Johnlock Game - ACD Canon

“the sending of general messages” [VALL]&nbsp; &nbsp; Sherlock Holmes was an inveterate message sender and receiver. The many notes, letters, telegrams, cryptogram, and other forms of communication that passed by his view made for key clues in some cases. We wondered how things might have turned out differently in certain cases if the frequency of messages were different. And how, in certain cases, Holmes duped the messengers. It's just a Trifle.&nbsp;   &nbsp;   Find Trifles wherever you listen to podcasts: &nbsp; &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&nbsp;supporting&nbsp;our efforts through&nbsp;&nbsp;or&nbsp;.   &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;  &nbsp;

More Messages

Sir Eustace Brackenstall met with a grisly, if appropriate end in "The Abbey Grange." Ultimately, Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson let his killer go free. &nbsp; But was Captain Crocker solely responsible for Brackenstall's death? Other individuals were involved with the calm plotting of the aftermath of the death&nbsp;— but whose shoulders bear the ultimate brunt of the guilt in the end? &nbsp; Links &nbsp;  "The Abbey Grange" "The game's afoot" as found in King Henry's speech "Once more unto the breach" in Henry V.  &nbsp;

Guilt in The Abbey Grange

Charles Augustus Milverton was considered by Sherlock Holmes to be "the worst man in London." Watson tried to shield the date of the case — not to protect Milverton, but to protect his victims. And Holmes and Watson went to extraordinary lengths to defeat the odious blackmailer, from burglary to destruction of property, and even a faux engagement by Holmes. While reputation was everything in Victorian times, did the pair go too far? Their willingness to break the law was in service of victims, but what about their own reputations and adherence to the law? Please subscribe to us on iTunes or Google Play, and consider supporting our efforts through Patreon or PayPal.  Music credits Performers: Uncredited violinist, US Marine Chamber Orchestra Publisher Info.: Washington, DC: United States Marine Band. Copyright: Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 &nbsp;

Moral Relativism in Charles Augustus Milverton

"what's amiss with the names?" [VALL]&nbsp; &nbsp; One of the most puzzling passages in the Sherlock Holmes stories is when Mrs. Watson referred to her husband, the good Doctor, as "James." However, we know that his given name is John. What could be afoot here? Was it a typo? An impostor? A slip of the tongue? We review some of the longstanding theories and even provide a few of our own to see if we might get to the bottom of this mystery. Links  "The Adventure of the Man with the Twisted Lip"  Sherlock Holmes: A Study in Sources by Donald A. Redmond   Music credits Performers: Uncredited violinist, US Marine Chamber Orchestra Publisher Info.: Washington, DC: United States Marine Band. Copyright: Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 &nbsp; &nbsp;

John, James and Mary

"not long after my marriage" [ENGR]&nbsp;  In this episode, we look at how married life was treating Dr. Watson in "The Adventure of the Boscombe Valley Mystery." William S. Baring-Gould placed this at June 6 or June 8, 1889. It was published as the fourth short story in the collection known as The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes. In the opening scene, Holmes sends for the recently married Watson to accompany him on a case, and Mary Watson, far from nagging her husband about his penchant for dashing off with his friend, actually urges Watson to go. Watson gives her a charming compliment in return by alluding to their romantic meeting in The Sign of Four. The affectionate circle is completed when Holmes gives Watson very gracious thanks for agreeing to come along on the trip.&nbsp; &nbsp; What are we to make of Watson's home life? Is he simply using a literary technique by making his marriage seem able to weather the storm of Holmes? Or was Mary genuinely understanding of the push-pull relationship between the doctor and the detective? &nbsp; A tribute to the late Peter Sallis, an appearance by Felix Unger and Oscar Madison, and more surprises await. &nbsp; Links   Remembering Peter Sallis "A Married Man" IHOSE Episode 26: A Musical Stroll Down Baker Street The Odd Couple   &nbsp;  Music credits    Performers:&nbsp;Uncredited violinist, US Marine Chamber Orchestra   Publisher Info.:&nbsp;Washington, DC:&nbsp;United States Marine Band.   Copyright:&nbsp;Creative Commons Attribution 3.0

