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Holmes On the Range #2
On the Wrong Track
Gustav 'Old Red' Amlingmeyer is an old-fashioned kind of guy: He prefers a long trail ride even when a train ticket can get him where he's going in one-tenth the time. So when it's Old Red who insists on guarding the Pacific Express, despite a generations-old family distrust of the farm stealin', cattle-killin', money-grubbing' railroads, Big Red is flummoxed. But as usual, he'll follow his ornery brother just about anywhere.
Audiobook
First published March 6, 2007
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395 people want to read
About the author
Steve Hockensmith
93books517followersSteve 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 - 30 of 148 reviews
January 24, 2019
A great entry in a series that should be much better known.
The Almingmeyer Brothers are trying to find work as detectives. By chance, they meet a drunken, but legendary railroad detective, who recommends them for a job with the Southern Pacific. The brothers hate the railroads, and Gustav gets railroad sick.
There's a gang robbing the train, and murder, and mysterious boxes, and coffins, and all sorts of things stuffed into the plot, but the story never seems rushed or crowded. The solution is fair, but tough to figure out.
So far, the best mystery I've read this year.
The Almingmeyer Brothers are trying to find work as detectives. By chance, they meet a drunken, but legendary railroad detective, who recommends them for a job with the Southern Pacific. The brothers hate the railroads, and Gustav gets railroad sick.
There's a gang robbing the train, and murder, and mysterious boxes, and coffins, and all sorts of things stuffed into the plot, but the story never seems rushed or crowded. The solution is fair, but tough to figure out.
So far, the best mystery I've read this year.
February 16, 2012
First Line: Few things dampen a man's appreciation for natural splendor more quickly than the sound of another man's retching.
The man who's retching? Gustav "Old Red" Amlingmeyer. The man who has to listen to him? His brother, Otto "Big Red" Amlingmeyer. Something more is disagreeing with Old Red than the fact that he's traveling on a train. In fact, he has his brother completely mystified. You see, Old Red has the deep distrust of railroads that just about everyone does who's been raised on a farm in the late 1800s, and Big Red would love to know why his older brother insisted that they become railroad detectives on the Pacific Express.
The answer is rather simple: Old Red is tired of being a cowboy. He wants to follow in the footsteps of his hero, Sherlock Holmes, and give "detectifying" a try. Little do the two brothers know that they're in for a wild ride. They're being shadowed by a gang of outlaws who've already shown that they can rob the Pacific Express. There's a baggage car stuffed to the rafters with all sorts of deadly secrets, and amongst the colorful passel of passengers lurks a vicious killer. Getting trapped on this train as it barrels through the snowy High Sierras means that the Amlingmeyers need to be as good at deductifying as Mr. Holmes... or they're going to be fertilizer for the daisies that will bloom come spring.
My first piece of advice to you (besides "Get your hands on this book!") is to buckle up. It's been a few days since I've read On the Wrong Track, and I still feel as though I just fell off a rollercoaster after one helluva ride. Putting the Amlingmeyers on a train is a piece of genius. Those old steam locomotives scream Wild West, and what better setting for two cowboy detectives and a memorable cast of passengers?
There are passengers who aren't whom they appear to be, although they behave normally. There are passengers who act in a suspicious manner... but are they really up to something? Fellow railroad employees are by turns friendly, helpful, grouchy, mean, secretive, bossy.... A reader's head can spin without adding a gang of outlaws to the mix!
Once that train pulls out of the station, the pace turns into a runaway. One calamity after another strikes until it's almost impossible for those two detectifying brothers-- or the reader-- to catch their breath. To say I loved this book would be an understatement. I didn't so much read it as experience it. Steve Hockensmith gave me a ticket to ride, and I think I whooped and hollered all the way down the tracks. However, I'd like to caution you about one thing: If you have a fear or loathing of our legless reptilian brethren, I'd advise you to skip chapter twenty-three. I'm still keeping my Louisville Slugger at hand... and sitting with my feet off the floor.
If you have yet to read a book in this series, get your hands on one and read it! Odds are you'll then be following Old Red and Big Red wherever they may wander. When I turned the last page of On the Wrong Track, all I could do was remove my Stetson, beat off some of the dust, and grin.
