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The Inklings Detective Agency
J. R. R. Tolkien, C. S. Lewis, Agatha Christie, and other literary legends join forces to unravel a deadly conspiracy in this gripping mystery that sweeps from the halls of Oxford to the streets of London and the shores of Loch Ness.
“This multiverse adventure is imaginative, intriguing, and wildly satisfying.”—John Hendrix, New York Times bestselling illustrator and author of The Mythmakers: The Remarkable Fellowship of C. S. Lewis and J. R. R Tolkien
In the shadowy streets of 1936 Oxford, England, members of a secret society keep turning up dead. When J. R. R. Tolkien, C. S. Lewis, and their fellow literary masterminds, known as the Inklings, are called upon to catch a killer, they trade their pens for magnifying glasses. With time running out, they get a helping hand from mystery writers Agatha Christie and Dorothy Sayers to unravel a sinister web of secrets.
Packed with historical details, intrigue, and a thrilling whodunit, this novel is a masterful blend of high-stakes drama. Dive into a world where the creators of fantasy and mystery confront a real-life menace in a race against the clock. Will dark forces prevail, or will these literary giants crack the case before the murderer strikes again?
“This multiverse adventure is imaginative, intriguing, and wildly satisfying.”—John Hendrix, New York Times bestselling illustrator and author of The Mythmakers: The Remarkable Fellowship of C. S. Lewis and J. R. R Tolkien
In the shadowy streets of 1936 Oxford, England, members of a secret society keep turning up dead. When J. R. R. Tolkien, C. S. Lewis, and their fellow literary masterminds, known as the Inklings, are called upon to catch a killer, they trade their pens for magnifying glasses. With time running out, they get a helping hand from mystery writers Agatha Christie and Dorothy Sayers to unravel a sinister web of secrets.
Packed with historical details, intrigue, and a thrilling whodunit, this novel is a masterful blend of high-stakes drama. Dive into a world where the creators of fantasy and mystery confront a real-life menace in a race against the clock. Will dark forces prevail, or will these literary giants crack the case before the murderer strikes again?
352 pages, Paperback
First published May 5, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 123 reviews
Did Not Finish
February 2, 2026Pre-read
My first arc! 🎉 I love both C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien and the concept of this story sounds really cool! I'm very excited to start this :)
My first arc! 🎉 I love both C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien and the concept of this story sounds really cool! I'm very excited to start this :)
Read
July 1, 2026This was a well written book that I enjoyed, but I am torn because it’s filled with real people. Real people doing things that they didn’t do. CS Lewis, JRR Tolkien, and all their friends didn’t have a Detective agency. It’s an interesting idea, but I just couldn’t quite go there.
May 14, 2026
“The Inklings Detective Agency" by John R. Kelly is a new favorite mystery of mine and worthy of the literary greats that inhabit its pages! I could tell just from the first few chapters that this book was a winner. The incredible writing pulled me in, along with the awesome characters (many beloved literary legends) and its premise. The author obviously knows his stuff and would make any die-hard Inklings fan proud with this book (I am a huge Tolkien nerd myself and loved the many literary quotes and Easter eggs). The story is rich with history and some great settings, from the Kilns to the Bodleian library, Oxford, London, and Scotland. I love that other literary figures also make cameos—Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Dorothy Sayers, and Agatha Christie. I think this book will be loved equally by men and women (I must hide it from my husband). The actual mystery is exciting and kept me on my toes. The author’s notes at the end were fascinating and a lot are based on historical people and events, including a detective club with Agatha Christie, Sayers, and Chesterton. The mystery itself does involve some darker aspects, including the occult (see content notes below), but it never got too dark for me, and it is all told from a Christian perspective. I love that Lewis prays with one of the people he interviews when the person gets emotional. There is a great theme of the light shining through the darkness. Now I feel like the Inklings are lovable friends. Please, please let there be many more mysteries for the Inklings to solve! I am so excited to read about their next case and to see if their “Moriarty” will show up again. All the stars!
Content: I give this a PG-13 rating. Some examples of the content: characters drink alcohol and mention of people being drunk; mention of smoking and gambling; prostitutes and a mistress; substance abuse; joke about a seance; pipe smoking; mention of a ghost; the words “bloody” and “bastard” are used; mention of divination; mention of the occult; mention of insanity and an asylum; mention of someone being bisexual.
TW: speculation of su*cide; past depression; talk of beating a child; past abuse; past addict.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.
Content: I give this a PG-13 rating. Some examples of the content: characters drink alcohol and mention of people being drunk; mention of smoking and gambling; prostitutes and a mistress; substance abuse; joke about a seance; pipe smoking; mention of a ghost; the words “bloody” and “bastard” are used; mention of divination; mention of the occult; mention of insanity and an asylum; mention of someone being bisexual.
TW: speculation of su*cide; past depression; talk of beating a child; past abuse; past addict.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.
June 6, 2026
2.5 rounded up to a generous 3.
So ..... this book. I had seen in advertised on Instagram, and I was intrigued given my love of the Inklings (especially Tolkien and Lewis) and I really wanted to read a book where they were the main players. But .... it was, to be honest, dull and confusing. The prose was much too purple and awkwardly phrased for me, and Tollers and Jack didn't feel like Tollers and Jack. I am a character driven reader, and this book was not, which might have been the issue for me. I think the concept was intriguing, but it was just a bit too disjointed for my tastes.
Content warnings: Occult magic and rituals, child murder that occurred in the past, drunkenness, gruesome murder and descriptions of dead bodies, poisoning, mild language, implications of all sorts of immoral behavior, etc.
So ..... this book. I had seen in advertised on Instagram, and I was intrigued given my love of the Inklings (especially Tolkien and Lewis) and I really wanted to read a book where they were the main players. But .... it was, to be honest, dull and confusing. The prose was much too purple and awkwardly phrased for me, and Tollers and Jack didn't feel like Tollers and Jack. I am a character driven reader, and this book was not, which might have been the issue for me. I think the concept was intriguing, but it was just a bit too disjointed for my tastes.
Content warnings: Occult magic and rituals, child murder that occurred in the past, drunkenness, gruesome murder and descriptions of dead bodies, poisoning, mild language, implications of all sorts of immoral behavior, etc.
July 1, 2026
*3.5 stars
I'm not 100% how to describe it, but in my mind, this has the visual quality of a small, indie-produced Christian film that's one of three owned by a homeschooling family and is very important to the children of the home. it's a specific niche and a specific feeling and I was very much into it.
at the end of the day, the best part of this was all the literary cameos. the mystery itself was fine, I think, but it was kinda just a lot of talking and then a little bit of stuff actually happening right at the end. I love Jack and Tollers so much.
