Episode Details

"That chronicle of our successes" [NORW] After a 25-year pause, the definitive history of the Baker Street Irregulars finally continues. Join our chat with editors Bill Mason and Julie McKuras to discuss their new work, Irregular Chronicles of the Early 'Fifties. Their 350-page volume picks up the mantle from the original five-volume series, now bridging the historical gap from the post-war era through 1955. Bill and Julie take us behind the scenes of their collaboration, sharing how they began, how they structured this ambitious, year-by-year account, and how they selected the contributors who help bring the era to life. You'll hear about famous broadcaster and Irregular Elmer Davis, and explore how the book breaks new ground by looking at the BSI in the context of an age coping with the rise of the suburbs, television, and consumer culture. It's a long-awaited look at the personalities and events shaping the BSI during a time of rapid change. We also have some additional conversation just for our supporters. Listen to this bonus material on Patreon or Substack by becoming a paid supporter. Our "Learned Societies" segment kicks off with Sherlockian society activities coming up in the second half of June. Then, it's a new edition of "Examining the Pictures," with the film critic, journalist, and author Christian Monggaard, BSI, as he offers a thoughtful review of the 1976 American made-for-television film Sherlock Holmes in New York. Finally, the Canonical Couplet quiz will test your Sherlock Holmes knowledge, with a copy of Irregular Chronicles of the Early Fifties for the winner. Send your answer to comment @ihearofsherlock.com by May 14, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. EDT. All listeners are eligible to play.

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Leave I Hear of Sherlock Everywhere a five-star rating on Apple Podcasts and Spotify; listen to us wherever you listen to podcasts. Links

• Irregular Chronicles of the Early 'Fifties by Bill Mason and Julie McKuras
• The BSI History Series (BSI Press)
• Other links:
• The Learned Societies: Sherlockian Calendar