Exemplary Sherlockian scholarship from years past.

Masters Class

“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mind of Nicholas Utechin, who presents a well-reasoned and well-researched explanation for what happened in one of the unpublished cases.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"

"much addicted" [TWIS]&nbsp; &nbsp; This month's Masters Class brings us back to a&nbsp;-winning article from&nbsp;The Baker Street Journal. &nbsp; Susan Rice wrote "Watson's Hidden Addiction" for Vol. 47, No. 2 (June 1997) of the&nbsp;BSJ, and it concerned a significant flaw in Watson's character. Perhaps "flaw" is not the right word — let's call it a weakness. She even found a syndrome that would explain it. It's just a Trifle.  &nbsp; Full show notes:&nbsp;  Thank you to our sponsor,&nbsp;The Baker Street Journal. &nbsp; Please support Trifles on Patreon:  &nbsp;

Watson's Hidden Addiction

“man in the scientific press capable of criticizing it”&nbsp;[VALL]&nbsp;  &nbsp; Every month, we feature an episode called "Masters Class" that looks at an exemplary piece of Sherlockian scholarship that stands out for its workmanship. &nbsp; This time, we look at Isaac Asimov's essay "The Dynamics of an Asteroid," published in&nbsp;Baker Street and Beyond. He looks at the prevailing scientific knowledge of the time and ponders just what Moriarty was suggesting in his treatise. It's just a Trifle. &nbsp; If you have a suggestion for a Trifles episode, let us know. If you use your idea on the air, we'll send you some Sherlockian goodies. &nbsp;  Links / Notes  This episode:&nbsp;  by Michael Harrison Other episodes mentioned:&nbsp;     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; &nbsp;

The Dynamics of an Asteroid

“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.

“an obscure scientist who was striving in some unknown way”&nbsp;[CREE]&nbsp;    &nbsp;  &nbsp; In this month's Masters Class, we turn to a Morley-Montgomery Award-winning article from The Baker Street Journal in 1973: "Lowenstein of Prague" by Jan C. Prager and Albert Silverstein. &nbsp; In "The Creeping Man," a certain H. Lowenstein is reviled for supplying Professor Presbury with an experimental substance. Who was Lowenstein, in actuality? And was he truly the culprit in the matter? 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. &nbsp; Our Patreon supporters can listen to our shows ad-free and every one of them is eligible for our monthly and quarterly drawings for&nbsp;Baker Street Journals.&nbsp;.     Have you left us a&nbsp;rating&nbsp;and&nbsp;review&nbsp;on&nbsp; yet? You don't need to own an Apple device, and every review helps more people find the show.&nbsp;  &nbsp; Links / Notes  This episode:&nbsp;     Find us on&nbsp;,&nbsp;,&nbsp;&nbsp;and&nbsp; Email us at trifles @ ihearofsherlock.com Listen to us ad-free 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; &nbsp; --    &nbsp;

Masters Class: Lowenstein of Prague

“the line of his pedigree”&nbsp;[EMPT]&nbsp;    &nbsp;  &nbsp; Colonel Sebastian Moran was called "the second most dangerous man in London" and was a formidable adversary of Sherlock Holmes. And yet, we know remarkably little about him, aside from a brief biographical entry in Holmes's index. &nbsp; Nicholas Utechin takes us on a journey from India to Eton and from Crimea to Oxford that gets at "The Colonel of the Matter" in this Master Class episode. 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. &nbsp; Our Patreon supporters can listen to our shows ad-free and every one of them is eligible for our monthly and quarterly drawings for&nbsp;Baker Street Journals.&nbsp;.    &nbsp; Links / Notes  This episode:&nbsp;  (Abebooks) Other episodes mentioned:      Please take this&nbsp; Find us on&nbsp;,&nbsp;,&nbsp;&nbsp;and&nbsp; Email us at trifles @ ihearofsherlock.com Listen to us ad-free 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; &nbsp; --    &nbsp;   &nbsp;

