"'Why, Holmes, it is a child's drawing,' I cried." [DANC]

Just when you thought everything about Sherlock Holmes and popular culture was known, a new mystery emerges from dusty U.S. newspaper archives.

Join us as we interview the remarkable Ross E. Davies, BSI ("The Temple"), organizer of "The Scourers of the Dancing Men," a fascinating research project that dives deep into a 1903 advertising campaign for the publication of "The Adventure of the Dancing Men" in Collier's magazine.

They've discovered dozens of unique advertisements — including a particularly intriguing "third format" whose cryptic figures bear a striking, unexplained resemblance to the original drawings that inspired Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.

You'll hear about the ongoing, national hunt for missing ads and the perplexing questions these newly found "Collier's dancing men" pose. You can even join the search to gather the data and help solve this curious, 120-year-old mystery.

Once again, we give you a glimpse of Sherlockian society activities, this time in the first half of January 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 a copy of a prize from the IHOSE vaults for the winner. Send your answer to comment @ihearofsherlock.com by November 29, 2025 at 11:59 a.m. EST. All listeners are eligible to play.

As a reminder, our supporters can listen to the show ad-free and have access to occasional bonus material. Join us on the platform of your choice (Patreon | Substack).

Bonus material for this episode includes images of the Dancing Men advertising, the current map of found newspapers, Strand and Colliers errors, and the original inspiration for the Dancing Men code.

Leave I Hear of Sherlock Everywhere a five-star rating on Apple Podcasts and Spotify; listen to us wherever you listen to podcasts.

Links

• The ACD Society
• The Stranger's Room (Facebook)
• Canadian Holmes
• Episodes mentioned in this show:
• Episode 137: Boxes From Royalty
• Episode 175: Building an Archive
• Episode 212: All Things ACD
• Episode 219: The Baker Street Almanac
• Episode 234: A Masterpiece of Villainy
• Episode 302: A Year in Review
• Other links:
• A Chance of Listening: Fawx & Stallion
• The Learned Societies: Sherlockian Calendar
• OUR NEW MERCH PAGE

Find all of our relevant links and social accounts at linktr.ee/ihearofsherlock.

And would you consider leaving us a rating and or a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Goodpods? It would help other Sherlockians 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.

"An expression of the most dreadful horror." [HOUN]

Join us as we explore Sherlock Holmes Into the Fire, a new, two-volume collection that reimagines Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's Gothic tales through the lens of Sherlock Holmes. Our guest Margie Deck discusses how Doyle's eerie, atmospheric stories — often overshadowed by Sherlock Holmes — reveal the author's deeper fascination with mystery, psychology, and the supernatural.

We talk about the creative process behind pairing each original tale with a modern Holmesian retelling, the challenges of preserving Gothic dread while introducing rational deduction, and how contributors balanced Doyle's voice with their own. Our conversation sheds light on what might be lost and gained when the world's greatest detective steps into the shadows of Conan Doyle's darker imagination — and why these stories continue to inspire new interpretations more than a century later.

Once again, we give you a glimpse of Sherlockian society activities, this time in the second half of December 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 a copy of Sherlock Holmes Into the Fire for the winner. Send your answer to comment @ihearofsherlock.com by November 14, 2025 at 11:59 a.m. EST. All listeners are eligible to play.

As a reminder, our supporters can listen to the show ad-free and have access to occasional bonus material. Join us on the platform of your choice (Patreon | Substack). Leave I Hear of Sherlock Everywhere a five-star rating on Apple Podcasts and Spotify; listen to us wherever you listen to podcasts. Sponsors

• MX Publishing has a number of Sherlockian calendars available for purchase, from the page-a-day style to a group of Advent calendars. Check them all out and pick a date to buy one!

We're always entertaining offers from sponsors. You can find more information here. Links

• Sherlock Holmes Into the Fire (Amazon)
• "The Terror of Blue John Gap" annotation project (ACD Society)
• Episodes mentioned in this show:
• Episode 57: A Sherlockian Halloween
• Episode 208: Collectors' Corner - Charles Prepolec
• Episode 248: The Sherlock Home
• Other links:
• A Chance of Listening: Sherlock & Co.
• The Learned Societies: Sherlockian Calendar
• Find all of our relevant links and social accounts at linktr.ee/ihearofsherlock.

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 member of an aristocratic club" [BERY]

Sherlockians from around the world joined the members of the Sherlock Holmes Klubben i Danmark earlier this year to mark their 75th anniversary. While the club first met in 1950, the Danish appreciation of Sherlock Holmes is as old as the Great Detective himself, when translations, movies, and parodies of his cases first graced the pages of the country's newspapers.

Join us for a wide-ranging discussion with Christian Monggaard, BSI ("Neville St. Clair") to discover the exceptional community of artists and writers who first brought Holmes to the Danish public and formed the first societies. You'll hear about noted the artists and illustrators Robert Storm-Petersen and Henry Lauritzen, and learn the twists and turns that led to Christian's career as a film critic and journalist.

Of course we lead off with Sherlockian gatherings for the second half of November 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 October 14, 2025 at 11:59 a.m. EST. All listeners are eligible to play.