Married Life with Dr. Watson

"she will not believe me" [IDEN]&nbsp;  &nbsp; In the early stories in The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, Dr. Watson was admittedly new to the bio-docu-drama genre that he was creating. And while we've gotten comfortable with putting "The Adventure of..." in front of nearly every short story about Sherlock Holmes, a handful of these early stories were not titled that way.&nbsp;"A Scandal in Bohemia" and "A Case of Identity" were the first and third stories to be published in The Strand and did not carry that title.&nbsp;   &nbsp; But aside from that difference, "A Case of Identity" stands out. Not because it was devoid of a crime, but because its premise seemed inherently unbelievable. A young lady not recognizing her own stepfather? How is it that Watson (and Arthur Conan Doyle) managed to pull this off?&nbsp; &nbsp; Links  "A Case of Identity"  &nbsp;  Music credits    Performers:&nbsp;Uncredited violinist, US Marine Chamber Orchestra   Publisher Info.:&nbsp;Washington, DC:&nbsp;United States Marine Band.   Copyright:&nbsp;Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 &nbsp; &nbsp;

An Unbelievable Case of Identity

"Saw through my game, I suppose" [3GAR]&nbsp;  &nbsp;   Once again, we have a con man at work, eager to enrich himself. He finds his mark, manages to get him away from the scene where his work needs to happen, and is eventually caught red-handed by Sherlock Holmes. Does this plot device sound familar? It should. Or at least it did, once we got the names of the minor characters straight... &nbsp; This tale has been recognized as sharing the plot of "The Red-Headed League" and "The Stock-Broker's Clerk". If indeed the plot is strong enough to be employed three times, which story makes the best use of it, and why? &nbsp;  &nbsp;  Please&nbsp;leave us a rating and review&nbsp;on the podcast player of your choice, and consider supporting our efforts through&nbsp;Patreon&nbsp;or&nbsp;PayPal. &nbsp;   &nbsp;  Links  "The Adventure of the Three Garridebs" "The Adventure of the Red Headed League" "The Stock-broker's Clerk" I Hear of Sherlock Everywhere Episode 91: The Confidence Game&nbsp;  &nbsp;  Music credits    Performers:&nbsp;Uncredited violinist, US Marine Chamber Orchestra&nbsp;   Publisher Info.:&nbsp;Washington, DC:&nbsp;United States Marine Band&nbsp;   Copyright:&nbsp;Creative Commons Attribution 3.0&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;

The Plot Device of The Three Garridebs

"there can be no question as to the authorship" [SIGN]&nbsp; &nbsp; "The Adventure of the Mazarin Stone" took place in July 1903 and it shares a distinction with one other Sherlock Holmes story: like "The Adventure of the Lion's Mane," this is the only other story that is told by a third person. We review some theories, summed up by Leslie Klinger, BSI ("The Abbey Grange") in his Daypark Press publication of a Baker Street Irregulars dinner memento in 2001. From Christopher Morley to O.F. Grazebrook, Gavin Brend, Martin Dakin and more, there are clever and preposterous suggestions as to whose pen was behind this story. Not to mention the question of the layout of 221B Baker Street, the mysterious bay window, the condition of the wax bust, and more. See which theory you side with in this episode of Trifles... &nbsp; Links  Please nominate us for a&nbsp;People's Choice Award&nbsp;or in the&nbsp;Arts&nbsp;category in the&nbsp;2017 Podcast Awards "The Adventure of the Mazarin Stone" Tim Greer on I Hear of Sherlock Everywhere&nbsp;Episode 115: Sherlock Holmes in the Theater There was a connection between Charlie McCarthy / Edgar Bergen and Sherlock Holmes:   &nbsp; Music credits    Performers:&nbsp;Uncredited violinist, US Marine Chamber Orchestra&nbsp;   Publisher Info.:&nbsp;Washington, DC:&nbsp;United States Marine Band&nbsp;   Copyright:&nbsp;Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 &nbsp;

