AN ADVENTURESS YEAR IN REVIEW

With Volume 13, The Serpentine Muse, the journal of the Adventuresses of Sherlock Holmes, returned vigorously from its brief hiatus as Co-Editors Susan Diamond and Marilynne McKay took the helm. (A large bouquet of thanks here from the Chicago- and Atlanta-based Editors to the New York “Production Staff,” headed by Evelyn Herzog. Once each quarter, the wine flows, the laughter reverberates, and The Muse goes out on schedule.)

Winter 1996 took on a somber note as we stood upon the terrace for three of our own: Patricia Moran and Marlene Aig (each a previous Muse editor), and John Bennett Shaw, a staunch supporter of ASH in its formative years. In prose and verse, Peter Crupe, T. Michelle Fromkin, Marina Stajic, and Bob Thomalen shared their memories of these much-loved Adventuresses.

The Muse “went to the dogs” as Linda Anderson provided convincing evidence that the Hound was a victim, not a villain, and the inimitable Francine Morris Swift conducted a caninical inquiry into the dog who did nothing.

Uncouplings proved of interest with Kate Karlson’s treatise on D-I-V-O-R-C-E Victorian style. Joe Moran continued the trend with a look at canonical foiled and failed marriages.

Muse readers were enlightened by Phillip Shreffler’s ruminations on the indiscretions of the Master and the reverberations of Lady Frances down through the Canon. Thom Utecht raised eyebrows and handkerchiefs with “The True History of Violet Hunter.”

Under the heading of “perfect Sherlockian roommates,” we learned that Susan Vizoskie is partial to little men with blow guns, while Marina Stajic prefers feline companionship. Marina scored a “hat trick” with her third appearance of the year -- a treatise on Canonical Chemistry as presented at the ASH Spring Dinner in New York.

Another “First” at the Spring Dinner was the distribution of an ASH Directory, published by The Serpentine Muse under the guidance of Graphics Editor Marilynne McKay.

Wodehousian Sherlockians were ably represented by Francine Kitts, who drew hitherto unremarked parallels between the writings of Watson and Wooster.

Celebratory activities included toasts from various Adventuresses, including Peter Blau and Marilynne McKay, and songs from T. Michelle Fromkin. The Muse’s most dedicated contributor -- Dorothy Belle Pollack -- kept us entertained with her verse on cases and characters Canonical.

Delia Vargas shared her experiences in first encountering Holmes and the Adventuresses, while Nora Myers entertained us with tales of spreading the Canonical gospel in a Baltimore classroom.

A Mystery Guest -- one Ann Onymous -- provided us with “What’s This?” -- a challenge to provide a new, yet Canonical, text for a classic Strand illustration -- in 100 words or less. All this along with news, engaging illustrations, and upcoming events for Adventuresses and their friends, delivered quarterly.

A Challenge to Present and Future Readers

Those of you who are already Muse subscribers know what a wealth of information and entertainment you are receiving for a paltry ten dollars a year. However, we understand that many otherwise well-informed Sherlockians have not yet seen the light and signed up. To encourage you to do so, we, the Muse editors, are sponsoring yet another contest FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY. Of course, you may subscribe at the same time you enter the contest. Since the Ann Onymous competition amply demonstrated our readers’ wit and ingenuity, we encourage you to set pen to paper and answer the following query in 200 words or less:

Which woman in the Canon (other than The Woman, Irene Adler) most exemplifies the Adventuress spirit?

Of course, the winning entry (and runners‑up as appropriate) will appear in The Muse. In addition to everlasting literary fame, the winner’s reward will be a $30 gift certificate for the bookstore of his or her choice.

The Serpentine Muse is copyrighted by the Adventuresses of Sherlock Holmes, and written permission must be obtained for reproduction of an article in another publication or website. Contact the Webmaster at mmckayATL@comcast.net