Exemplary Sherlockian scholarship from years past.

Masters Class

Dr. Watson

“men of such a different type” [SOLI]
We're beginning a new monthly series focused on some of the best scholarship over the years. The kind of articles that highlight the creativity and ingenuity of Sherlockians and Holmesians as they consider some of the minutiae in the stories. The best of the best. We're calling this series "Masters Class." 

In this inaugural episode, we look at an award-winning article from Baker Street Irregular and legendary science fiction writer Poul Anderson, on the archetype of Sherlock Holmes. From Archimedes to Merlin to Tolkien and a little farther into the future, it's just a Trifle.  

Don't forget: Patreon supporters are eligible for&nbsp;two&nbsp;regular drawings, courtesy of our sponsor The Baker Street Journal. Go to https://patreon.com/trifles.  

Full show notes: https://ihose.co/trifles264

The Archetypical Sherlock Holmes

“the source of these outrages is known” [VEIL]&nbsp;&nbsp;  The Masters Class series continues, and this time, we delve into the active mind of Nicholas Utechin, who presents a well-reasoned and well-researched explanation for what happened in one of the unpublished cases. &nbsp; We find ourselves focusing on the opening paragraph of "The Veiled Lodger," which took place in 1896 but was published in early 1927. Somewhere between those dates lies the truth, and it may be more than just a Trifle.  &nbsp; Full show notes:   Thank you to our sponsor, The Baker Street Journal. &nbsp;

The Politician, the Lighthouse, and the Trained Cormorant

"I want that yellow diamond!” [MAZA] The&nbsp;Masters Class series continues, and this time, Peter Blau instructs us on some finer points of geology and of geopolitical history.&nbsp; "The Adventure of the Mazarin Stone" featured a yellow diamond, and yet, the Crown Jewels don't contain a diamond of that color. So what was the gem and where did it originate? It's just a Trifle. &nbsp;    Full show notes:&nbsp; Thank you to our sponsor,&nbsp;

In Memoriam: Muzzafar ad-Din

“There’s not a tree in the park”&nbsp;[EMPT]&nbsp; The third week of the month means it's time for Master's Class: a look at an exemplary piece of Sherlockian scholarship from over the years.&nbsp; &nbsp; In this episode, we look at Nicholas Utechin's masterful piece from the 1972&nbsp;Baker Street Journal&nbsp;in which he deduced exactly where Colonel Moran was when he shot the Hon. Ronald Adair in "The Empty House." Or was it Moran at all? It's just a Trifle. &nbsp; Don't forget: all of our&nbsp;&nbsp;are eligible for our monthly and quarterly drawings. &nbsp;  Full show notes:&nbsp;  Thank you to our sponsor,&nbsp;The Baker Street Journal. &nbsp; Please support Trifles on Patreon:  &nbsp;

The Tree That Wasn't

"a remarkable cow" [PRIO] The third week of the month means it's time for Master's Class: a look at an exemplary piece of Sherlockian scholarship from over the years.&nbsp; &nbsp; In this episode, we turn to an award-winning article in&nbsp;The Baker Street Journal. S. Tupper Bigelow pondered the patterns of hoof-marks as laid out in various editions of the Canon, and won the Morley-Montgomery Award in 1962 for it. It's just a Trifle. &nbsp; &nbsp;  Full show notes:&nbsp;  Thank you to our sponsor,&nbsp;The Baker Street Journal. &nbsp; Please support Trifles on Patreon:  &nbsp;

The Hoof-Marks in "The Priory School"

“he was trying to hide his own identity”&nbsp;[RESI]&nbsp;   Over the years, there have been numerous theories about how Watson (or Mrs. Watson, rather) got his name wrong, substituting “James” for “John.” We covered some of them in&nbsp;. &nbsp; But this is a Masters Class episode in which we pick a masterful piece of Sherlockian scholarship and discuss it. In this case, it's one that may get to the bottom of this issue once and for all: Thomas Cynkin's article “James Watson, M.D.” appeared in Vol. 51, No. 4 of&nbsp;The Baker Street Journal&nbsp;and it's just a Trifle. &nbsp; If you have a suggestion for a Trifles episode, let us know at trifles @ ihearofsherlock.com. If you use your idea on the air, we'll send you some Sherlockian goodies.  And don't miss a chance at our monthly prize: free back issues of&nbsp;The Baker Street Journal. Every Patreon supporter is eligible to win this random drawing.&nbsp;. &nbsp; Links / Notes  This episode:&nbsp; &nbsp;by Steven Rothman Other episodes mentioned:      Find us on&nbsp;,&nbsp;,&nbsp;&nbsp;and&nbsp; Email us at trifles @&nbsp;ihearofsherlock DOT com Support us on&nbsp;&nbsp;and become eligible for our regular giveaways.  &nbsp; Sponsor  &nbsp; Music credits Performers: Uncredited violinist, US Marine Chamber Orchestra Publisher Info.: Washington, DC:&nbsp; Copyright:&nbsp;

James Watson, M.D.

The opening lines of A Study in Scarlet are rich with details about Dr. Watson's past. His medical degree, his army service, even his injury. He recalls how he came to London without knowing anyone in the city and proceeded to blow through his cash reserves.

Just how far could one get on 11s. 6p. per day in 1881? And how fortunate we are that Watson couldn't keep to his budget. For his cash situation is what required him to find a flatmate...

Music credits:
Performers	Uncredited violinist
	US Marine Chamber Orchestra
Publisher Info.	Washington, DC: United States Marine Band.
Copyright	Creative Commons Attribution 3.0

Sherlock Holmes: Trifles

Watson in the City

"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

"Now Watson, the fair sex is your department." [SECO]
John Watson knew women; Holmes tells us so. And Watson certainly tells us so, in his admiration of Mary Morstan as well as his description of some of the leading ladies of the Canon. He also told us outright in The Sign of Four that he's managed to get around:  "In an experience of women which extends over many nations and three separate continents..."  
But three? We know for certain he's been to Europe an Asia. But which of the other five might be the one to round out Watson's travels? We investigate the lively love life of Dr. John H. Watson, MD.

John Watson, Ladies Man

"the good doctor took us to the yew alley" [HOUN]&nbsp;&nbsp;   &nbsp; &nbsp; John H. Watson, M.D., late of the Army Medical Department, had a number of medical practices throughout the Sherlock Holmes stories. He waffled between being a flat-sharing colleague of Holmes and a doctor with his own thriving practice. &nbsp; From Paddington to Queen Anne Street, we follow Watson's rise. But what of his methods? Did he dispense reasonable medical care of the age? Or was he too far removed from the practice of medicine by the time he took on his own practice in the mid- to late-Eighties?&nbsp;   &nbsp;&nbsp;Have you&nbsp;left us a&nbsp;rating&nbsp;and&nbsp;review&nbsp;on the podcast player of your choice yet? Every review helps more people find the show.&nbsp;  &nbsp;  And please consider supporting our efforts through&nbsp;Patreon&nbsp;or&nbsp; PayPal.   &nbsp;  Links / Notes  This episode:&nbsp;ihose.co/trifles87  &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 Good Doctor

A weekly program about details in the Sherlock Holmes stories.