**content warnings for mentions of occult rituals and such, and mild profanity
I'm not 100% how to describe it, but in my mind, this has the visual quality of a small, indie-produced Christian film that's one of three owned by a homeschooling family and is very important to the children of the home. it's a specific niche and a specific feeling and I was very much into it.
at the end of the day, the best part of this was all the literary cameos. the mystery itself was fine, I think, but it was kinda just a lot of talking and then a little bit of stuff actually happening right at the end. I love Jack and Tollers so much.
**content warnings for mentions of occult rituals and such, and mild profanity
May 15, 2026
Oh the jolly temptation to launch into favorite literary quotes when contemplating that two of my earliest favorite fantasy writers along with their fellow Inklings are commissioned to solve a puzzling murder involving a secret cult. John R. Kelly was careful to caution readers this is a work of fiction set in the historic world and among historic characters, but yet I had the sense through his diligent crafting of his story that I was rubbing shoulders with some real literary greats as they solved a cunning case.
The Inkling Detective Agency introduced famous Inklings, JRR Tolkien and CS Lewis as lead detectives in their first murder investigation. Along the way, there are familiar locations, faces, and hints as their writer minds gleaned from all they observed bits and pieces that would show up in later famous works.
The murder mystery involves a secret cultist group. Someone is killing off members each full moon and time is swiftly approaching for the next full moon so Jack and John have their work cut out for them. They are not shy about pulling in others with the expertise to help them and other famous literary faces – yes, I silently squeed when Agatha Christie and Dorothy Sayers members of the famous Detection Club appeared- entered the story as a result.
John R Kelly’s writing style and the tone of the story added authenticity and pulled me in easier. I felt like I was truly hanging out with literary academics and their contemporaries. Little details and quirks, dialogue, and actions (though yes, the occasional historical anachronism or Americanism would pop out) that made the characters, who were based on real life people, seem real.
The mystery was cozy and gently-paced for the most part- some lag and repetition in the middle, but delved into the darker shadows and picked it up in the latter portion. Aleister Crowley and his dark cultism gave me the heebie-jeebies right along with CS Lewis and Tolkien who heroically have taken the challenge of setting down their pens and stepping into real-life danger to stop an evil. I didn’t have an inkling as to the one behind it until nearer the end when I was supposed to be catching on.
And, so, my high anticipation of seeing some of my favorite between-the-wars era British authors acting as magnifying glass toting gumshoes was as good as I hoped and I really hope there will be more murder mysteries in this world from the pen of John R Kelly.
I rec'd an eARC via NetGalley to read in exchange for an honest review.
My full review will post at The Quill Ink 5.14.26.
The Inkling Detective Agency introduced famous Inklings, JRR Tolkien and CS Lewis as lead detectives in their first murder investigation. Along the way, there are familiar locations, faces, and hints as their writer minds gleaned from all they observed bits and pieces that would show up in later famous works.
The murder mystery involves a secret cultist group. Someone is killing off members each full moon and time is swiftly approaching for the next full moon so Jack and John have their work cut out for them. They are not shy about pulling in others with the expertise to help them and other famous literary faces – yes, I silently squeed when Agatha Christie and Dorothy Sayers members of the famous Detection Club appeared- entered the story as a result.
John R Kelly’s writing style and the tone of the story added authenticity and pulled me in easier. I felt like I was truly hanging out with literary academics and their contemporaries. Little details and quirks, dialogue, and actions (though yes, the occasional historical anachronism or Americanism would pop out) that made the characters, who were based on real life people, seem real.
The mystery was cozy and gently-paced for the most part- some lag and repetition in the middle, but delved into the darker shadows and picked it up in the latter portion. Aleister Crowley and his dark cultism gave me the heebie-jeebies right along with CS Lewis and Tolkien who heroically have taken the challenge of setting down their pens and stepping into real-life danger to stop an evil. I didn’t have an inkling as to the one behind it until nearer the end when I was supposed to be catching on.
And, so, my high anticipation of seeing some of my favorite between-the-wars era British authors acting as magnifying glass toting gumshoes was as good as I hoped and I really hope there will be more murder mysteries in this world from the pen of John R Kelly.
I rec'd an eARC via NetGalley to read in exchange for an honest review.
My full review will post at The Quill Ink 5.14.26.
May 17, 2026
Wonderful mix of historical fiction and mystery! I enjoyed the creative use of real-life people in a fictitious setting!
May 21, 2026
DNF at 55%
I really wanted to enjoy The Inklings Detective Agency, and I gave it a solid chance, making it a little past the halfway point before deciding to set it aside.
For me, the story felt difficult to stay engaged with. There were a large number of characters introduced, which made it hard to keep track of who was who, and I struggled to connect with the mystery as it unfolded. The pacing also felt slow, and I never fully found myself pulled into the central investigation.
I also found that certain themes and repeated mentions of drinking, smoking, and cult-related discussions became overwhelming for my reading preferences, which made it harder for me to continue. I personally didn’t feel the Christian elements I was hoping for came through in the way I expected.
While this one wasn’t the right fit for me, I can see how readers who enjoy darker, more complex or atmospheric mysteries might have a different experience.
Disclosure: I received a complimentary e-copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I really wanted to enjoy The Inklings Detective Agency, and I gave it a solid chance, making it a little past the halfway point before deciding to set it aside.
For me, the story felt difficult to stay engaged with. There were a large number of characters introduced, which made it hard to keep track of who was who, and I struggled to connect with the mystery as it unfolded. The pacing also felt slow, and I never fully found myself pulled into the central investigation.
I also found that certain themes and repeated mentions of drinking, smoking, and cult-related discussions became overwhelming for my reading preferences, which made it harder for me to continue. I personally didn’t feel the Christian elements I was hoping for came through in the way I expected.
While this one wasn’t the right fit for me, I can see how readers who enjoy darker, more complex or atmospheric mysteries might have a different experience.
Disclosure: I received a complimentary e-copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
May 9, 2026
The premise of this book immediately grabbed my attention. The Inklings, a real group of writers who meet to discuss and read their literary works, are presented with a murder to solve by a supposedly dead writer. The story had an atmospheric and intricate mystery, clever clues, and the writing had a sharpness that made the mystery more compelling.
I also loved the appearance of Agatha Christie, especially the reference to her 11-day disappearance. I had a few theories as to who the killer might have been, but the final reveal was still a surprise.
