“they are pretty sure to ask questions anyhow, so it would be as well to have answers” [RETI]&nbsp;&nbsp; We're doing something a little different for this episode. There are certain elements about the Sherlock Holmes stories that are just too trifling out of which to create an entire episode. So we turned to you. We're answering questions that you have submitted, hopefully providing more clarity than less. If this works well, we'll do it again. It's just a Trifle.&nbsp;    Have you left us a&nbsp;rating&nbsp;and&nbsp;review&nbsp;on&nbsp;&nbsp;yet? You don't need to own an Apple device, and every review helps more people find the show.&nbsp;   And please consider supporting our efforts through  or .  &nbsp; Links / Notes  This episode:&nbsp;  by Arthur Conan Doyle  by Robert L. Fish I Hear of Sherlock Everywhere  (Sherlock Holmes quotes) The full I Hear of Sherlock Everywhere archive:   &nbsp; Sponsor      &nbsp; Music credits Performers: Uncredited violinist, US Marine Chamber Orchestra Publisher Info.: Washington, DC:&nbsp; Copyright:&nbsp; &nbsp; --   &nbsp;  &nbsp;

Your Questions, Answered

 “Particularly bright and joyous” [THOR]

Forget about the silence you might think is suggested by the word “pantomime.” British panto is a raucous, musical, holiday tradition that expects the audience to be as loud as possible, booing the villain and cheering the hero. It’s usually a comic, theatrical retelling of a fairy tale — like Cinderella or Aladdin — with slapstick for the kids, cheeky innuendo for the adults, and a cast that includes a campy "Dame" (a man in an over-the-top dress). 

Now Holmes, Watson, and the world of 221B have been lovingly added to the panto tradition in Sherlock Holmes and the 12 Days of Christmas, playing through January 18, 2026, at England’s Birmingham Rep. The show is also a genuine whodunnit: West End stars are being murdered in mid performance. Can Sherlock Holmes solve the case?

It’s all the work of our guests Humphrey Ker and David Reed, writers and stars whose love of the Victorian Age, history, and classic literature has infused almost twenty years of collaboration. You’ll hear about their work creating radio plays for the BBC, stage shows for the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, and their adventures as two-thirds of the comedy troupe “The Penny Dreadfuls.” 

You’ll also learn how Sherlock Holmes and the 12 Days of Christmas came about, and how it came to inspire new songs by Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber — creators of some of the most enduring musicals in history.

Then it’s on to our review of Sherlockian society activities in the second half of January in "The Learned Societies" segment. The remarkable Madeline Quinones caps her series of Holmesian podcast reviews with her final report in “A Chance of Listening,” with our thanks and admiration. And the Canonical Couplet quiz tests your Sherlock Holmes knowledge, with a prize from the IHOSE vaults for the winner. Send your answer to comment @ihearofsherlock.com by December 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 (https://patreon.com/ihearofsherlock| https://ihearofsherlock.substack.com).

And if you need some show swag or gift ideas, check out our Merch Store, with mugs, notepads and more.
https://www.ihearofsherlock.com/merchandise

Full show notes: https://bit.ly/ihose323

Sherlock Holmes and the 12 Days of Christmas

"Bring me the books" [BLUE]&nbsp;&nbsp;  Sherlock Holmes was a consultant—or more properly, a consulting detective—but he was a consultant, nonetheless. And consultants need clients, who in turn pay the bills.&nbsp; &nbsp; But have you ever stopped to think about how Holmes went about collecting his fees? We don't know anything about his fees, other than a handful of high profile cases with rewards, and that (he says) he didn't vary them save for when he remitted them altogether.&nbsp;  &nbsp; &nbsp; Have you&nbsp;left us a&nbsp;rating&nbsp;and&nbsp;review&nbsp;on the podcast player of your choice yet? We could really use your help.&nbsp;  &nbsp;  And please consider supporting our efforts through&nbsp;Patreon&nbsp; or&nbsp;PayPal.   &nbsp;  Links / Notes &nbsp;  This episode:&nbsp;ihose.co/trifles74 I Hear of Sherlock Everywhere&nbsp;Episode 140: Sherlock Holmes and the Elusive Ear  &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Music credits Performers: Uncredited violinist, US Marine Chamber Orchestra  Publisher Info.: Washington, DC:&nbsp;United States Marine Band Copyright:&nbsp;Creative Commons Attribution 3.0

The Administrative Side of Baker Street

"the smartest of the Scotland Yarders" [STUD]&nbsp; When you think of a Scotland Yard inspector in the Sherlock Holmes stories, odds are your thoughts immediately go to Inspector Lestrade. He makes the most appearances in stories and certainly gets the most name recognition, in part thanks to Dennis Hoey's portrayal of the bumbling but capable policeman. &nbsp; But what about good old Inspector Gregson, who appeared alongside Lestrade in the very first Sherlock Holmes story? He manages to make a number of appearances, but doesn't rise to the same level of household awareness. We look at his trifling (and non-trifling) appearances in the Sherlock Holmes stories.  &nbsp; &nbsp; Have you&nbsp;left us a&nbsp;rating&nbsp;and&nbsp;review&nbsp;on the podcast player of your choice yet? We could really use your help.&nbsp;And please consider supporting our efforts through&nbsp;Patreon&nbsp;or&nbsp;PayPal.  &nbsp;  &nbsp;  Links / Notes  This episode:&nbsp;ihose.co/trifles78  &nbsp; Music credits Performers: Uncredited violinist, US Marine Chamber Orchestra   Publisher Info.: Washington, DC:&nbsp;United States Marine Band   Copyright:&nbsp;Creative Commons Attribution 3.0

