“Here is the key. You can look for yourself.” [GOLD]  Imagine having the key to 221B Baker Street, and what it must feel like to open that door. And imagine being trusted to keep Holmes and Watson’s famous sitting room in good order. That rare honor belongs to Roger Johnson, BSI ("The Pall Mall Gazette") and Jean Upton, BSI ("Elsie Cubitt"), a well-known couple among the small community of married Sherlockians.  Jean and Roger have preserved and maintained the sitting room at London’s Sherlock Holmes Pub for 30 years. Join us as we hear how the Northumberland Hotel evolved into the pub, and why Sir Henry Baskerville would have been an unlikely guest.  You'll learn the origin of the sitting room in 1951’s Festival of Britain, how Jean and Roger saved it from neglect, and how it stands today after the pub’s recent renovation. Then we look ahead to Sherlockian gatherings for the last half of September in "The Learned Societies" segment. Madeline Quinones is back with "A Chance of Listening," and the Canonical Couplet quiz tests your Sherlock Holmes knowledge, with something from the vaults for the winner. Send your answer to comment @ ihearofsherlock .com by August 29, 2025 at 11:59 a.m. EST. All listeners are eligible to play. We have some wonderful images of the pub, the sitting room, and the exhibition that led to it, courtesy of Roger and Jean and they're available exclusively for our . Join us on the platform of your choice ( | ).        Leave I Hear of Sherlock Everywhere a five-star rating on  and ; listen to us .     Sponsors  has a number of new Sherlock Holmes books out by various authors. You'll want to check out the breadth of their offerings by  to learn more.   Would you care to advertise with us? You can find . Let's chat!     Links (Greene King) (Smithsonian) Other links: A Chance of Listening: The Learned Societies:  Find all of our relevant links and social accounts at .     And would you consider leaving us a rating and or a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Goodpods? It would help other Sherlockians to find us.   Your thoughts on the show? Leave a comment below, send us an email (comment AT ihearofsherlock DOT com), call us at 5-1895-221B-5. That's (518) 952-2125.

“you could just fill that gap on that second shelf” [EMPT]    If you discovered Sherlock Holmes when you were young, you might still recall the joy of your first reading. The world of Baker Street is fun, so much so that some adults still extend the Great Detective's career with their own stories.  Many adults also enjoy LEGO as a nostalgic, relaxing, and creative outlet. That’s why we were eager to talk to LEGO Group Design Master Antica Bracanov and Graphic Designer Crisy Dyment about their creation of the LEGO Sherlock Holmes Book Nook.  Joining us from LEGO’s offices in Billund, Denmark, Antica and Crisy take us through the concept, the process, and the community of designers, engineers, and model-makers who brought it to life. You’ll hear how the key moments and objects Sherlock Holmes fans will recognize were selected, and how they were adapted to fit LEGO’s style and humor. You’ll find there are some self-described “Sherlock Holmes nerds” on the LEGO team, too. Speaking of Sherlockian nerds (guilty), we share upcoming events for the first half of September in our "The Learned Societies" segment. Then, you will not want to miss this episode’s Canonical Couplet quiz, which this time is . This episode’s prize is a LEGO Sherlock Holmes Book Nook! Send your answer to comment @ ihearofsherlock.com by August 14, 2025 at 11:59 a.m. EST. If your correct answer is selected at random, you’ll win!   Don't forget to become a  of the show on the platform of your choice ( | ).        Leave I Hear of Sherlock Everywhere a five-star rating on  and ; listen to us .     Sponsors  has a number of new Sherlock Holmes books out by various authors. You'll want to check out the breadth of their offerings by  to learn more.   Would you care to advertise with us? You can find . Let's chat!     Links (LEGO) (Barnes & Noble) Other episodes mentioned: The Learned Societies:  Find all of our relevant links and social accounts at .     And would you consider leaving us a rating and or a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Goodpods? It would help other Sherlockians to find us.   Your thoughts on the show? Leave a comment below, send us an email (comment AT ihearofsherlock DOT com), call us at 5-1895-221B-5. That's (518) 952-2125.