Who Wrote The Mazarin Stone

"The chain of events is certainly one of extraordinary interest." [NAVA]&nbsp; Nepotism, bullying, carelessness and a locked room mystery&nbsp;— "The Naval Treaty" has it all. A young government employee is given a top secret assignment that keeps him at his desk late at night, but the document he was working on goes missing. And it's up to Sherlock Holmes to find the culprit. &nbsp; Clocking in at 12,701 words, this story is the longest of the 56 short stories in the Sherlock Holmes canon. But should it really have taken Holmes that long to figure out the mystery? We discuss some of the finer points of the story, including glaring plot point that you may have missed before. &nbsp; Please&nbsp;leave us a rating and review&nbsp;on the podcast player of your choice, and consider supporting our efforts through&nbsp;Patreon&nbsp;or&nbsp;PayPal. &nbsp; Links  Please nominate us for a&nbsp;People's Choice Award&nbsp;or in the&nbsp;Arts&nbsp;category in the&nbsp;2017 Podcast Awards "The Naval Treaty" "Bob's your uncle"   &nbsp; Music credits    Performers:&nbsp;Uncredited violinist, US Marine Chamber Orchestra&nbsp;   Publisher Info.:&nbsp;Washington, DC:&nbsp;United States Marine Band&nbsp;   Copyright:&nbsp;Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 &nbsp;

A Lengthy Treaty

"you will find your time very fully occupied" [NORW]&nbsp; &nbsp; In the opening of "The Norwood Builder," we find Watson back in Baker Street—he sold his practice and has moved back in with Sherlock Holmes. And we discover that it was Sherlock Holmes who made the financial arrangements that made it possible for Dr. Verner to purchase Watson's practice. &nbsp; What's going on here? Did Holmes tacitly indicate that he missed Watson and wanted his flatmate back? Was there a practical side to the partnership as well? Was this Holmes's way of saying that Watson was his ideal colleague and assistant? There are many questions to be answered regarding this particular trifle. &nbsp;  Links  The Norwood Builder    Music credits    Performers:&nbsp;Uncredited violinist, US Marine Chamber Orchestra&nbsp;   Publisher Info.:&nbsp;Washington, DC:&nbsp;United States Marine Band&nbsp;   Copyright:&nbsp;Creative Commons Attribution 3.0  &nbsp;   --

A Return to Normalcy via Norwood

"The world is big enough for us." [SUSS]&nbsp; &nbsp; With Halloween just behind us, it's natural to reflect on the supernatural. The Hound of the Baskervilles and "The Adventure of the Sussex Vampire" loom large in our consciousness as stories whose central premise was focused on spectral occurrences. But what of other references? And of the most curious case of all: Arthur Conan Doyle's belief in otherworldly things (such as spiritualism) juxtaposed with his most famous creation, who was steeped in facts and logic. &nbsp; Have you&nbsp;left us a rating and 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. Links / Notes  The Hound of the Baskervilles "The Sussex Vampire"   &nbsp; Music credits    Performers:&nbsp;Uncredited violinist, US Marine Chamber Orchestra&nbsp;   Publisher Info.:&nbsp;Washington, DC:&nbsp;United States Marine Band&nbsp;   Copyright:&nbsp;Creative Commons Attribution 3.0  &nbsp;   --    &nbsp;

The Supernatural

"to mar the contentment of their family life" [VALL]&nbsp;&nbsp; Family. For many, it's a part of the holiday season. And with Thanksgiving coming up tomorrow in the United States, it's a perfect opportunity to reflect on families in the Sherlock Holmes stories.&nbsp;  &nbsp; And in doing so, we come to a rather sad conclusion: that many of the families in the Canon were not happy ones at all. Just what was it about these familial situations that caused things to go awry? We explore that question in this episode of Trifles.&nbsp; &nbsp;  Have you&nbsp;left us a rating and 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  I Hear of Sherlock Everywhere&nbsp;Episode 58: Thankful for Sherlock Holmes&nbsp;   &nbsp; Music credits    Performers:&nbsp;Uncredited violinist, US Marine Chamber Orchestra&nbsp;&nbsp;   Publisher Info.:&nbsp;Washington, DC:&nbsp;United States Marine Band&nbsp;   Copyright:&nbsp;Creative Commons Attribution 3.0  &nbsp;   &nbsp;

