
However Improbable is a podcast book club about Sherlock Holmes, by and for the people who love him. Every other week, detective lit enthusiasts Marisa and Sarah present a fresh new recording of Holmes and Watson’s adventures, and then delve into the story, its history and politics, adaptations, and why we’re still so captivated by the detective and his good doctor. Holmes himself famously said th... more
| Publishes | Infrequently | Episodes | 104 | Founded | 6 years ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Listeners | Categories | BooksArts | |||

From 1984 to 1994, British actor Jeremy Brett starred in 36 one-hour episodes and five feature-length specials in the Granada Television Studios series The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes. We’re talking about arguably the most iconic Sherlock Holmes te... more
For the first time in a decade, Doyle returns to the Holmes canon with a locked-door murder, a sharp-shooter, and a reunion—or three.
Sarah & Marisa discuss “The Adventure of the Empty House,” Holmes’ triumphant return that introduces the age-old q... more
“It was indeed like the old times when, at that hour, I found myself seated beside him in a hansom, my revolver in my pocket and the thrill of adventure in my heart.”
From "The Return of Sherlock Holmes," this is "The Adventure of the Empty House" -... more
This episode is a deep-dive case file into Holmes’s great nemesis - the Napoleon of Crime.
As a follow-up to our discussion about “The Final Problem,” we’re taking a closer look at Doyle’s great criminal mastermind - Moriarity. The all-knowing vill... more
The content is mostly excellent, as it is based on the Sherlock Holmes stories, read aloud. That said, it is amateurishly done. For instance, the first narrator fails to correctly pronounce common words, such as melancholy and determined. The series is rife with mispronunciations. The commentary is all over the place. In some cases, the stories are expanded upon and intelligently discussed. In others, misogyny is assumed and found, where little to none actually exists within the stories, e... more
This podcast is just what I was looking for after finishing All About Agatha. I also love that you can listen to each story and then listen to the two hosts discuss them. Very intelligent and entertaining—highly recommended!
I love Sherlock Holmes, and I do enjoy this podcast. Except when they bungle themes. For example, much of what they say about ACD’s statements about imperialism are oversimplified. They Ali talk about period typical racism like it’s a surprise. It’s nineteenth century literature, you expect some weird racism. This author is actually somewhat better about it than a lot of them, and all the villains are caricatures because that’s his entire writing style.
This podcast is exactly what I’ve wanted. While there are incredible and prolific feminine voices, men continue to dominate the Sherlock Holmes discourse. These two scholars are amazing and I can’t wait to see where this project goes!
This podcast is a delightful dive into the ACD canon and beyond. Im really enjoying Sarah and Marisa's insights into each story, especially what they reveal about the Doyle's perspectives and the time period. As a recent but enthusiastic Holmes fan, I am really appreciating how they pick it apart, while coming from a place of being fans themselves. Their insights challenge my own perceptions and have consistently given me a new insight into the stories. I'm also appreciating the case file eps an... more
Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.










Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.
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A literary-leaning, discussion-driven show that pairs fresh readings of classic Sherlock Holmes adventures with deep dives into historical context, adaptations, and authorial choices. Episodes mix close textual analysis with meta-commentary on Victorian era politics, imperialism, and narrative devices, while weaving in read-alikes, pastiches, and travelogues that illuminate both canonical stories and their enduring cultural footprint. The show often foregrounds the dynamic between Holmes and Watson, celebrates enthusiastic fandom, and rewards listeners who enjoy thoughtful, interdisciplinary conversations about detective fiction.
Notable strengths include a strong chemistry between hosts, well-structured episode formats that balance narrat... more
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However Improbable launched 6 years ago and published 104 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.
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Recent guests on However Improbable include:
1. Dan Heidt
2. Kristen O'Neal
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