Holmes on the Range is the debut novel

Debut novel

A debut novel is the first novel an author publishes. Debut novels are the author's first opportunity to make an impact on the publishing industry, and thus the success or failure of a debut novel can affect the ability of the author to publish in the future...

 from Steve Hockensmith

Steve Hockensmith

Steve Hockensmith is an American author. He was born in Louisville, Kentucky. He now lives in California.-Biography:Hockensmith is the author of the Holmes on the Range mystery series...

 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

Edgar Award

The Edgar Allan Poe Awards , named after Edgar Allan Poe, are presented every year by the Mystery Writers of America...

 for this novel.

Plot summary

In 1892, cowboy Old Red is read a Sherlock Holmes

Sherlock Holmes

Sherlock Holmes is a fictional detective created by Scottish author and physician Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. The fantastic London-based "consulting detective", Holmes is famous for his astute logical reasoning, his ability to take almost any disguise, and his use of forensic science skills to solve...

 story "The Red-Headed League

The Red-Headed League

"The Adventure of the Red-Headed League" is one of the 56 Sherlock Holmes short stories written by Arthur Conan Doyle. It first appeared in The Strand Magazine in August 1891, with illustrations by Sidney Paget. Conan Doyle ranked "The Red-Headed League" second in his list of his twelve favorite...

" 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.

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
• Swivel-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

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