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Clay Boutwell

Goodreads Author

Born

in The United States

November 01, 1973

Website

http://www.thejapanshop.com

Genre

Nonfiction, Mystery, Nonfiction

Member Since

May 2011

URL

https://www.goodreads.com/clay_boutwell

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Thank you for answering my question. Have you already written a book based on something you read in the paper/true crime?

Clay Boutwell Life is stranger than fiction, right?

Not specifically--at least not for a whole story--but I have spent a lot of time reading 19th century newspapers…moreLife is stranger than fiction, right?

Not specifically--at least not for a whole story--but I have spent a lot of time reading 19th century newspapers. Some of the odder tidbits in my stories are based on real occurrences.

For example, in Remember thy Oath, Otto reads from the "lonely-hearts personal advertisements" to find Carl his true love. While I did change the content, something like this would not have been out of place: (From Remember thy Oath)

“Young lady wishes to make the acquaintance of an elderly gentleman with considerable financial means. Mother says I’m pretty.” Otto pursed his lips and teetered his head in a dainty fashion. He continued. “I can darn stockings and make soup. I’m very fond of pickles but quite detest liver. Man must have a good set of teeth. Object, matrimony.”(less)

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Do you have the whole plot planned before you write the first sentence?

Clay Boutwell Almost always. However, also almost always, things change drastically as I progress. I think I even changed who the murderer was in one story. Hehe. B…moreAlmost always. However, also almost always, things change drastically as I progress. I think I even changed who the murderer was in one story. Hehe. But, yes, for my mysteries, I plot as thoroughly as possible before writing the first sentence.(less)

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Combine Editions
Clay Boutwell’s books

Average rating: 4.0 · 1,611 ratings · 359 reviews · 221 distinct works • Similar authors

	Two Tocks before Midnight (The Agora Mystery #1) by Clay Boutwell (Goodreads Author), C.J. Martin 3.67 avg rating — 589 ratings — published 2012 — 6 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Japanese Reader Collection Volume 1: Hikoichi by Clay Boutwell (Goodreads Author), Yumi Boutwell 3.90 avg rating — 125 ratings — published 2010 — 6 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	The Agora Letters (The Agora Mysteries #1-5) 4.11 avg rating — 71 ratings — 3 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Eggs over Arsenic (Agora #7) 4.32 avg rating — 66 ratings — 4 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Japanese Reader Collection Volume 2 Momotaro the Peach Boy by Clay Boutwell (Goodreads Author) (Editor), Yumi Boutwell (Editor) 3.94 avg rating — 50 ratings — published 2012 — 4 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Murder by Monday: A 19th Century Historical Murder Mystery 4.49 avg rating — 41 ratings — 3 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Carritos the Assassin 4.14 avg rating — 37 ratings — 3 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Remember Thy Oath: A 19th Century Historical Murder Mystery Novella (The Agora Mystery Series Book 8) 4.50 avg rating — 34 ratings — 3 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	The Eye of Bennu: A 19th Century Historical Murder Mystery Novella 4.60 avg rating — 30 ratings — 3 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	The Peace Party Massacre (The Agora Mysteries #3) 4.26 avg rating — 31 ratings — 4 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars