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Holmes On the Range
Dear Mr. Holmes: Seven Holmes on the Range Mysteries
Big Red and Old Red Amlingmeyer have starred in five novels, rustling up award nominations and fans aplenty as they cracked mysteries using the methods of their hero, Sherlock Holmes. How did these Old West drifters first discover Holmes, though? And how did their early, awkward stabs at "deducifying" turn out? These seven short stories provide the answers. In "Dear Mr. Holmes," Old Red first gets the itch to turn detective -- and just in time, too, because a killer's stalking him and his brother along a Kansas cattle trail. In "Gustav Amlingmeyer, Holmes of the Range," Old Red's attempt to settle down and open his own "cafay" goes haywire when one of the customers gets a side order of arsenic with his steak and potatoes. And the adventure continues in five more stories (most originally published in Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine). If you're a fan, you won't want to miss these rollicking peeks into the Amlingmeyers' past. And if you're not a fan, there's no better place to start!
210 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 7, 2011
72 people are currently reading
330 people want to read
About the author
Steve Hockensmith
97 books525 followersSteve Hockensmith is the author of the New York Times bestseller Pride and Prejudice and Zombies: Dawn of the Dreadfuls and several other novels, including the Edgar Award finalist Holmes on the Range. He lives in Alameda, California.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 50 reviews
December 2, 2017
I am going to make this quick. Are you familiar with The Amlinger brothers, Big Red and Old Red? They are cowboys in the American West of the 1890s. Big Red has read Sherlock Holmes stories to his older brother who can not read and Old Red has taken them to heart. They both believe (as Arthur Conan Doyle would have hoped) that these are actual cases, not fiction. We see the brothers trying to apply Holmes' methods to their troubles.
Steve Hockensmith is very good in setting this up in his books: Holmes on the Range, On the Wrong Track, etc. He is particularly skilled at balancing the mystery and the humor that comes with these cowboys trying to emulate Holmes with varying degrees of success.
These short stories are mostly to fill in some gaps in the previous narative. They are totally unnecessary to anyone but a fan of the series. Most aren't nearly as good as the full length novels. If you do want to while away your time with these stories, be sure to read Hockensmith's introduction. It may be the best thing about the book.
Steve Hockensmith is very good in setting this up in his books: Holmes on the Range, On the Wrong Track, etc. He is particularly skilled at balancing the mystery and the humor that comes with these cowboys trying to emulate Holmes with varying degrees of success.
These short stories are mostly to fill in some gaps in the previous narative. They are totally unnecessary to anyone but a fan of the series. Most aren't nearly as good as the full length novels. If you do want to while away your time with these stories, be sure to read Hockensmith's introduction. It may be the best thing about the book.
March 22, 2025
Whether or not you've read any of the "Holmes on the Range" books yet, you will love this set of stories set in the 1890's west with adventure, mystery and humor. I'll bet afterward you'll be champing at the bit for more.
Most of these seven stories were originally published in a nationally-known mystery magazine, but because I don't read that prestigious periodical, they were all new to me. The author was kind enough to send me this book to review, and since the Amlingmeyer Brothers are two of my favorite characters, this was a very enjoyable assignment.
Each story is in the form of a letter from 'Big Red,' (Otto) the literate, younger brother, to various recipients including their idol Sherlock Holmes, who is non-fictional in the Amlingmeyer's world; Holme's deputy John Watson at The Strand Magazine in London; and Harper's Weekly, a combination of "People" magazine and the "New York Times" of that day.
Big Red relates recent adventures in which the brothers display their 'deducifying' skills to catch bandits, solve murders, and keep friends out of trouble (let alone themselves). The writing is full of fun characters and excellent description. Corny jokes included, the humor is a big draw for me, and the relationship between the brothers provides a lot of opportunity for "he said/he said" banter, like "Sometimes I think if words were water, my brother would be Death Valley."
Wisecracks aside, the mysteries are thoughtful and the stories are long enough to have a life of their own. Although the brothers seem to get themselves into some fairly crazy situations, it's all in good fun. Highly recommended for everyone who loves good stories, good, clean humor, and especially historical mysteries.
Most of these seven stories were originally published in a nationally-known mystery magazine, but because I don't read that prestigious periodical, they were all new to me. The author was kind enough to send me this book to review, and since the Amlingmeyer Brothers are two of my favorite characters, this was a very enjoyable assignment.
