h4>
The second reference to menstruation. <i>"She pulled a little handkerchief from her muff."</i> In this story there is much talk of <i>"a ball."</i> Alas, the girl must work in a brothel as she says <i>"I can often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day."</i><br />
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"The Cardboard Box"</h4>
<i>"Imagine my surprise then, when looking at Miss Cushing, I perceived that her EAR corresponded exactly with the female EAR which I had just inspected…there was some shortening of the PINNA…"</i> Holmes goes on to talk with her and then says <i>"she at once gave me some"</i> and a bit later <i>"and the matter had begun to straighten itself out wonderfully."</i><br />
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<i>The Hound of the Baskervilles</i></h4>
There is a doubly confusing statement that could refer to Reik's Orgone Box and the female anatomy: <i>"I have not pushed it to the length of getting into a box to think…"</i> And there is a highly charged scene which could refer to self-abuse near the end of Chapter XI: <i>"waiting with somber patience for the coming of its tenant"</i> (one wonders, could Watson be thinking of his army days and really mean "lieutenant") and Watson goes on <i>"I shrank back into the darkest corner and cocked…"</i> and of all things Holmes says <i>"I really think that you will be more comfortable outside than in"</i> (to paraphrase the old Burlesque story "Take it out"). And toward the end of the story (I almost said "tale") Holmes talks of the sexual difficulties of Stapleton <i>"he could not help interrupting with a passionate outburst."</i><br />
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"Silver Blaze"</h4>
Even the favorite "Silver Blaze" has some shockers in it. On the first page Watson says to Holmes <i>"I should be most happy to go down with you."</i> Then there is the oft-quoted mildly vulgar episode about the dog that did nothing in the nighttime…he was either well-trained, constipated, or there was no female nearby. Also, they talk in the story about arousing the lads in the loft and about pulling jockey and of practicing on sheep (not a new idea at all).<br />
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"The Illustrious Client"</h4>
There is a reference to crepitation: <i>"The girl broke in like a whirlwind."</i> On the same page is a reference that leads one to believe that the Baron was a most versatile lover: <i>"he'll have you one way or the other."</i> Just in passing let me mention that a few pages later when Holmes and Watson were in intimate conversation, Watson says <i>"I am here to be used, Holmes."</i><br />
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"The Blanched Soldier"</h4>
Even in this very dull story one finds the constantly recurrent theme of homosexuality as one soldier speaks of another <i>"he was my mate and we took the rough and smooth together…"</i> And of Watson, the butler (did the butler do it?) says: <i>"I think you might run short in the night-time."</i> And again one soldier says of another: <i>"he pulled me."</i> And the evil old butler, described as rubbing his skinny hands, says: <i>"Yes, sir, he is very hard at it just now. I'm frightened for his health. He gets paler and thinner…"</i> And on the very next page Bill refers to a gentleman who has recently visited Holmes: <i>"He's a stiff 'un."</i> It is in this story that Holmes says to Watson <i>"Your morals don’t' improve…"</i> (How could they? Mine don't!)<br />
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"The Three Gables"</h4>
A notorious gaffe or double-entendre appears in this story. You will remember the story: young Maberly died of a broken heart in Milan and his effects were returned to England to his mother. She was robbed and Holmes was called into the investigation. He asked her if she had anything of value and she said: <i>"I am sure that there was nothing in my son's trunks."</i> No wonder he died of a broken heart!!!<br />
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"Charles Augustus Milverton"</h4>
The great detective and Victorian gentleman described how he wooed Agatha the housemaid: <i>"I am a plumber with a rising business…" </i>and <i>"I have got all I wanted…"</i> And a most frankly carnal remark from "Silver Blaze" - <i>"so spirited a creature must surely have awakened the soundest sleeper when he felt the prick…"</i><br />
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"The Empty House"</h4>
In EMPT appears this excerpt, upon which I would not wish to comment: <i>"He cuddled the misshapen butt into his shoulder, giving a little sigh of satisfaction."</i> And in the same case-history appears this shameful dialogue starting with the passage commented upon by Professor Starr in his treatise in which Holmes reports that Mrs. Hudson works it from the front. The passage goes on to have Holmes say, <i>"You observed all the precautions, Mrs. Hudson?"</i> And she replied, without apparent shame, <i>"I went to it on my knees, sir, just as you told me,"</i> and he merely says <i>"excellent."</i> And in the very next paragraph there is talk of a beautiful bust.<br />