The man who's retching? Gustav "Old Red" Amlingmeyer. The man who has to listen to him? His brother, Otto "Big Red" Amlingmeyer. Something more is disagreeing with Old Red than the fact that he's traveling on a train. In fact, he has his brother completely mystified. You see, Old Red has the deep distrust of railroads that just about everyone does who's been raised on a farm in the late 1800s, and Big Red would love to know why his older brother insisted that they become railroad detectives on the Pacific Express.
The answer is rather simple: Old Red is tired of being a cowboy. He wants to follow in the footsteps of his hero, Sherlock Holmes, and give "detectifying" a try. Little do the two brothers know that they're in for a wild ride. They're being shadowed by a gang of outlaws who've already shown that they can rob the Pacific Express. There's a baggage car stuffed to the rafters with all sorts of deadly secrets, and amongst the colorful passel of passengers lurks a vicious killer. Getting trapped on this train as it barrels through the snowy High Sierras means that the Amlingmeyers need to be as good at deductifying as Mr. Holmes... or they're going to be fertilizer for the daisies that will bloom come spring.
My first piece of advice to you (besides "Get your hands on this book!") is to buckle up. It's been a few days since I've read On the Wrong Track, and I still feel as though I just fell off a rollercoaster after one helluva ride. Putting the Amlingmeyers on a train is a piece of genius. Those old steam locomotives scream Wild West, and what better setting for two cowboy detectives and a memorable cast of passengers?
There are passengers who aren't whom they appear to be, although they behave normally. There are passengers who act in a suspicious manner... but are they really up to something? Fellow railroad employees are by turns friendly, helpful, grouchy, mean, secretive, bossy.... A reader's head can spin without adding a gang of outlaws to the mix!
Once that train pulls out of the station, the pace turns into a runaway. One calamity after another strikes until it's almost impossible for those two detectifying brothers-- or the reader-- to catch their breath. To say I loved this book would be an understatement. I didn't so much read it as experience it. Steve Hockensmith gave me a ticket to ride, and I think I whooped and hollered all the way down the tracks. However, I'd like to caution you about one thing: If you have a fear or loathing of our legless reptilian brethren, I'd advise you to skip chapter twenty-three. I'm still keeping my Louisville Slugger at hand... and sitting with my feet off the floor.
If you have yet to read a book in this series, get your hands on one and read it! Odds are you'll then be following Old Red and Big Red wherever they may wander. When I turned the last page of On the Wrong Track, all I could do was remove my Stetson, beat off some of the dust, and grin.
November 7, 2020
I really enjoyed this mystery story set in the late 1800s where two brothers are following the deducifying skills of Sherlock Holmes in their own lives. I love Gustav and Otto, and their sibling banter is awesome. I'm glad I found this book on kindle and look forward to reading other books in this series.
February 8, 2025
Digital audiobook performed by William Dufris
Book two in the “Holmes on the Range� series of mysteries set in the American Wild West, circa 1893. The Amlingmeyer brothers are Gustave (Old Red) and Otto (Big Red), iterant cowhands but with aspirations to become detectives. Well, Gustave has the aspirations fueled by the stories of Sherlock Holmes, and Big Red takes on the role of Watson. This time out they’ve hired on as “Pinkertons in disguise� to ride the Southern Pacific and fend off the Give-‘em-Hell Boys, a notorious gang of robbers recently plaguing the railroad.
I really like this series, and I sure do wish I hadn’t waited so long to get to this second episode. In addition to the brothers, Hockensmith populates the books with an array of interesting and colorful side characters. One of the best things about the series is Hockensmith’s way with words. Here are some examples:
”When so much is sumptuous and shining, the gaudy spectacle of it is enough to make you forget, just for a moment, the ramshackle shoddiness of your everyday world.
“I hadn’t just put my foot in my mouth � I’d dipped it in arsenic first.�
“I would say he was three sheets to the wind, only I think he had a good many more sheets a -flapping than that.�
William Dufris does a fine job of narrating the audiobook. I love the way he interprets the Amlingmeyer brothers, particularly Otto, who narrates the story.