Where Are They Now? Inspector Gregson

"the irregulars are useful sometimes" [RETI]&nbsp; &nbsp; Homeless children. A gossip columnist. A dog. What do all of these have in common? They're part of the underground network of helpers that Sherlock Holmes cobbled together.&nbsp; &nbsp; With these individuals and more, Holmes was able to fan out across the great metropolis and gather information that helped him solve his cases. And they're the subject of this week's Trifles episode.  &nbsp; &nbsp; Have you&nbsp;left us a&nbsp;rating&nbsp;and&nbsp;review&nbsp;on the podcast player of your choice yet? We could really use your help.&nbsp;  &nbsp;  And please consider supporting our efforts through&nbsp;Patreon&nbsp;or&nbsp; PayPal.&nbsp;  &nbsp; Links / Notes  This episode:&nbsp;ihose.co/trifles82 The&nbsp;Bakerloo line The Baker Street Irregulars Episode 58 - Sherlock Holmes's Index Episode 62 - Reference Sources  &nbsp; Music credits Performers: Uncredited violinist, US Marine Chamber Orchestra Publisher Info.: Washington, DC:&nbsp;United States Marine Band Copyright:&nbsp;Creative Commons Attribution 3.0

Sherlock Holmes's Underground Network

We fool ourselves into thinking that our time on this earth is unique. That every challenge we face is new and different, and that no one else can possibly understand the pressures we face. &nbsp; But the simple truth is there are numerous examples of similar circumstances throughout recorded history, whether analogous or identical. It just takes a bit of work to find them and understand the historical context that will prepare us for the future.&nbsp; &nbsp; In this episode, it's on to the second of the third sculptures at the National Archives as we determine what the future looks like. &nbsp; I'd be honored if you'd leave a rating or review for the show. You'd be helping other people discover how smart you are. &nbsp;  Links:  This episode:&nbsp;smonty.co/fullmonty49 "Confusing and harmful abundance" Socrates' warning  Malesherbes Amazon: Retailers Gonna Retail&nbsp;(Medium)  The Prime Effect: How Amazon's Two-Day Shipping is Disrupting Retail  How Sears and Montgomery Ward Changed American Shipping Just for fun:&nbsp;The Department Store Museum Other commentary and updates at&nbsp;ScottMonty.com  &nbsp;  Credits:   Theme song:&nbsp;Afternoon&nbsp;by Maestross is on a royalty-free license from&nbsp;Jamendo.com. Image:&nbsp;public domain    &nbsp; &nbsp;   Subscribe on&nbsp;Apple Podcasts,&nbsp;Google Podcasts,&nbsp;SoundCloud,&nbsp;Spotify ,&nbsp;or&nbsp;Stitcher. Or try this: ask Alexa or Google Home to "play the latest episode of The Full Monty podcast."   &nbsp;  &nbsp;  If you find this program valuable, please consider supporting it on&nbsp;Patreon. It covers the cost of hosting, email, music and more.   &nbsp;

Episode 49: What's Past Is Prologue

A Christmas themed short mystery about the adventures of a wannabe burglar. From the July 2016 issue of Mystery Weekly Magazine. Subscribe via Kindle Newsstand https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N4NJL91 or buy this issue in print! https://www.amazon.com/dp/1519042876

A Christmas Miracle by Deborah Lacy

"The game's afoot!" January 6th is the traditional date Sherlock Holmes' birthday is celebrated. To celebrate, Peter Kreten spoke with Peter Blau, Secretary of the Bakerstreet Irregulars, the very first Sherlock Holmes society in the United States. 
In the conversation, Peter discusses how the Baker Street Irregulars were first founded, why he loves all the stories, and how the character of Sherlock Holmes connects people from all different societies and backgrounds.

