Now available: Dorothy L. Sayers Companion.

Now available is Dorothy L. Sayers: A Companion to Mystery Fiction by Eric Sandberg (City University of Hong Kong), vol. 11 in the McFarland Companions to Mystery Fiction series that I edit. It's a comprehensive guide to the mystery work of the creator of Lord Peter Wimsey and also includes info on some of Sayers's religious-related works. 

Opening soon: "Sherlock Holmes in 221 Objects" exhibition.

Opening on 21 January 2022 at New York's Grolier Club is the exhibition "Sherlock Holmes in 221 Objects." Selected from the collection of Cathy and Glen Miranker, exhibits will feature artwork, books, correspondence, and manuscripts about the Great Detective. These include:

• Letters and an "idea book" from Arthur Conan Doyle

• A handwritten speech with Conan Doyle's explanation for killing off Holmes

• Original artwork of Holmes by British and US illustrators 

• A pirated edition of The Sign of the Four

An exhibition catalog is available.

In praise of R. Austin Freeman.

In Hektoen International: A Journal of Medical Humanities, pulmonologist Anthony Papagiannis offers a short appreciation of R. Austin Freeman (inverted mystery master, physician, and creator of Dr. John Thorndyke, 1862–1943): "[H]e does equally well in reciting the chattering of the neighborhood gossip, a flowery legal oration, or a layperson’s rather dumb testimony and cross-examination at court. His details, both medical and legal, are meticulous and stand up to the knowledge of his era."

Agatha Christie and Egypt.

At New/Lines Magazine, Jun Yi Wong looks at the relationship of Agatha Christie and Egypt such as her early trip to Egypt at age 17 and her presence on digs with her second husband, archaeologist Max Mallowan.