The Agora Letters (The Agora Mysteries #1-5) by Clay Boutwell

The Agora Letters (The Agora Mysteries #1-5) Reviews

• 
  Nancy

  I really enjoyed this book, reminiscent of the conversational and writing style of 1800 writers; Jules Verne, Agatha Christie, and especially Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. If you enjoyed those books this 5-mystery offering may be something you would also enjoy.
  
  I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving a free copy.
• 
  Andrew Cunningham

  So glad I picked this up. Shades of Arthur Conan Doyle and H.G. Wells. Boutwell has mastered the language and writing style of the time in this fine collection of novellas. Within the first couple of pages, I was drawn into the mysterious world of the Agora Society. An excellent read!!
• 
  Brian

  The Agora Letters is written as a collection of short memoirs of Carl Brooke focusing on his work with the Agora Society. The Society is something of a think-tank and gentleman's club, dedicated to bettering humanity, operating around the time of the American Civil War. Each short story works as a stand-alone mystery while also building a cast of characters and a larger story arc. While the mysteries may not have been terribly mysterious, I found the prose and stories to be satisfying and even a bit restorative. I have high hopes for the next volume(s).
  
  Mr. Boutwell read this audiobook himself, which gave me pause. Author narrated books can be pretty dreadful, but I listened to the sample (and then the whole book) and found Clay Boutwell's voice rather well suited to reading these stories.
  
  I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
• 
  Roger

  My first read from author Clay Boutwell. I'd gotten this Kindle book a year ago & never got around to reading it, but upon acquiring the Audible edition and being able to read along with the excellent narration I read it. Reminiscent of Sherlock Holmes with voice inflections reminiscent of Sean Connery this was a well-written, thoroughly enjoyable read! Perhaps even better than the first Agora Mystery was my second read from author Clay Boutwell. I'd gotten this Kindle book back in September of last year & never got around to reading it, but upon acquiring the Audible edition and being able to read along with the excellent narration I read it. Reminiscent of Sherlock Holmes with voice inflections reminiscent of Sean Connery this was a well-written, thoroughly enjoyable read!
  My third read from author Clay Boutwell I'd gotten this Kindle book back in September of last year & never got around to reading it, but upon acquiring the Audible edition and being able to read along with the excellent narration I read it. Reminiscent of Sherlock Holmes with voice inflections reminiscent of Sean Connery this was a well-written, thoroughly enjoyable read!
  Reminiscent of Sherlock Holmes with voice inflections reminiscent of Sean Connery this was a well-written, thoroughly enjoyable read, Mm fourth from author Clay Boutwell I'd gotten this Kindle book back in September of last year & never got around to reading it, but upon acquiring the Audible edition and being able to read along with the excellent narration I read it.
  Perhaps the best of the Agora Mysteries this was my fifth read from author Clay Boutwell. I'd gotten this Kindle book back in September of last year & never got around to reading it, but upon acquiring the Audible edition and being able to read along with the excellent narration I read it. Reminiscent of Sherlock Holmes with voice inflections reminiscent of Sean Connery this was a well-written, thoroughly enjoyable read! (RIP Marley January 20, 2014 - July 24, 2018).
  
• 
  Jan

  Excellent! Glad that they are all in one volume!
  1. Two Tocks Before Midnight--Forgery, a secret society, murder, and a well documented cerebral investigation. And all in a length and style similar to Conan Doyle, what more could you ask for? Very well crafted and written for the enjoyment of those of us who always hope to find someone new yet similar
  2. The Penitent Thief-- In the same vein. A very repentant man from the first one appears to have returned to crimes and murder.
  3. The Peace Party Massacre--Finely crafted suspenseful mystery including a kidnapping, an outlaw, a conflicted city, and men willing to do whatever must be done for the good of all. This story is too short to be summarized, but it is well worth reading. You won't be sorry you did!
  4. The Curse of the Mad Sheik--Excellently wrought mystery! With astute observations and careful investigation, ideas and suspicions are explored and the truth is uncovered. Do spend the time to read this one!
  5. The Captain's Play--The police Captain who has often worked with various members of the Agora society comes to the meeting with an intellectual challenge for the members. The case had already been investigated and solved by the department, but he presents the observations and documented facts of the case in a manner which encourages questions and conclusions. It is a real conundrum, and the reader is led along by the interactions of the men of the society. Very well done! An excellent mental exercise for the reader.
  
