Of Mystery Writers, Biographers, and Journalists

Last month we ran our annual dementia derby, the Dissecting Room Bowl Quiz. Some of the truly unsung Sherlockian heroes of our time charge like the Light Brigade into that valley of mental peril. Their dauntless valor and mental gymnastics are breathtaking to behold. This year, however, a new emotion crept over me as I looked over the answers of the hardy few: Horror.

Before I explain exactly what happened, do me a favor. Name three mystery authors. Any three, preferably those you like the best. Thought of three? Okay.

In last month's column, question number three asked for (among other things) the names of three mystery authors found on the specified page. The answer was, I thought, rather straightforward: Agatha, Stout, Watson.

Out of those who responded, only one included Doctor Watson, and then only as a sheepish fourth possibility. Did your three include Watson? If you did, hold your head high. If you didn't, shame on you! A Sherlockian not sticking up for Watson as a mystery writer ... tsk, tsk.

There's really only one acceptable excuse for a Sherlockian not including Watson among their favorite mystery writers; "He's not a mystery writer, he's a biographer!" Or maybe, "He's not a mystery writer, he's a journalist!"

A journalist? Yes, indeed. Allow me to direct your attention to the final words of the American passages of A Study in Scarlet:

"As to what occurred there, we cannot do better than quote the old hunter's own account, as duly recorded in Dr.Watson's Journal, to which we are already under such obligations."

Watson was a journalist in the purest sense of the word. He kept journals. From his references to his notes on various occasions, we can surmise he didn't keep a daily diary,preferring instead to record events at a later date to give them fuller perspective and a more dramatic treatment. The author of the fictionalized Mormon passages of STUD (that Doyle fellow we would assume), plainly had the greatest admiration for Watson's journal style.

Watson being a journalist and not a mystery writer could explain why there are a number of Sherlockians who aren't mystery fans. Personally, I've never really understood mystery fans who weren't Sherlockians. Sometimes it seems they'd just as soon read about Lestrade or Gregson if they owned several cats and lived in Mew England.

And after what Holmes said about Lecoq and Dupin, I can just imagine what he'd say about Fletcher and Friedman.

On to the answers to last month's questions:

1. "...if we ended by sharing the same cell." "I can make a couple out of black silk."

2. Homeward Bound.

3. Laurels. Leather. Keys. Heath. Cab. Agatha, Watson and Stout. Woody Alien (Sleeper). Eva.

4. "An up-to-date bungling kit"

5. "... it was bitterly cold ...."

6. The dark lantern.

7. Ten-thirty. (Seventeen divided by two equals eight point five, eight point five plus two is ten point five, ten point five times ten is ... whoops, something's gone horribly wrong here. Let's just forget about number seven, okay?)

This year's winner, as well as the Dissecting Room Bowl's grand champion, is Rosemary Michaud, who managed a practically perfect score ("practically" meaning number seven was impossible and she gave the right answer to number two elsewhere in her answers; she also was very nice about calling my grandmother a lady). Linda Schacher came in a close second, followed by David R. McCallister, and William Ballew gets the honorable mention for answering my non-quiz ponderances as well as the quiz. Everyone else who reads this newsletter tied for fourth.

Perhaps next year we'll try something a little less obtuse.