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Sex seem to have been in the minds of both Holmes and Watson. For example in <b>"The Sussex Vampire"</b> they talk of a boy being circumcised - and this has no real bearing on the story at all. In the same episode, Ferguson says to Holmes, <i>"Don't play with me,</i>" and ever faithful Watson hastens to say, <i>"I should be glad if I could be of use."</i> And then he says <i>"I followed the girl, who was quivering with strong emotion…"</i><br />
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An in <b>"The Three Gables"</b> Watson openly comments <i>"in my position as partner…" </i>and <i>"I am particularly careful to avoid any indiscretion."</i><br />
And in <b>"The Problem of Thor Bridge"</b> Holmes states that Mrs. Gibson <i>"somewhat overdid it by holding it in her hand."</i><br />
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Shockingly, in <b>"The Creeping Man,"</b> Holmes says to Watson, <i>"There is always Nature, Watson, Nature and Josiah Amberly - you can be in close communication with both."</i><br />
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Another frank description appears in <b>"The Man with the Twisted Lip"</b>: <i>"a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up…"</i><br />
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In the noted case <b>"His Last Bow,"</b> Holmes says, <i>"We need not hurry ourselves, Watson. We are safe from interruption. Would you mind touching…"</i> And, at the very end of this story Holmes says, <i>"Start her up, Watson."</i> Who, for God's sake is she?<br />
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Of his only brother Mycroft, Holmes reports (in <b>"The Greek Interpreter"</b>) that he, Mycroft, was well known in certain circles, The Diogenes Club, for example. Watson asks about this club and Holmes replies, <i>"The Diogenes Club is the queerest club in London and (note this!) Mycroft is one of the queerest men."</i><br />
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I have covered (and even the innocent word 'covered' carries, for me, salacious connotations) a bit more than half of the 60 cases of the Great Detective and I think I have made my point (there I go again). In conclusion, I do want to consider a bit of careful examination, one of his most noted cases - a case that is well written up by Dr. Watson and is everybody's favorite - a case that is so well written that, until now, few realized it is a description of a sex orgy. <b>"The Speckled Band"</b> is such a carefully camouflaged tale (T-A-L-E), such a welter of prurience, lust and impudicity that one who is a gentleman cannot countenance keeping it upon his shelves, unless, of course, he does so for research and analysis, and only if then he released his findings to serve as a warning to fathers, clergy, and other do-gooders.<br />
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The opening paragraphs of this story are among the most carnal in literature: for example, these direct quotations: <i>"working as he did rather for love…" "When we were sharing rooms…"</i>,  of Holmes Watson said <i>"he was a late riser…"</i> and of himself Watson says <i>"I was regular in my habits…</i>" Then Holmes says, <i>"Very sorry to knock you up…Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up…she retorted</i> (what a euphemism that is!) <i>upon me, and I upon you."</i><br />
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Later on in the same shameful narrative, Miss Stoner says, <i>"He is a hard man…"</i> and Holmes immediately replies,<i> "you have been cruelly used"</i> and then <i>"this is a very deep business…."</i> And Miss Stoner must have been a virgin as it is said that <i>"the wall must have been pierced."</i> And a few pages later she says <i>"I am in your hands"</i> and in the next sentence Holmes says <i>"both my friend and I must spend the night in your room."</i><br />
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And so on through this shameful recounting of Victorian debauchery. At the very end Dr. Roylott at least must have found satiety for his is described thusly: <i>"across his lap lay the short stock…"</i><br />
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Gentlemen, I could go on: I could quote you the episode where <i>"they laid her on the sofa"</i>; I could analyze the 25 stories not covered in this shameful expose — but I know I need not. You now have a glimmering that all is not serene and wholesome at 221B Baker Street in gas-lit London and in the year 1895.<br />
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I leave my judgment making, if any be needed, to psychologists and psychiatrists and, God forbid, to moralists. I can only leave with you the disturbing thought that I have had that Moriarty and Moran are a pair of prudish Irish immigrants compared to Mrs. Hudson's roomers.<br />
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John Bennett Shaw and the Terrible, Hysterical, NSFW Essay

"this really is something a little recherché" [MUSG] About three years ago, we shared a list of the Top 10 Most Suggestive ...