  
• 
  Bonnie Dale Keck

  Kindle Unlimited now. these books put me in mind of a mix of Sherlock, Marple, Poirot, but again definitely of Doyle's Watson. Read any of these stories together in set or once by one in order or standalone is fine too.
  
  The Agora Mystery Series - 1 Two Tocks before Midnight - 2 The Penitent Thief - 3 The Peace Party Massacre Available as 3 pack set/4 set I THINK The Curse of the Mad Sheik (The Agora Mystery Series Book 4) The Captain's Play #5
  The Agora Letters: 5 Cozy Murder Mysteries
  *see the individual reviews for each of the 5 books
  
  The Temporal: A Time Warping Adventure
  A Temporal Trust: A Time Warping Superhero Adventure (The Temporal Book 2)
  Carritos the Assassin : A Temporal Story
  
  and others, check out amazon writer's page
• 
  Dianne Ascroft

  From the moment I started reading this collection of stories about the Agora Society, I felt as if I'd stepped back into the era of Sherlock Holmes only on the opposite side of the ocean. These mysteries are intriguing and drew me into nineteenth century Boston's seedier side. I enjoyed meeting the members of the Agora Society and felt a slight pain of loss to know that Charles was the only remaining member as he penned his account of their exploits - they really felt real to me. I'm looking forward to continuing to read the series so I may not return to the present for some time. I recommend that you also take the journey into the past and meet the Agora Society members.
• 
  Melissa

  I was hooked from the very beginning! It's so refreshing to see a Sherlock Holmes style series in these modern times! The Agora series starts out simple, but Mr. Boutwell doesn't fail to deliver as the complexity of the characters and plots progress with the novels. I was also impressed with the writing style and Mr. Boutwell's ability to affect the 19th century atmosphere in modern times. I recommend this series for anyone who loves a good mystery!
• 
  Suzan

  I was gifted this audiobook with the understanding that I would leave an honest review.
  I see that most reviews are 4 or 5 stars. I thought I would just love this series but I had a really hard time getting into it. It is not a bad story but just not one I loved or want to explore more. So please give this book a chance and make up your own mine. The narration for this book was done by the author and I did enjoy his voice very much.
• 
  Ashley Hedden

  The Agora Letter: 19th Century Historical Murder Mysteries: Volume One was a good set of short stories by Clay Boutwell. This box set follows members of the Agora society, a society that is dedicated to the betterment of man. It consists of; Two Tocks Before Midnight, The Penitent Thief, The Peace Party Massacre, The Curse of the Mad Sheik and The Captain's Play. I can't wait to read more of the Agora Society mystery series.
• 
  Shaari Oolong

  This is a most charming collection of short mysteries. These five stories are told by way of letters written by the narrator who recounts mysteries solved by he and the elite Agoura Society solved during the Victorian era. These short stories are easy to read but still full enough that they serve to transport you to another world-even if it's just for an hour or so. I love them and the next compilation as well. Thank you Mr. Boutwell!
• 
  Regina Meehan-simunek

  Quick but satisfying
  
  I love mysteries and always will. I love trying to solve the problem but it is answered. Sometimes I get anxious (I am working on that) and want the story to move along faster than the author had in mind. Mr Boutwell provided well written mystery that moved along quickly, and did a great job with the story line.
• 
  Elissa

  Mashup
  
  If Edgar Allan Poe and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle were to collaborate, one might get the placid nature of Watson, the complex brain of Holmes, and the twisted plots of Mr. Poe nicely wrapped up in this little collection of short stories. The author's own excellent narration brings another level of enjoyment.
• 
  Karen

  Hmmmm
  
  Really makes you think as you are being lead through the clues in a report instead of in your own personal discovwry as the stories unfold. A rather different look at solving murders. While rather academic but still a great "teaching tool".
• 
  C.

  Absolute delight!!! Wonderful flow in his writing style.
• 
  Marlys

  This is a great book that is a series of mysteries. The main character Carl is the narrator. The stories were interesting and they held my attention. I was given this book for a review.
• 
  Elizabeth

  My review of The Agora Letters volume 1
  
  I loved it! An amazing collection of stories! This a must read series! All of these stories are my favourite!
• 
  Holly Lenz

  The Agora Letters are an interesting collection of period mysteries taking place in the US in the late 1800s. The stories should appeal to fans of Sherlock Holmes and similar mysteries.
  
  The author does a good job narrating his book.
  
  I received a complimentary copy of this audiobook. This is my honest and voluntary review.