Each story is in the form of a letter from 'Big Red,' (Otto) the literate, younger brother, to various recipients including their idol Sherlock Holmes, who is non-fictional in the Amlingmeyer's world; Holme's deputy John Watson at The Strand Magazine in London; and Harper's Weekly, a combination of "People" magazine and the "New York Times" of that day.
Big Red relates recent adventures in which the brothers display their 'deducifying' skills to catch bandits, solve murders, and keep friends out of trouble (let alone themselves). The writing is full of fun characters and excellent description. Corny jokes included, the humor is a big draw for me, and the relationship between the brothers provides a lot of opportunity for "he said/he said" banter, like "Sometimes I think if words were water, my brother would be Death Valley."
Wisecracks aside, the mysteries are thoughtful and the stories are long enough to have a life of their own. Although the brothers seem to get themselves into some fairly crazy situations, it's all in good fun. Highly recommended for everyone who loves good stories, good, clean humor, and especially historical mysteries.
April 22, 2012
Any fan of Steve Hockensmith's Holmes on the Range series will love this collection of seven short mysteries featuring Old Red and Big Red Almingmeyer. These seven stories cover about a year in the lives of the cowboy detectives, starting before the first book Holmes on the Range and ending just before the fourth The Crack in the Lens. The author is even nice enough to point out where each of the three novels should have come in at. The obsessive reader will notice a few inconsistencies but if we detective fiction junkies can forgive Doyle his over sights surly we can forgive Hockingsmith his.
April 27, 2011
"Holmes on the Range" stories are about two cow-punching brothers who read Watson's stories about Sherlock Holmes and then use similar deductive techniques to solve mysteries in the Old West. More correctly Old Red solves the mysteries a la Holmes and Big Red writes the stories up a la Watson. Author Steve Hockensmith says in the introduction that he was trying to think of a way to write Holmesian stories in an unusual way when his wife asked him to go hiking. He realized that the Old West and Victorian England were contemporaneous and the setting for these humorous mysteries was born.
I first encountered Old Red and Big Red on the Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine podcast where "Dear Dr. Watson" was episode 5. I was immediately taken by this delightful duo, their cowboy lives, and the mystery they solved. Naturally, when I saw Steve Hockensmith offering a free Kindle file for bloggers to review, I snapped it up. These stories didn't disappoint. The settings follow Old Red and Big Red through the varying fortunes typical for cowboys of that time. The mysteries were varied and interesting. Although I was able to solve a couple of them myself, that didn't detract from my enjoyment as a good portion of the stories' value is the characters and environment. There weren't many anachronisms that I could spot, although I believe that "rolling your eyes" is a modern facial expression and even if isn't it would have been described differently back then.
Altogether this was a delightful collection and I highly recommend it.
I first encountered Old Red and Big Red on the Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine podcast where "Dear Dr. Watson" was episode 5. I was immediately taken by this delightful duo, their cowboy lives, and the mystery they solved. Naturally, when I saw Steve Hockensmith offering a free Kindle file for bloggers to review, I snapped it up. These stories didn't disappoint. The settings follow Old Red and Big Red through the varying fortunes typical for cowboys of that time. The mysteries were varied and interesting. Although I was able to solve a couple of them myself, that didn't detract from my enjoyment as a good portion of the stories' value is the characters and environment. There weren't many anachronisms that I could spot, although I believe that "rolling your eyes" is a modern facial expression and even if isn't it would have been described differently back then.
Altogether this was a delightful collection and I highly recommend it.
November 11, 2012
The Description of this book on GOODREADS is wrong. These aren't HOLIDAY mystery stories. But rather, seven short mysteries featuring Old West detective Old Red and his brother, who wander about the old west attempting to apply Holmesian techniques to solving mysteries.
As with any story collection, this one is a bit uneven. Meaning that some of the stories are pretty good, have the right hooks and flavor to keep the reader reading. These were in the front of the book. It is almost as if the stories towards the end were simply filler, not nearly as interesting, not nearly as Holmesian, and therefore not nearly as good as the first few stories.
Having read the first three novels of this series, I enjoyed the first two, but the Black Dove set in Frisco was not as good, and some of the stories in this collection were lacking a bit. For example, in one story, Old Red gets Shanghaied and Big Red solves the mystery with little more than brute force. He tries to apply some Holmes logic, but quickly just goes to fisticuffs. That is indeed his character and nature, but it didn't make for a good story.