Book two in the “Holmes on the Range� series of mysteries set in the American Wild West, circa 1893. The Amlingmeyer brothers are Gustave (Old Red) and Otto (Big Red), iterant cowhands but with aspirations to become detectives. Well, Gustave has the aspirations fueled by the stories of Sherlock Holmes, and Big Red takes on the role of Watson. This time out they’ve hired on as “Pinkertons in disguise� to ride the Southern Pacific and fend off the Give-‘em-Hell Boys, a notorious gang of robbers recently plaguing the railroad.
I really like this series, and I sure do wish I hadn’t waited so long to get to this second episode. In addition to the brothers, Hockensmith populates the books with an array of interesting and colorful side characters. One of the best things about the series is Hockensmith’s way with words. Here are some examples:
”When so much is sumptuous and shining, the gaudy spectacle of it is enough to make you forget, just for a moment, the ramshackle shoddiness of your everyday world.
“I hadn’t just put my foot in my mouth � I’d dipped it in arsenic first.�
“I would say he was three sheets to the wind, only I think he had a good many more sheets a -flapping than that.�
William Dufris does a fine job of narrating the audiobook. I love the way he interprets the Amlingmeyer brothers, particularly Otto, who narrates the story.
November 24, 2024
A fun mystery to read that felt like a ride.
The Amlingmeyer brothers, also known as Old Red and Big Red have been given the opportunity to be detectives on the S.P. on its way to San Francisco.
It's been Old Red's dream to be a detective like Sherlock Holmes, and now, along with his brother's help, his dream is becoming a reality. A lot more entailed than can be imagined...
A murder and a robbery take place. Now, the question is who is behind all of it and can they figure it out?
Filled with humor, fun, adventure, and leaving you trying to figure out the mystery with them, it is worth a read. Loved the story, the western vibes, how clever it was, and a great ending.
The Amlingmeyer brothers, also known as Old Red and Big Red have been given the opportunity to be detectives on the S.P. on its way to San Francisco.
It's been Old Red's dream to be a detective like Sherlock Holmes, and now, along with his brother's help, his dream is becoming a reality. A lot more entailed than can be imagined...
A murder and a robbery take place. Now, the question is who is behind all of it and can they figure it out?
Filled with humor, fun, adventure, and leaving you trying to figure out the mystery with them, it is worth a read. Loved the story, the western vibes, how clever it was, and a great ending.
June 29, 2017
Really good twist
This book was a fun read . You were not sure what was going to develope, but you knew it was going to be good clean fun, even if there was a lot of death involved. The charecters were realistic and enjoyable. The plot was interesting and we'll hidden until the Mid book and then not too obvious until the end. I will read more of this authors work.
This book was a fun read . You were not sure what was going to develope, but you knew it was going to be good clean fun, even if there was a lot of death involved. The charecters were realistic and enjoyable. The plot was interesting and we'll hidden until the Mid book and then not too obvious until the end. I will read more of this authors work.
March 21, 2022
I found it to be a pleasant read. Sherlock Holmes but cowboys in the 1890s. I enjoyed the writing style a lot and the main character's inner voice. I haven't read the first book with these characters and that wasn't an issue at all. It read very well as a standalone novel.
March 17, 2013
On the Wrong Track is the second in the series following drovers Otto (Big Red) and Gustav (Old Red) Amlingmeyer, brothers and readers of Sherlock Holmes in the Old West.
Despite the fact that they make him toss his cookies, Gustav convinces his younger brother Otto to sign on with the Southern Pacific Railroad as undercover detectives. What follows is the train ride from Hell, as it becomes evident that one of the riders is a ruthless killer!
Like the first book in the series (Holmes on the Range), the story here moves at a quick yet entertaining pace as the brothers try to figure out the who, what and why using Holmesian methodology (and do so without becoming dead). Steve Hockensmith has a talent for seamlessly integrating a variety of scenes into his writing, from action (lots of it) to comedy (lots of it) to heartfelt moments that further define his lead characters (excellent).
The next time you feel like reading something 'fun', pick up a selection from this series!
Despite the fact that they make him toss his cookies, Gustav convinces his younger brother Otto to sign on with the Southern Pacific Railroad as undercover detectives. What follows is the train ride from Hell, as it becomes evident that one of the riders is a ruthless killer!
