Short Synopsis
Somewhere due west of Deadwood, a pair of unlikely cowboy sleuths investigate murder just like their hero, Sherlock Holmes, who they come to know by scouring Harper's Weekly for the detective stories.

Full Synopsis
1893 is a tough year in Montana, and any job is a good job. When Big Red and Old Red Amlingmeyer sign on as ranch hands at the secretive Bar-VR cattle spread, they're not expecting much more than hard work, bad pay, and a comfortable campfire around which they can enjoy their favorite pastime: scouring Harper's Weekly for stories about the famous Sherlock Holmes.

When another ranch hand turns up in an outhouse with a bullet in his brain, Old Red sees the perfect opportunity to put his Holmes-inspired detective talents to work and solve the case. Big Red, like it or not (and mostly he does not), is along for the wild ride in this clever, compelling, and completely one-of-a-kind mystery.

"Captivating.... The skillful plotting and characterization augur well for the sequel." ---Publishers Weekly Starred Review

"A great reworking of the Holmes conceit." ---Booklist Starred Review

"This first novel will keep both mystery fans and afficionados of Westerns grinning from the first page to the last.... Highly recommended." ---Library Journal Starred Review

Publishers Weekly Review

Booklist Review

Library Journal Review

Bestseller

Publishers Weekly Bestseller