As a reminder, our supporters can listen to the show ad-free and have access to occasional bonus material.

Leave I Hear of Sherlock Everywhere a five-star rating on Apple Podcasts and Spotify; listen to us wherever you listen to podcasts. Sponsors

• MX Publishing has a number of Sherlockian calendars available for purchase, from the page-a-day style to a group of Advent calendars. Check them all out and pick a date to buy one!

We're always entertaining offers from sponsors. You can find more information here.

Links

• Sherlock Holmes Klubben i Danmark

• Scandinavia and Sherlock Holmes (BSI Press)

• Other links:

  • A Chance of Listening: Baker Street Regulars

  • The Learned Societies: Sherlockian Calendar

• Find all of our relevant links and social accounts at linktr.ee/ihearofsherlock.

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.

"the goodness of Providence." [NAVA]

It began with an idea for a series of radio mysteries, each five minutes long, that listeners could solve by considering the evidence. Sherlock Holmes would then give the solution — and to make it even more interesting, Watson could conclude with a moral lesson reflecting the story.

Thanks to the author, journalist, and broadcaster Kel Richards, it became a popular feature on Australian radio, and Ray Riethmeier, BSI ("Morrison, Morrison, and Dodd") thought it would make a wonderful book. Through a strange series of circumstances — destiny, perhaps? — Ray eventually found Richards and reunited him with transcripts of the programs. Join us as we talk to Ray about the result: Sherlock Holmes 5-Minute Mysteries, a collection of fifty fair-play puzzlers that also enable personal, Christian exploration.

Next, we explore Sherlockian gatherings for the first half of November 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 September 29, 2025 at 11:59 a.m. EST. All listeners are eligible to play.

As a reminder, our supporters can listen to the show ad-free and have access to occasional bonus material. Join us on the platform of your choice (Patreon | Substack). Listen to I Hear of Sherlock Everywhere anywhere you get podcasts Leave I Hear of Sherlock Everywhere a five-star rating on Apple Podcasts and Spotify; listen to us wherever you listen to podcasts. Sponsors

• MX Publishing has a number of new Sherlock Holmes books out by various authors, including The Other Woman by Richard Ryan, The Infinitely Stranger Cases of Sherlock Holmes by Paula Hammond, and A Necessary End by Ellora Lawhorn. You'll want to check out the breadth of their offerings by visiting the new books section of their site to learn more.

Would you care to advertise with us? You can find more information here. Let's chat! Links

• Sherlock Holmes 5-Minute Mysteries (Amazon)
• Previous episode mentioned: Episode 104: Sherlockians at Chautauqua
• Other links:
• A Chance of Listening: I Heart Sherlock
• The Learned Societies: Sherlockian Calendar
• Bonus event: Sherlock Monthly returns on September 27
• Find all of our relevant links and social accounts at linktr.ee/ihearofsherlock.

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.

"Pooh, pooh! Forgery." [SCAN]

Nicholas Meyer, BSI ("A Fine Morocco Case") is an accomplished storyteller who has made a mark in both the literary and film worlds. He's best known for his 1974 best-selling novel, The Seven-Per-Cent Solution, which revitalized Sherlock Holmes for a new generation of readers. His other Holmes novels, including The West End Horror, The Canary Trainer, The Adventure of the Peculiar Protocols, and The Return of the Pharaoh, and Sherlock Holmes and the Telegram From Hell have cemented his place as a celebrated perpetuator of Watson's reports.

Beyond his literary achievements, Nick is a prolific screenwriter and director, credited with directing the iconic films Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan and Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country. He also directed the landmark television movie The Day After, which remains one of the most-watched television films ever made.

Nick's latest novel is Sherlock Holmes and the Real Thing. In the book, Holmes and Watson are drawn into a bizarre and deadly case set in the cutthroat world of art. The mystery begins with a seemingly mundane complaint from a landlady about her artist tenant, but quickly escalates as corpses begin to appear. The pair navigate a fascinating cast of characters — including an artist, his mistress, and his dealer — to discover what makes a work of art worth killing for.

Join our wide-ranging discussion, which touches, in this age of artificial intelligence, on what makes one work genuine and another just a clever forgery.

Then we look ahead to Sherlockian gatherings for the last half of October in "The Learned Societies" segment. Madeline Quiñones is back with "A Chance of Listening," bringing us an introduction to her own show, Dynamics of a Podcast, the only podcast dedicated to Professor James Moriarty, archnemesis of Sherlock Holmes. The Canonical Couplet quiz tests your Sherlock Holmes knowledge, with a copy of Nick's new book for the winner. Send your answer to comment @ ihearofsherlock .com by September 29, 2025 at 11:59 a.m. EST. All listeners are eligible to play.

As a reminder, our supporters can listen to the show ad-free and have access to occasional bonus material. Join us on the platform of your choice (Patreon | Substack).