“a case for personal investigation” [SUSS]    The number of Sherlock Holmes pastiches is endless. They include stories and novels set in any era, any place, and any time. They all bring the Great Detective to new audiences — so how do you go about selecting (just) fifty-two to explore? Join our conversation with Paul Bishop as we explore his new book, . Paul is the author of 15 novels and numerous TV and film scripts — and also a 35-year veteran of the Los Angeles Police Department. Paul’s new book is a selection of Sherlockian pastiches chosen and recommended by the individual essay writers themselves. Beyond the plots and author bios, Paul’s writers give personal perspectives on why these stories were important to them, and the connection Sherlock Holmes has played in their lives.  Paul also discusses his writing career, which spans multiple genres including screenplays, westerns and other novels. He discusses his journey as an author, and how storytelling has shaped his life. We also talk about connecting with fellow writers, and the remarkable variety of people drawn to Sherlock Holmes. Some of those remarkable people will be gathering in person and virtually in the weeks ahead, so you will want to hear about August events in “The Learned Societies” segment. Madeline Quiñones is back with “A Chance of Listening,” and the Canonical Couplet quiz tests your Sherlock Holmes knowledge, with a copy of Paul's book for the winner. Send your answer to comment @ ihearofsherlock.com by July 29, 2025 at 11:59 a.m. EST. All listeners are eligible to play. Don't forget to become a  of the show on the platform of your choice ( | ).      Leave I Hear of Sherlock Everywhere a five-star rating on  and ; listen to us .     Sponsors  has a number of new Sherlock Holmes books out by various authors. You'll want to check out the breadth of their offerings by  to learn more.   Would you care to advertise with us? You can find . Let's chat!       Links (Amazon)  (Genius Books) Paul's newsletter: Paul opines on (Substack) Other episodes mentioned:   The Learned Societies:  A Chance of Listening:  Find all of our relevant links and social accounts at .     And would you consider leaving us a rating and or a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Goodpods? It would help other Sherlockians to find us.   Your thoughts on the show? Leave a comment below, send us an email (comment AT ihearofsherlock DOT com), call us at 5-1895-221B-5. That's (518) 952-2125.

“it's the king of diamonds” [MAZA] It took Laurie R. King six years to find a publisher for her first book, but it was worth the wait. She won the Edgar in 1994 for Best First Novel with A Grave Talent, which launched her Kate Martinelli series, set in San Francisco. That same year, The Bee-Keeper’s Apprentice introduced the impressive, young Mary Russell, who would meet and eventually marry the retired Sherlock Holmes — “the least marriageable man I knew,” according to Mary, in 1921. Since then, Russell and Holmes have traveled the world in eighteen novels, finding mystery and adventure everywhere from the English countryside to Palestine to California. Along the way, Mary’s partnership with Holmes has evolved, usually in plots that mix real events with suspenseful intrigue.  Now Knave of Diamonds, the nineteenth book in the series, brings Mary a case not even Sherlock Holmes could solve: the very real theft of the Irish Crown Jewels from Dublin Castle years before. It comes with the sudden return of Mary’s unprincipled Uncle Jake, traveling on a cloud of fabrications and falsehoods. Laurie R. King was named a Mystery Writers of America Grand Master in 2022. Join us for a conversation about the Irish Crown Jewels, Laurie’s approach to storytelling, Mary’s background and her conflicting loyalties, and much more. So you can see what’s coming, we share the first half of August in “The Learned Societies” segment. Madeline Quiñones is back with “A Chance of Listening,” and the Canonical Couplet quiz tests your Sherlock Holmes knowledge, with a signed copy of Knave of Diamonds for the winner. Send your answer to comment @ ihearofsherlock.com by July 14, 2025 at 11:59 a.m. EST. All listeners are eligible to play.   Don't forget to become a  of the show on the platform of your choice ( | ).          Leave I Hear of Sherlock Everywhere a five-star rating on  and ; listen to us .     Sponsors  has a number of new Sherlock Holmes books out by various authors. You'll want to check out the breadth of their offerings by  to learn more.   Would you care to advertise with us? You can find . Let's chat!       Links   Other episodes mentioned:   The Learned Societies:  A Chance of Listening: Find all of our relevant links and social accounts at .     And would you consider leaving us a rating and or a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Goodpods? It would help other Sherlockians to find us.   Your thoughts on the show? Leave a comment below, send us an email (comment AT ihearofsherlock DOT com), call us at 5-1895-221B-5. That's (518) 952-2125.