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by Scott Monty

Qualify for the Quiz on IHOSE #102

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"Summer colds are always a little trying." [STOC]</h4>
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We're still settling in after the monumental Episode 100 of I Hear of Sherlock Everywhere, but our August 15 show will feature all things summertime in the Sherlock Holmes stories.<br />
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And as is our tradition, our Mental Exaltation quiz for that episode will be appropriately themed. We'd like you to be able to have a chance to participate in the quiz on Episode 102.<br />
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Here's how Mental Exaltation works:</h4>
Each month, we'll post a qualifying question to determine a listener who'll play on the program. A contestant will be chosen at random from all correct entries.<br />
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If you'd like to enter, you <b>must</b> subscribe to I Hear of Sherlock Everywhere by email. We'll patch you into the show to have you play over the phone or Skype.<br />
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If you succeed in passing the test on the air, we'll give you something choice from our Great Big Grab Bag (the IHOSE GBGB).<br />
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Qualify Now</h3>
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Good luck!<br />
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Qualify for the Quiz on IHOSE #102

"Summer colds are always a little trying." [STOC] We're still settling in after the monumental Episode 100 of I Hea...

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by Scott Monty

Celebrate National Friendship Day with Holmes and Watson

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"Dear me! that is friendship indeed." [DEVI]</h4>
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Today, August 7, is National Friendship Day in the United States. In 1935, Congress designated the first Sunday in August as Friendship day via a formal proclamation. Since that time, Americans (and Hallmark) have been celebrating friendship.<br />
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If you're familiar with Christopher Morley, the bookman, author and founder of the Baker Street Irregulars, you may recall that he wrote an analysis of some of the Sherlock Holmes stories called <i><a amzn-ps-bm-asin="B000H742K0" class="amzn_ps_bm_tl" data-amzn-link-id="0e8a17f6837b5c9f331c3455aa89407e" data-amzn-ps-bm-keyword="Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson: A Textbook of Friendship" href="http://www.amazon.com/Sherlock-Holmes-Dr-Watson-Friendship/dp/B000H742K0/ref=as_li_bk_tl/?tag=thebakerstree-20&linkId=0e8a17f6837b5c9f331c3455aa89407e&linkCode=ktl" id="amznPsBmLink_8632382" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson: A Textbook of Friendship</a><img alt="" border="0" height="0" id="amznPsBmPixel_8632382" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?source=bk&t=thebakerstree-20&bm-id=default&l=ktl&linkId=0e8a17f6837b5c9f331c3455aa89407e&_cb=1470457017841" style="border: none; height: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; width: 0px;" width="0" /></i>. In it, he described the tales: "The saga of Holmes and Watson endures as a unique portrait of a friendship..."<br />
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And we Sherlockians who gather together in various settings across the world, find ourselves drawn together because of the love of the age gone by and the storytelling ability of Conan Doyle, but we ourselves eventually succumb to the real lure of of the stories: fellowship and friendship.<br />
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One eminent Sherlockian — our apologies; we can't remember who — once said, "It all began with Sherlock Holmes. But it ended in friendship."<br />
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We couldn't agree more. We leave you with <a href="http://ihose.co/ihose28" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Episode 28: Friendship</a> from our show.<br />
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<iframe width="100%" height="166" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" allow="autoplay" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/134347352&color=%23a42444&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true"></iframe><div style="font-size: 10px; color: #cccccc;line-break: anywhere;word-break: normal;overflow: hidden;white-space: nowrap;text-overflow: ellipsis; font-family: Interstate,Lucida Grande,Lucida Sans Unicode,Lucida Sans,Garuda,Verdana,Tahoma,sans-serif;font-weight: 100;"><a href="https://soundcloud.com/ihearofsherlock" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank" title="ihearofsherlock">ihearofsherlock</a> · <a href="https://soundcloud.com/ihearofsherlock/i-hear-of-sherlock-16" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank" title="Episode 28: Friendship">Episode 28: Friendship</a></div></center>
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Celebrate National Friendship Day with Holmes and Watson

"Dear me! that is friendship indeed." [DEVI] Today, August 7, is National Friendship Day in the United States. In 1935, Congr...