As with any story collection, this one is a bit uneven. Meaning that some of the stories are pretty good, have the right hooks and flavor to keep the reader reading. These were in the front of the book. It is almost as if the stories towards the end were simply filler, not nearly as interesting, not nearly as Holmesian, and therefore not nearly as good as the first few stories.
Having read the first three novels of this series, I enjoyed the first two, but the Black Dove set in Frisco was not as good, and some of the stories in this collection were lacking a bit. For example, in one story, Old Red gets Shanghaied and Big Red solves the mystery with little more than brute force. He tries to apply some Holmes logic, but quickly just goes to fisticuffs. That is indeed his character and nature, but it didn't make for a good story.
March 3, 2014
I had never read any of the short stories about Old Red and Big Red, although I've read all the novels. So I enjoyed getting to go back and find out about some of their other cases. This collection of 7 short mysteries is fun for fans of Sherlock Holmes or Westerns.
Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.
Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.
September 2, 2018
Okay couple things.
Good selection of short stories. Some of them explain what happened to the Boys, between novels. They are not directly connected to the books, but they are all on / in a continuity.
It would have been nice to read the stories in order, but it's not necessary. There are a few spoilers in these short stories, so beware.
In order, means, a short story or two here, a novel, a short story, a novel, etc.
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I got the book in a kinda weird way. I heard Mr. Hockensmith was working on a new book in the series, so I wanted to finish the last book in the series, I haven't started it yet, and the short stories in this collection. I have access to several different library systems in the SF Bay Area, among, them Alameda, Oakland, and the Alameda Free Library. None of these library systems had this book. In fact none in the State of California did. They found one in their Inter-Library Loan system from Fairbanks Alaska.
The book was originally a trade paperback, but it had been turned into a hardback by the Houchen Bindery Company, Utica Nebraska. Awesome job. No idea what it cost, but it seemed "natural" as a hardback.
-
Anyhow. I've caught up on the short stories. Soon, World's Greatest Sleuth, and hopefully The Double A Western Detective Agency. The last is not listed on Goodreads yet. I hope all is well with it, and that it's coming along.
Good selection of short stories. Some of them explain what happened to the Boys, between novels. They are not directly connected to the books, but they are all on / in a continuity.
It would have been nice to read the stories in order, but it's not necessary. There are a few spoilers in these short stories, so beware.
In order, means, a short story or two here, a novel, a short story, a novel, etc.
-
I got the book in a kinda weird way. I heard Mr. Hockensmith was working on a new book in the series, so I wanted to finish the last book in the series, I haven't started it yet, and the short stories in this collection. I have access to several different library systems in the SF Bay Area, among, them Alameda, Oakland, and the Alameda Free Library. None of these library systems had this book. In fact none in the State of California did. They found one in their Inter-Library Loan system from Fairbanks Alaska.
The book was originally a trade paperback, but it had been turned into a hardback by the Houchen Bindery Company, Utica Nebraska. Awesome job. No idea what it cost, but it seemed "natural" as a hardback.
-
Anyhow. I've caught up on the short stories. Soon, World's Greatest Sleuth, and hopefully The Double A Western Detective Agency. The last is not listed on Goodreads yet. I hope all is well with it, and that it's coming along.
December 19, 2023
A fun cowboy detective anthology which ties in with the main novels
Dear Mr. Holmes: Seven Holmes on the Range Mysteries by Steve Hockensmith is a collection of 7 short stories told in the form of letters.
Set from 1892 to late 1893, these seven “stories” are written in the form of letters to literary magazines (either the strand or Harper’s Weekly) or personal correspondence to characters which the brother Old Red and Big Red know.
All are written by Otto “Big Red” as he’s the only one who can read and write, though his brother Gustav “Old Red” is an equal lead in the stories.
It’s a good look at what the brothers were up to before the first novel, introducing their path to becoming cowboy detectives and trying to make a living as drovers and even businessmen and how the Panic of 1893 impacted them.
Unfortunately, I’ve only read the first book, so some of the characters they are writing to in the later stories are unknown to me, but the letter format is a clever take…a tribute to the many old time novels and short stories written in the form of journals or diaries or correspondence.
One of the “stories” even involves a personal letter of condolence to Dr John Watson after the brothers learn about the death of Sherlock Holmes (an even which occurs in the firts Holmes on the Range book).
