Send us a Text Message.
The “consulting detective” Sherlock Holmes and his trusty sidekick, Watson — two of the most famous characters in English literature — make their first appearance in this tale, which forever changed the way mystery novels were written.
Reasoning Backwards: Holmes says that if you describe a train of events, most people “will tell you what the result would be. They can put those events together in their minds, and argue from them that something will come to pass. There are few people, however, who, if you told them a result, would be able to evolve from their own inner consciousness what the steps were which led up to that result.” Is the ability to reason backward the key skill of the consulting detective?
Honor, Justice, and Credit Where Credit Is Due:
Jefferson Hope won’t kill in cold blood. He says, “[Drebber and Stangerson] should each have a draw out of one of these [pill]boxes, while I ate the pill that remained.”
Watson describes Enoch Drebber as “baboon-like.” He says, “If ever human features bespoke vice of the most malignant type, they were certainly those of Enoch J. Drebber, of Cleveland.” Nonetheless, Watson “recognized that justice must be done, and that the depravity of the victim was no condonement in the eyes of the law.”
Holmes asks the name of Jefferson Hope’s accomplice. Hope says, “I can tell my own secrets, but I don’t get other people into trouble.”
Holmes is initially reluctant to take the case because he knows Gregson and Lestrade will take the credit. At the end, Watson tells Holmes, “Your merits should be publicly recognized. You should publish an account of the case. If you won’t, I will for you.”
Tea, Tonic, and Toxin is a book club and podcast for people who love mysteries, thrillers, introspection, and good conversation. Each month, your hosts, Sarah Harrison and Carolyn Daughters, will discuss a game-changing mystery or thriller from the 19th and 20th centuries. Together, we’ll see firsthand how the genre evolved.
Along the way, we’ll entertain ideas, prospects, theories, doubts, and grudges, along with the occasional guest. And we hope to entertain you, dear friend. We want you to experience the joys of reading some of the best mysteries and thrillers ever written.
Support the Show.
https://www.instagram.com/teatonicandtoxin/
https://www.facebook.com/teatonicandtoxin
https://www.teatonicandtoxin.com
Stay mysterious...
The League of Frightened Men by Rex Stout - with Ira Brad Matetsky!
Edgar Award winning Bearskin with author James A McLaughlin
Norman Shabel's Legal Thrillers
The Hollow Man by John Dickson Carr
Carter Wilson chats about his newest thriller: The Father She Went to Find
The Postman Always Rings Twice - with guest Rebecca Heisler!
Barbara Nickless tells us about Play of Shadows
The Thin Man, part 2.
The Thin Man, part 1!
2023 Retrospective!
The Nine Tailors, part 2!
Looking Ahead to 2024
The Nine Tailors, part 1!
Murder on the Orient Express, part 2
Murder on the Orient Express, part 1
Recipes for Murder, part 2: All about Agatha
Recipes for Murder, part 1!
The Case of the Velvet Claws
Rumor of Evil- a chat with Gary Braver
Malice Aforethought, episode 2!
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
Lit Society: Books and Drama
Ex Libris
Write The Book: Conversations on Craft
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
The Art of War
Fresh Air
Myths and Legends