“we have our story-teller here” [SIGN] Glen Miranker is always good for a story. And more times than not, his stories involve fascinating items from his extensive collection. In this episode, we had a chance to talk with Glen about This Work of Storytelling: Arthur Conan Doyle's speech to the Authors' Club, London, June 29, 1896, published by Wesse…

“quick insight into character” [BERY] As Americans, it is always a joy to meet an Englishman, and doubly so if he portrays Sherlock Holmes. Luke Barton has done that not only on stage but in audiobooks as well. Our conversation with Luke explores how he has prepared for his many appearances as Holmes on stage — including one production in which he …

“remarkably rich tenor voice” [VALL] Following the feedback we got from our previous Legends of the BSJ episode on Edgar W. Smith, we thought we'd continue with another. This time, it's James Montgomery, BSI ("The Red Circle"), who was a frequent correspondent with Smith. Montgomery played an important role in the development of the Baker Street Jo…

“we turned our faces westward” [SIXN] While Sherlock Holmes is a perennial British subject, his influence in and by America cannot be denied. Conan Doyle and Sherlock Holmes were admirers of the United States, and A West Wind, a recent BSI Press book, delves into that relationship. Co-editors Ray Betzner, BSI ("The Agony Column") and Tom Horrocks, …

“do but get into the clutches” [BOSC] We've held off a bit on the traditional interview with the editor of the BSI Manuscript Series this season — not for any lack of interest, but simply for scheduling reasons — but we hope it's worth the wait. Steve Doyle, BSI ("The Western Morning News") is the editor of Clutches of a Fiend, the BSI Manuscript e…

“I wanted to speak with Mr. Smith” [SIGN] This is the third in our series on Legends of the Baker Street Journal; we've previously explored publisher Ben Abramson (Episode 269) and BSI founder Christopher Morley (Episode 272). This time, we'll be looking at wordsmith and able administrator, Edgar W. Smith. It was Smith who deftly managed the operat…

“That was the curious incident” [SILV] From time to time, we see analysis and debate about whether Sherlock Holmes was autistic, had Asperger Syndrome, or is in some other way on the spectrum. As neurodiversity becomes more understood and accepted in the 21st century, it seems natural to explore this not only with Holmes, but with other characters …

“I am one of the hounds” [STUD] The golden age of Hollywood brought us stars like William Powell and Myrna Loy, and of course Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce. In Elizabeth Crowens' new novel Hounds of the Hollywood Baskervilles, we find them (and Dashiell Hammett) intervowen in a story that begins with the disappearance of Asta from The Thin Man mov…

“the affair which you have commemmorated” [MUSG] One of the most influential adaptations of Sherlock Holmes in the last half century is inarguably the Granada/ITV series starring Jeremy Brett. And 2024 marks the 40th anniversary of the program's first airing. Who better to lead a celebration of this iconic show and all who were associated with it, …