The Colonel of the Matter

“That sounds a little paradoxical.”&nbsp;[BOSC]&nbsp;    &nbsp;  &nbsp; The fourth short story in The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, "The Boscombe Valley Mystery," gives us a host of sayings and tenets of Sherlock Holmes's philosophy. But there are also a number of things that seem contradictory.&nbsp; &nbsp; In this Masters Class episode, Nick Utechin's look at another mystery within this story serves as an exemplary bit of scholarship that deserves a deeper look. 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. &nbsp; Our Patreon supporters can listen to our shows ad-free and every one of them is eligible for our monthly and quarterly drawings for&nbsp;Baker Street Journals.&nbsp;.    &nbsp; &nbsp; Links / Notes  This episode:&nbsp; &nbsp;(Wessex Press) Find us on&nbsp;,&nbsp;,&nbsp;&nbsp;and&nbsp; Email us at trifles @ ihearofsherlock.com Listen to us ad-free on&nbsp;&nbsp;and become eligible for our regular giveaways.  &nbsp; &nbsp; Sponsor  &nbsp; Music credits Performers: Uncredited violinist, US Marine Chamber Orchestra Publisher Info.: Washington, DC:&nbsp; Copyright:&nbsp; &nbsp; --    &nbsp;   &nbsp;

The Boscombe Valley Mystery

“a long-suffering woman” [DYIN]

Have you considered how much (or little) we know about Mrs. Hudson, and what we take for granted? For example, her first name was Martha, she was widowed, and she retired with Sherlock Holmes.

The answers to those are: no, not sure, and definitely not. Catherine Cooke's masterful article from the Summer 2005 Baker Street Journal combines the fanciful, the factual, and the historical to arrive at the truth. It's just a Trifle. 

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. 

Our Patreon supporters can listen to our shows ad-free and every one of them is eligible for our monthly and quarterly drawings for Baker Street Journals. Become a patron a https://patreon.com/trifles 

Links / Notes  
This episode: https://ihose.co/trifles312 

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The BSI Press https://ihose.co/BSIPress

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

Mrs. Hudson: A Legend in Her Own Lodging-House

“pictures of the old masters” [ILLU] 
It's the first of our monthly Masters Class episodes for Season 7, and we're kicking off a series of three discussions of works by a single author. As a reminder, these episodes take a piece of well-regarded Sherlockian scholarship and deconstruct it.   In this case, we look to Trevor Hall and his book Sherlock Holmes: Ten Literary Studies. 

The first up is Hall's attempt to discern more about Sherlock Holmes's childhood years. Does he succeed?  It's just a Trifle.   

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.   

Our Patreon supporters can listen to our shows ad-free and every one of them is eligible for our monthly and quarterly drawings for Baker Street Journals. Join our community of patrons today: https://patreon.com/trifles 

Links / Notes
This episode: https://ihose.co/trifles316

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https://patreon.com/trifles

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

The Early Years of Sherlock Holmes

“Your merits should be publicly recognized.” [STUD]&nbsp;    &nbsp;  &nbsp;  We continue with our monthly series of Masters Class episodes, going back to Trevor Hall's Sherlock Holmes: Ten Literary Studies.&nbsp; &nbsp; In this case, we look at Sherlock Holmes's skill in his chosen line of work. What was he good at and how did he come by these talents. Certainly some were hereditary, but others required study.&nbsp; 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. &nbsp; Our Patreon supporters can listen to our shows ad-free and every one of them is eligible for our monthly and quarterly drawings for&nbsp;Baker Street Journals.&nbsp;.      &nbsp;  &nbsp; Links / Notes  This episode:&nbsp; IHOSE   by Trevor Hall Other Trifles episodes mentioned:    Find us on&nbsp;,&nbsp;,&nbsp;&nbsp;and&nbsp; Email us at trifles @ ihearofsherlock.com Listen to us ad-free 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; &nbsp;    &nbsp;   &nbsp;  &nbsp;

The Erudition of Sherlock Holmes

“any emotion akin to love” [SCAN]

Sherlock Holmes doesn't seem to have a high opinion of women, although he does a fine job of understanding them when it comes to their expressions, reactions, and motivations. Irene Adler aside, what can we infer about the love life of Sherlock Holmes? 

