Sherlockian Author Profile - Harry DeMaio

Harry DeMaio: A Sherlockian Giant

Harry DeMaio (born September 19, 1934 – passed away September 24, 2025, at age 91) was a prolific author of Sherlockian fiction, known for his unique blend of clever mystery and humorous imagination. He was a man of many talents and interests who lived a long, accomplished life marked by both professional excellence and creative passion.

The Sherlockian Legacy
Harry DeMaio's writing career, often using the pseudonym "Harry DeMaio," was focused on two major, long-running series published through MX Publishing:

The Casebooks of Octavius Bear: This expansive series (running to 21 novels) is an inventive, alternate-universe concept where anthropomorphic animals have replaced humans in a modern 21st-century world. The hero is Octavius Bear, a nine-foot-tall, 1,400-pound Kodiak bear, scientist, and mega-billionaire. Harry described him as a hybrid consulting detective, loosely based on a mixture of Sherlock Holmes and Nero Wolfe. The stories are filled with humor, wordplay, and complex mysteries.

Sherlock Holmes and The Glamorous Ghost: This collection features the strangest of partnerships: Sherlock Holmes teams up with Lady Juliet Armstrong, Baroness Crestwell, whose ghost contacts him to solve her own murder. This unlikely duo continues their investigations across multiple volumes, often rollicking between Heaven and Earth.

His final book, "Endgames," excitingly brought both of his major series together.

Enjoy 3 for 2 and other offers on both these collections by using promo code "Harry" at checkout.

Life Beyond Baker Street

Harry's creative achievements were built upon a highly successful business career and a wide range of personal pursuits:

Professional Background: He held numerous executive positions at major companies including IBM and Deloitte, and was an information security specialist and former consultant. He earned an MBA from Pace University and served as a Lieutenant in the U.S. Army Signal Corps.

Creative Pursuits: Beyond writing, Harry was a published author of business books, a passionate actor and singer, an avid model ship builder, and a skilled private pilot.

Personal Life: He was a lifelong enthusiast of dancing and wine. He lived in Cincinnati with his "extremely patient and helpful wife," Virginia, with whom he shared 66 loving years of marriage and raised two sons.