However Improbable

Holmes and Watson go on a much-deserved vacation—and naturally, crime follows them. “The Adventure of the Reigate Squire” introduces us to one of Watson’s old friends, and an unusual case of burglary, amateur theatrics, and how minutiae can solve murder. We discuss Holmes's health and Watson's desire to do something about it, as well as handwriting, holiday tropes, Essie Davis, and the meta experi...

"The Adventure of the Reigate Squire" from The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes by Arthur Conan Doyle, narrated by Kyle Carey Miller. "Watson, I think our quiet rest in the country has been a distinct success, and I shall certainly return much invigorated to Baker Street to-morrow.” This episode is narrated by Kyle Carey Miller. Kyle is a proud graduate of Wright State University, where he earned his BF...

Welcome to Book Club Case Files on the However Improbable Podcast! We're taking a look at our very first case file on a Sherlock Holmes pastiche—stories that are about Sherlock Holmes and often in Arthur Conan Doyle’s style, but not written by him. And we’re starting with a special one: The House of Silk by renowned mystery novelist Anthony Horowitz, the only pastiche to have the stamp of approval...

Sherlock Holmes himself spin us a story in this week's episode. “The Adventure of the Musgrave Ritual” is the second story that gives us a look back at Holmes’s life before he met Watson - this time in a very Gothic tale of buried treasure and cryptic rituals. We talk about Holmes's early years, stories within stories, Stephen King, coming-of-age murder rituals, and if 221B really is the most famo...

"The Adventure of the Musgrave Ritual" from The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes by Arthur Conan Doyle, narrated by Travis Bihn.  “There are cases enough here, Watson,” said he, looking at me with mischievous eyes. “I think that if you knew all that I had in this box you would ask me to pull some out instead of putting others in.” “These are the records of your early work, then?” I asked. “I have o...

Exciting news: We're expanding our case file episodes to include literary pastiches! In these short episodes, Marisa and Sarah will chat about some of our favorite Sherlock Holmes novels not written by Arthur Conan Doyle. And we're starting this off on April 8 with Anthony Horowitz's novel The House of Silk! Read along with us to be up to speed when we air our episode.  Access our Bookshop! h...

From 1984 to 1994, British actor Jeremy Brett starred in 36 one-hour episodes and five feature-length specials in the Granada Television Studios series The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes. Yes, here's our case file about arguably the most iconic Sherlock Holmes television series made in the last 50 years in two parts. The first of two! In Part 1, we’re walking through the first two seasons of the sh...

So far we’ve seen Sherlock Holmes solve the mysteries behind poisonings, hangings, and missing wives—and in “The Adventure of the Second Stain” he stops a war by looking at a rug. There's a lot to discuss in this dense little mystery, including sexy spies, queer street, Holmes's misogyny, the perils of nationalism, and Watson's romantic libido. Content warning: This episode contains murder, blackm...

"The Adventure of the Second Stain" from The Return of Sherlock Holmes, narrated by Alaina Laethem. “We also have our diplomatic secrets,” said he, and picking up his hat he turned to the door. This episode is narrated by Alaina Laethem. Alaina is an award-winning indie actor working in Mesa, Arizona. When she's not on set, she's hanging with her boyfriend Eric and their two cats Susan and Amigo....

Runaway brides, rude lords, and the return of Doyle’s American West. In “The Adventure of the Noble Bachelor,” Holmes finds himself assisting a Lord with a personal problem: his new bride vanishing the day after their wedding. Sarah and Marisa talk about armchair detective fiction, Watson's traveling war wound, Lestrade's wet laundry, and which one of us gets to propose marriage to Hatty Doran fir...

"The Adventure of the Noble Bachelor" from The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, narrated by Rosie French. “Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety,” he answered, smiling, “and the humbler are usually the more interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie.” This episode was narrated by Rosie French. Rosie is a...

Join us to delve into a Holmes film like no other. "The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes," directed by Billy Wilder, was released in 1970 with mixed results. Fifty years later, it retains a certain cult status. Narrated by Dr. Watson, it covers a scandalous untold case with international implications. But it’s also a personal look into Holmes—what was the famous consulting detective really like wit...

Disguise, duped doctors, and deadly retribution. "The Adventure of the Resident Patient" is the first of many cases Holmes and Watson solve together in 1886. Today, we tackle Watson the true crime chronicler, Holmes's questionable sense of humor, a convenient shipwreck, and John le Carré. Read le Carré's introduction to The New Annotated Sherlock Holmes here: https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xp...

