However Improbable

For the first time in a decade, Doyle returns to the Holmes canon with a locked-door murder, a sharp-shooter, and a reunion—or three. Sarah & Marisa discuss “The Adventure of the Empty House,” Holmes’ triumphant return that introduces the age-old question - can a white boy do a little martial arts? We discuss Shakespeare, evil Watson, eugenics in the turn of the century, tiger metaphors, the l...

“It was indeed like the old times when, at that hour, I found myself seated beside him in a hansom, my revolver in my pocket and the thrill of adventure in my heart.” From "The Return of Sherlock Holmes," this is "The Adventure of the Empty House" - read by Dan Heidt. The eponymous return of Sherlock Holmes, indeed. A locked-door murder, a sharp-shooter, and a reunion—or three....

This episode is a deep-dive case file into Holmes’s great nemesis - the Napoleon of Crime.  As a follow-up to our discussion about “The Final Problem,” we’re taking a closer look at Doyle’s great criminal mastermind - Moriarity. The all-knowing villain is introduced and brings about Holmes’s supposed downfall in that story. He’s been adapted many, many times - from his own pastiches and Holmes sto...

The end of an era. This extraordinary story introduces Holmes’s two greatest nemeses - criminal mastermind Moriarity, and his own creator. Doyle was eager to move on from Holmes - but in pitting his detective against a surprise supervillain and bringing him to a sudden end, he created the perfect environment for Holmes to live forever. In this episode, Marisa & Sarah discuss the highs and lows...

“It has been a duel between you and me, Mr. Holmes... You hope to beat me. I tell you that you will never beat me. If you are clever enough to bring destruction upon me, rest assured that I shall do as much to you.’” From "The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes," this is "The Final Problem" - read by Greg McClure. This story was published in 1893 - and it was the last Holmes story Doyl...

A distressed banker, a messed-up family, and some royal jewels all tangle together in this eclectic little mystery. This is our discussion about "The Adventure of the Beryl Coronet," from The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes. Sarah and Marisa unpack the weird family vibes and deeply colonial implications of this somewhat understated little tale. Plus - maybe our favorite Holmes quote ever!...

“I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son in one night.” From The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, "The Adventure of the Beryl Coronet" by Arthur Conan Doyle, narrated by Kira Apple. Kira Apple is a part-time voice actor and full-time bookseller. Other voice work includes the roles of The Narrator and Mary Bangs (The Way We Haunt Now), Katya Harper (Electromancy), Cybilene (Inn Between),...

One of Doyle’s personal favorites, “The Adventure of the Silver Blaze” combines a dramatic murder, the moody setting, and Victorian sporting drama. This famous little story was published in the collection The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes. It’s also responsible for one of the most famous quotes that people attribute to Holmes, which has found its way into book titles, common vernacular, and even phys...

"To the curious incident of the dog in the night-time." "The dog did nothing in the night-time." "That was the curious incident,' remarked Sherlock Holmes.”  From The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes, "The Adventure of Silver Blaze by Arthur Conan Doyle, narrated by Kristen O'Neal. Kristen O'Neal is a writer, director, and voice actor. You can hear more of her v...

From disappearing households and mysterious foreign nationals to international crime bosses and a little breaking and entering, "The Adventure of Wisteria Lodge" has all the makings of a classic Holmes tale with none of the panache that sets some of them apart. Sarah and Marisa discuss this bizarre little story, which comes from "His Last Bow." We appreciate your patience with...

"If you cast your mind back to some of those narratives with which you have afflicted a long-suffering public, you will recognize how often the grotesque has deepened into the criminal." From His Last Bow, "The Adventure of Wisteria Lodge" by Arthur Conan Doyle, narrated by Rebekah Love. Content warning: This story contains some Victorian-era racism, including some derogatory V...

"If you cast your mind back to some of those narratives with which you have afflicted a long-suffering public, you will recognize how often the grotesque has deepened into the criminal." From His Last Bow, "The Adventure of Wisteria Lodge" by Arthur Conan Doyle, narrated by Rebekah Love. Content warning: This story contains some Victorian-era racism, including some derogatory V...