Like the first book in the series (Holmes on the Range), the story here moves at a quick yet entertaining pace as the brothers try to figure out the who, what and why using Holmesian methodology (and do so without becoming dead). Steve Hockensmith has a talent for seamlessly integrating a variety of scenes into his writing, from action (lots of it) to comedy (lots of it) to heartfelt moments that further define his lead characters (excellent).
The next time you feel like reading something 'fun', pick up a selection from this series!
July 20, 2015
This book has been rather difficult for me to read. I've tried to pick it up a couple of times, and it has been very difficult for me to get into. I thought the beginning was slow and hokey and I really didn't like the writing style. It picked up once the main characters got on the train and hit the mystery of the novel... but then it kind of stayed at the same level of fascination for me for the rest of the book.
Overall, I wouldn't recommend this to a lot of people. If you're really into western mysteries, and you're strapped for things to read, sure, pick it up, it's not the most terrible, but it also isn't particularly good in my opinion.
Also - I realize that this is set in the 1800s and like, racism existed at the time and that's just how it was, but I really wasn't into the instances of racism in the story. There is an Asian character constantly referred to as a slur (only in dialogue, not in the author's description), but it is still pretty annoying.
Overall, I wouldn't recommend this to a lot of people. If you're really into western mysteries, and you're strapped for things to read, sure, pick it up, it's not the most terrible, but it also isn't particularly good in my opinion.
Also - I realize that this is set in the 1800s and like, racism existed at the time and that's just how it was, but I really wasn't into the instances of racism in the story. There is an Asian character constantly referred to as a slur (only in dialogue, not in the author's description), but it is still pretty annoying.
March 30, 2013
Cowboys Otto “Big Red� Amlingmeyer and his brother Gustav “Old Red� are back and they're tired. Tired of saddle sores and long trail rides. Old Red insists they sign on to protect the luxurious new Pacific Express, despite a generations-old Amlingmeyer family distrust of the farm-stealin', cattle-killin', money-grubbin' railroads. Old Red knows that little brother, Big Red wants to take a stab at professional ‘detectifying� just like his hero, Sherlock Holmes so they quickly find themselves hired on as guards for the railroad. Soon, the boys find themselves trapped on a train, summiting the Sierras en route to San Francisco with a gang of outlaws, a baggage car filled with secrets, and a vicious killer hidden somewhere amongst the passengers.
I enjoyed this book more than the first.
I enjoyed this book more than the first.
May 29, 2013
What a hoot! The author, with tongue firmly planted in cheek (just look at the subtitle), writes a good yarn that holds your interest and stretches believability just enough to be fun. A nod to the narrator, William Dufris, who handles multiple voices well, including the females. His reading might be jarring to those unaccustomed to the B western style of old Hollywood but stick with it. It's supposed to be humorous and a bit goofy. Recommended for anyone who wants to enjoy a lighthearted romp in the old West.
January 16, 2013
It had "Holmes" in the title - so I was a sucker for it !
The first of this series was - "Holmes on the Range"
and it was not exactly what I was expecting, but it was a hoot and although I cringed at the rather 'low' humor - couldn't help but laugh and enjoy the goofy brother and the references to Holmes, fresh twist on cowboy life and the mystery to be solved.
I'll be checking the rest of the series out of the library.
(Will apply this to the others I've read, also).
Read in 2011.
The first of this series was - "Holmes on the Range"
and it was not exactly what I was expecting, but it was a hoot and although I cringed at the rather 'low' humor - couldn't help but laugh and enjoy the goofy brother and the references to Holmes, fresh twist on cowboy life and the mystery to be solved.
I'll be checking the rest of the series out of the library.
(Will apply this to the others I've read, also).
Read in 2011.
November 15, 2012
A good sequel to the first book. I like the adventures of the two main characters.
March 16, 2024
Another great Holmes on the Range mystery.
February 27, 2019
I began reading Steve Hockensmith's Holmes on the Range series because I had been recently reminded of the existence of Molly Tanzer and her book Vermilion, which was an excellent steampunk Western and just at that moment my friend Dave had posted a picture of one of the Holmes on the Range books on Facebook right as I had this thought. "What is that?" I asked, hoping that a Western mystery would scratch a couple of my itches. I enjoyed the first of those Holmes on the Range books, and was excited to get into this second one.