"The Adventure of the Resident Patient" from The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes.  " Having secured him, it is evident to me that a consultation of some sort was held. Probably it was something in the nature of a judicial proceeding." Please note that there's some variation in editions of this story. In many editions, it begins with the "mind reading" scene from "The Adventure of the Cardboard Box...

Encrypted letters, old college friends, and murderous mutiny. “The Adventure of the Gloria Scott” takes us back in time to the story of Sherlock Holmes’s very first case. Today, Marisa & Sarah discuss men on boats, queer allegory and how to approach it, the lasting impact the very first great friend you make can have on your life, and Stephen Sondheim.  Content warning: Discussion of viol...

"The Adventure of the Gloria Scott", from The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes, narrated by Ryan James Horner. “You never heard me talk of Victor Trevor?” he asked. “He was the only friend I made during the two years I was at college." This episode was narrated by Ryan James Horner, a writer, podcaster, and voice actor from SoCal with a lifelong passion for storytelling. Find him buried under his many c...

Welcome to our first Case File episode! Today, Sarah and Marisa take a look at the man behind the canon: Arthur Conan Doyle. We want to discuss Conan Doyle as a person and writer before we get too far into the stories. Besides creating Sherlock Holmes, what else is Conan Doyle known for? What was his life like? And what were his opinions about detective fiction and the world he lived in? Content w...

Serpents, sinister step-fathers, and sisters dying in the dead of night. “The Adventure of the Speckled Band” is usually considered one of the best Holmes stories—and one of Doyle’s favorites. Sarah & Marisa discuss Gothic heroines, racist red herrings, fear and the British empire, and geographically confused baboons. Question of the episode: What's your favorite locked room mystery? Share it...

"The Adventure of the Speckled Band, from The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes. “Holmes,” I cried, “I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible crime.” “Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong he is the first of criminals." This episode is read by Kira Apple! Kira is the voice of Jack St. James on  Superstition...

Want to read more mysteries? More pastiches? More Doyle? Visit our Bookshop.org page to find our curated bookshelves of Doyle’s other works, our favorite Holmes pastiche stories, scholarship on detective fiction, and books we feel carry the spirit of the stories. Bookshop is an online bookstore with a mission to financially support local, independent bookstores - and purchasing books this way also...

Mortuary meet-cutes, the science of deduction, and murderous Mormans. Join Marisa and Sarah to discuss A Study In Scarlet - the story that famously introduced us to Holmes and Watson. Do you really know Sherlock Holmes like you think you might? What does this tale tell us about Holmes, Watson, and what’s coming in the following fifty-nine stories? And what’s the deal with the Mormons anyway? Quest...

A Study In Scarlet Part II Chapter 6: A Continuation Of The Reminiscences of John Watson, M.D. Chapter 7: Conclusion “You should publish an account of the case. If you won’t, I will for you.” This episode is narrated by Alma Roda-Gil. Alma is a freelance goth begrudgingly living in the UK. They write about culture and are currently rewatching (and crying at) CBS' Elementary. You can find them on T...

A Study In Scarlet Part II Chapter 3: John Ferrier Talks With The Prophet Chapter 4: A Flight For Life Chapter 5: The Avenging Angels “I am Jefferson Hope,” he said. “You remember me.” This episode is narrated by Kyle Carey Miller. Kyle is a proud graduate of Wright State University, where he earned his BFA in Acting with an Emphasis in Musical Theatre. Kyle has worked around the country including...

A Study In Scarlet Part II Chapter 1: On The Great Alkali Plain Chapter 2: The Flower Of Utah "From the Sierra Nevada to Nebraska, and from the Yellowstone River in the north to the Colorado upon the south, is a region of desolation and silence." This episode is narrated by Kyle Carey Miller. Kyle is a proud graduate of Wright State University, where he earned his BFA in Acting with an Emphasis in...

A Study In Scarlet Part I Chapter 5: Our Advertisement Brings A Visitor Chapter 6: Tobias Gregson Shows What He Can Do Chapter 7: Light In The Darkness “The last link,” he cried, exultantly. “My case is complete.” This episode is narrated by Alma Roda-Gil. Alma is a freelance goth begrudgingly living in the UK. They write about culture and are currently rewatching (and crying at) CBS' Elementary....