The AM/DM podcast: Giant Rats and other mysteries
Tim Greer, the incoming president of the Giant Rats of Sumatra, a longtime Memphis-based Sherlock Holmes fan club, on Feb. 4, 2026. (Patrick Lantrip/The Daily Memphian)
In 1972, The Giant Rats of Sumatra — a local club — began in Memphis. But, what was the group about? Pest control? Animal husbandry? Carnival?
The explanation lies in this clue: The answer is elementary, my dear Watson.
The Giant Rats are stans of Sherlock Holmes, the fictional detective created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.
Every year, though in varying numbers, the group gets together to celebrate Holmes’ presumed birthday of Jan. 6.
Today, reporter Jody Callahan joins us to talk about the club and really all things Sherlock Holmes.
Enjoy.
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AM/DMMary Cashiola
Mary Cashiola has been a Memphis journalist for nearly two decades, beginning her career covering city government and local neighborhoods at the Memphis Flyer before being hired by Memphis Mayor A C Wharton’s administration.
Before joining The Daily Memphian, she was the managing editor of the Memphis Business Journal, which was named one of the top 10 Best Designed Newspapers in the world by the Society of News Design while she was there.
She also has a background in advertising, with a focus on higher education and the hospitality industry.
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