I also loved the appearance of Agatha Christie, especially the reference to her 11-day disappearance. I had a few theories as to who the killer might have been, but the final reveal was still a surprise.
June 6, 2026
“Throughout history, the minds of literary geniuses and the practical science of detection have walked hand in hand.” Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.
An entertaining who-done-it featuring The Inklings of C.S. Lewis and Tolkien fame. Completely fictional but fun story that has The Inklings being asked to investigate a murder. With an underlying faith theme that did spell out the faith of Lewis and Tolkien, this was an interesting look at the British Isles in 1936 that had cameos of the likes of Agatha Christie, C.K. Chesterton, and Dorothy Sayers. I especially enjoyed the quotes by famous authors at the beginning of each chapter.
The afterward told what real history was used in the novel. I was intrigued by The Detectives Club, a group of writers who had 10 rules of detective fiction. I will look for these when I watch my next Poirot or Ms. Marple.
This had overtones of the occult but it was explained in light of Christianity and the Bible.
“I suppose the greatest puzzles and mysteries in our lives are the people we choose to surround ourselves with.”
*A complimentary copy of the book was provided by Waterbrook via NetGalley. I was not required to post a favorable review.All opinions are mine alone.*
An entertaining who-done-it featuring The Inklings of C.S. Lewis and Tolkien fame. Completely fictional but fun story that has The Inklings being asked to investigate a murder. With an underlying faith theme that did spell out the faith of Lewis and Tolkien, this was an interesting look at the British Isles in 1936 that had cameos of the likes of Agatha Christie, C.K. Chesterton, and Dorothy Sayers. I especially enjoyed the quotes by famous authors at the beginning of each chapter.
The afterward told what real history was used in the novel. I was intrigued by The Detectives Club, a group of writers who had 10 rules of detective fiction. I will look for these when I watch my next Poirot or Ms. Marple.
This had overtones of the occult but it was explained in light of Christianity and the Bible.
“I suppose the greatest puzzles and mysteries in our lives are the people we choose to surround ourselves with.”
*A complimentary copy of the book was provided by Waterbrook via NetGalley. I was not required to post a favorable review.All opinions are mine alone.*
May 22, 2026
The Inklings Detective Agency
✨Reading Mood: Cozy mystery, literary intrigue, deep conversations on faith and writing, rainy day read with a warm drink in hand.
Author: John R. Kelley
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
My Review:
As soon as I discovered this book on a friend’s bookstagram page, I knew I needed it in my life! I’m such a huge fan of C.S. Lewis, Agatha Christie, J.R.R. Tolkien, and so many other literary greats featured in this story, and the synopsis completely captivated me from the start. The idea alone felt tailor-made for readers like me.
What a truly excellent and imaginative concept this book is! There was something so special about stepping into the lives and minds of these legendary writers and seeing them reimagined together within a mystery of their own. I especially loved the thoughtful conversations woven throughout the story—particularly the discussions surrounding writing, imagination, life, and faith. Those moments honestly felt like the heart of the book for me.
I will say, I struggled at times to keep up with the large cast of characters, especially while reading during an autoimmune flare and dealing with horrid migraines. I also think I expected a bit more action and adventure than what the story ultimately delivered. In my mind, I had pictured something slightly different going in. But that truly comes down to my own expectations rather than any fault of the author or the story itself.
What this book does exceptionally well is atmosphere and character interaction. I absolutely loved the exchanges between Lewis (“Jack”) and Agatha Christie most of all. Their conversations completely drew me in, and honestly, I could have “listened” to the two of them talk for hours. Agatha herself absolutely stole the show for me every time she appeared on the page. There was something endlessly fascinating about seeing these brilliant minds work through the mystery together while also revealing pieces of their own hearts, beliefs, and perspectives along the way.
There are also beautiful threads of faith thoughtfully woven throughout the story that I deeply appreciated. It added a depth and warmth to the novel that made it feel richer than a standard literary mystery.
Overall, I think this is such a unique and enjoyable read, especially for lovers of classic literature and historical literary figures. I paired the physical book with the audiobook for a read-along experience that fully immersed me into the story, and I highly recommend experiencing it that way if you can.
I’m giving this one 4 stars for its originality, literary charm, mystery, intrigue, and the joy of spending time with some of literature’s most beloved minds.
✨Reading Mood: Cozy mystery, literary intrigue, deep conversations on faith and writing, rainy day read with a warm drink in hand.
Author: John R. Kelley
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
My Review:
As soon as I discovered this book on a friend’s bookstagram page, I knew I needed it in my life! I’m such a huge fan of C.S. Lewis, Agatha Christie, J.R.R. Tolkien, and so many other literary greats featured in this story, and the synopsis completely captivated me from the start. The idea alone felt tailor-made for readers like me.
What a truly excellent and imaginative concept this book is! There was something so special about stepping into the lives and minds of these legendary writers and seeing them reimagined together within a mystery of their own. I especially loved the thoughtful conversations woven throughout the story—particularly the discussions surrounding writing, imagination, life, and faith. Those moments honestly felt like the heart of the book for me.
I will say, I struggled at times to keep up with the large cast of characters, especially while reading during an autoimmune flare and dealing with horrid migraines. I also think I expected a bit more action and adventure than what the story ultimately delivered. In my mind, I had pictured something slightly different going in. But that truly comes down to my own expectations rather than any fault of the author or the story itself.
What this book does exceptionally well is atmosphere and character interaction. I absolutely loved the exchanges between Lewis (“Jack”) and Agatha Christie most of all. Their conversations completely drew me in, and honestly, I could have “listened” to the two of them talk for hours. Agatha herself absolutely stole the show for me every time she appeared on the page. There was something endlessly fascinating about seeing these brilliant minds work through the mystery together while also revealing pieces of their own hearts, beliefs, and perspectives along the way.
There are also beautiful threads of faith thoughtfully woven throughout the story that I deeply appreciated. It added a depth and warmth to the novel that made it feel richer than a standard literary mystery.
Overall, I think this is such a unique and enjoyable read, especially for lovers of classic literature and historical literary figures. I paired the physical book with the audiobook for a read-along experience that fully immersed me into the story, and I highly recommend experiencing it that way if you can.
I’m giving this one 4 stars for its originality, literary charm, mystery, intrigue, and the joy of spending time with some of literature’s most beloved minds.
April 1, 2026
I received a free advanced copy to read through Netgalley.
