In 1893, the Amlingmeyer boys venture forth from the west in response to a summons from Otto's ("Big Red") publisher—they are to come to Chicago immediately, to the World's Columbian Exposition, and compete with some of the most famous detectives in the world. Set to coincide with the closing days of the first World's Fair and the publication of the story revealing the death of Sherlock Holmes, Gustav ("Old Red") will be competing for the title of World's Greatest Sleuth! Hating train travel and cities, the real draw is the chance to meet up again with the intriguing and elusive Diana Corvus. But the competition has barely begun before there is a murder in "the White City"—the organizer of the contest is discovered face down in the Mammoth Cheese from Canada—and from there, the game is really afoot.
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"Old Red Amlingmeyer and his brother and chronicler Big Red are invited to the Chicago World's Fair to participate in a contest to determine who's the greatest detective now that Sherlock Holmes appears to be dead. But a death interrupts the second day of the contest. Old Red is sure it's a murder, but neither the head of the Pinkerton agency, William Pinkerton, who is reluctantly running the contest, or the Chicago police want the reputation of the fair soiled by crime. There also seem to be a number of bearded men talking an interest in the brothers. Old Red, crochety as ever, dislikes crowds, public speaking, and the very idea of riding the Ferris Wheel. About the only thing he does like, aside from Sherlock Holmes, is Diana, the lovely detective that the Amlingmeyers have worked with before."
— Susan (4 out of 5 stars)
Hockensmith has delivered a fine addition to his Holmes on the Range series.... This should satisfy historical mystery readers who enjoy a tale full of clues leavened with humor.
— Library Journal" The Amlingmeyer brothers go to the Chicago Columbian Exposition as participants in the World's Greatest Sleuth! competition. Gustav & Otto, of course, save the day. Anymore would be a spoiler. I'm always happy to read the new book in this series. "
— Kelly, 2/16/2014" This is, I believe, the fifth in the Holmes on the Range series, and if you enjoy fun whodunits, I recommend you get on board. Steve is a great guy and a fun, clever writer. My husband is his #1 fan. If you doubt me, check out Steve's web page. And once again Bob is mentioned in the acknowledgements for this book. "
— Victoria, 2/8/2014" I love this series -- it's clever, witty and funny! And this latest book in the series had all these elements in abundance. Can't wait to see what these boys are up to next! "
— David, 2/4/2014" Another entertaining book in the Holmes on the Range series, it was an entertaining "read" to listen to in the car. The Amlingmeyer brothers tackle a mystery at the 1893 Chicago exposition! My only complaint was that the gentleman doing the reading sometimes verged on the cartoonish with some of his character voices. "
— Carolyn, 1/21/2014" Fun, silly and while it takes place during the Chicago World's Fair, it's the exact opposite of The Devil in the White City. Great for a plane trip. Like cotton candy. Funny, punny and odd. "
— Eileend, 1/10/2014" It's 1893 & the Sherlock Holmes-loving Amlingmeyer brothers take their "deducifyin" to Chicago & the first World's Fair. "
— Mary, 12/12/2013" As much as i love this mash between Holmes and Westerns, this one felt less western and more Orient Express who-dunnit. And i loved "Devil in the White City" - but this didn't carry the same tension. "
— Jim, 11/27/2013" Very Good; Continuing characters; Amlingmeyer brothers; they travel to Chicago's 1893 World Columbian Exposition to participate in a contest against other renowned detectives, which takes on a different focus when one of the participants is found dead "
— Joe, 11/19/2013" another entertaining episode in the Amlingmeyer brothers adventures, this time at the Chicago Worlds Fair. Nothing new as far as character development or plot, so it's a little amuse-bouche between other reading. A delightful read. "
— Kevin, 4/19/2013" This is book 5 in a series. I've really enjoyed the series. This one I liked but not as much as previous installments. Not sure why. "
— Patricia, 1/25/2013" I was pleasantly surprised by this book. It was humorous, nicely paced and not as campy as I had feared. True, the main characters were in jeopardy which is one of my least favorite tricks of the genre, but at least they were brawny men and not dumb damsels in distress. "
— Betsy, 11/17/2012MacLeod Andrews is an actor, voice actor, and Earphones Award–winning audiobook narrator who earned the prestigious Audie Award for best narration in 2018. He has starred in a number of independent short and feature films and is a member of the Rising Phoenix Repertory Company in New York City.
William Dufris attended the University of Southern Maine in Portland-Gorham before pursuing a career in voice work in London and then the United States. He has won more than twenty AudioFile Earphones Awards, was voted one of the Best Voices at the End of the Century by AudioFile magazine, and won the prestigious Audie Award in 2012 for best nonfiction narration. He lives with his family in Maine.