Listen to I Hear of Sherlock Everywhere anywhere you get podcasts Leave I Hear of Sherlock Everywhere a five-star rating on Apple Podcasts and Spotify; listen to us wherever you listen to podcasts. Sponsors

• MX Publishing has a number of new Sherlock Holmes books out by various authors, including The Other Woman by Richard Ryan, The Infinitely Stranger Cases of Sherlock Holmes by Paula Hammond, and A Necessary End by Ellora Lawhorn. You'll want to check out the breadth of their offerings by visiting the new books section of their site to learn more.

Would you care to advertise with us? You can find more information here. Let's chat! Links

• Sherlock Holmes and the Real Thing (Amazon | Bookshop.org)
• Sherlock Holmes and the Real Thing Book Tour Events
• Nicholas Meyer, Storyteller (website)
• Previous episode Nick has appeared on:
• Episode 85: Nicholas Meyer
• Episode 178: The Adventure of the Peculiar Protocols
• Episode 228: The Return of the Pharaoh
• Episode 294: Sherlock Holmes and the Telegram From Hell
• Other links:
• A Chance of Listening: Dynamics of a Podcast
• The Learned Societies: Sherlockian Calendar
• Bonus event: BBC World Book Club: The Hound of the Baskervilles on September 6
• Find all of our relevant links and social accounts at linktr.ee/ihearofsherlock.

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.

"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 supporters. Join us on the platform of your choice (Patreon | Substack).

Listen to I Hear of Sherlock Everywhere anywhere you get podcasts Leave I Hear of Sherlock Everywhere a five-star rating on Apple Podcasts and Spotify; listen to us wherever you listen to podcasts. Sponsors

• MX Publishing has a number of new Sherlock Holmes books out by various authors. You'll want to check out the breadth of their offerings by visiting the site to learn more.

Would you care to advertise with us? You can find more information here. Let's chat! Links

• The Sherlock Holmes Pub (Greene King)
• The Mystery of 221B Baker Street (Smithsonian)
• The Sherlock Holmes Society of London
• Other links:
• A Chance of Listening: The Coffee Clatch Crew
• The Learned Societies: Sherlockian Calendar
• Find all of our relevant links and social accounts at linktr.ee/ihearofsherlock.

Goodpods Top 100 Mystery Podcasts 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 only open to our paying Patreon and Substack supporters. 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 supporter of the show on the platform of your choice (Patreon | Substack).

Listen to I Hear of Sherlock Everywhere anywhere you get podcasts Leave I Hear of Sherlock Everywhere a five-star rating on Apple Podcasts and Spotify; listen to us wherever you listen to podcasts. Sponsors

• MX Publishing has a number of new Sherlock Holmes books out by various authors. You'll want to check out the breadth of their offerings by visiting the site to learn more.

Would you care to advertise with us? You can find more information here. Let's chat! Links

• Sherlock Holmes Book Nook (LEGO)
• Sherlock Holmes Book Nook (Barnes & Noble)
• Other episodes mentioned:
• Episode 110: Sociable and Clubbable
• The Learned Societies: Sherlockian Calendar
• Find all of our relevant links and social accounts at linktr.ee/ihearofsherlock.

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, 52 Weeks | 52 Sherlock Holmes Stories. 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 supporter of the show on the platform of your choice (Patreon | Substack).

Listen to I Hear of Sherlock Everywhere anywhere you get podcasts Leave I Hear of Sherlock Everywhere a five-star rating on Apple Podcasts and Spotify; listen to us wherever you listen to podcasts. Sponsors

• MX Publishing has a number of new Sherlock Holmes books out by various authors. You'll want to check out the breadth of their offerings by visiting the site to learn more.

Would you care to advertise with us? You can find more information here. Let's chat! Links

• 52 Weeks | 52 Sherlock Holmes Novels (Amazon)
• 52 Weeks | 52 Sherlock Holmes Novels (Genius Books)
• Paul Bishop's Amazon author page
• Paul's newsletter: Sherlock Adjacent
• Paul opines on The Future of Sherlock Holmes (Substack)
• Other episodes mentioned:
• Episode 252: The Devil's Blaze
• The Learned Societies: Sherlockian Calendar
• A Chance of Listening: The Sherlocked Podcast
• Find all of our relevant links and social accounts at linktr.ee/ihearofsherlock.

Goodpods Top 100 Mystery Podcasts 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 supporter of the show on the platform of your choice (Patreon | Substack).

Listen to I Hear of Sherlock Everywhere anywhere you get podcasts Leave I Hear of Sherlock Everywhere a five-star rating on Apple Podcasts and Spotify; listen to us wherever you listen to podcasts. Sponsors

• MX Publishing has a number of new Sherlock Holmes books out by various authors. You'll want to check out the breadth of their offerings by visiting the site to learn more.

Would you care to advertise with us? You can find more information here. Let's chat! Links

• Knave of Diamonds
• The Mary Russell series
• Knave of Diamond reading group guide
• Laurie R. King's website
• Other episodes mentioned:
• Episode 281: The Lantern's Dance
• The Learned Societies: Sherlockian Calendar
• A Chance of Listening: Elementary, My Dears
• Find all of our relevant links and social accounts at linktr.ee/ihearofsherlock.

Goodpods Top 100 Mystery Podcasts 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.