The Penitent Thief (The Agora Mystery Series Book 2)

My new short story/novelette in the Agora Society series:

The Penitent Thief 

A string of thefts ends in a grisly murder. Certain evidence leads Captain Barnwell to suspect a former thief, Rutherford Nordlinger as the culprit. Carl Brooke becomes personally involved as Nordlinger’s guilt is questioned.
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In the style of Arthur Conan Doyle, CJ Martin brings back the Agora Society and its premiere scholar, Carl Brooke. This is the second in the Agora Series, the first being, Two Tocks before Midnight.

I have a lot of fun writing these stories. I actually have a third mostly completed, but I have several other projects that I’m trying to finish up first.

That’s one of my problems. I have too many pots cooking.

I have books, ebooks, iPhone apps, physical products, and websites that all need my attention. To make matters worse, I went in several directions at once with my writing. I have the Agora Series, the Temporal Series, the Tanaka Series–as well as a new children’s book series about a Messianic Jewish boy detective. It’s all fun, but being spread out so makes it hard for any one series to get any traction. Each series speaks to a totally different audience.

That being said, I am thrilled The Penitent Thief is finished. I actually started this story over two years ago. I had to do a reality check on our finances and for the past year and a half, I really haven’t done much writing. After the first of the year, I returned to writing and The Penitent Thief was the first fruits.

But…

I’m even more thrilled about The Penitent Thief’s first review:

5.0 out of 5 stars “My hands instinctively gripped my knees and I bowed my head down to the carriage floor. It was pure shock, those words…” March 5, 2015

By Don Kidwell TOP 1000 REVIEWER

Format:Kindle Edition|Verified Purchase

This author has it going as to short historical mysteries modeled on the works of Arthur Conan Doyle with a compelling story line, great mix of characters and a superb finish that had me guessing! I’m going to have to go back and grab “Two Tocks Before Midnight” as well which was the first book in the Agora Society series just as soon as I finish reading “Tanaka and the Yakuza’s Daughter” since I’ve got that one waiting for me in my archives. My newest favorite author – great stuff!

I’m simply floored.

Thank you, Mr. Kidwell!

Tanaka and the Yakuza’s Daughter: Short but Sweet

I’m always thrilled to get a new review–I do hope I get to a point soon when it becomes ordinary (hehe). But a review today really made my day.

Kattia from Florida wrote the kindest thing about my short story, Tanaka and the Yakuza’s Daughter.

stars Short But Sweet, February 1, 2013

By

Kattia (Florida, USA) – See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase(What’s this?)

This review is from: Tanaka and the Yakuza’s Daughter (Kindle Edition)

The book as a whole is VERY small in size, but that does not mean it is not good! I was hesitant to get this because of its size. How could something so short possibly be all that good. I was pleasantly surprised to find my self corrected.

C.J. Martin has now become one of my favorite authors now because of this little story. The book literally jumps straight into the action, so if that is what you like, go ahead and get this! You won’t be disappointed! 🙂

Wow! Thank you, Kattia. You are so kind. I wish I knew who you were. I’d be thrilled to send you what we are working on to continue the Tanaka story. It is slow going (my Temporal series seems to come together faster), but I really believe the Tanaka stories my partner and I have planned will be fun.

Please click here to read more about Tanaka and the Yakuza’s Daughter.

 

New Review for Two Tocks Before Midnight!

George Polley–the author of Grandfather and the Raven and the Old Man and the Monkey–kindly wrote a review for Two Tocks before Midnight.

5.0 out of 5 stars A very enjoyable pre-Civil War mystery, March 24, 2012

By

G. Polley “blogger and writer” (Sapporo, Japan) – See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)

Amazon Verified Purchase(What’s this?)

This review is from: Two Tocks before Midnight (Kindle Edition)

Having read C. J. Martin’s “Tanaka and the Yakuza’s Daughter”, I was surprised to see him appear with a mid-19th century murder mystery. The surprise was very much worth the read. Short, fast=paced and with an ending that surprised me. Very well-done, Mr. Martin.

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I did do a review for one of his books, but I wasn’t expecting this review. He just happened to discover that I had it out, read it, and left his review.

Thank you Mr. Polley!

Get it today for only .99!