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by Scott Monty

Sherlock Holmes in the Classroom

<h4 style="text-align: center;">
"asking questions of its teacher" [NORW]</h4>
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As the seasons change from summer to autumn, it is that time of year every child dreads - the end of summer and the start of the school year. While students begin their study of such subjects as Literature, Physics, and Algebra, it is good to note that a good number of pupils will also be delving into the extremely important study of Sherlock Holmes. Many teachers (myself included) teach their students the Sherlockian method of deduction as well as an appreciation of Sherlock Holmes stories from the original canon and also pastiches.<br />
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Each year one such teacher is honored by <a href="http://www.beaconsociety.com/" target="_blank">The Beacon Society</a>, a scion society of the Baker Street Irregulars which provides educators with grants and awards to help bring Sherlock Holmes into the classroom, with <a href="http://www.beaconsociety.com/index.php/awards/award-winners/beacon-award" target="_blank">the Beacon Award</a>. This award is, according to the Beacon Society website, "recognition for exemplary educational experiences and other significant activities exposing young people to the Sherlock Holmes stories." Only one educator receives a Beacon Award each year. <br />
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To tell us a bit about the Beacon Award and about her students' incredible Sherlockian educational experiences I interviewed Shannon Carlisle, the 2013 award recipient.<br />
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<b>I Hear of Sherlock Everywhere: In 2013, you won the Beacon Award, an award of recognition for exemplary educational experiences and other significant activities exposing young people to the Sherlock Holmes stories. What do you do in your classroom to expose your students to the great detective?</b></h4>
<span style="white-space: pre;"><b>Shannon Carlisle (SC):</b> </span>My classrooms have always had themes. For years, my 4th grade classroom was “the garden.” I was the “kid gardener” charged with nurturing the “seeds,” or students, I had been given. Five years ago, when I became our school’s accelerated learning teacher, I wanted a classroom theme that would inspire and embrace my new learners. I had earned my master’s degree in gifted education early on in my career. I was trained to meet the needs of my advanced learners. However, year after year, I knew some of my advanced students were not making optimal growth.<br />
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After reflection, I concluded that they did not always possess the mindset and skills necessary for growth. Therefore, my classroom became 221B Baker Street, Sherlock Holmes’s home, because I felt that my students could relate to/learn from Sherlock Holmes’s character traits, observational skills, capacity for critical thought, and inductive/deductive reasoning. Over the past 5 years, the Sherlockian theme has encouraged students to employ the mindset and skills needed for growth, provided an engaging framework for learning, and supported students in their attempts to be productive citizens.<br />
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As the self-proclaimed “Chief Sherlockian,” I adorned the hallway with Baker Street signs and decorated my classroom door to resemble the front door of the great detective. Sherlock Holmes, Victorian London, and the British culture is woven throughout our day. To take attendance, each student recites a portion of Russell McLaughlin’s poem, “How can you get to Baker Street?” If there is a break in recitation, someone is absent. When I state, “keep calm and carry on,” my students know to line up. <br />
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<b>IHOSE: Why do you feel it is important for students to know the Sherlock Holmes character and his methods of deduction?  Why is Holmes relevant to students today?</b></h4>
<span style="white-space: pre;"><b>SC: </b></span>During the first week of school, I invite all 4th grade students to participate in Sherlockian Training to learn how to think and act like the great detective. To begin their week long training, the students are introduced to Holmes’s observational skills in "A Scandal in Bohemia." I refer to Holmes’s words to Watson, “you see, but you do not observe,” often throughout the week. Then, the students use their observational skills to examine a crime scene and use their deductive reasoning to draw conclusions about the crime after listening to suspect interviews and analyzing forensics lab results.<br />
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By the end of the training, the students are taught to be observant, active participants in their learning, and critical thinkers… just like the great detective. Throughout the school year, when they employ these traits, the students move up through the 17 Scotland Yard Police Ranks of 1895 — from constable to commissioner. For the past two years, our school resource officer has participated in the trainings and has presented students with shillings he purchased from London. He has presented over 150 shillings to date. Then, throughout the rest of the school year, my advanced reading/language arts students complete a more in depth study of Sherlock Holmes’ character, read the abridged stories and pastiches, and conduct research related to the canon.<br />