It's a question that Trevor Hall raised in Sherlock Holmes: Ten Literary Studies, and it's the last in a series of Masters Classes about his essays. It's just a Trifle.

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.

Our Patreon supporters can listen to our shows ad-free and every one of them is eligible for our monthly and quarterly drawings for Baker Street Journals. Join our community of patrons today at https://patreon.com/trifles

Full show notes: https://ihose.co/trifles325

Sherlock Holmes: Trifles

The Love Life of Sherlock Holmes

“an anonymous communication from a quarter” [VALL]

Just who was it that wrote "His Last Bow"? We know it wasn't Watson, as there were observations about him in the third person and a narrative of actions that didn't include him. 

In our monthly Masters Class series, we turn to the first of three pieces by the eminent Sherlockian Edgar W. Smith, who takes us on an exemplary journey of observation and deduction. And it's just a Trifle.  

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.  

Our Patreon supporters can listen to our shows ad-free and every one of them is eligible for our monthly and quarterly drawings for Baker Street Journals: https://patreon.com/trifles     

Links / Notes: https://ihose.co/trifles329

The Adventure of the Veiled Author

“I travelled for two years”&nbsp;[EMPT] 

This month's Masters Class features the second in our three essays by Edgar W. Smith. In Vol. 1 No. 3 of The Baker Street Journal from 1946, Smith wonders about Sherlock Holmes's travels between 1891 and 1894. 

More specifically, he compares global events and geographical and cultural realities to Holmes's story, and something isn't quite right. Where does Smith place Sherlock Holmes for two of those years during the hiatus? It's just a Trifle.  

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. 

Our Patreon supporters can listen to our shows ad-free and every one of them is eligible for our monthly and quarterly drawings for Baker Street Journals.      https://patreon.com/trifles 

Links / Notes  
This episode: https://ihose.co/trifles334

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

The Great Hiatus

“a nice taste in wines”&nbsp;[LAST]&nbsp;    &nbsp;  In this month's Masters Class, we turn for the final time to a work of Edgar W. Smith's, "Up From the Needle," as featured in Vol. 2, No. 1 (1947) of The Baker Street Journal.&nbsp; &nbsp; Edgar takes us away from the canard of Sherlock Holmes as a drug addict and gives us an oenophile's assessment of Sherlock Holmes as a wine fancier. 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. &nbsp; Our Patreon supporters can listen to our shows ad-free and every one of them is eligible for our monthly and quarterly drawings for&nbsp;Baker Street Journals.&nbsp;. &nbsp; And we have , where the conversation continued.      &nbsp;   &nbsp; Links / Notes  This episode:&nbsp; Soundcloud playlist:   Find us on&nbsp;,&nbsp;,&nbsp;&nbsp;and&nbsp; Email us at trifles @ ihearofsherlock.com Listen to us ad-free 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; &nbsp;    &nbsp;   &nbsp;  &nbsp;

Up From the Needle

“this evening at 221B, Baker Street” [BLUE] 

It's time once again for the Masters Class, the episode each month in which we look at an exemplary piece of Sherlockian scholarship and discuss its merits. &nbsp; This is our first of three forays into the work of Michael Harrison as found in his book . 

His unique perch between generations in London is the perfect view to understand what 221B Baker Street was like. It's just a Trifle. 

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. 

Our Patreon supporters can listen to our shows ad-free and every one of them is eligible for our monthly and quarterly drawings for&nbsp;Baker Street Journals. https://patreon.com/trifles 

Full show notes: https://ihose.co/trifles342

221B, Baker Street

“he walked into my room in Montague Street” [MUSG]

The Masters Class is now in session! For the second time, we turn to a Michael Harrison essay: this time, we wander the streets of London. 

Michael's examination of Sherlock Holmes's rooms when he first came down to London is as workmanlike as it is eye-opening. And it's just a Trifle. 

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. 

Our Patreon supporters can listen to our shows ad-free and every one of them is eligible for our monthly and quarterly drawings for Baker Street Journals. https://patreon.com/trifles

Full show notes: https://ihose.co/trifles346

Why Didn't I Check Montague Street?

A weekly program about details in the Sherlock Holmes stories.