The Reds Take the Stage

JULIA SPENCER-FLEMING: The Jungle Reds matched their wits against Sherlock Holmes...and lost, since I don't think any of us anticipated the twists and turns of Sherlock's Last Case at Boston's Huntington Theatre.

Sherlock (Rufus Collins), Dr. Watson (Mark Zeisler) & Lestrade (Malcolm Ingram) 



 We were thrilled to take the stage. although we didn't get to sit in the gorgeous Victorian furniture.

Liza Moriarty (Antoinette Robinson), Sherlock (Rufus Collins) The costumes were so authentically late 19th century, they could have come out of a museum.



Our outfits were genuine 21st century Red. Note the pashminas!

The stage was amazingly detailed. The desk at center back stage was covered by actual, handwritten letters and postcards.
 

 It was very hard not to touch anything! But we were good.
 
 Mrs. Hudson (Jane Ridley) & Dr. Watson (Mark Zeisler)
 
 We talked about Golden Age detective stories versus modern crime fiction, characterization, exposition and reader expectations.

 The world's longest-running bromance, Holmes and Watson.


 We fielded loads of questions from the audience as we all tried to decide if we had seen a classic puzzle mystery, or a more modern psychological character study.

Meanwhile, in San Diego:

 Rhys & Charlaine Harris were cutting it up at Mysterious Galaxy!

 You have another chance to see Sherlock's Last Case and chat with mystery writers! On October 21, after the 2pm matinee, the Wicked Cozy Authors - Liz Mugavero, Jessie Crockett, Sherry Harris, Julie Henrikus, Edith Maxwell and Barb Ross - will be leading another discussion and will be available to sign books afterwards! I can't think of a better place to be on a chilly New England October day.