This book had an interesting premise that drew me in. Bonus points for a murder mystery that holds a Christian worldview while straying from being cheesy. It was a slow burn for me. I felt that it really picked up about 75% through it. It then became a page turner with an ending that I didn’t expect. Overall, an enjoyable read.
This book had an interesting premise that drew me in. Bonus points for a murder mystery that holds a Christian worldview while straying from being cheesy. It was a slow burn for me. I felt that it really picked up about 75% through it. It then became a page turner with an ending that I didn’t expect. Overall, an enjoyable read.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Painstakingly slow. So bummed. It had so much potential
July 4, 2026
To begin, I give a huge Thank You! to John R. Kelly, Penguin Random House Christian Publishing/Waterbrook, and NetGalley for allowing me access to this book for my honest review!
Trigger Warnings: slight language, murder, blood mention, mentions of child death in the past, poisoning, occultism, rituals.
Ever since I discovered this book earlier this year, I was intrigued to give it a good read. I have been a fan of the works of some of the most well known authors of the 20th century for many years. Authors such as C.S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkien and Agatha Christie, all of which make appearances in this work of historical fiction. Needless to say, my excitement was elevated when I got accepted to read it. After having completed this book, I enjoyed some aspects of the story but struggled to connect with others.
The two main POVs in this story was C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien. While I do love these authors quite a bit, I was a bit disappointed in how they seemed to overshadow all the other historical figures. The fact the other characters were consistently showering these two with praise due to their accolades was overshadowing the whole mystery aspect at times. All the historical information that is given on any of the characters felt really forced to me since those conversations felt artificial and solely for the sake of the reader. It felt like a historical fiction book trying too hard to be biographical at times.
In regards to the historical significances within the story, John does add some context at the end of the story. He explains which aspects were more accurate and whis parts he took more creative liberty with. As with any fiction based on actual history, I always appreciate those extra tidbits of clarification.
One characteristic this book does really well is sucking you into the time period and setting. The majority of this book takes place in various places in England, particularly Oxford and London, with a few chapters being within Scotland. Due to the range of settings, the reader gets to experience a variety of lifestyles throughout the story. London is obviously a bustling city full of people, whereas Loch Ness is much more slower paced and isolated if you will. It was very interesting to read how these places not only affected the case but the characters as well.
Being an American myself, I have always known Oxford as a massive university town where academics and secret societies run rampant. This culture was very prominent in this story which connected to the mystery case quite well in my opinion.
The Christian genre is mainly due to the main characters being of Christian faith. Their beliefs do effect their opinions and profiles they create for certain individuals throughout the story. I did enjoy this connection since it made them feel more realistic as actual people and not just characters in a made up story. I will say, some of the opinions did come off as more prejudiced, particularly from Lewis who himself went from atheism to Christianity. I feel as though he should have been more loving instead of coming off as holier than thou at times. There were some healthy debate concerning spiritual matters and an individual's walk that I found extremely interesting and insightful.
As far as the mystery is concerned, I enjoyed the fact The Inklings were all involved in trying to solve the case. There were groups that dealt with paranormal and criminal investigations back in the day so this was enjoyable to experience. That being said, I thought the investigation as a whole felt scattered. Due to the POVs, it felt as though the majority of the investigation was being conducted by the same few members which was a bit disappointing.
The actual investigation was conducted mainly through talking with various people and researching. While this felt more realistic, it did get a bit repetitive after a while. The whole process was basically, travel to a specific location, talk with a particular individual concerning the case, travel back to deliberate the findings amongst the other Inklings, repeat. I feel like the flow would have been more consistent if all the traveling scenes and blatant character historical information would have been cut down a bit.
At the end of the investigation, I am happy to say that I honestly did not connect the dots as to who committed the crimes. I was pleasantly surprised which is always a huge plus in mystery books for sure! There were the typical red herrings which were honestly some of my favorite characters in the whole story. While I am not going to spoil my favorite character since I was shocked to see him make an appearance, this particular infamous occult leader made the book so much more interesting for sure.
All in all, if you enjoy reading about well-known authors and spearheads of mystery and the macabre, this book may be for you! I personally would go into this book with the understanding that it is not solely a mystery but also a biography of sorts with plenty of personal information of the characters. Overall, a good read if a bit slow at times.
Trigger Warnings: slight language, murder, blood mention, mentions of child death in the past, poisoning, occultism, rituals.
Ever since I discovered this book earlier this year, I was intrigued to give it a good read. I have been a fan of the works of some of the most well known authors of the 20th century for many years. Authors such as C.S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkien and Agatha Christie, all of which make appearances in this work of historical fiction. Needless to say, my excitement was elevated when I got accepted to read it. After having completed this book, I enjoyed some aspects of the story but struggled to connect with others.
The two main POVs in this story was C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien. While I do love these authors quite a bit, I was a bit disappointed in how they seemed to overshadow all the other historical figures. The fact the other characters were consistently showering these two with praise due to their accolades was overshadowing the whole mystery aspect at times. All the historical information that is given on any of the characters felt really forced to me since those conversations felt artificial and solely for the sake of the reader. It felt like a historical fiction book trying too hard to be biographical at times.
In regards to the historical significances within the story, John does add some context at the end of the story. He explains which aspects were more accurate and whis parts he took more creative liberty with. As with any fiction based on actual history, I always appreciate those extra tidbits of clarification.
One characteristic this book does really well is sucking you into the time period and setting. The majority of this book takes place in various places in England, particularly Oxford and London, with a few chapters being within Scotland. Due to the range of settings, the reader gets to experience a variety of lifestyles throughout the story. London is obviously a bustling city full of people, whereas Loch Ness is much more slower paced and isolated if you will. It was very interesting to read how these places not only affected the case but the characters as well.
Being an American myself, I have always known Oxford as a massive university town where academics and secret societies run rampant. This culture was very prominent in this story which connected to the mystery case quite well in my opinion.
The Christian genre is mainly due to the main characters being of Christian faith. Their beliefs do effect their opinions and profiles they create for certain individuals throughout the story. I did enjoy this connection since it made them feel more realistic as actual people and not just characters in a made up story. I will say, some of the opinions did come off as more prejudiced, particularly from Lewis who himself went from atheism to Christianity. I feel as though he should have been more loving instead of coming off as holier than thou at times. There were some healthy debate concerning spiritual matters and an individual's walk that I found extremely interesting and insightful.
