About this episode
"what a chorus of groans, cries and bleatings" [REDC]
Agony column. Agony column? To the modern reader, that term might be unfamiliar. Well, at least it would be unfamiliar with the reader who is new to the Sherlock Holmes stories. The first time we come across Holmes using the agony column is in The Sign of Four when he advertised for the Aurora in the agony column of the Standard.
Holmes regularly used newspaper classified ads and personal columns to track down criminals and surface clues. But just what is an agony column, how did it help Sherlock Holmes, and in which stories did he and others find a use for it?
Have you left us a rating and review on the podcast player of your choice yet? We could really use your help.
Links / Notes
- Stories mentioned in this episode: A Study in Scarlet, The Sign of Four, "The Engineer's Thumb," "The Noble Bachelor," "The Red Circle," "The Bruce-Partington Plans"
- Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson: A Textbook of Friendship by Christopher Morley
- The Agony Column of The Times: 1800-1881, edited by Alice Clay, London: Chatto & Windus, 1881
Music credits
Performers: Uncredited violinist, US Marine Chamber Orchestra
Publisher Info.: Washington, DC: United States Marine Band
Get every episode summarized
Each time Sherlock Holmes: Trifles publishes, we email you a written briefing from the transcript — the topics, who appeared, and any specific claims, with the ad reads skipped.
Email me new episodesFree for 3 shows. No card needed.
No transcript yet
This episode has not been transcribed. Request it and it moves to the front of the queue.
More episodes
More from Sherlock Holmes: Trifles
I Met Harry Murcher
Sherlock Holmes: Trifles
Victims of Circumstance
Sherlock Holmes: Trifles
Solving the Problems of the Red-Headed League
Sherlock Holmes: Trifles
The Thames River Police
Sherlock Holmes: Trifles