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Students move their clothespins up the ranks when recognized for employing Sherlockian traits.</span></td></tr>
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Although I teach advanced learners, they are not able to access the Canon as Sir Arthur Conan Doyle wrote it. Often the vocabulary is too advanced and/or the content is inappropriate. Therefore, I rely on abridged versions of the Canon or pastiches. Every December, my 2nd-4th graders study "The Blue Carbuncle." The learning activities vary by grade level. While studying this adventure, the students might complete a visual literacy task of the Covent Garden Market, sequence the story using Sidney Paget’s illustrations and Chris Schweizer’s paper dolls, and/or compete Dr. Marino Alvarez’s cryptograph. Top performing students on a modified William Dorn quiz are awarded prizes donated by Mrs. Francine Kitts and Mr. Al Gregory.<br />
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Each year, my 3rd-4th graders analyze "The Red-Headed League." Again, the learning activities vary by grade level. The students might complete a visual literacy task of Fleet Street, read the graphic novel by Murray Shaw and  M.J. Cosson, and/or perform the play adapted by Dr. Alvarez. Again, top performing students on a modified William Dorn quiz are awarded prizes donated by Mrs. Francine Kitts and Mr. Al Gregory. <br />
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Dr. Marino Alvarez visits The Sherlock Holmes Museum for the Young, Curious, and Observant Mind.</td></tr>
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Additionally, my 3rd and 4th graders read the "The Six Napoleons." After reading the adventure this year, my 3rd graders created analogies comparing "The Blue Carbuncle" and "The Six Napoleons" after noting the similarities between the two adventures.<br />
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"Put the pearl in the safe," says Holmes to Watson at the conclusion of this adventure.<br />
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During the spring of 2013, a group of 4th grade boys completed research to determine the type and owner of the safe. Their research questions focused their investigation on the owner of the safe, the date it was purchased, style (freestanding or built into the wall), and brand. By the time they concluded their research, they had had conversations with Roger Johnson in Great Britain and the president of the Empire Safe Co. in NYC. They concluded Dr. Watson owned an 1882 Chubb’s safe No. 33.<br />
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They had completed their research so skillfully that their work was embraced by the Sherlockian community. It was published electronically to over 840 Sherlockians worldwide. The Sherlockian E-Times published an extra edition of their electronic newsletter just to share this research- something that had only been done four times in 20 years.<br />
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The research was also published in <a href="http://ash-nyc.com/" target="_blank">The Adventuresses of Sherlock Holmes</a> quarterly, <i>The Serpentine Muse</i>. The students were recognized by our school board and presented with certificates of merit by our district’s superintendent of schools. Our county’s newspaper reported on the event by publishing an online article and photo detailing the students’ research and its impact on the Sherlockian community. Because of this experience, the students saw themselves as contributors to society. The parents said that the experience enhanced the boys’ perception of themselves as viable sources of knowledge thus increasing their self-concept.<br />
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During the course of their research, one of the boys mentioned that he wanted the research to be completed so well that he would be welcomed into our local scion, <a href="http://www.nashvillescholars.net/" target="_blank">The Nashville Scholars of the Three Pipe Problem</a>. In January 2014, he became the youngest member to be invested into our group. He requested that his investiture name be “The Red-Headed League” because it was the first Sherlock Holmes adventure he had ever read. Recently, his father formally joined the scion. His investiture name is “John Clayton,” the cab driver in <i>The Hound of the Baskervilles</i>, because he provides transportation for his son to our monthly meetings.<br />
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The entryway of the 221B classroom</td></tr>
