“My mind,” he said, “rebels at stagnation. Give me problems, give me work, give me the most abstruse cryptogram, or the most intricate analysis, and I am in my own proper atmosphere… I abhor the dull routine of existance. I crave for mental exaltation. That is why I have chosen my own particular profession, or rather created it, for I am the only one in the world…. The only unofficial consulting detective.”

The Stormy Petrels of BC are back to discuss “The Sign of Four” (or, The Sign of the Four”.

This adventure, as Steve Clarkson puts it, “has something for everyone: exotic locales, fierce Sikh warriors, a cannibal shooting poison darts, a bearded one-legged villain, a fabulous treasure, secret hiding places, revenge, war, violent death, betrayal, and romance.”

If any or all of the above appeal to you, come to our meeting, if not, come all the same.

The date: Tuesday, Feb. 7. The time: 7:00 pm Location: Chez Wood.

For more information, please contact me, Fran, your Consulting Detective”

2012 is starting to look like an exciting year.

We have the BBC series to look forward to;

Sherlock Holmes – “A Game of Shadows” is still going strong at the movie threatre; (my review of the film will appear in the next issue of The Petrel Flyer)

A very amusing “Antoine Feval” will appear at the Surrey Arts Cente in February; (I had the opportunity to see this one-man mystery in Toronto and I really do recommend it)

The Petrels’ gala “Master’s Dinner” is scheduled for March; and

preparations are under way for the Stormy Petrels of B.C. 25th Anniversary!

We are inviting Sherlockians from far and near to help us celebrate this milestone.

We will, first of all, begin the year with our annual Sherlock Holmes brunch, in honour of the Great Detective’s birthday, at the White Spot (corner of West Georgia and Cardero) on January 7th.

For more information on these events and general questions, please contact Fran at the Stormy Petrel g-mail address. I would love to hear from you!

Sixteen Stormy Petrels enjoyed a very festive evening at the home of Orilea (aka “Gloria Scott”) and her always-charming husband.

The Petrel tree was adorned, once more, with a variety of Sherlockian ornaments (supervised by Elsa)

Tables were laden with various delicious appetizers and beverages to every one’s delight.

Throughout, one could spy Sherlockian and Doylean books. A portrait of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle graced the wall opposite the fireplace, where a crackling fire welcomed all who entered the room.

This was a perfect ending to a very busy and successful Petrel year.

The new year will begin with our annual tribute to Sherlock Holmes in the way of a luncheon in honour of his birthday.

Please join us at the White Spot (near Stanley Park) at 11:00 on January 7, 2012.

If you want to get a start on the next case for discussion, please read “The Sign of Four”.

The next regular meeting will take place on Tuesday, February 7, 2012 at 7:00 pm chez Wood.

If you require additional information, please contact me, Your Consulting Detective (aka Fran the Hoffmann Barcarolle.

The next gathering of the Stormy Petrels of BC will take place at the lovely North Vancouver home of our own “Gloria Scott” at 7:00 pm on Tuesday, December 6th.

There will be no case for discussion and members are encouraged to bring a guest (and an appetizer to share)

Our Petrel tree will make an appearance adorned with items (ornaments and such) reflecting some of the cases from the Canon.

My aim is to eventually have all 60 adventures represented.

Decorating the branches to date we have:

Five orange pips
A bicycle
A photo of the Queen
A Christmas goose
A speckled band
A tie-pin, emeraled green.

A coronet
Some dancing men
The devil’s hound – it’s true!
A fat cockroach
An old clay pipe
A carbuncle or two.

A deep-red cardinal Tosca
A magnifying glass
A mazarine stone and mogul
Pince-nez, gold, not brass.

A violin, a man’s lost thumb
A big fat honey bee
A silhousette and deerstalk’ cap
Atop our Petrel tree.
(F.Martin – 1999)

There are at least a dozen stories represented here. Can you name them? The person who can name the most at the December jollification shall be rewarded with a lovely prize.

Please join us. If you need more info or directions, please contact your “Consulting Detective” (Fran) or “Gloria Scott” (Orilea)

We are on our last study session of STUD. Next on our list of cannonical contemplations will be SIGN.

We will be breaking the story up into two sessions. The first will be chapters 1 – 7. I will be giving you all a lession plan at the next meeting (Nov. 1 at Hampton Place).

