Author: Fran Martin

Fran Martin became a member of The Bootmakers of Toronto in 1987 and The Stormy Petrels of B.C. in 1988. She has attended several Sherlockian conferences including: In 1992 "Aspects of Holmes" in Bradford, England (hosted by The Northern Musgraves); In 2006 "ACD at 35" in Toronto (hosted by The Bootmakers of Toronto); 2013 "Sherlock Holmes Through Time & and Place" in Minneapolis (hosted by The Norwegian Explorers); 2014 "Gillette to Brett IV" in Bloomington (hosted by Wessex Press); 2015 SherlockCon in Seattle; 2015 "A Scintillation of Scions VIII" in Baltimore (hosted by Watson's Tin Box); 2016 "The Misadventures of Sherlock Holmes" (hosted by The Norwegian Explorers); in 2018 in Dayton, Ohio for the "Holmes, Doyle & Friends" conference (hosted by the Agra Treasurers). Fran has held several positions with The Stormy Petrels of B.C. including secretary, vice-president, special events coordinator and is currently president and editor of the "Petrel Flyer". She was honoured with being awarded the title of "Master Bootmaker" in 2014. She was very pleased to present a paper to a meeting of Sir Hugo's Companions in Chicago in 2017. Fran has contributed articles to Canadian Holmes magazine, the Watsonian and Chris Redmond's "About Sixty" and "Sherlock Holmes is Like...". In May, 2018 she attended the 78th annual Speckled Band of Boston dinner. She was very honoured to have been one of the first women invited.

October Meeting 2018

We are now into The Case Book. Tuesday’s case was originally published in 1924. The 54th of 60 stories.

We learn that both Holmes and Watson had a weakness for the Turkish bath.

We learn that Holmes uses the telephone.

We learn that Watson is living in his own suite on Queen Anne Street.

There is so much more to learn as we discuss “The Illustrious Client“. Do you see a parallel to a previous adventure? What happens when fire and ice come face to face?

We story contains a mix of ex-cons, ex-lovers, thugs, impostors and aristocrats all connected by a common thread.

Bonus question for members attending the meeting: Where did Miss Violet meet the Baron?

Date of meeting: Tuesday, October 2, 2018

Time: 6:30 for fellowship, with the meeting beginning promptly at 7:00

Where? The lounge at The Chatham, Hampton Place, UBC (Wesbrook Mall/ West 16th Ave, Vancouver)

If you require added info or have any questions, please contact Fran at: franziskah@shaw.ca

October 1, 2018 0

September Meeting 2018

“His Last Bow”

This case was first published in both the Strand Magazine (England) and Collier’s (US) in September 1917.

The story was subtitled “The War Service of Sherlock Holmes” when published in magazines, but subtitled “An Epilogue of Sherlock Holmes” when it appeared in book form. (From Christopher Redmond’s “A Sherlock Holmes Handbook”.

Set in August 1914, on the eve of WWI, it is a story of international espionage, narrated in the third person. It was “The most terrible August in the history of the world.”

Who was the Irish-American agent Altamont? Described as: “…. a tall, gaunt man of sixty, with clear-cut features and a small goatee beard which gave him a general resemblance to the caricatures of Uncle Sam.”

Do you believe the housekeeper Martha was actually Mrs. Hudson? Described as: “…dear old ruddy-faced woman in a country cap.” Also “She might almost personify Britannia.”

Who was the chauffeur who drove Altamont? Described as “…a heavily-built, elderly man with a gray moustache.”

Please join us at our meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 4, 2018.

Please note that we will meet at 6:30 for refreshments and fellowship with the study session beginning at 7:00. (We will still have a brief intermission to recharge our mugs)

Where: Our usual Hampton Place lounge, UBC (Wesbrook Mall/ West 16th)

Bonus Question for those attending the meeting: (fill in the blank)

“Von Bork undid a winding of string and two wrappers. Then he sat gazing for a moment in silent amazement at a small blue book which lay before him. Across the cover was printer in golden letters “_____________ ______________ of ____ _____________”

Please contact Fran at: franziskah@shaw.ca if you would like more information.

August 25, 2018 0

Reichenbach (Shannon) Falls Event Update

Dear Stormy Petrels,

due to unforeseen circumstances, this Saturday’s trip to the Falls, the bee farm and Toad Hall has been postponed.

Apologies to all who were looking forward to this event, but rest assured, it will take place at a later date.

Your Stormy Petrel Executive

July 19, 2018 0

June 5, 2018 Meeting

“It’s devilish, Mr. Holmes, devilish!” “It is not of this world!”

The adventure for the June meeting was listed, in 1927, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle as his 9th favourite out of 12. He referred to it as “…grim and new.” Sherlock Holmes referred to it as “Strangest case I have ever handled.”

We find our great detective in Cornwall for health reasons. A quiet and quaint cottage where Dr. Watson is hoping his friend will find time for relaxation. But to his dismay, Holmes is drawn into a mystery. A “Cornish Horror”.

Please join us for our June study session as we discuss “The Adventure of the Devil’s Foot”

Tuesday, June 5th at 7:00 PM in the lounge at Hampton Place.

Bonus question for those attending the meeting: What card game were the Tregennis siblings playing?

May 28, 2018 0