As far as the mystery is concerned, I enjoyed the fact The Inklings were all involved in trying to solve the case. There were groups that dealt with paranormal and criminal investigations back in the day so this was enjoyable to experience. That being said, I thought the investigation as a whole felt scattered. Due to the POVs, it felt as though the majority of the investigation was being conducted by the same few members which was a bit disappointing.
The actual investigation was conducted mainly through talking with various people and researching. While this felt more realistic, it did get a bit repetitive after a while. The whole process was basically, travel to a specific location, talk with a particular individual concerning the case, travel back to deliberate the findings amongst the other Inklings, repeat. I feel like the flow would have been more consistent if all the traveling scenes and blatant character historical information would have been cut down a bit.
At the end of the investigation, I am happy to say that I honestly did not connect the dots as to who committed the crimes. I was pleasantly surprised which is always a huge plus in mystery books for sure! There were the typical red herrings which were honestly some of my favorite characters in the whole story. While I am not going to spoil my favorite character since I was shocked to see him make an appearance, this particular infamous occult leader made the book so much more interesting for sure.
All in all, if you enjoy reading about well-known authors and spearheads of mystery and the macabre, this book may be for you! I personally would go into this book with the understanding that it is not solely a mystery but also a biography of sorts with plenty of personal information of the characters. Overall, a good read if a bit slow at times.
May 10, 2026
Since Matthew Pearl’s Dante’s Club novels, I have never seen more literary figures utilized within the historical fiction framework. That limit has been shattered by the debut effort of author John R. Kelly and his novel THE INKLINGS DETECTIVE AGENCY which features a myriad of famous British writers in the midst of a deadly, murderous conspiracy.
Upon first glance, it appears that the driving forces in this novel are J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis, who were famous for being best friends during their time at Oxford and a relationship that helped to further ignite the creation of the immortal Lord Of the Rings and Chronicles of Narnia series. Add to these other all-time famous authors like Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Dame Agatha Christie, and Dorothy Sayers, among others, and you have the makings for a dynamic and enormously intriguing work of historical mystery fiction.
The action begins on December 10, 1936, in Oxfordshire, England where a wiry-framed fellow named John Ronald Reuel Tolkien is racing through the streets towards his destination. That place would be the Eagle and Child pub where his fellow members of the group calling themselves The Inklings were meeting. This group was made up of fellow writers from Oxford such as Charles Williams, Lord David Cecil, Adam Fox, Neville Coghill, Hugo Dyson and his absent best mate, C.S. ‘Jack’ Lewis. Others came in and out of the group, but they never accomplished anything quite as important as the mission about to be presented to them from a famous source.
This famous person was none other than the creator of Sherlock Holmes himself, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. He had a mystery to lay at the feet of the Inklings so that they could now officially call themselves a Detective Agency. Gruesome murders, each committed in ritual fashion with the previous full moons, haunted the area and Doyle tasked the group with looking into it. Specifically, he pointed them in the direction of an infamous cult group known as The Order Of the Golden Dawn. The first step would be to learn everything they could about the group and meet with some of its’ secretive members, all before the next full moon claims another life.
Two members agreed to meet with Tolkien and Lewis at an exclusive club where they held membership, Beckworth and MacDougall. Some information is given, but mostly the men stay close-lipped about the purpose of their group as well as the size of their membership. They are given a lead into one specific member who might also be considered a serious suspect --- the occult writer Aleister Crowley. They meet with Crowley, who gives intricate details about the two bodies that have already been found and behaves in his own unique manner that keeps him a suspect in the eyes of the Inklings.
As the list of possible suspects grows, the Inklings splinter off to pursue different leads. During this time, they find themselves reaching out to authors outside of their own group who could aid them in their pursuit. Specifically, female writer Dorothy Sayers --- who would later become a great friend to Lewis --- and the great Dame Agatha Christie. In a terrific bit of historical reimagining, Kelly has Christie confide to Lewis that he eleven-day period where she famously went missing, she was actually in pursuit of a murder case. How ironic that her return to the public eye was in the company of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Christie provides some keen advice to Lewis: ‘Never let the threat of death keep you from being a good detective. There are far more important things to lose than your life. Like your self-respect.”
The novel is chock full of classic encounters with literary greats all in the pursuit of a confounding killer who seems to always be just out of their reach yet always under their very nose. The Inklings will run afoul of trouble more than once and the suspense and thrills combine nicely with the awe-inspiring depictions of some of the greatest and most respected literary minds the U.K. has ever produced.
THE INKLINGS DETECTIVE AGENCY is a diabolically clever novel, intricately researched and detailed by John R. Kelly who breathes life into these long-departed famous authors whose meeting up is the dream of any classic mystery fan, or aficionado of great literary works in general. I am praying that Kelly continues with this series and eager to see where these characters, and the possibility of others, may take it!
Reviewed by Ray Palen for Book Reporter
Upon first glance, it appears that the driving forces in this novel are J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis, who were famous for being best friends during their time at Oxford and a relationship that helped to further ignite the creation of the immortal Lord Of the Rings and Chronicles of Narnia series. Add to these other all-time famous authors like Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Dame Agatha Christie, and Dorothy Sayers, among others, and you have the makings for a dynamic and enormously intriguing work of historical mystery fiction.
The action begins on December 10, 1936, in Oxfordshire, England where a wiry-framed fellow named John Ronald Reuel Tolkien is racing through the streets towards his destination. That place would be the Eagle and Child pub where his fellow members of the group calling themselves The Inklings were meeting. This group was made up of fellow writers from Oxford such as Charles Williams, Lord David Cecil, Adam Fox, Neville Coghill, Hugo Dyson and his absent best mate, C.S. ‘Jack’ Lewis. Others came in and out of the group, but they never accomplished anything quite as important as the mission about to be presented to them from a famous source.
This famous person was none other than the creator of Sherlock Holmes himself, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. He had a mystery to lay at the feet of the Inklings so that they could now officially call themselves a Detective Agency. Gruesome murders, each committed in ritual fashion with the previous full moons, haunted the area and Doyle tasked the group with looking into it. Specifically, he pointed them in the direction of an infamous cult group known as The Order Of the Golden Dawn. The first step would be to learn everything they could about the group and meet with some of its’ secretive members, all before the next full moon claims another life.
Two members agreed to meet with Tolkien and Lewis at an exclusive club where they held membership, Beckworth and MacDougall. Some information is given, but mostly the men stay close-lipped about the purpose of their group as well as the size of their membership. They are given a lead into one specific member who might also be considered a serious suspect --- the occult writer Aleister Crowley. They meet with Crowley, who gives intricate details about the two bodies that have already been found and behaves in his own unique manner that keeps him a suspect in the eyes of the Inklings.
