Saturday, at "M" is for Mystery, in San Mateo, CA, was the site of the very first reading/signing for new author Steve Hockensmith. His new book is called HOLMES ON THE RANGE, pulished by St. Martin's Minotaur. It's about two cowboys, brothers Old Red and Big Red Amlingmeyer, who are such big fans of Sherlock Holmes, they decide to put their "deducifyin' skills" to work for real.

Readers of EQMM and AHMM will recognize the name Hockensmith from several stories he's had published over the years, some of which feature the Amlingmeyer brothers. Don't worry though, you don't have to have read them to enjoy the novel. Steve also has a monthly column in AHMM called REEL CRIME.

Present at the signing, in addition to the fans, included Steve's lovely wife, Mar, and his parents, Ron and Sandy, who flew from Atlanta to attend their son's first signing. It was Ron, also a Sherlock Holmes fan, who first turned Steve on to Holmes.

Fans of Holmes, the old west, the Vitorian Era, and fans of the mystery genre will very likely enjoy this book, which was blurbed by authors such as Laurie R. King, Nicholas Meyer, and Marcia Muller.

I have only just started the book, so I can't offer a review, but I can say that I already know I like it. Check it out! Also, check his Steve's website for his signing schedule, to see if he's appearing at a bookstore near you.