Ira Brad Matetsky to speak at June 7 luncheon   We’re very pleased that attorney, Sherlockian and bon vivant Ira Matetsky, BSI, ASH will speak at The Red Circle's spring luncheon. Even though Ira is a proud denizen of The Big Apple, he’ll be sharing insights on “Sherlock Holmes and Washington.” Ira has practiced law in New York since 1987, so naturally one of his Sherlockian specialties is legal issues in the Canon. He also examines the publication and bibliographical history of the Canon, Canonical manuscripts, and Doylean and Sherlockian poetry. His writing has appeared in The Baker Street Journal, eight books from the BSI Press, and many other publications. A longtime member of the Red Circle, Ira also holds membership in the Sons of the Copper Beeches, the Sherlockians of Baltimore and the Six Napoleons, and is a frequent presenter at Sherlockian meetings and conferences. Ira’s literary interests extend beyond Holmes to his chairmanship of The Wolfe Pack, the literary society for the Nero Wolfe stories written by another BSI member, Rex Stout. Ira was also the longest serving member of the English Wikipedia Arbitration Committee. We’ll be meeting at Alfio’s La Trattoria, 4515 Willard Avenue in Chevy Chase, drinks at noon and lunch at 1:00. The cost is $55, tax and tip included, cash or check. Free valet parking is available and the nearest Metro stop is Friendship Heights. All are welcome, so please reserve your place now by e-mailing Peter Blau here, or calling him at 301-229-5669.

 

The end of an era approaches  The Red Circle's own Denny Dobry has announced the last of the famous open houses at his world renowned re-creation of the 221b Baker Street sitting room once shared by Holmes and Watson. Denny will welcome visitors on Saturday, July 26 at his home in Reading, PA. After this open house the room will be dismantled and sent to the University of Minnesota to become part of the University's Sherlock Holmes Collection. Most of the artifacts will go to Minnesota with the room furnishings, but some of them will be offered for sale. What's more, literally thousands of books will be on offer at very reasonable prices, with proceeds going to the BSI Trust. Denny will be happy to provide directions, hotel suggestions, and even information about a possible Friday night dinner. Contact Denny here.

 

Videos of two more Red Circle meetings now available   We’ve added two videos to our growing collection, and we’re pleased to invite you to screen them. Burt Wolder’s June 2024 talk on “Arthur Conan Doyle: Adventurous Life, Enduring Memories,” is available here, and Olivia Rutigliano’s March 2025 reflections “On Charles Dickens’s Magician-Detectives” is available here. Thanks to Matt Hall for making the recordings. While you’re at it, click on the “Writings + Videos” tab in the Archives box above for links to all 17 Red Circle videos available for you to watch.

 

  The Red Circle's March 8 meeting featured an excellent talk by writer, critic and podcaster Ollivia Rutigliano, BSI, who drew interesting parallels between Charles Dickens and Arthur Conan Doyle. You're invited to read the meeting notes here. A longer transcript of Olivia's talk has been published in CrimeReads, which you can read here, and the complete video is available here.

 

Malice Domestic awards feature Sherlockian nominees   The nominees have been selected for Malice Domestic 37's April 25-27 confab at the Bethesda Marriott, and two Sherlockian titles are up for possible recognition. They include Elizabeth Crowens's Hounds of the Hollywood Baskervilles (a lost--if not shaggy--dog story), and James Ponti's The Sherlock Society (a spy thriller for the younger set). The full list of nominees is here, and registration information is here. The doings will also feature a play by Hal Glatzer, and a tribute to our late and beloved Red Circle member Tom O'Day.

 

 

Author! Author!  It was a grand day out for the Red Circle at Arena Stage on December 14, where we enjoyed a performance of Agatha Christie's iconic Death on the Nile, adapted for the stage by our Sherlockian friend Ken Ludwig. After the curtain calls, Ken joined Peter Blau on the stage of this world premiere production to take some questions from the Red Circle passengers who came along for the cruise. Read Carla Coupe's Meeting Notes here. 12/16/24 AR

 

Saturday with Sherlock Holmes Video Available   Saturday, November 16 marked the 45th annual edition of A Saturday with Sherlock Holmes at the Enoch Pratt Free Library in Baltimore. The topic this year was Conan Doyle, and the lineup of speakers featured some of the area's brightest Sherlockian lights, including the Red Circle's Carla Coupe, Matt Hall, Dan Stashower and Peter Blau. The entire program is available online here, and is highly recommended! 11/25/24 AR

 

  The Red Circle met twice in September, both times at the Folger Shakespeare Library in Washington. We had an opportunity to look back at the manuscript of The Valley of Fear, and forward to Nicholas Meyer's new novel, Sherlock Holmes and the Telegram from Hell. Peter Blau tells us about both events here.

 

Scuttlebutt: One Fixed Point in a Changing Age  Our own Peter E. Blau's monthly Scuttlebutt from the Spermaceti Press has endured for more than 50 years, and has a permanent home right here on our website. It's the most remarkable collection of Sherlockian news and notes anywhere, and your webmaster recommends a monthly visit. The very latest edition is available now, as are past numbers. It's just a click away--use the "Scuttlebutt" button at the top of the page.