It is in moments like this that a star rating system kind of falls flat. I did not enjoy On the Wrong Track as much as I enjoyed Holmes on the Range. Perhaps since I was already familiar with the concept of the Almingmeyer brothers floating around the Old West and solving crimes, Sherlock Holmes style, maybe the novelty has worn off a bit for me. However, I would argue that in some ways, the writing is not as deft as it was in Holmes on the Range. The plot is slightly clunky and as a result the narrative is not as smooth as it could be. However, when engaging in reading a mystery set in the Old West, should one expect to read something on the level of Crime and Punishment? Sometimes you just want to eat a Sausage McMuffin with Egg. No, it isn't the best thing you ever ate, but given what it is, it hits a certain spot. This is largely how I view On the Wrong Track--is it flawed? Yes. Is it a fun read? Hell yeah. Not everything we read has to have life-changing gravitas, but it's nice when it happens.
With that in mind, if you have already read Holmes on the Range this book will make you want to keep following the adventures of the Almingmeyer brothers. "Big Red" (Otto), is a great narrator and an excellent foil to his brother "Old Red" (Gustav), who is the Holmes to Otto's Watson here. For all of this book's flaws, those two characters are still well written. But if you haven't read the first book, I don't feel like this is the place to start. Go check out Holmes on the Range and then come back for the fun of this one. You'll thank me later.
It is in moments like this that a star rating system kind of falls flat. I did not enjoy On the Wrong Track as much as I enjoyed Holmes on the Range. Perhaps since I was already familiar with the concept of the Almingmeyer brothers floating around the Old West and solving crimes, Sherlock Holmes style, maybe the novelty has worn off a bit for me. However, I would argue that in some ways, the writing is not as deft as it was in Holmes on the Range. The plot is slightly clunky and as a result the narrative is not as smooth as it could be. However, when engaging in reading a mystery set in the Old West, should one expect to read something on the level of Crime and Punishment? Sometimes you just want to eat a Sausage McMuffin with Egg. No, it isn't the best thing you ever ate, but given what it is, it hits a certain spot. This is largely how I view On the Wrong Track--is it flawed? Yes. Is it a fun read? Hell yeah. Not everything we read has to have life-changing gravitas, but it's nice when it happens.
With that in mind, if you have already read Holmes on the Range this book will make you want to keep following the adventures of the Almingmeyer brothers. "Big Red" (Otto), is a great narrator and an excellent foil to his brother "Old Red" (Gustav), who is the Holmes to Otto's Watson here. For all of this book's flaws, those two characters are still well written. But if you haven't read the first book, I don't feel like this is the place to start. Go check out Holmes on the Range and then come back for the fun of this one. You'll thank me later.
September 12, 2020
I listened to this audiobook. Gustav (Old Red) and Otto (Big Red) Amlingmeyer are brothers in the old west, 1893. They are cattle drovers, working ranches. Gustav is the elder brother, but cannot read. Otto reads to Gustav. When Otto reads the Sherlock Holmes stories to Gustav he is more than mesmerized, he is transformed. Gustav wants to be a detective. Otto dreams of being a writer and has written a book about their adventures in the first book in this series. Together they are trying to make their dreams come true. In this, the second book in the series, Old Red and Big Red get a chance to work as detectives on the express train that runs over the Sierras to California. The train has been robbed by a notorious gang more than once, and the company is worried. Gustav is worried because he gets horrible motion sickness on the train, but he must do his “detectifying� when a severed head is seen rolling on the tracks. Bodies start piling up and the train is attacked again by the gang. An alcoholic washed up Pinkerton detective is on board, and he is a hindrance to our heroes. Despite his wooziness Gustav finds clues, and Otto supplies the support. They meet a feisty young woman who helps them. Full of action and very, very funny, this is a terrific series. The narrator is delightful with his accents and enthusiasm.