As the list of possible suspects grows, the Inklings splinter off to pursue different leads. During this time, they find themselves reaching out to authors outside of their own group who could aid them in their pursuit. Specifically, female writer Dorothy Sayers --- who would later become a great friend to Lewis --- and the great Dame Agatha Christie. In a terrific bit of historical reimagining, Kelly has Christie confide to Lewis that he eleven-day period where she famously went missing, she was actually in pursuit of a murder case. How ironic that her return to the public eye was in the company of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Christie provides some keen advice to Lewis: ‘Never let the threat of death keep you from being a good detective. There are far more important things to lose than your life. Like your self-respect.”
The novel is chock full of classic encounters with literary greats all in the pursuit of a confounding killer who seems to always be just out of their reach yet always under their very nose. The Inklings will run afoul of trouble more than once and the suspense and thrills combine nicely with the awe-inspiring depictions of some of the greatest and most respected literary minds the U.K. has ever produced.
THE INKLINGS DETECTIVE AGENCY is a diabolically clever novel, intricately researched and detailed by John R. Kelly who breathes life into these long-departed famous authors whose meeting up is the dream of any classic mystery fan, or aficionado of great literary works in general. I am praying that Kelly continues with this series and eager to see where these characters, and the possibility of others, may take it!
Reviewed by Ray Palen for Book Reporter
June 16, 2026
First off, can we just take a second to appreciate this cover? This book is deserving of such a great cover.
Cozy. Mysterious. Engaging and entertaining. This was brilliantly done. If you are a fan of any of the great writers mentioned in the book you’ll appreciate it that much more (but don’t worry! If you know nothing about them you’ll get a fantastic story).
This is so well written. The descriptions, the settings and characters... I thought I knew who it was and then second guessed myself and then plots twists haha. It was a fun book and I was ridiculously happy with all of the “guest stars” and appearances.
Cozy. Mysterious. Engaging and entertaining. This was brilliantly done. If you are a fan of any of the great writers mentioned in the book you’ll appreciate it that much more (but don’t worry! If you know nothing about them you’ll get a fantastic story).
This is so well written. The descriptions, the settings and characters... I thought I knew who it was and then second guessed myself and then plots twists haha. It was a fun book and I was ridiculously happy with all of the “guest stars” and appearances.
July 6, 2026
John R. Kelly did an amazing job with his research for this book. This was a fantastic mix of the classic murder mystery, real literary legends, real historical people, societies, and places. The story was very engaging and once setup, I didn’t want to stop reading until I was through. I really hope there are further mysteries to be solved by The Inkling Detective Agency - I thoroughly enjoyed this one!
June 4, 2026
The premise that Tolkien, Lewis and the Inklings were also secretly investigating murders (in concert with other famous British writers) is ridiculous, but it also somehow works. I thought this was a well-written mystery and I've read enough about the Inklings that I think the characterization of all these real people was pretty spot on, despite being heavily fictionalized.
The murder case itself was a bit grisly, but I would definitely read another if this series continues.
The murder case itself was a bit grisly, but I would definitely read another if this series continues.
May 27, 2026
I enjoyed the story, but having these famous authors as the team of investigators elevated it from good to excellent as it really added a touch of nostalgia to the story and at the end the addition of the historical notes of interest was the cherry on top. I loved it!
May 12, 2026
This book asks the question, what if C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien’s Inklings club took up solving murders as a hobby, and I was not disappointed at all. The pages are filled with a veritable who’s who of 20th century literature, taking characters based on their historical selves but expanded in ways that fit in with the narrative. John R. Kelly finds a way to connect history, literature, and crime fiction in a way that works, while for the most part following the Ten Commandments of detective fiction. It was an enjoyable ride, and I hope to see more down the road!
May 9, 2026
C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkein are friends in a group known as "The Inklings." The group is approached to solve a murder. As they journey across the United Kingdom, they run into famous authors, occultism, and a root system that runs deeper than any poisonous plant...
I love Lewis and Tolkein. When I saw this book, I knew I wanted to read it. I could not put it down. The characters are richly, intellectually deep. The plot is a jolt of twists. The quotes, faith, and knowledge of Lewis and Tolkein bleed all the way through.
This is one of the most unique mysteries I have read all year and plan to revisit more and more. There are so many gems to be mined in this book if one knows what to look for.
I highly recommend this book to everyone. Add this to your TBR. You will not be disappointed.
I love Lewis and Tolkein. When I saw this book, I knew I wanted to read it. I could not put it down. The characters are richly, intellectually deep. The plot is a jolt of twists. The quotes, faith, and knowledge of Lewis and Tolkein bleed all the way through.
This is one of the most unique mysteries I have read all year and plan to revisit more and more. There are so many gems to be mined in this book if one knows what to look for.
I highly recommend this book to everyone. Add this to your TBR. You will not be disappointed.
Read
April 21, 2026It’s Oxford, 1936. Members of a secret order are dying in mysterious circumstances. An unexpected visitor turns up at The Eagle and Child pub and tasks the men within - a literary group who call themselves ‘The Inklings’ - with unraveling the mystery.
Cut to C. S. Lewis, Tolkien, and pals running round Oxford, London, and the shores of Loch Ness solving mysteries. Other well-known faces are woven into the narrative, including Arthur Conan Doyle, Agatha Christie, Dorothy L. Sayers, Alesteir Crowley.
There are a number of anachronisms in the novel, oblique references to someone getting their 15 minutes of fame or characters saying ‘you’re kidding’ rather than ‘joking.’ However, given that we’re already suspending disbelief in this highly imaginative alternative history, these are minor quibbles.
I probably found it harder to swallow when the characters were behaving almost too like their biographically recorded selves (e.g., Lewis repeatedly yearning for an oversized mug of tea and a good book, or all the Inklings ribbing ‘Tollers’ about his characters speaking Elvish). Kelly has done his research here but could have afforded to be less reverential in order to flesh out the characters more. It’s all a bit jolly at times.
That said, THE INKLINGS DETECTIVE AGENCY is a lot of fun and I did find myself getting caught up in the action as I read on. The scenes are atmospheric and the process of deduction moves along at a fair clip. If you enjoy reading cosy historical mystery thrillers featuring well-known literary figures, you will enjoy this.
With thanks to @netgalley and @penguinrandomhouse for my copy. All opinions are my own.