Happy Families

"you have been caught in the act" [BERY] &nbsp; One of the general bits of enjoyment of the Sherlock Holmes stories is the denouement in which Sherlock Holmes apprehends the criminal. In some instances, he does so after the crime has been committed; in other instances, no crime has been committed.&nbsp; &nbsp; But what about those delicious times when the criminals are caught in the act? Or even better, those instances when they greeted with sweet, swift justice.&nbsp; &nbsp;  Have you&nbsp;left us a rating and 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; Links / Notes  "The Dying Detective"   &nbsp; Music credits    Performers:&nbsp;Uncredited violinist, US Marine Chamber Orchestra&nbsp;   Publisher Info.:&nbsp;Washington, DC:&nbsp;United States Marine Band&nbsp;   Copyright:&nbsp;Creative Commons Attribution 3.0

Gotcha!

"You have a grand gift of silence, Watson" [TWIS]&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;  When Cyril Overton sent a telegram to Sherlock Holmes, proclaiming the status of Godfrey Staunton, it was met with puzzlement. And even after Overton arrived at Baker Street, Holmes was still puzzled. We know that he had his "limits," based on Watson's famous list from&nbsp;A Study in Scarlet. &nbsp; But Watson sat in silence as Holmes twisted in the wind, his ignorance of popular rugby laid bare. Why was this? Was it for the sake of his readers, or did Watson have other intentions in mind? &nbsp; Have you&nbsp;left us a rating and 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  "The Missing Three-Quarter"   &nbsp; Music credits    Performers:&nbsp;Uncredited violinist, US Marine Chamber Orchestra&nbsp;   Publisher Info.:&nbsp;Washington, DC:&nbsp;United States Marine Band&nbsp;   Copyright:&nbsp;Creative Commons Attribution 3.0  &nbsp;

Sherlock Holmes and Rugby

"compound a felony as usual." [3GAB]&nbsp; Welcome to Season 2 of Trifles. We'll be working through some of the questions we ask in our show introductions this season, including a number of recurring themes. We hope you'll subscribe.&nbsp;  &nbsp; In&nbsp;Episode 48&nbsp;("Gotcha!") we discussed times when Sherlock Holmes caught his criminal red-handed, dead to rights. But what about the times that he caught criminals but let them go? &nbsp; Was it solely his strong sense of wright and wrong that caused Holmes to allow them to go free? Or was he simply disdainful of the official police? And what was it that he was doing with regard to felonies - compounding, commuting, or condoning? &nbsp;   &nbsp; Have you&nbsp;left us a rating and 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;   &nbsp;  Links / Notes   The Hero's Journey  A Sherlock Holmes Handbook&nbsp;by Christopher Redmond  The Encyclopedia Sherlockiana&nbsp;by Jack Tracy   &nbsp; Music credits    Performers:&nbsp;Uncredited violinist, US Marine Chamber Orchestra&nbsp;   Publisher Info.:&nbsp;Washington, DC:&nbsp;United States Marine Band&nbsp;   Copyright:&nbsp;Creative Commons Attribution 3.0  &nbsp;   --

Compounding a Felony

“I travelled in my youth” [TWIS]&nbsp; We know little about Dr. Watson's life, aside from what he managed to tell us. Yes, he was in the Army's medical department. Yes, he was wounded. And he needed to find a flatmate to be able to afford London on his pension. But what about beyond that? Sherlock Holmes was able to make some inferences from a watch that Watson's brother bequeathed to him. There are a few other clues here and there to give us a scent to pick up. And Robert Katz, BSI joins us to begin to weave those threads together. It's just a trifle. &nbsp;    Have you left us a&nbsp;rating&nbsp;and&nbsp;review&nbsp;on&nbsp;Apple Podcasts&nbsp;yet? You don't need to own an Apple device, and every review helps more people find the show.&nbsp; We're available everywhere you listen to podcasts, including&nbsp;Apple Podcasts,&nbsp;Google Podcasts,&nbsp;Spotify,&nbsp;SoundCloud, and&nbsp;RadioPublic. And please consider&nbsp;supporting&nbsp;our efforts through&nbsp;Patreon&nbsp;or&nbsp;PayPal.   &nbsp;   &nbsp;   Links / Notes  This episode:&nbsp;ihose.co/trifles135 Get your own&nbsp;"Signs of Four" merchandise&nbsp;from our store.&nbsp;Over 20 designs to choose from on mugs and a variety of colored t-shirts. Special Summer sale happening now -&nbsp;25% off with code SUMMER.   &nbsp;  Sponsor   The Baker Street Journal    &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  &nbsp;   --  &nbsp;

