📖 Overview
Steve Hockensmith is an American mystery and horror author known for creating the "Holmes on the Range" mystery series and contributing to the "Pride and Prejudice and Zombies" franchise. His debut novel "Holmes on the Range" (2006) earned nominations for multiple prestigious awards including the Edgar, Shamus, and Anthony Awards for Best First Novel.
Hockensmith has achieved notable success in short fiction, winning the Short Mystery Fiction Society's Derringer Award for his story "Erie's Last Day." His work regularly appears in Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine, with several stories receiving nominations for major mystery writing awards including the Shamus, Anthony, and Barry Awards.
Beyond traditional mystery writing, Hockensmith expanded into horror-comedy by authoring two entries in the Quirk Classics series: "Pride and Prejudice and Zombies: Dawn of the Dreadfuls" (2010) and its sequel "Pride and Prejudice and Zombies: Dreadfully Ever After" (2011). The Kentucky-born author currently resides in California's Bay Area, where he continues to write across multiple genres.
👀 Reviews
Readers consistently praise Hockensmith's humor and character development across his works. The "Holmes on the Range" series draws particular appreciation for its authentic Western voice and clever mystery plotting. One Goodreads reviewer noted: "The relationship between the two brothers makes these books special - funny but also touching."
Readers highlight his ability to blend genres, with many pointing to the successful mix of comedy and mystery. Amazon reviewers frequently mention the natural dialogue and historical details in the Western mysteries.
Common criticisms include pacing issues in some books and occasional overuse of comedy that can detract from plot tension. Some readers of the Pride and Prejudice zombie prequels found them less engaging than the original mash-up novel.
Ratings across platforms:
- Goodreads: "Holmes on the Range" - 3.9/5 (2,800+ ratings)
- Amazon: "Pride and Prejudice and Zombies: Dawn of the Dreadfuls" - 4.1/5 (150+ reviews)
- LibraryThing: Average 4/5 across all works
The majority of online reviews trend positive, with readers particularly valuing his distinctive voice and humor.
📚 Books by Steve Hockensmith
Holmes on the Range - Two cowboy brothers in 1890s Montana solve mysteries using methods inspired by Sherlock Holmes stories.
Pride and Prejudice and Zombies: Dawn of the Dreadfuls - A prequel to Pride and Prejudice and Zombies that follows the Bennet sisters as they train to become zombie-slaying warriors.
Pride and Prejudice and Zombies: Dreadfully Ever After - A sequel following Elizabeth Bennet-Darcy's quest for a cure when her husband is bitten by a zombie.
On the Wrong Track - The second Holmes on the Range mystery following the cowboy brothers as they work as railroad detectives.
The Black Dove - The third Holmes on the Range installment where the brothers investigate a murder in San Francisco's Chinatown.
The Crack in the Lens - The fourth Holmes on the Range mystery exploring Big Red's past as he investigates an old murder in Texas.
World's Greatest Sleuth! - The fifth Holmes on the Range novel featuring the brothers competing in a detective contest at the 1893 World's Fair.
Dear Mr. Holmes: Seven Holmes on the Range Mysteries - A collection of short stories featuring the cowboy detective brothers from the Holmes on the Range series.
Pride and Prejudice and Zombies: Dawn of the Dreadfuls - A prequel to Pride and Prejudice and Zombies that follows the Bennet sisters as they train to become zombie-slaying warriors.
Pride and Prejudice and Zombies: Dreadfully Ever After - A sequel following Elizabeth Bennet-Darcy's quest for a cure when her husband is bitten by a zombie.
On the Wrong Track - The second Holmes on the Range mystery following the cowboy brothers as they work as railroad detectives.
The Black Dove - The third Holmes on the Range installment where the brothers investigate a murder in San Francisco's Chinatown.
The Crack in the Lens - The fourth Holmes on the Range mystery exploring Big Red's past as he investigates an old murder in Texas.
World's Greatest Sleuth! - The fifth Holmes on the Range novel featuring the brothers competing in a detective contest at the 1893 World's Fair.
Dear Mr. Holmes: Seven Holmes on the Range Mysteries - A collection of short stories featuring the cowboy detective brothers from the Holmes on the Range series.
👥 Similar authors
Craig Johnson writes the Longmire mystery series featuring a Wyoming sheriff solving cases in the modern American West. His work shares the same blend of Western settings and detective work found in Hockensmith's Holmes on the Range series.
Seth Grahame-Smith created Pride and Prejudice and Zombies and combines classic literature with horror elements. He mixes historical settings with supernatural elements in the same way Hockensmith did in his Pride and Prejudice zombie prequels.
Bill Crider wrote the Sheriff Dan Rhodes mysteries set in rural Texas with a mix of crime-solving and humor. His stories feature small-town settings and lawmen dealing with local mysteries similar to Hockensmith's Old West detectives.
Peter Bowen authors the Gabriel Du Pre mystery series about a cattle inspector solving crimes in Montana. His work merges Western culture with detective stories in the tradition of Hockensmith's cowboy mysteries.
Joe R. Lansdale writes crime fiction and horror with a mix of genres and dark humor. His Hap and Leonard series combines mystery with historical elements and comedic dialogue comparable to Hockensmith's style.
Seth Grahame-Smith created Pride and Prejudice and Zombies and combines classic literature with horror elements. He mixes historical settings with supernatural elements in the same way Hockensmith did in his Pride and Prejudice zombie prequels.
Bill Crider wrote the Sheriff Dan Rhodes mysteries set in rural Texas with a mix of crime-solving and humor. His stories feature small-town settings and lawmen dealing with local mysteries similar to Hockensmith's Old West detectives.
Peter Bowen authors the Gabriel Du Pre mystery series about a cattle inspector solving crimes in Montana. His work merges Western culture with detective stories in the tradition of Hockensmith's cowboy mysteries.
Joe R. Lansdale writes crime fiction and horror with a mix of genres and dark humor. His Hap and Leonard series combines mystery with historical elements and comedic dialogue comparable to Hockensmith's style.