Peter Blau Podcast Interview on Sherlock Holmes

Life can be tough. We've all experienced a setback from time to time. And often, those setbacks can seem difficult to surmount. &nbsp; But imagine if you had traversed 1,500 miles over ice and snow, only to lose your race into the history books, and then realize that you wouldn't make it out alive, with only 11 miles to go. Would you still keep going? &nbsp; Keeping perspective and staying true to your mission are critical in times like this. &nbsp;  "Success consists of going from failure to failure without loss of enthusiasm."&nbsp;  – Winston Churchill    &nbsp;  &nbsp;  Would you consider leaving a rating or review for the show on&nbsp;iTunes? It help other people find us.  &nbsp;  Links:  This episode:&nbsp;smonty.co/fullmonty60 Sponsor:&nbsp;IRI Worldwide Other commentary and updates at&nbsp;ScottMonty.com  &nbsp;  Credits:   Theme song:&nbsp;Afternoon&nbsp;by Maestross is on a royalty-free license from&nbsp;Jamendo.com. Image credit:&nbsp;Situation of HMS Resolute, Baffins Bay, June 1858&nbsp;(University of Melbourne)    &nbsp;   Subscribe on&nbsp;Apple Podcasts,&nbsp;Google Podcasts,&nbsp;SoundCloud,&nbsp;Spotify,&nbsp;or&nbsp;Stitcher. &nbsp; Or try this: ask Alexa or Google Home to "play the latest episode of The Full Monty podcast."   &nbsp;  &nbsp;  If you find this program valuable, please consider supporting it on&nbsp;Patreon. It covers the cost of hosting, email, music and more.

Episode 61: Resilience, Resoluteness, and Enthusiasm

“my heart jumped so with joy” [STUD]&nbsp; &nbsp; We commonly see clients who come to Sherlock Holmes riddled with despair and grief. But if we look closely enough, we can also find happiness and sheer joy in the Canon. The Sherlock Holmes stories contain the full range of human emotion, from anger to relief and from&nbsp; anguish to jubilance. The more we looked for the upbeat, the more we found. It's just a Trifle.   Have you left us a&nbsp;rating&nbsp;and&nbsp;review&nbsp;on&nbsp;&nbsp;yet? You don't need to own an Apple device, and every review helps more people find the show.&nbsp; Find Trifles .&nbsp;  &nbsp; And please consider supporting&nbsp;our efforts through&nbsp;&nbsp;or&nbsp;.    &nbsp;   Links / Notes  This episode:&nbsp;  &nbsp; Sponsor       &nbsp;  Music credits Performers: Uncredited violinist, US Marine Chamber Orchestra Publisher Info.: Washington, DC:&nbsp; Copyright:&nbsp;  &nbsp;   --   &nbsp;

Upbeat Moments in the Canon

"Unique, perfectly unique" [BRUC]&nbsp; When Vincent Starrett set out to write his cornerstone pastiche in 1920, it wasn't intended for an audience of Sherlock Holmes fans. For one, he didn't know of any others who were as fixated on Holmes as he was. Fortunately, Richard Sveum, BSI ("Dr. Hill Barton") is well connected in the Sherlockian world and was able to tap the talents of other Starrett experts and enthusiasts to assist him in creating the 2020 Baker Street Journal Christmas Annual:&nbsp;The 100-Year Adventure of The Unique Hamlet. This look at Vincent Starrett's classic work will bring you new understanding of the man and his contribution to the world of book collectors and Sherlock Holmes. The&nbsp;Canonical Couplet&nbsp;quiz winner this time will receive a copy of the 2020 Baker Street Journal Christmas Annual: The 100-Year Adventure of The Unique Hamlet.&nbsp;Answers are due by February 27, 2021 at 11:59 a.m.  Information on sponsors, links, and notes available below.   Please do consider becoming a&nbsp;. We have a new structure for 2021, with support on a monthly (rather than per-episode) basis, and a community just for our supporters! Your support helps us to ensure we can keep doing what we do, covering file hosting costs, production, and this year, transcription services.&nbsp; &nbsp;          Sponsors &nbsp;is the premier publisher of books about Sherlock Holmes and Arthur Conan Doyle, including&nbsp;.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;has a new offering: . It's a monthly subscription program for Sherlock Holmes books.   Would you care to advertise with us? You can find&nbsp;. Let's chat!  &nbsp; Links  This episode:&nbsp;  to be sure you get this year's Christmas Annual &nbsp;(University of Minnesota Libraries) Randall Stock's  (Best of Sherlock) Ray Betzner's  (Studies in Starrett)  by Susan Rice (Amazon)  Previous episodes mentioned:    (Ray Betzner and Susan Rice)  (Evelyn Herzog and Susan Rice)  (Ray Betzner)      Many more links, articles and images are available in our Flipboard magazine at&nbsp;&nbsp;as well as through our accounts on&nbsp;,&nbsp;,&nbsp;, and&nbsp;. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Please subscribe on the podcast provider of your choosing:    And would you consider leaving us a rating and review? It would help other Sherlockians to find us. &nbsp; Your thoughts on the show? Leave a comment below, send us an email (comment AT ihearofsherlock DOT com), call us at (774) 221-READ (7323).  &nbsp;   Transcript We are so grateful for your support! If you would like to , we'd appreciate it. The transcript for this episode can be viewed at .  &nbsp;  --

The Unique Hamlet

The first podcast for Sherlock Holmes devotees, covering the intersection of Sherlock Holmes and popular culture. Discussions about the timeless characters of Holmes & Watson, goings-on today in a variety of media, and interviews with interesting people who share a passion for the great detective.

Sherlock Holmes and the 12 Days of Christmas

I Hear of Sherlock Everywhere

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