Due to the inclement weather conditions and accumulation of snow on Lower Mainland roads, the meeting for Feb. 4th has been postponed until next Tuesday, Feb. 11th.
Same time, same place, same story.
“It was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day before still lay deep upon the ground…” (Beryl Coronet)
See you all on the 11th!
The Sherlock Holmes Birthday Brunch, held on January 4th was another success. A good turnout (16 members, including guests) plus Tim brought a birthday cake!
The private Fireplace Room was, as always, a perfect location for the event, and the manager, Jake Mees donated three $30 gift certificates for any White Spot Restaurant for door prizes. Fran distributed a quiz, and the member with the most correct answers will receive one of these certificates.
Membership dues for 2020 were also collected. (Any questions on membership and dues, please contact Fran)
Now back to our regular study sessions!
Our case for discussion will be Part 1 of the very first story featuring Sherlock Holmes. It is the most important (in the eyes of this reviewer) as it is the beginning of one of the greatest partnerships of all time!
Watson: “Sherlock Holmes seemed delighted at the idea of sharing his rooms with me.”
Holmes: “I have my eye on a suite of rooms in Baker Street which would suit us down to the ground.”
And so the adventures begin!
On April 1, 1886 Mrs. Doyle wrote to her husband’s sister: “Arthur has written another book, a little novel about 200 pages long, called A Study in Scarlet…”
Vincent Starrett said: “that lurid paperback is today one of the rarest books of modern times – a keystone sought by discriminating collectors in every corner of the earth.”
Dorothy L. Sayers said: “A Study in Scarlet was flung like a bombshell into the field of detective fiction.”
So, as young Stamford, who introduced Dr. Watson to Sherlock Holmes. said: “You must study him…” and Watson did study him, as do we ’til this very day.
Where: Hampton Place, (UBC) Wesbrook Mall/ 16th Ave.
When: February 4th, at 7:00 p.m.
If you have any questions, please contact Fran at” franziskah@shaw.ca
Bonus Question for those attending the meeting: What were the original names of Holmes and Watson?
The adventure for discussion at the December meeting will be “The Retired Colourman” first published in The Strand in 1927 and in Liberty in 1926.
The adventure is set in 1898 and is the last story in The Casebook.
We find Holmes in what Watson calls a “…melancholy and philosophic mood.” This seems to change little throughout the story.
Since Holmes is currently engaged in another case (The Two Coptic Patriarchs), he sends Watson to investigate the disappearance of “A treacherous friend and a fickle wife”.
What was Holmes’s reaction to Watson’s observations?
This friend of the client often visited to enjoy a game of chess which Holmes says is “…one mark of a scheming mind”
The Stormy Petrels will meet on Tuesday, December 3 at 7:00 at the usual Hampton Place lounge. Everyone welcome!
Bonus! For those attending the meeting, fill in the blank to win a lovely door prize:
“________________ has always been an alternative profession, had I cared to adopt it…”
Our Petrel ornaments will be on display.
There will also be a book sale. Enough to fill that empty space on your shelf! (books, VHS tapes, and comic books – all Sherlockian!)
If you would like further information, or have any questions, please contact Fran at: franziskah@shaw.ca
A special treat for Stormy Petrels!!
Our own “Priory Schoolmaster” Sheldon Goldfarb is offering, to Petrel members attending the November meeting, a complimentary copy of his book:
This wonderful book has received many positive reviews by International Sherlockians.
“My name is Sherlock Holmes…my business is that of every other good citizen – to uphold the law.”
November’s adventure was first published in Liberty for March 1927 and in The Strand for April 1927. The last of the short stories, written just 3 years before the death of ACD (aged 71)
On November 5th the Stormy Petrels will meet to discuss “Shoscombe Old Place“, an adventure which is overloaded with “D’s”: death; deception; desperation; drama; denial; deduction; a dark crypt and a dog.
Something unusual has happened at Shoscombe that has caused the inhabitants to behave strangely.
Let’s discuss why!
When: Tuesday, Nov. 5th at 7:00 p.m.
Where: The lounge in the Chatham at Hampton Place.
Bonus Question for those attending: Name two types of fish named in the story.
For an added BONUS, can you name four types of fish mentioned in the story?
Need more info? Contact Fran at: franziskah@shaw.ca
Vancouver's Official Sherlock Holmes Society 