“from Portsmouth at midday” [LAST]    The Portsmouth Library is home to the Arthur Conan Doyle Collection, largely made possible by the bequest of Richard Lancelyn Green. This world-renowned collection, the work of one of the foremost Doylean scholars, is a treasure trove for researchers, enthusiasts, and the public. The Collection preserves books, manuscripts, artifacts, and ephemera that illuminate Conan Doyle's life, his beloved Sherlock Holmes, and the cultural impact of his work. Laura Weston is the Education and Learning Officer for the Collection at the Portsmouth City Council, making the collection accessible and engaging to a global audience. Laura joins us to discuss the annual Worldwide Doyle conference, a series of virtual talks by writers, fans, and academics who are passionate about Conan Doyle and Sherlock Holmes. The program is taking place in June and July; all events take place at 7:00 pm BST and are free of charge, and will be available online. How does a city like Portsmouth turn a literary archive into a global attraction — and why does it matter? What behind-the-scenes choices shape the talks and exhibits that bring Sherlock Holmes to life for new audiences? Laura discusses all of this, including the unexpected item in the Collection that made even its curator stop and say, “I didn’t see that coming.” So you can see what’s coming, we share the full calendar of July in “The Learned Societies” segment. Madeline Quinones is back with “A Chance of Listening,” and the Canonical Couplet quiz tests your Sherlock Holmes knowledge, with something from the vaults for the winner. Send your answer to comment @ ihearofsherlock.com by June 29, 2025 at 11:59 a.m. EST. All listeners are eligible to play.   Don't forget to become a  of the show on the platform of your choice ( | ).      Leave I Hear of Sherlock Everywhere a five-star rating on  and ; listen to us .     Sponsors  has a number of new Sherlock Holmes books out by various authors. You'll want to check out the breadth of their offerings by to learn more.   Would you care to advertise with us? You can find . Let's chat!     Links Lectures (YouTube) Other episodes mentioned:   The Learned Societies:  A Chance of Listening:  Find all of our relevant links and social accounts at .     And would you consider leaving us a rating and or a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Goodpods? It would help other Sherlockians to find us.   Your thoughts on the show? Leave a comment below, send us an email (comment AT ihearofsherlock DOT com), call us at 5-1895-221B-5. That's (518) 952-2125.