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In addition to the adventures, the 3rd graders read <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=the+sherlock+files+tracy" target="_blank">The Sherlock Files</a></i>. In the pastiches, written Tracy Barrett, the great-great-great-grandchildren of Sherlock Holmes inherit his unsolved casebook. They prove to be observant, persistent, and possess fine powers of reasoning. The plots, in the 4 book series, are dotted with references to the Canon — Baker Street Irregulars, shillings, 221B, Watson, lion’s mane, “when you have excluded the impossible…”<br />
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In the first novel, Xena and Xander Holmes are given a note stating, “Please allow the SPFD (Society for the Preservation of Famous Detectives) to welcome you more formally. Go to the Dancing Men and ask for a saucer of milk for your snake. Then all will be revealed.” This past year, my students created The S.P.F.D Club for those who have read all 4 books in the series.<br />
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Each year, my kindergarten and 1st grade students read <i><a amzn-ps-bm-asin="1780923163" class="amzn_ps_bm_tl" data-amzn-link-id="ff796fb25ee62ad02425cfa46aaade42" data-amzn-ps-bm-keyword="Sherlock Holmes and the Missing Snowman" href="http://www.amazon.com/Sherlock-Holmes-Missing-Snowman-Ruffle/dp/1780923163/ref=as_li_bk_tl/?tag=thebakerstree-20&linkId=ff796fb25ee62ad02425cfa46aaade42&linkCode=ktl" id="amznPsBmLink_4706810" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Sherlock Holmes and the Missing Snowman</a><img alt="" border="0" height="0" id="amznPsBmPixel_4706810" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?source=bk&t=thebakerstree-20&bm-id=default&l=ktl&linkId=ff796fb25ee62ad02425cfa46aaade42&_cb=1470078291383" style="border: none !important; height: 0px !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important; width: 0px !important;" width="0" /></i>, by David Ruffle and Rikey Austin, as an introduction to Sherlock Holmes and his character traits. In the pastiche, a little girl claims that her snowman has gone missing. Although Dr. Watson is inclined to tell her the truth, Holmes helps her investigate its disappearance.<br />
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Last year, my 4th grade students created The Sherlock Holmes Museum for the Young, Curious, and Observant Mind in our classroom. The museum displays donated artifacts along with interpretive labels. As we prepared for the creation, we researched museum types and determined that the museum would be object-centered, client-centered, and narrative. They learned that museum visitors expect interpretive labels but only read approximately 50% of them. They also learned that the interpretive labels should be layered for the paddlers (those who will only read the first few sentences), swimmers (those who will read approximately half of the text), and the divers (those who will read the entire label).<br />
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At the entrance to the museum, the students added the following disclaimer: “If you are a true Sherlockian, you believe that Sherlock Holmes is still alive, retired (for the most part), and living in South Downs Sussex; and John H. Watson wrote the Canon and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle was his literary agent.”<br />
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During the ribbon-cutting ceremony, the museum was dedicated to Dr. Alvarez and Mrs. Francine Kitts for their support of our Sherlockian endeavors. Dr. Alvarez and his wife were present for the event. Richard and Francine Kitts attended by Skype. After the event, the Kitts took my students on a virtual tour of the Sherlockian artifacts in their home. Not only did this year's 4th graders add new artifacts with interpretive labels, but they also added a new section — Singular Sherlockians. In this area of the museum, students will highlight distinguished Sherlockians. Al Gregory was the first notable Sherlockian to be inducted.<br />
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During the first day of Sherlockian Training, students use their observational skills to examine the crime scene.  </td></tr>
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I always encourage my students to be productive citizens- now and in the future. Twice, The Serpentine Muse has published my students’ work. In addition to the boys’ safe research, last year’s third graders persuaded Ms. Susan Z. Diamond, co-editor of the quarterly publication, to publish their Blue Carbuncle themed poem.  In their email to her, they stated, “Because <i>The Serpentine Muse</i> is written to ‘amuse and intrigue the discerning reader,’ we would encourage you to consider our poem for publication in the quarterly journal. Not only would it encourage your readers to read or reread the adventure, but it may also inspire them to write poems of their own.”<br />
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<h4>
<b>IHOSE: Tell us how you were nominated for the Beacon Award.  Also, what was it like to win and receive the award?</b></h4>
<b>SC:</b> In January of 2013, I was awarded The Beacon Award. My assistant principal had nominated me for the award. Although I could not attend the annual Beacon Society meeting to accept the award, Dr. Alvarez returned from NYC to tell me all about the event. In March of 2013, I was invested into my local Sherlockian scion society with the canonical name “221B Baker Street.”<br />