Most of the stories aren’t proper mysteries but they are interesting tales of cowboy trail life with a little danger mixed in…
Dear Mr. Holmes: Seven Holmes on the Range Mysteries by Steve Hockensmith is a collection of 7 short stories told in the form of letters.
Set from 1892 to late 1893, these seven “stories” are written in the form of letters to literary magazines (either the strand or Harper’s Weekly) or personal correspondence to characters which the brother Old Red and Big Red know.
All are written by Otto “Big Red” as he’s the only one who can read and write, though his brother Gustav “Old Red” is an equal lead in the stories.
It’s a good look at what the brothers were up to before the first novel, introducing their path to becoming cowboy detectives and trying to make a living as drovers and even businessmen and how the Panic of 1893 impacted them.
Unfortunately, I’ve only read the first book, so some of the characters they are writing to in the later stories are unknown to me, but the letter format is a clever take…a tribute to the many old time novels and short stories written in the form of journals or diaries or correspondence.
One of the “stories” even involves a personal letter of condolence to Dr John Watson after the brothers learn about the death of Sherlock Holmes (an even which occurs in the firts Holmes on the Range book).
Most of the stories aren’t proper mysteries but they are interesting tales of cowboy trail life with a little danger mixed in…
September 14, 2022
Dear Mr. Holmes Dear Mr. Holmes: Seven Holmes on the Range Mysteries, a collection of seven tales in Steve Hockensmith's Steve Hockensmith Holmes on the Range series is a rootin', tootin', hooting' deducifying joy to read. Following the adventures of Big Red and Old Red Amlingmeyer as they apply the techniques of Old Red's hero Sherlock Holmes are a trip to the Old West like you've never before experienced. More than just companion pieces to Hockensmith's novels about the pair of detective brothers, these stories mine the same vein of gold as Conan Doyle's myriad tales of the Great Detective himself. This is a great place to get started digging into the Amlingmeyer's antics. But be warned, once you encounter them, it'll be impossible not to read every one of their novel-length adventures.
May 7, 2021
The book, Dear Mr. Holmes, is the seventh book in the Holmes on the Range series. It is a collection of seven Holmes on the Range short stories that depict the career of Gustav “Old Red” Amlingmeyer and his younger brother, Otto “Big Red” Amlingmeyer. The two brothers, after being reading about the detective skills of Sherlock Holmes, decide that they could give up working cattle and, instead, work on solving crimes. The short stories show how their career progresses, with solving crimes while still cowboys until they are able to quit working on cattle ranches and work only as detectives.
I found the book as interesting as the other books in the series. The short stories show the progression on their detective skills and fill in what occurred to the brothers in between books. I hope that this is not the last we hear from “Old Red” and “Big Red” Amlingmeyer!
I found the book as interesting as the other books in the series. The short stories show the progression on their detective skills and fill in what occurred to the brothers in between books. I hope that this is not the last we hear from “Old Red” and “Big Red” Amlingmeyer!
May 12, 2017
Got acquainted with Steve Hockensmith's books with his "Tarot" series. Since I also like westerns I decided to give this series a "look/see". I'm super glad that I did. Old Red (ripe old 27 years) and Big Red (his younger brother) meet Sherlock Holmes by reading about his adventures. This happened when the "Reds" were on a cattle drive. Since Old Red couldn't read, he left school early to support his younger brothers and sisters, Big Red read (okay, ha-ha) the stories to all the cow punchers after supper.
Old Red wasn't usually intrigued by anything, but he immediately decided he would make a good detective, and he was right.
This book is the first 7 published short stories leading up to the full length books, and I will admit I took advantage of Steve's generosity and ordered all the books at a very low price. They would be worth every penny even at a higher price point.
If you like humor, suspense and just plain "detectiving" I highly recommend this series.
PS... The Tarot series is great too, just saying....
Old Red wasn't usually intrigued by anything, but he immediately decided he would make a good detective, and he was right.
This book is the first 7 published short stories leading up to the full length books, and I will admit I took advantage of Steve's generosity and ordered all the books at a very low price. They would be worth every penny even at a higher price point.
If you like humor, suspense and just plain "detectiving" I highly recommend this series.
PS... The Tarot series is great too, just saying....