Cut to C. S. Lewis, Tolkien, and pals running round Oxford, London, and the shores of Loch Ness solving mysteries. Other well-known faces are woven into the narrative, including Arthur Conan Doyle, Agatha Christie, Dorothy L. Sayers, Alesteir Crowley.
There are a number of anachronisms in the novel, oblique references to someone getting their 15 minutes of fame or characters saying ‘you’re kidding’ rather than ‘joking.’ However, given that we’re already suspending disbelief in this highly imaginative alternative history, these are minor quibbles.
I probably found it harder to swallow when the characters were behaving almost too like their biographically recorded selves (e.g., Lewis repeatedly yearning for an oversized mug of tea and a good book, or all the Inklings ribbing ‘Tollers’ about his characters speaking Elvish). Kelly has done his research here but could have afforded to be less reverential in order to flesh out the characters more. It’s all a bit jolly at times.
That said, THE INKLINGS DETECTIVE AGENCY is a lot of fun and I did find myself getting caught up in the action as I read on. The scenes are atmospheric and the process of deduction moves along at a fair clip. If you enjoy reading cosy historical mystery thrillers featuring well-known literary figures, you will enjoy this.
With thanks to @netgalley and @penguinrandomhouse for my copy. All opinions are my own.
July 2, 2026
Many thanks to Penguin Random House Christian Publishing and WaterBrook for this ARC via Netgalley.
The Inklings were a group of writers, including C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien, who met on an informal basis to discuss and read their literary works. In The Inklings Detective Agency, the author asks what might have happened if the Inklings had been secretly recruited and tasked with putting their skills and knowledge to use as amateur sleuths on a mysterious murder case.
What follows is a fun mystery filled with historical characters, literary references and cameos from famous mystery writers, including Agatha Christie and Dorothy L. Sayers from The Detection Club and Arthur Conan Doyle. A playful, speculative fiction mystery, The Inklings Detective Agency does require some suspension of disbelief from its reader. It mixes actual historical facts with fiction, and takes real historical characters and places them in situations they never encountered in real life.
This novel is not a work of biographical fiction. If you want a full account of these writers' lives and works, there are other, nonfiction books out there for you, that will give you that. But if you like the idea of taking iconic writers and placing them in a historical setting with a murder mystery to solve, this one is for you. It is atmospheric, cozy, and lovingly portrays a series of literary greats who no doubt could have solved many a real-life mystery if they had ended up as detectives rather than writers.
The Inklings were a group of writers, including C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien, who met on an informal basis to discuss and read their literary works. In The Inklings Detective Agency, the author asks what might have happened if the Inklings had been secretly recruited and tasked with putting their skills and knowledge to use as amateur sleuths on a mysterious murder case.
What follows is a fun mystery filled with historical characters, literary references and cameos from famous mystery writers, including Agatha Christie and Dorothy L. Sayers from The Detection Club and Arthur Conan Doyle. A playful, speculative fiction mystery, The Inklings Detective Agency does require some suspension of disbelief from its reader. It mixes actual historical facts with fiction, and takes real historical characters and places them in situations they never encountered in real life.
This novel is not a work of biographical fiction. If you want a full account of these writers' lives and works, there are other, nonfiction books out there for you, that will give you that. But if you like the idea of taking iconic writers and placing them in a historical setting with a murder mystery to solve, this one is for you. It is atmospheric, cozy, and lovingly portrays a series of literary greats who no doubt could have solved many a real-life mystery if they had ended up as detectives rather than writers.
May 11, 2026
John R. Kelly’s magnificent debut novel, THE INKLINGS DETECTIVE AGENCY, features a myriad of famous British writers in the midst of a murderous conspiracy.
At first glance, it appears that the driving forces in this novel are J. R. R. Tolkien and C. S. Lewis, who were best friends during their time at Oxford. Their relationship helped to further ignite the creation of the immortal Lord of the Rings and Chronicles of Narnia series. Throw in other iconic authors like Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Dame Agatha Christie and Dorothy Sayers, and you have the makings of a dynamic and enormously intriguing historical mystery.
The action begins on December 10, 1936, in Oxfordshire, England, where a wiry-framed fellow named John Ronald Reuel Tolkien is racing through the streets toward The Eagle and Child, a pub where members of the group calling themselves The Inklings are meeting. They include writers such as Charles Williams, Lord David Cecil, Adam Fox, Nevill Coghill, Hugo Dyson, and his absent best mate, C. S. “Jack” Lewis. Others come in and out of the group, but they have never accomplished anything quite as important as the mission about to be presented to them.
Arthur Conan Doyle has a mystery to lay at the feet of the Inklings, so now they officially can call themselves a detective agency. Gruesome murders committed in ritual fashion with the previous full moons haunt the area, and Doyle tasks them with looking into it. Specifically, he points them in the direction of an infamous cult known as The Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn. The first step would be to learn everything they can about the group and talk to some of its secretive members before the next full moon claims another life.
Two of these members agree to meet with Tolkien and Lewis at an exclusive club. Some information is given, but mostly the men stay tight-lipped about the purpose of their group, as well as the size of their membership. However, they are given a lead about one member, the occult writer Aleister Crowley, who might be considered a serious suspect. They meet with Crowley, who gives intricate details about the two bodies that already have been found and behaves in a manner that raises eyebrows.
As the list of suspects grows, the Inklings splinter off to pursue different leads. During this time, they reach out to two authors outside of their group who could aid them in their pursuit: Dorothy Sayers, who later would become a great friend to Lewis, and Agatha Christie. In a terrific bit of historical reimagining, Christie confides to Lewis that during the 11-day period when she famously went missing, she actually was in pursuit of a murder case. How ironic that her return to the public eye is in Doyle’s company. Christie provides some keen advice to Lewis: “Never let the threat of death keep you from being a good detective. There are far more important things to lose than your life. Like your self-respect.”
THE INKLINGS DETECTIVE AGENCY is a diabolically clever and deeply researched work by Kelly, who breathes life into these long-departed authors whose encounters with one another are the dream of any classic mystery fan or aficionado of great literary works. I am eager to see where these characters, and the possibility of others, take this series in future installments.
Reviewed by Ray Palen
At first glance, it appears that the driving forces in this novel are J. R. R. Tolkien and C. S. Lewis, who were best friends during their time at Oxford. Their relationship helped to further ignite the creation of the immortal Lord of the Rings and Chronicles of Narnia series. Throw in other iconic authors like Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Dame Agatha Christie and Dorothy Sayers, and you have the makings of a dynamic and enormously intriguing historical mystery.
