They are university professors in pharmacology or ancient history, writers, journalists, retired or keep their professions secret. They share a love of Sherlock Holmes and form a community that seems to have formed almost by miracle or chance.
They meet twice a month to discuss a story about their favorite hero, armed with books, printed short stories and notebooks with black pages of notes – and, of course, a glass of Sherry.
Last week, I attended a Bimetallic Question meeting in a room where everything is polished wood that smells like the pine floor of the Westmount library. The old-world charm of the library, coupled with the cool neon lights and white metal arches of Westmount’s famous greenhouses creates a timeless atmosphere. I walked here from downtown, but I feel like I’ve traveled much farther – and maybe a little back in time too.
The Bimetallic Question
I first learned of the existence of a Holmes Society (dedicated to the famous detective Sherlock Holmes) in Montreal during a visit to the exhibition Sherlock Holmes: Lead the Inquiry at the Pointe-à-Callière museum – on view until March 8, 2026. The concept is reminiscent of a mysterious book club found in an Arthur Conan Doyle or Agatha Christie story, and evokes the Thursday Murder Club released earlier this year by Netflix – it’s romantic, Victorian and deliciously secretive.
In reality, Bimetallic Question doesn’t disappoint. When I arrive (late) at the Westmount library under the December supermoon, members of the society are already seated around a large wooden table on which are laid out quartered sandwiches and plates of homemade cookies and chocolate-filled wafers.
Wilfrid, one of the founders of Bimetallic Question and a vintage book dealer with an elegant transatlantic accent, sits at the head of the table. Opposite him Bruno, a former children’s entertainer, is in charge of the delicate task of keeping all those joining the meeting by zoom connected and audible at the right times.
Anne, who manages the meeting, shakes a small bell with a wooden handle, conversations around the table turn to murmurs and, comfortably, we begin.
Sherlock Holmes, mystery stories and Victorian traditions
Bimetallic Question get-togethers are well organized. With the precision of Arthur Conan Doyle’s hero, we first make one of the evening’s 5 toasts, written by the members and washed down with Sherry or Port.
Then there’s a quiz (I got 4/16) on the history of Sherlock Holmes to which the meeting is dedicated, The Adventure of the Yellow Face, a discussion where members around the table talk about the detective as an old friend or a slightly eccentric uncle, and another toast. Rachel, who is also a journalist, recounts the theft of one of her amber bracelets – a personal mystery that the diners dissect with gusto.
Without revealing too much about a not-very-secret society that, in my opinion, gains in romance from being known by those in the know, I recommend this book to fans of Sherlock Holmes stories and to those nostalgic for a book club that takes literature seriously.
What’s more, according to Bruno, Sherlock Holmes will be celebrating his birthday on January 6 and – according to his studies of Conan Doyle’s texts – he’s still alive, somewhere. After an evening spent with the Bimetallic Question, I have no trouble believing him…
Thanks to the Bimetallic Question and Wilfrid for their warm welcome!