May 4, 2021
For most of this book, the principal mystery for me was, "Who is Otto (Big Red) Amlingmeyer, and why does he sound so different when he's writing than when he's speaking?" The narrator's (first-person) voice was a HUGE distraction for me. For someone of German descent, he uses very little German words or sentence structure; his dialogue is very American Western drawl; and his writing/narrative style is good, standard English with some extra-colorful adjectives thrown in. Also, I had a hard time getting over his relatively young brother's nickname, 'Old Red,' and the fact that Otto couldn't seem to refer to his brother in a consistent way. 'Gustav' and 'Old Red' were used interchangeably, without any apparent reason.
To be fair, I have not read the first book in the series. I might have a different impression of this book if I had, but I have very little inclination to pick up the first one after having read this one.
Towards the end, when the action picked up, I was a little more hooked. The ending of the conflict was pretty satisfying, but the ending of the book I found less so.
Having said all that, it was a decent read, and those who are a little less nit-picky than I would likely enjoy it.
To be fair, I have not read the first book in the series. I might have a different impression of this book if I had, but I have very little inclination to pick up the first one after having read this one.
Towards the end, when the action picked up, I was a little more hooked. The ending of the conflict was pretty satisfying, but the ending of the book I found less so.
Having said all that, it was a decent read, and those who are a little less nit-picky than I would likely enjoy it.
March 31, 2021
Gustav “Old Red� Amlingmeyer and his younger brother, Otto “Big Red� Amlingmeyer, have decided they are going to quit working on ranches as cowboys and apply at Pinkerton offices as detectives. Due to their inexperience they are only able to get jobs as railroad detectives and are assigned to a train that had been robbed recently by a gang of bank robbers. While aboard the train they discover that the baggageman had been killed and thrown off the train. While investigating the murder, they run into the various passengers, each with their own agenda, that are returning home from a visit to the Chicago Exposition. The cowboys-turned-detectives have to figure out the crime, who the suspects are, and deal with bank robbers too!
I found this book to be an enjoyable adventure and it was nice to see the progression of the main characters as they pursue their dreams of becoming just like their heroes, Sherlock Holmes and Doctor Watson.
I found this book to be an enjoyable adventure and it was nice to see the progression of the main characters as they pursue their dreams of becoming just like their heroes, Sherlock Holmes and Doctor Watson.
November 29, 2019
I loved this story!
The brothers are on a train from Ogden to Oakland performing Southern Pacific Rail Road detective duties and they encounter more than pick pockets and con men.
First off they have to deal with the death of the baggage car employee, and then be held up by train robbers.
There is a famous Pinkerton agent on board, but as he is drunk most of the time, they are hard pressed to get much help from him.
Two coffins play their part, as well as undercover agents and a snake, let loose.
I was able to read this cover to cover in one session, so I especially enjoyed following the clues sprinkled throughout.
No need to have read book one in the series. This stands up on its own.
I have persuaded my reading group to read this series in December. I think they are going to love it.
I borrowed a copy of this from the public library.
The brothers are on a train from Ogden to Oakland performing Southern Pacific Rail Road detective duties and they encounter more than pick pockets and con men.
First off they have to deal with the death of the baggage car employee, and then be held up by train robbers.
There is a famous Pinkerton agent on board, but as he is drunk most of the time, they are hard pressed to get much help from him.
Two coffins play their part, as well as undercover agents and a snake, let loose.
I was able to read this cover to cover in one session, so I especially enjoyed following the clues sprinkled throughout.
No need to have read book one in the series. This stands up on its own.
I have persuaded my reading group to read this series in December. I think they are going to love it.
I borrowed a copy of this from the public library.
December 24, 2023
A mystery involving trains, bank robbers, and stolen gold�
On the Wrong Track: A Holmes on the Range Mystery by Steve Hockensmith is the second in the series following a pair of cowboy brothers trying to be detectives.
Old Red and Big Red find themselves hired on as railroad detectives to try and capture a viscous railroad robber gang.
Aside from the opening, almost the entire story is set on or around the train…with a mix of various characters and potential criminals�
As with the first book, it’s told entirely from Big Red’s perspective…written as if it might be published in one of those detective magazines.
Interested to see how the rest of the series played out�
On the Wrong Track: A Holmes on the Range Mystery by Steve Hockensmith is the second in the series following a pair of cowboy brothers trying to be detectives.