January 9, 2017
I have enjoyed the full length stories about Old Red and Big Red and their "detectiving" efforts. This collection of short stories fills in some gaps before and between the novels. All were entertaining and told in a style more reminiscent of Mark Twain than of Conan Doyle, at least in my opinion. But of course they are definitely American stories, and the American style is appropriate even though Old Red idolizes "Mr. Sherlock Holmes."
If you like Twain, or 19th century American mystery tales, or humorous western stories, these will probably please you. The narrator for the Audible edition is quite good and easy to listen to as well.
If you like Twain, or 19th century American mystery tales, or humorous western stories, these will probably please you. The narrator for the Audible edition is quite good and easy to listen to as well.
August 15, 2021
Steve Hockensmith writes some very interesting western stories that explain life in America as the nation moved west. In this story he has managed to incorporate seven range mysteries into one book that has the two brothers in different situations and tie them all together. The brothers travels take the from punching cattle to running a small cafe which they manage to sell back to the cook for twenty one dollars. Crazy Kathy was as sly as a fox. I found the book enjoyable, funny ,and those of us with a older brother it will remind you of growing up.
November 25, 2024
I read the Steve Hockensmith books to my husband, who is blind. It's always fun to do and we enjoy the laughs throughout the books. We can count on Steve to provide a good time! The Amlingmeyer brothers are great characters and every book has been a gem, since the first one we read years ago, Holmes on the Range. I introduced my Book Club to Steve's writing back then too. I am looking forward to the new year when I will have his new westerns to read. (Keep that a secret! They're Christmas presents to my husband.)
April 8, 2018
Big Red and Old Red are Back!
I love this series, featuring the Amlingmeyer brothers - two cowpokes who stumble across Sherlock Holmes stories and use his deducifying methods to solve crimes in the old west. There hasn't been a new novel in a while, so I was glad to see this collection on Amazon. Big Red and Old Red cross paths with wolves, dentists, lake monsters, and Mormons. A rollicking round up of tales.
I love this series, featuring the Amlingmeyer brothers - two cowpokes who stumble across Sherlock Holmes stories and use his deducifying methods to solve crimes in the old west. There hasn't been a new novel in a while, so I was glad to see this collection on Amazon. Big Red and Old Red cross paths with wolves, dentists, lake monsters, and Mormons. A rollicking round up of tales.
November 3, 2023
This is another action book about the Amlingmeyer brothers, Big Red and Old Red. There are many stories of their encounters while trying to become employed as detectives. They get into some scrapes and Old Red's "detectiving" has to save the day. It is enjoyable to read about all the different encounters. I have read several books about them and they continue to entertain. I really enjoy their stories.
April 18, 2018
B; I love a good cozy mystery and this was the first one I've read set in the wild west. It was a bit different, but follwed the expected plot. Brothers are hired hands and mimic the cowboy version of Holmes and Watson.
May 5, 2017
Somewhat entertaining, not so much as as Sherlock pastiche, but a glimpse into life in the American west in the late 19th century.
July 5, 2017
Lovely, evocative writing. I thoroughly enjoyed these short stories. A delicious mix of dark humour and tradtional 'western', with two very engaging characters at the heart of the tales.
July 14, 2017
Absolutely brilliant - and laugh-out-loud!
I seriously hope someone turns this into a (very faithful) TV series... I'd be a number one fan!
I seriously hope someone turns this into a (very faithful) TV series... I'd be a number one fan!
December 5, 2017
My favorite kind of western/mysteries. This one didn’t disappoint
July 10, 2018
Perfect little additional gems to the main series!
October 25, 2018
i liked all of these
March 27, 2020
Fun and clever detective tales in the short-story format, very reminiscent of Conan Doyle's work.
July 15, 2021
This is a really fun series. Great characters, and entertaining storytelling.
December 21, 2021
Very Good; Continuing characters: Amlingmeyer brothers; collection of short stories featuring the "deducifyin'" brothers
July 2, 2022
Really fun companion to Sherlock Holmes books set in the American West.
March 12, 2024
Short stories about the Holmes of the western range as told by his brother Big Red with his signature wry humor.
August 7, 2022
Scratch you head, ‘Aha!’ and a laugh or two
Read this collection for cowboy detecting and a few laughs. With COVID driving up prices from food to gas, enjoy some nostalgic 1893 prices.
Read this collection for cowboy detecting and a few laughs. With COVID driving up prices from food to gas, enjoy some nostalgic 1893 prices.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 50 reviews