2017 Birthday Challenge

THE ANNUAL BIRTHDAY CHALLENGE

We’re now wondering if Sandy Kozinn will three-peat this year, as she has won for the last two years. Her delightful “Tail of Baker Street” provided the back story to Laurie Fraser Manifold’s drawing. Brad Keefauver was our runner-up, and honorable mentions went to Elaine Coppola, Greg Darak, Terry Hunt, and Warren Randall.

For those of you unfamiliar with the concept, the rules are simple. Each year we provide a topic in this special birthday edition of the Muse. The contest is only open to Muse subscribers. Of course, you may subscribe at the same time you enter. By entering the contest, you give the Muse permission to publish your work. No entries will be returned, and Muse editorial staff and their families are not eligible.

This year’s assignment:

In 2016 the Chicago Cubs won the World Series for the first time in 108 years. Choose a Canonical character who has had a similar run of failure and write a success story for that character. Your entry should not exceed 300 words.

The winning entry and runners-up as appropriate will appear in the Muse. In addition, the winner will receive a $30 gift certificate for the book store of his or her choice. Entries must be received by February 1, 2017 thus ensuring the winner a place in the March issue.

Send your entries to:

Susan Z. Diamond
Muse Contributions Editor
16W603 3rd Ave.
Bensenville, IL 60106-2327

fax:  630-227-0227
e-mail:  szdiamond@comcast.net

Save the date! (Autumn Luncheon)

The Adventuresses of Sherlock Holmes’ Autumn Luncheon will be held

on 11/19/16

at Tony’s di Napoli (East Side) in NYC

from 1-4 PM.  

 

Specific details will be posted in the near future, as well as a link to pay for the dinner via PayPal.

Upcoming June events

Wednesday June 8th, 6:30 – 8:30 –  a celebration of the publication of our own Sheri Lane’s first novel, Silent Meridian, at the Mysterious Bookshop, 58 Warren Street in downtown Manhattan.
Tuesday, June 14th, 6:30p – a Sherlockian panel, offered by MWA and NYPL, featuring Lyndsay Faye, Otto Pensler, and S.J. Rozan, and someone named Susan Rice as moderator. I’ve attached the flyer, which will open in Adobe. It’s at the Mid-Manhattan Library, 455 Fifth Avenue, 6th floor

The Real World of Sherlock — Co-sponsorship with the ESU

The English-Speaking Union of New York invites you to

The Real World of Sherlock

a talk by Professor B. J. Rahn, co-sponsored by The Adventuresses of Sherlock Holmes

Thursday, April 28, The English-Speaking Union

144 East 39th Street, New York City

$15 for ESU National Patrons
$25 for ESU and ASH members
$35 for Non-members

ESU National Patrons are invited to enjoy a private
Champagne Reception with B.J. Rahn in the Executive
Director’s office at 6 pm, prior to her talk.

6:30 p.m.

Based on the new paperback edition of The Real World of Sherlock, this lecture explores how closely (or not) Holmes’ fictional world represents Victorian life. It provides a fascinating insight into crime and detection in nineteenth-century London by tracing how the work of police detectives and CSI evolved in this era. From footprint analysis and human blood testing to fingerprinting and crime-scene photography, comparing Holmes’ methods with official procedures yields several surprises—as does research into Sherlock’s fabled drug addiction. Analysis of Holmes and the Fair Sex reveals that despite his antifeminist remarks, Holmes’ actions speak louder than his words, as he befriends female clients, earns the trust of reluctant witnesses, and protects helpless victims. Holmes was very much a man of his time, attuned to social issues, ready to accept new ideas and to challenge unjust or inequitable practices and thereby help to reshape society. He was a quintessential Victorian.

Professor B. J. Rahn, a former member of the English Department at Hunter College in New York, has been teaching, researching, and writing about crime fiction for over two decades. She also leads detective walking tours in the U.K. which visit sites of several renowned authors.

For information, contact Ed Mohylowski at newyork@esuus.org or 212-818-1200, ext. 218. 

The Lecture Series of the New York Branch receives generous support from the Drue Heinz Trust.