Holmes on the Range

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Holmes on the Range (St. Martin's Minotaur, February 7, 2006) is the debut novel from Steve Hockensmith and introduced the characters of Gustav "Old Red" Amlingmeyer and his younger brother Otto "Big Red" Amlingmeyer. Mr. Hockensmith was a finalist for the Edgar Award for this novel.

[edit] Plot summary

In 1892, cowboy Old Red is read a Sherlock Holmes story "The Red-Headed League" by his brother Big Red while on a cattle drive and decides to follow in his new hero's footsteps, by using logic and observation to solve mysteries. Unfortunately for him, cowboys do not often stumble on to mysteries and he practices his craft until the pair are hired by a ranch to perform maintenance. When the general manager of the ranch shows up dead after a stampede and everyone believes it an accident despite some suspicious circumstances, Old Red uses his new skills to see that there is more to it then what appears. As the mystery gets deeper and the bodies start to mount, the brothers learn that there is more to solving crimes then simply following the clues - there are also bullets to dodge.

[edit] Characters

Gustav Amlingmeyer aka "Old Red"
Otto Amlingmeyer aka "Big Red"

Cantlemere Ranch

Mr. Perkins - General Manager
Uly McPherson - Foreman
Ambrose "Spider" McPherson
Boudreaux - Gunman
The Swede - Ranch cook

Hornet's Nest Hires

Tall John Harrington
Pinky Harris
Swivle-eye Smith
Crazy Mouth Nick Dury
Anytime McCoy

Investors & staff from England

The Duke of Balmoral
Mr. Edwards
Brackwell
Emily
Lady Clara

Other characters

Jim Weller
Hungry Bob Tracy

[edit] Release Details

2006, USA, St. Martin's Minotaur (ISBN 0312347804), Pub Date February 7, 2006, Hardcover
2006, USA, Thorndike Press (ISBN 0786285338), Pub Date May 10, 2006, Large Print Hardcover
2006, USA, Tantor Media (ISBN 1400102251), Pub Date March 1, 2006, Unabridged Audiobook CD edition
2007, USA, St. Martin's Minotaur (ISBN 0312358040), Pub Date February 6, 2007, Softcover