Serpents, sinister step-fathers, and sisters dying in the dead of night. “The Adventure of the Speckled Band” is usually considered one of the best Holmes stories—and one of Doyle’s favorites. Sarah & Marisa discuss Gothic heroines, racist red herrings, fear and the British empire, and geographically confused baboons.

Question of the episode: What's your favorite locked room mystery? Share it with us in a voice memo at [email protected], or let us know on Twitter.

A transcript of this episode is available here: https://www.howeverimprobablepodcast.com/transcripts

Content warning: We discuss the story's allusions to sexual and domestic abuse in this episode, as well as the two murders by a poisonous snake. Contains discussion of abuse, racism, colonization, death and violence, and incest.

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