“You can file it in our archives, Watson” [RETI]    North America is home to a number of public collections, libraries, museums, and archives that hold treasures related to Sherlock Holmes and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Not least among them is the Toronto Public Library. Home to the famed Arthur Conan Doyle Collection, the TPL is a great friend to Sherlockians and Doyleans everywhere and regularly welcomes visitors to view and research its more than 25,000 items related to Conan Doyle. And curator Jessie Amaolo joined us to talk about the digital offerings of the collection. What can an online researcher find in the Arthur Conan Doyle Collection? What's been digitized already and what's coming up? Jessie talks about all of this, plus some of unique and wonderful surroundings of the Toronto Public Library. Speaking of Sherlockian gatherings, we share June events in "The Learned Societies" segment, Madeline Quinones is back with A Chance of Listening, and the Canonical Couplet quiz tests your Sherlock Holmes knowledge, with something from the vaults for the winner.  Send your answer to comment @ ihearofsherlock .com by June 14, 2025 at 11:59 a.m. EST. All listeners are eligible to play. Don't forget to become a  of the show on the platform of your choice ( | ). We have extra material from this show available only to supporters.   Leave I Hear of Sherlock Everywhere a five-star rating on  and ; listen to us .     Sponsors  celebrates 10 years of The MX Book of New Sherlock Holmes Stories with its final collection. Get your volumes today!   Would you care to advertise with us? You can find . Let's chat!   Links Other episodes mentioned:   The Learned Societies:  A Chance of Listening: Find all of our relevant links and social accounts at .     And would you consider leaving us a rating and or a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Goodpods? It would help other Sherlockians to find us.   Your thoughts on the show? Leave a comment below, send us an email (comment AT ihearofsherlock DOT com), call us at 5-1895-221B-5. That's (518) 952-2125.

“we can bring it to a successful conclusion” [EMPT]    When we discussed the Midwest Canonical Conclave in Episode 308, we weren't exactly sure what to expect. Organizer Steve Doyle, BSI ("The Western Morning News") gave us a general idea of what the aim was and what we might see there, but our expectations were blown away. Unlike any other Sherlockian event we've attended, the inaugural BSI Canonical Conclave (this of the Midwest variety) was a true delight. Burt and Scott reflect on the event and their experiences, consider the benefits of having attended, and muse on the future of Sherlockian gatherings. Speaking of Sherlockian gatherings, we share June events in "The Learned Societies" segment, Madeline Quinones is back with A Chance of Listening, and the Canonical Couplet quiz tests your Sherlock Holmes knowledge, with something from the vaults for the winner.  Send your answer to comment @ ihearofsherlock .com by May 14, 2025 at 11:59 a.m. EST. All listeners are eligible to play. Don't forget to become a  of the show on the platform of your choice ( | ). Supporters can see photos from the event and .       Leave I Hear of Sherlock Everywhere a five-star rating on  and ; listen to us .     Sponsors  is hosting a special event at Undershaw on May 17, with a livestream component. Sign up and celebrate 10 years of The MX Book of New Sherlock Holmes Stories.   Would you care to advertise with us? You can find . Let's chat!       Links Other episodes mentioned: Trifles   The Learned Societies:  Find all of our relevant links and social accounts at .     And would you consider leaving us a rating and or a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Goodpods? It would help other Sherlockians to find us.   Your thoughts on the show? Leave a comment below, send us an email (comment AT ihearofsherlock DOT com), call us at 5-1895-221B-5. That's (518) 952-2125.

“good enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences” [SCAN]  Don't care for Sherlockian chronologies? Well, you're not alone! Neither did our guest today, and he's written a number of books on the subject. Brad Keefauver, BSI ("Winwood Reade") is a member of the Sherlockian Chronologist Guild and author of Holmes In an Hour or Two: A Sherlock Holmes Fan's First Sherlockian Chronology, or Create Your Own Timeline of Sherlock Holmes's Life in the Shortest Time Possible. It's not a matter of simply picking dates or looking for discrepancies; creating a chronology can take into account all sorts of data, and trying to put it all together is truely a thinker's puzzle. We have some Sherlockian society events we share in "The Learned Societies" segment, and the Canonical Couplet quiz tests your Sherlock Holmes knowledge, with a copy of Brad's book for one lucky winner.  Send your answer to comment @ ihearofsherlock .com by April 29, 2025 at 11:59 a.m. EST. All listeners are eligible to play. Don't forget to become a  of the show on the platform of your choice ( | ).       Leave I Hear of Sherlock Everywhere a five-star rating on  and ; listen to us .     Sponsors  is hosting a special event at Undershaw on May 17, with a livestream component. Sign up and celebrate 10 years of The MX Book of New Sherlock Holmes Stories.   Would you care to advertise with us? You can find . Let's chat!     Links (Amazon) (Historical Sherlock) Other episodes mentioned:   The Learned Societies:  Find all of our relevant links and social accounts at .     And would you consider leaving us a rating and or a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Goodpods? It would help other Sherlockians to find us.   Your thoughts on the show? Leave a comment below, send us an email (comment AT ihearofsherlock DOT com), call us at 5-1895-221B-5. That's (518) 952-2125.

