Holmes on the Range is the debut novel by American author Steve Hockensmith, published on February 7, 2006, by St. Martin's Minotaur. The novel introduced the characters of Gustav "Old Red" Amlingmeyer and his younger brother Otto "Big Red" Amlingmeyer, and is the first installment in the Holmes on the Range mystery series.
Plot Summary
Set in 1892, the novel follows cowboy Gustav "Old Red" Amlingmeyer, who listens to a Sherlock Holmes story ("The Red-Headed League") read aloud by his younger brother Otto "Big Red" Amlingmeyer during a cattle drive. Inspired by Holmes's methods of logic and observation, Gustav decides to become a detective. The brothers are hired by a ranch to perform maintenance work, and when the ranch's general manager is found dead after a stampede—an event most believe was an accident—Old Red applies his newly adopted deductive skills to investigate. As the mystery deepens and more deaths occur, the brothers discover that solving crimes involves more than following clues, including evading danger.
Characters
- Gustav Amlingmeyer ("Old Red") – The elder brother, who adopts Sherlock Holmes's methods of observation and deduction. Quiet and reserved, he earned his nickname for his "crabby old man" demeanor despite being only 27 years old.
- Otto Amlingmeyer ("Big Red") – The younger brother, who follows Gustav out of familial obligation and serves as his chronicler, in the manner of Dr. Watson.
The novel also features a supporting cast of ranch hands, English investors and staff, and other Western characters, including the escaped convict "Hungry" Bob Tracy.
Awards and Recognition
In 2007, Holmes on the Range was a finalist for several major mystery awards, including:
- Anthony Award for Best First Novel
- Dilys Award
- Edgar Allan Poe Award for Best First Novel
- Macavity Award for Best First Novel
- Shamus Award for Best First Novel
Reception
The novel received starred reviews from Booklist and Publishers Weekly, the latter describing it as a "captivating debut" that should delight Sherlockians, Western fans, and mystery lovers. Kirkus Reviews called it "a winning twist on a proven franchise." The audiobook edition, narrated by William Dufris, also received a starred review from Publishers Weekly.
Publication Details
- Publisher: St. Martin's Minotaur
- Publication date: February 7, 2006
- ISBN: 9780312347802 (hardcover)
- Followed by: On the Wrong Track (2007)
The novel is the first in a series that includes subsequent installments such as On the Wrong Track (2007), The Black Dove (2008), The Crack in the Lens (2009), and World's Greatest Sleuth! (2010), among others. The characters first appeared in a short story titled "Dear Mr. Holmes," published in Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine in 2003.