Old Red and Big Red find themselves hired on as railroad detectives to try and capture a viscous railroad robber gang.
Aside from the opening, almost the entire story is set on or around the train…with a mix of various characters and potential criminals�
As with the first book, it’s told entirely from Big Red’s perspective…written as if it might be published in one of those detective magazines.
Interested to see how the rest of the series played out�
June 25, 2021
The murderer is on the train...How would Sherlock Holmes solve this mystery? The characters, Big Red and Old Red, are again “deducifying�! This adventure, from Chicago to Oakland, rumbled right through my backyard. The Southern Pacific Railroad, railroad detectives, Pinkerton agents, the Give-‘Em-Hell-Boys, a beautiful woman, MURDERS, and gold. Pretty sure that covers it all. You can’t beat a great Western to escape...looking forward to the next installment in the “Holmes on the Range Mystery� series. (This was #2 of 6)
April 9, 2019
Another yarn of detectifying from the brothers Big Red & Old Red. This one takes place on the S & P railroad and involves bandits that have been holding up trains. Most notably the bandits got away with gold bars worth quite a sum of money.
Big Red & Old Red find themselves riding the rails to keep order and safety for all. There are a few twists along the track so you better hold on. Watch out for snakes and packages of great heft.
Big Red & Old Red find themselves riding the rails to keep order and safety for all. There are a few twists along the track so you better hold on. Watch out for snakes and packages of great heft.
December 10, 2020
ON THE WRONG TRACK is my second encounter with Steve Hockensmith's Sherlockian western duo, Big Red and Old Red Amlingmeyer. An amusing, suspenseful and moderately fast paced western detective novel, rides the rails with a colorful cast of characters which keeps you turning pages until the last junction! "All Aboard!" A solid 4.25 rating for my ticket. The "Holmes on the Range" mystery series doesn't disappoint.
July 31, 2023
A fun read
This time Big Red and Old Red "Holmes" try out their detective skills for the railroad, and end up on another crazy and humorous adventure! I admit, there is a part of me that finds the story ridiculous--but it is engaging enough that I can't put it down! For a fun time, read about the "Holmes" brothers! I love how dedicated they are to each other, even as they have their sibling-spats. Thanks for the good read! Onto the next in the series!
This time Big Red and Old Red "Holmes" try out their detective skills for the railroad, and end up on another crazy and humorous adventure! I admit, there is a part of me that finds the story ridiculous--but it is engaging enough that I can't put it down! For a fun time, read about the "Holmes" brothers! I love how dedicated they are to each other, even as they have their sibling-spats. Thanks for the good read! Onto the next in the series!
January 21, 2024
So, I lied and read another one of these cozy mysteries for men because I'm engaged in longer, deeper, worthier books on weightier subjects, and I needed something I could read while almost asleep to balance out all that studying. The second in the series is less obnoxious, i.e., a titch less cowboy lingo (or maybe I'm used to it), but not much less predictable. Hopefully, the series will wrap up nicely.
November 9, 2018
Taking a break from being cowboys, Old Red and Big Red Amlingmeyer take guarding jobs for the railroad. A gang of outlaws, secrets and a killer allow Old Red to practice his “detectifying� skills, just like his hero, Sherlock Holmes. I really like the “Holmes on the Range� mystery stories. Good characters, mysteries and the Wild West, why not?
August 4, 2018
Much easier read than his first book. The dialogue in Holmes on the Range was too awkward for me but I Soldiered through it; this one however didn’t have all of the difficult dialogue that slowed down and impeded the reading process and hence overall enjoyment.
September 28, 2018
The second book in this series killed it for me to read the rest. Some of the story is just too much "duh" for me. Sometimes a little too painful and hard to keep interested in. I like the concept of the story, but just a little too blah.
August 20, 2019
it's been a long time since I read Holmes on the Range and I'm sorry I took so long to read the next book. A very entertaining, funny, thrill packed yarn. Old Red and Big Red are my kind of flawed big- hearted heroes. I would love to see a some sort of Netflix type series based on these books.
March 27, 2020
Even funnier than the first volume, with characters more caricature-ish and a tense, well thought-out locked-room plot. Digs at the railroad barons of the 1890s and tension over universal suffrage continue book 1's social conscience.
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