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Type of bind: Paperback
Dewey Decimal Number: 813
EAN num: 9780312372880
ISBN number: 0312372884
Label: St. Martin's Minotaur
Manufacturer: St. Martin's Minotaur
Quantity: 1
Page Count: 304
Printing Date: January 08, 2008
Publishing house: St. Martin's Minotaur
Release Date: January 08, 2008
Sale Popularity Level: 197013
Studio: St. Martin's Minotaur
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It might be 1893 and the modern world may in full-swing, but cowboy Gustav 'Old Red' Amlingmeyer is an old-fashioned kind of guy: he prefers a long trail ride even when a train could get him where he’s going in one-tenth the time. His brother Otto (“Big Red”), on the other hand, wouldn't mind climbing down from his horse and onto a train once in a while if it'll give his saddle-sore rear end a rest. So when it's Old Red who insists they sign on to protect the luxurious Pacific Express, despite a generations-old Amlingmeyer family distrust of the farm-stealin', cattle-killin', money-grubbin' railroads, Big Red is flummoxed. But Old Red, tired of the cowpoke life, wants to take a stab at professional ‘detectifying’ just like his hero, Sherlock Holmes and guard jobs for the railroad are the only ones on offer.
So it is that Big Red and Old Red find themselves trapped on a thousand tons of steam-driven steel, summiting the Sierras en route to San Francisco with a crafty gang of outlaws somewhere around the subsequent bend, a baggage car jam-packed with deadly secrets, and a vicious killer hidden somewhere amongst the colorful passengers.
On the Wrong Track, Old Red and Big Red’s much anticipated return, is filled with all of the wit, flavor, humor, and suspense that made Hockensmith’s debut, Holmes on the Range, so beloved by critics and fans alike.
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Rated by buyers 
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This is the second book about Otto and Gustav Amlingmeyer, aka Big Red and Old Red, two brothers in the old west who aspire to be like Holmes and Watson. This time, they manage to land a job as detectives on a train. It's a good mystery, written with plenty of humor, great characters and fast action. It is a lot of fun. You don't have to read the very first book very first (Holmes On The Range), but you won't want to miss out on it, either.
Rated by buyers 
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Starting shortly after the incident in Holmes on the Range, in On the Wrong Track we find the Amlingmeyer brothers trying to find work where Gustav can use his investigating skills to fight crime. When we join the story, they've used most of the cash savings and been laughed at in most of the places they've asked about employment. However, a chance meeting with a down and out drunk who turns out to be Burl Lockhart, famous in many a penny dreadful, sets them off to become railroad detectives for Southern Pacific. Will this be the chance they need to see Gustav's dream come true or just another chance to fail?
There's some problems right at the beginning. You see Amlingmeyer's don't use trains because their cattlemen and the railroads are ruining the West, or at least that's why Otto always thought they didn't take trains. Gustav has a secret. He's ashamed to admit but any reader will figure it out by chapter two -- he gets train sick. Now the whole train thing and the fact that they're low on funds has Otto rethinking his relationship with Gustav. Gustav wants to be a detective and we saw in the very first book that he really has a flair for it. He wants Otto to be his Watson and write up his stories. Otto has written the very first adventure up but he refuses to send it off -- mainly because if you don't send it, it can't be rejected.
There's enough blue herrings and misdirection to get a train on a track lost. But it's not confusing to the reader. Hockensmith sets us a tidy mystery with train robbers, drunk Pinkerton officials, officious train personnel, and some very strange and strangely acting passengers. And through it all we have the brothers who have to come to terms with the new changes in their relationship. Otto is the youngest but he's the one who can read. Gustav is rich in common sense and abilities but he's ridden the range for years and took on being father and brother to Otto when the family died in a flash flood years ago. Now they're equals and that is changing some of the dynamics in their relationship. And this is all coming on top of a mystery that looks like it could get them killed six ways from Sunday if they aren't careful.
This is a much richer book than Holmes on the Range, the characters were well drawn and believable in the very first book but now they just crackle with energy, causing you, the reader, to worry about them and what they will do next. I found myself getting angry with the train personnel and passengers when they diss'd my guys. I like Otto and Gustav -- they're good people and I hope to read many more stories about their adventures. I just hope the subsequent one lets me catch my breath between mishaps and near misses.
Rated by buyers -
I loved the very first book, so I didn't think this one could be better. But I was wrong. It was even better! Wow, great series... can't wait for the 3rd!!!
Rated by buyers -
I think this just about sums up the series,
"... I've got a little problem explaining how I came to be face-to-face, with a flying head. Yes it's a detective story, but I can't start it the proper way at all. There's no office, no sitting room, no bloody nuts. There's not even a proper detective. All I've got's an illiterate cowboy who fancies himself the Holmes on the Range and his not-quite-so ambitious pal."
While my favorite pastiche is still The Seven Percent Solution, this comes close. This is an excellent series of pastiches. It is set in the universe of Holmes but does not involve Holmes directly. Old Red, the illiterate cowboy, listens to his brother, Big Red, read Holmes' tales (from Harpers magazine) and takes it upon himself to emulate the master. While Big Red takes up the role of Dr Watson, scribe, assistant, and sometimes sounding board.
Mr Hockensmith, seems to have done his research. There are several instances where I find myself googling something he's written about and finding out, sure enough it's true. Of course I don't do this while reading, I do this after the fact. This is one of the few series of books in the last three or so years, that I really don't want to put down.
I hope this series continues for years to come and I hope PBS or someone with some money picks up the TV rights and does it properly.
Rated by buyers -
Brothers Old Red and Big Red have had no luck getting jobs at ranches. With their funds running low, they take advantage of the recommendation from dime novel legend Burl Lockhart and join the Pacific Express as detectives. For Old Red, this represents the pursuit of a dream and a chance to become like his hero, Sherlock Holmes. For Big Red, this represents something of a puzzle since their family has hated the railroad for years.
The two men are hardly on board the train before Old Red develops a horrid case of motion sickness. But the real challenge begins when they see the head of the baggage boy roll out from under the train. Clearly, this is no accident. Things only get more confusing when they experience the strangest holdup of all time. What is really happening on board this train?
I enjoyed the very first in the series, so I was looking forward to spending more time with these two brothers. And they didn't disappoint. Even though they are on a train, we are only introduced to a handful of passengers, making the suspect pool limited. The ones we do get to know are interesting characters, so interesting in fact, that I had a hard time figuring out what role everyone was playing in the drama unfolding. And the climax was one wild ride. I was glad I was able to read it in one sitting.
My only complaint with the novel is the language. Unfortunately, there's quite a bit of four letter words added to the dialogue. Whether it is "realistic" for the 1890's or not I don't care. It still bothered me.
If you can put that aside, this is a fun mystery that will keep you guessing as it transports you back to another time.
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