Len has done a terrific job of presenting his favourite story, STUD. Having the lectures reproduced in the Petrel Flyer has given us the added advantage of being able to refer back to his lectures as we read the story.

I would like each of you to let me know what stories you would enjoy presenting so that I do not prepare them as well. SPEC is already spoken for.

Thank you,
Orilea M. “Gloria Scott”

On a side note: the correct link to the petition to award Jeremy Brett a posthumous BAFTA is: http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/jbbafta3

only until October 31st.
Thanks, Monique

The next regular meeting of the Stormy Petrels of BC will take place on November 1st at 7:00 pm at Hampton Place. Please contact your Consulting Detective for exact address details.

We will continue with our study of part three of “A Study in Scarlet”

Thank you to Gloria Scott for hosting our previous two meetings.

Have you ordered your copy of “The Narrative of John Smith”? This novel is Arthur Conan Doyle’s lost first novel and has just been published for the first time.

There are many new Sherlock Holmes pastiches available. You can check out the list at Classic Specialties”

A new book titled “Mr. S” (suitable for all ages) is also available. You can check out Daniel Adams website at: www.ashotrangout.com

Henry Zecher, who will be attending the Gillette to Brett conference, has received excellent reviews for his book “William Gillette, America’s Sherlock Holmes”

There is still time to sign a petition to award Jeremy Brett a posthumous BAFTA at http://www.petitions.com/petitions/bbafta3

Our studies will continue with the continuation of A Study in Scarlet Part II, “The Country of Saints” at 7:00 pm, again at the home of our own “Gloria Scott”.

As we no longer have a “Mrs. Hudson”, all members attending are encouraged to bring a snack to share and enjoy during intermission.

If you would like more information, your “Consulting Detective” will be more than happy to communicate with you.

I am very excited to announce two upcoming Sherlockian conferences. One in Canada and one in USA.

The first, “A Study in Scandal” takes place in Toronto from October 13th to 16th. It is “A symposium on the oftentimes controversial life of Arthur Conan Doyle and the culture of Victorian scandal”

On the program are a variety of distinguished speakers, promising to make this conference very informative and entertaining.

The second, “From Gillette to Brett III” will take place in Indiana on Nover 11th to 13th.

This conference is “devoted to Sherlock Holmes on stage, screen, television and radio.” It will include the 35th anniversary screening of The Seven Percent solution hosted by Nicholas Meyer, who wrote both the book and the screenplay.

Speakers at this event will include:
Nicholas Meyer, Curtis Armstrong, Bert Coules, Tony Earnshaw, David Stuart Davies, Leslie Klinger, Kathryn White and Henry Zecher, who will present his Gillette slide program.

Both events are well worth attending, if possible. Two of our own Stormy Petrels have already registerd for the Toronto event.

If you would like more information on either conference regarding registration, fees, etc, please contact me, the Stormy Petrel Consulting Detective, at our g-mail address.

Did you know that the original title for “A Study in Scarlet” was “A Tangled Skein”?

Did you know that Dr. Watson was originally named Ormond Sacker and Sherlock Holmes was Sherrinford Holmes?

Did you also know that Sir Arthur Conan Doyle had difficulty getting his story published until it was finally accepted by Ward, Lock & Company in 1886 who told him: “We have read your story and are pleased with it. We could not publish it this year as the market is flooded at present with cheap fiction…”

Conan Doyle sold the rights to “A Study in Scarlet” to Ward Lock & Company for 25 pounds and the adventure finally appeared in print in Beeton’s Christmas Annual one year later.

This story gives us our first glimpse into the world of Holmes and Watson. An introduction to the world’s first consulting detective.

Find out more about the first meeting of the great detective and his biographer at the next regular meeting of the Stormy Petrels on Tuesday, September 6th at 7:00 pm.

The story for discussion is, of course, “Study in Scarlet” and we will begin with part one.

The meeting will take place at the home of our own “Gloria Scott” who has graciously agreed to take on the role of our Priory Schoolmaster, following in the footsteps of Peter Wood, who we unfortunatley lost earlier this month.

For more information, and the whereabouts of the next meeting, please contact your Consulting Detective at our g-mail address.

“The game is afoot!”

It is with much sadness that I report the passing away of one of our most loyal and esteemed members, Mr. Peter Wood, M.Bt, BSI, and our own “Priory Schoolmaster” A great loss to the Sherlockian World. Our sincerest condolences to wife Audrey and their two children. He will be missed by all.