Baker Street Irregular to discuss Sherlock Holmes

I t’s elementary, my dear readers. Those fascinated by the timeless tales of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes may wish to attend the Dec. 1 lecture featuring Dr. Robert Moss, Sherlock Holmes aficionado and Baker Street Irregular — the Holmes fan club — at a meeting of Sisters in Crime/Central Jersey chapter.

The lecture by Moss will be held at the Jamesburg Senior Center, 139 Stevens Ave., Jamesburg, Middlesex County. Moss’ program will begin at 11:30 a.m. and admission is free.

Visitors may also want to stick around and learn more about Sisters in Crime. It is a national organization, started in 1986, whose purpose, according to its mission statement, is “to combat discrimination against women in the mystery field, educate publishers and the general public as to the inequities in the treatment of female authors, raise the level of awareness of their contribution to the field, and promote the professional advancement of women who write mysteries.”

According to Eileen Watkins, the Central Jersey chapter has been around since the 1990s. Watkins writes paranormal mysteries and suspense stories and serves as the chapter’s publicity director.

“Sisters in Crime/Central Jersey is a small, but active chapter, so it’s easy to make friends and connections with the other members and the guest speakers,” Watkins said. “For those of us who have novels or short story collections in print, it is very helpful to have a vendor’s table and a group presence at mystery conferences and annual public events,” she said.

Watkins said members share information and writing tips through President Sue Ortiz’s newsletter, “Clued In.” They have critiques and book discussions before the meetings and writing workshops afterward.

Watkins said the chapter is always looking for new members, who can be writers or mystery readers. New members are encouraged to submit articles (by the 10th of each month prior to publication month).

Each meeting includes a writer’s critique group, followed by a readers’ group meeting, a business meeting and a guest speaker. Following the guest speaker, a discussion group is held.

The organization also sponsors field trips of interest to members. Past trips have included visits to the Monmouth County jail and to the New Jersey State Police Museum, as well as to the Lindbergh trial re-enactment in Flemington and the Hall-Mills trial re-enactment in Somerville. For more information, visit the Sisters in Crime Internet website at http://www.sistersincrimenj.org.

— Jane Meggitt