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As a life-long learner, I enjoy attending and participating in the monthly scion meetings. My increased knowledge/understanding the detective and his stories aids in my development of exceptional learning activities in my classroom. Members of the group have supported my efforts by donating extra copies of the canon or have been guest speakers. Dr. Alvarez visits my classroom multiple times each year.<br />
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During his visits, he shares with the students how he has been a “producer” (a productive citizen) by creating the Sherlock Holmes’ resume we analyze, writing the Red-Headed League play we perform, developing “The Blue Carbuncle” cryptograph we complete, and publishing the book <i><a amzn-ps-bm-asin="1780921209" class="amzn_ps_bm_tl" data-amzn-link-id="a27934f2e80c9229e7a80e4e83d78b58" data-amzn-ps-bm-keyword="A Professor Reflects on Sherlock Holmes" href="http://www.amazon.com/Professor-Reflects-Sherlock-Holmes/dp/1780921209/ref=as_li_bk_tl/?tag=thebakerstree-20&linkId=a27934f2e80c9229e7a80e4e83d78b58&linkCode=ktl" id="amznPsBmLink_6522979" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">A Professor Reflects on Sherlock Holmes</a><img alt="" border="0" height="0" id="amznPsBmPixel_6522979" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?source=bk&t=thebakerstree-20&bm-id=default&l=ktl&linkId=a27934f2e80c9229e7a80e4e83d78b58&_cb=1470078465232" style="border: none !important; height: 0px !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important; width: 0px !important;" width="0" /></i>. I often encourage the students to be producers, and he is a fine example for the students. He is a former education professor and has taught me how to create visual literacy tasks to help students understand the settings of the stories better. In April 2014 and 2015, he organized a panel of educators, including myself, to discuss “Teaching Sherlock Holmes” at 221B Con in Atlanta. During my presentations, I shared my classroom theme and goals, the learning activities I implement throughout the school year, and effective resources to use with elementary students.<br />
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When visiting The Sherlock Holmes Museum for the Young, Curious, and Observant Mind, the students first learn about Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and the main characters of the canon.</td></tr>
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<h4>
<b>IHOSE: If you were stranded on a desert island with just one Sherlock Holmes story, which would it be and why?</b></h4>
<span style="white-space: pre;"><b>SC:</b> </span>If I were to be stranded on a deserted island with just one Sherlock Holmes story, I would choose to be stranded with "The Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle." It is the story I spend the most time with in the classroom. With the students, I have enjoyed studying its vocabulary, “It’s a bonny thing,” and tracing the journey of the Blue Carbuncle from the Hotel Cosmopolitan to 221B Baker Street. Also, I enjoy reading their persuasive essays encouraging me to believe that Sherlock Holmes  should or should not have let Ryder go free at the end of the adventure. In addition, every December, Dr. Alvarez visits my classroom to help us analyze the plot of “the whimsical, little incident.”  We enjoy attempting his cryptograph.<br />
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<h4>
<b>IHOSE: Any last thoughts?</b></h4>
<b>SC: </b>I am very grateful to the Sherlockian community for their support. In particular, I am very thankful for The Beacon Society. In education, I am a member of multiple professional learning communities (PLCs). The Beacon Society is my Sherlockian PLC. This past January, I was invited to participate in the birthday weekend events in NYC. During the birthday weekend, I had the opportunity to thank in person the Sherlockians that have supported 221B Baker Street at Moore Elementary. Again, I am very grateful for their support.<br />
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<b>Shannon Carlisle </b>is a 19 year teaching veteran who is the accelerated learning teacher at Moore Elementary in Franklin, Tenn. Shannon earned an undergraduate degree in elementary education and a master’s degree in special education: teaching the gifted and talented from the University of Northern Colorado. In 2013, she was selected by the Tennessee Department of Education as the PreK-4th Regional Winner of the Tennessee Teacher of the Year competition. Additionally, she was runner-up in the Best Public School Teacher section of Nashville Scene’s 2012 Best of Nashville contest. In 2014, she earned National Board Certification as an exceptional needs specialist. Her husband is wonderfully supportive of her Sherlockian endeavors, and she is raising her three children to appreciate the great detective.<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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