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Weekly Forum #39

As it is that time of year, I’m currently in the middle of helping our Editor-in-Chief, Pippin, and his editorial team prepare The Watsonian for print.

So let’s discuss JHWS publications (The Watsonian, The Monograph Series, and The Fiction Series) this week. What have you enjoyed so far? What would you like to read more about in the future? And in what areas do you think we could improve our publications?

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On September 26th…

September 26, 1900: A warning letter from Beryl Stapleton to Sir Henry Baskerville arrived. (HOUN)

Sir Henry’s boot was missing. (HOUN)

John Clayton, the cab driver who drove Jack Stapleton, called at 221B St. (HOUN)

September 26, 1902: The Morning Post announced the de Merville-Gruner marriage would not take place. (ILLU)

September 26, 1879: At 2 AM, Reginald Musgrave found Brunton reading the family ritual. (MUSG)

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Weekly Forum #38

Today’s discussion topic is from our fellow JHWS member “Gwen.” Thank you!

Is there one thing that has evolved in the greater Sherlockian world that you wish you could just make totally disappear?

(Gwen’s answer is “probably… that deerstalker.” For me, I’d say I wish the misconception that Dr Watson is some nature of boobus brittanicus would totally disappear…)

 

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Sherlock Holmes and the Sword of Osman

symondsTimThe latest novel from Tim Symonds, titled Sherlock Holmes and the Sword of Osman, is now out and available to purchase. Our friend “Dot” is working on a thorough review for you to look forward to, but I will go ahead and say that if you’ve experienced Symonds’ writings, enjoy a well-written Watson and a brilliant Holmes (of course you do), or have an interest in the Ottoman Empire during the turbulent early 20th century, then this carefully researched historical novel can deliver. I ended up learning so much in the process of reading a good story!

It’s 1906. Far from England, the Ottoman Empire ruled by the despotic Sultan Abd-ul-Hamid 11 is on the verge of imploding. Rival Great Powers, especially Kaiser Wilhelm’s Germany, sit watching like crows on a fence, ready to rush in to carve up the vast territories, menacing England’s vital overland routes to her Indian possessions. At his medical practice in London’s Marylebone Watson receives a mystifying telegram. It’s from Holmes. ‘Dear Watson, if you can throw physic to the dogs for an hour or two I would appreciate meeting at the stone cross at Charing Cross railway station tomorrow noon. I have an assignation with a bird lover at the Stork & Ostrich House in the Regents Park which has excited my curiosity. Yrs. S.H.’

Watson finds the invitation puzzling. Why should such a mundane meeting at a Bird House excite the curiosity of Europe’s most famous investigating detective or anyone else? For old times’ sake Watson joins his old comrade-in-arms. Within days Holmes and Watson find themselves aboard HMS Dreadnought en route to Stamboul, a city of fabled opulence, high espionage and low intrigue. Their mission: at all costs stop a plot which could bring about the immediate collapse of the Ottoman Empire.

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Weekly Forum #37

Today’s discussion topic is from our fellow JHWS member “Dash.” Thank you!

Holmes is known for his ability to look at someone and make insightful deductions… which are proven to be correct.  Have you had any Sherlockian moments yourself?