John Watson's Youth - Part 1

“you were on the battlefield” [BLAN]&nbsp; In the last episode, Robert Katz, BSI began to take us through his theory of where Dr. Watson spent his early years. He used the facts given to us by Watson himself, combined with the reasoning of Sherlock Holmes to arrive at some conclusions. This week, he brings us the other half of the story: after Watson moved from Australia to America, he tells us about the connection with Henry Ward Beecher and Watson's heroics on U.S. soil. It's just a trifle. &nbsp;    Have you left us a&nbsp;rating&nbsp;and&nbsp;review&nbsp;on&nbsp;Apple Podcasts&nbsp;yet? You don't need to own an Apple device, and every review helps more people find the show.&nbsp; We're available everywhere you listen to podcasts, including&nbsp;Apple Podcasts,&nbsp;Google Podcasts,&nbsp;Spotify,&nbsp;SoundCloud, and&nbsp;RadioPublic.   And please consider&nbsp;supporting&nbsp;our efforts through&nbsp;Patreon&nbsp;or&nbsp;PayPal.     &nbsp; Links / Notes  This episode:&nbsp;ihose.co/trifles136 Get your own&nbsp;"Signs of Four" merchandise&nbsp;from our store.&nbsp;Over 20 designs to choose from on mugs and a variety of colored t-shirts. Special Summer sale happening now -&nbsp;25% off with code SUMMER.   &nbsp;  Sponsor   The Baker Street Journal    &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  &nbsp;   --  &nbsp;

John Watson's Youth - Part 2

“I had only one confidant—my brother Mycroft.” [EMPT]&nbsp; Why did Mycroft put himself in harm's way for Sherlock Holmes when the latter faced his arch-nemesis Professor Moriarty? Mycroft put Sherlock up for a night, drove the brougham that took Watson to Waterloo, and kept the rooms up at 221B during the hiatus that ensued.&nbsp; &nbsp; But why didn't Moriarty go after Mycroft? What made him think that "the British government" didn't know about his activities? We explore the role of Mycroft Holmes in "The Final Problem." It's more than 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;  We're available everywhere you listen to podcasts, including ,&nbsp;,&nbsp;,&nbsp;, and&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;

The Final Mycroft Problem

“His life as been academic” [CREE]&nbsp; &nbsp;  Sherlock Holmes and academic affairs are, well, elementary. [Sorry] But have you considered those who hold the title "professor" when it comes to the stories? &nbsp; Of course you know Professor Moriarty. But there are only two others, which is a tad surprising, given the stories that involved the academy. It's just a Trifle.  &nbsp;   &nbsp;   &nbsp;    Find Trifles wherever you listen to podcasts: &nbsp; &nbsp; &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&nbsp;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;

The Three Professors

“I can tell a Moriarty when I see one.” [VALL]&nbsp; &nbsp; Quick: in "The Final Problem," what is the name of Sherlock Holmes's arch-rival? Yes, we know it's Professor Moriarty, but what's his first name? If you said "James," you'd be wrong. &nbsp; Would you be surprised to learn that he has not only one, but two brothers, at least one of whom is also named James? It's a conundrum worthy of Moriarty himself. And it's just a Trifle.  &nbsp;  &nbsp;   &nbsp;    &nbsp; Find Trifles wherever you listen to podcasts: &nbsp; &nbsp; &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&nbsp;supporting&nbsp;our efforts through&nbsp;&nbsp;or&nbsp;.   &nbsp;   &nbsp;   Links / Notes  This episode:&nbsp;  (Baker Street Fandom) "Moriarty Times Three" (Walter Jaffee, The Baker Street Journal Vol. 57, No. 2, 2007)  &nbsp; Sponsor      &nbsp; Music credits Performers: Uncredited violinist, US Marine Chamber Orchestra Publisher Info.: Washington, DC:&nbsp; Copyright:&nbsp; &nbsp; -- &nbsp;   &nbsp;  &nbsp;

Johnlock Game - ACD Canon

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