NEW: Read Marisa's Crime Reads article about Elementary as a pre-eminent Holmes adaptation! https://crimereads.com/elementary-is-a-masterclass-in-sherlock-holmes-adaptation/ What do Trainspotting, Charlie’s Angels, a rooftop covered in bees, and a pet turtle named Clyde have in common?  Welcome to our case file on season 1 of Elementary, which ran on CBS starting in September 2012. Sarah and M...

A violent crime, a terrible betrayal, a shocking death… and mongeese. From The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes, “The Adventure of the Crooked Man” is a complicated and compelling puzzle of a story that circles around betrayal, disability, empire, real-world events and Victorian geopolitics. Content warning: CROO is chock full of Victorian racism, ableism, and imperialism. It comes baked into the plot o...

"It's every man's business to see justice done." From The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes, "The Adventure of the Crooked Man" by Arthur Conan Doyle, narrated by Dan Heidt. More info: https://www.howeverimprobablepodcast.com/listen/the-adventure-of-the-crooked-man This narration was read by Dan Heidt. Dan is a songwriter and podcaster from Columbus, Ohio. His podcast, "F...

Missing engineers, missing gangs, and missing thumbs - “The Adventure of the Engineer’s Thumb” is a delicious macare story about near-death experiences, the perils of working in engineering, and Sherlock Holmes’ lack of tact. This week’s discussion delves into the inherently Gothic nature of this somewhat understated tale, how much we love when Watson’s doctor skills get to shine, and the interest...

"The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a newly severed human  thumb ." From The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, "The Adventure of the Engineer's Thumb" by Arthur Conan Doyle, narrated by Remy. Remy (he/him) is a plushie maker, character illustrator, TTRPG and video game designer, and a mu...

Want to narrate a story? Read more here: https://www.howeverimprobablepodcast.com/read Upcoming stories include: Silver Blaze, Beryl Coronet, The Empty House! "The Adventure of the Cardboard Box" raises a lot of visceral feelings about the voyeristic nature true crime, centering women in their own stories, dysfunctional families and why exactly Holmes and Watson have a little drunk lunch...

“'There were three sisters altogether. The old one was just a good woman, the second was a devil, and the third was an angel.” From The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes, "The Adventure of the Cardboard Box" by Arthur Conan Doyle, narrated by Jenna Hanchey. Jenna Hanchey is a critical/cultural communication professor by day, and a speculative fiction author and audiobook narrator by...uh......

The goodness of roses, stormy petrels and a shockingly good breakfast all come to play in "The Adventure of the Naval Treaty" - a perfect short story that has it all. Political intrigue! Brotherly betrayal! Practical jokes! Weird monologues! We cover everything from Watson's old school friends to Holmes's theatricality in today's discussion. Thanks for listening! Dear listene...

"The Adventure of the Naval Treaty" by Arthur Conan Doyle, narrated by William Wandless. “It is only goodness which gives extras, and so I say again that we have much to hope from the flowers.” William H. Wandless (he/him) is a professor of English at Central Michigan University, where he gets to visit with Arthur Conan Doyle and his Victorian peers from time to time.  He is also a poet...

Holmes is hired by a young clerk to investigate a suspiciously good job offer - and ends up in a case of identity theft and robbery. "The Adventure of the Stockbroker's Clerk" is an odd little story with a dramatic twist in the middle that stands it apart from other similar tales. We discuss Dr. Watson, M.D., how much we long for a better robbery story than this one, and Watson's...

"The Adventure of the Stockbroker's Clerk" by Arthur Conan Doyle, narrated by Jack Carmichael. “Human nature is a strange mixture, Watson. You see that even a villain and murderer can inspire such affection that his brother turns to suicide when he learns that his neck is forfeited." Content warning (and SPOILER ALERT!): This story contains a fairy graphic depiction of a suicide...

Holmes complains about the weather, insults a Scotland Yard detective and untangles some old family drama in this strange little story. Plus, Watson is married now! Did anything else meaningful happen? From The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, "The Boscombe Valley Mystery" is an oddly-paced, weirdly plotted short story about murderous Australians and the sins of our fathers. Find recommend...

"The Boscombe Valley Mystery" by Arthur Conan Doyle, narrated by Sarah Kolb. “There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact,” he answered, laughing. “Besides, we may chance to hit upon some other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to Mr. Lestrade.” "The Adventure of the Copper Beeches" is narrated by Sarah Kolb. Sarah is Colorado-based writer, podcaste...