“grazed the subclavian artery” [STUD]    While the Baker Street Irregulars is the most well-known of Sherlockian societies, it is by no means the only one — nor even the most important. There are gatherings happening every week, in person and virtually, of Sherlockian societies. And just like the Sherlockian societies that sprouted up in those early years of the hobby, Steve Doyle, BSI ("The Western Morning News") thought it might be helpful to bring some of them together in a spirit of building Sherlockian community and creating connections. And that's taking the form of the inaugural BSI Canonical Conclave, taking place in Indianapolis on April 26, 2025. We talk with Steve about what we might expect there and what he expects to come from this unique gathering. Whether you're attending or not, he shares vital information for your own activities. We have some Sherlockian society events we share in "The Learned Societies" segment, Madeline Quiñones tells us about another Sherlock Holmes podcast in "A Chance of Listening," and the Canonical Couplet quiz tests your Sherlock Holmes knowledge with something from the IHOSE vaults for one lucky winner.  Send your answer to comment @ ihearofsherlock .com by April 14, 2025 at 11:59 a.m. EST. All listeners are eligible to play. Don't forget to become a  of the show on the platform of your choice ( | ).     Leave I Hear of Sherlock Everywhere a five-star rating on  and ; listen to us .     Sponsors Exclusive for IHOSE listeners from : codes for .   Would you care to advertise with us? You can find . Let's chat!     Links The Learned Societies:  Featured podcast from "A Chance of Listening": Steve Doyle has been on six previous episodes of IHOSE. Find them all in our . Find all of our relevant links and social accounts at .     And would you consider leaving us a rating and or a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Goodpods? It would help other Sherlockians to find us.   Your thoughts on the show? Leave a comment below, send us an email (comment AT ihearofsherlock DOT com), call us at 5-1895-221B-5. That's (518) 952-2125.

“able to evolve from their own inner consciousness” [STUD]    Now in its 12th year, 221B Con has become a mainstay of annual Sherlockian events, drawing people from all over the world to Atlanta every April. It was founded as a response to Sherlock on BBC, but has expanded beyond that to include the original stories as well as all forms of media. Last year, the founders announced that this year would be the final 221B Con. As we narrow in on that date, regular attendee and volunteer Johanna Draper Carlson isn't convinced that has to be the case. But the future isn't quite clear at this point. We talk with Johanna about what's changed over the years, how it compares to other major "Cons," what to expect in April 2025, and what she hopes the future will bring.  We have some Sherlockian society events we share in "The Learned Societies" segment, Madeline Quiñones tells us about another Sherlock Holmes podcast in "A Chance of Listening," and the Canonical Couplet quiz tests your Sherlock Holmes knowledge with something from the IHOSE vaults for one lucky winner.  Send your answer to comment @ ihearofsherlock .com by March 29, 2025 at 11:59 a.m. EST. All listeners are eligible to play. Don't forget to become a  of the show on the platform of your choice ( | ). Just for our supporters, we'll be releasing a video version of this episode.     Leave I Hear of Sherlock Everywhere a five-star rating on  and ; listen to us .     Sponsors Exclusive for IHOSE listeners from : codes for .   Would you care to advertise with us? You can find . Let's chat!       Links   The Learned Societies:  Featured podcast from "A Chance of Listening": Previous episodes mentioned: Find all of our relevant links and social accounts at .   Your thoughts on the show? Leave a comment below, send us an email (comment AT ihearofsherlock DOT com), call us at 5-1895-221B-5. That's (518) 952-2125.