The action begins on December 10, 1936, in Oxfordshire, England, where a wiry-framed fellow named John Ronald Reuel Tolkien is racing through the streets toward The Eagle and Child, a pub where members of the group calling themselves The Inklings are meeting. They include writers such as Charles Williams, Lord David Cecil, Adam Fox, Nevill Coghill, Hugo Dyson, and his absent best mate, C. S. “Jack” Lewis. Others come in and out of the group, but they have never accomplished anything quite as important as the mission about to be presented to them.
Arthur Conan Doyle has a mystery to lay at the feet of the Inklings, so now they officially can call themselves a detective agency. Gruesome murders committed in ritual fashion with the previous full moons haunt the area, and Doyle tasks them with looking into it. Specifically, he points them in the direction of an infamous cult known as The Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn. The first step would be to learn everything they can about the group and talk to some of its secretive members before the next full moon claims another life.
Two of these members agree to meet with Tolkien and Lewis at an exclusive club. Some information is given, but mostly the men stay tight-lipped about the purpose of their group, as well as the size of their membership. However, they are given a lead about one member, the occult writer Aleister Crowley, who might be considered a serious suspect. They meet with Crowley, who gives intricate details about the two bodies that already have been found and behaves in a manner that raises eyebrows.
As the list of suspects grows, the Inklings splinter off to pursue different leads. During this time, they reach out to two authors outside of their group who could aid them in their pursuit: Dorothy Sayers, who later would become a great friend to Lewis, and Agatha Christie. In a terrific bit of historical reimagining, Christie confides to Lewis that during the 11-day period when she famously went missing, she actually was in pursuit of a murder case. How ironic that her return to the public eye is in Doyle’s company. Christie provides some keen advice to Lewis: “Never let the threat of death keep you from being a good detective. There are far more important things to lose than your life. Like your self-respect.”
THE INKLINGS DETECTIVE AGENCY is a diabolically clever and deeply researched work by Kelly, who breathes life into these long-departed authors whose encounters with one another are the dream of any classic mystery fan or aficionado of great literary works. I am eager to see where these characters, and the possibility of others, take this series in future installments.
Reviewed by Ray Palen
May 11, 2026
John R. Kelly’s magnificent debut novel, THE INKLINGS DETECTIVE AGENCY, features a myriad of famous British writers in the midst of a murderous conspiracy.
At first glance, it appears that the driving forces in this novel are J. R. R. Tolkien and C. S. Lewis, who were best friends during their time at Oxford. Their relationship helped to further ignite the creation of the immortal Lord of the Rings and Chronicles of Narnia series. Throw in other iconic authors like Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Dame Agatha Christie and Dorothy Sayers, and you have the makings of a dynamic and enormously intriguing historical mystery.
The action begins on December 10, 1936, in Oxfordshire, England, where a wiry-framed fellow named John Ronald Reuel Tolkien is racing through the streets toward The Eagle and Child, a pub where members of the group calling themselves The Inklings are meeting. They include writers such as Charles Williams, Lord David Cecil, Adam Fox, Nevill Coghill, Hugo Dyson, and his absent best mate, C. S. “Jack” Lewis. Others come in and out of the group, but they have never accomplished anything quite as important as the mission about to be presented to them.
Arthur Conan Doyle has a mystery to lay at the feet of the Inklings, so now they officially can call themselves a detective agency. Gruesome murders committed in ritual fashion with the previous full moons haunt the area, and Doyle tasks them with looking into it. Specifically, he points them in the direction of an infamous cult known as The Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn. The first step would be to learn everything they can about the group and talk to some of its secretive members before the next full moon claims another life.
Two of these members agree to meet with Tolkien and Lewis at an exclusive club. Some information is given, but mostly the men stay tight-lipped about the purpose of their group, as well as the size of their membership. However, they are given a lead about one member, the occult writer Aleister Crowley, who might be considered a serious suspect. They meet with Crowley, who gives intricate details about the two bodies that already have been found and behaves in a manner that raises eyebrows.
As the list of suspects grows, the Inklings splinter off to pursue different leads. During this time, they reach out to two authors outside of their group who could aid them in their pursuit: Dorothy Sayers, who later would become a great friend to Lewis, and Agatha Christie. In a terrific bit of historical reimagining, Christie confides to Lewis that during the 11-day period when she famously went missing, she actually was in pursuit of a murder case. How ironic that her return to the public eye is in Doyle’s company. Christie provides some keen advice to Lewis: “Never let the threat of death keep you from being a good detective. There are far more important things to lose than your life. Like your self-respect.”
THE INKLINGS DETECTIVE AGENCY is a diabolically clever and deeply researched work by Kelly, who breathes life into these long-departed authors whose encounters with one another are the dream of any classic mystery fan or aficionado of great literary works. I am eager to see where these characters, and the possibility of others, take this series in future installments.
Reviewed by Ray Palen
At first glance, it appears that the driving forces in this novel are J. R. R. Tolkien and C. S. Lewis, who were best friends during their time at Oxford. Their relationship helped to further ignite the creation of the immortal Lord of the Rings and Chronicles of Narnia series. Throw in other iconic authors like Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Dame Agatha Christie and Dorothy Sayers, and you have the makings of a dynamic and enormously intriguing historical mystery.
The action begins on December 10, 1936, in Oxfordshire, England, where a wiry-framed fellow named John Ronald Reuel Tolkien is racing through the streets toward The Eagle and Child, a pub where members of the group calling themselves The Inklings are meeting. They include writers such as Charles Williams, Lord David Cecil, Adam Fox, Nevill Coghill, Hugo Dyson, and his absent best mate, C. S. “Jack” Lewis. Others come in and out of the group, but they have never accomplished anything quite as important as the mission about to be presented to them.
Arthur Conan Doyle has a mystery to lay at the feet of the Inklings, so now they officially can call themselves a detective agency. Gruesome murders committed in ritual fashion with the previous full moons haunt the area, and Doyle tasks them with looking into it. Specifically, he points them in the direction of an infamous cult known as The Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn. The first step would be to learn everything they can about the group and talk to some of its secretive members before the next full moon claims another life.
Two of these members agree to meet with Tolkien and Lewis at an exclusive club. Some information is given, but mostly the men stay tight-lipped about the purpose of their group, as well as the size of their membership. However, they are given a lead about one member, the occult writer Aleister Crowley, who might be considered a serious suspect. They meet with Crowley, who gives intricate details about the two bodies that already have been found and behaves in a manner that raises eyebrows.
As the list of suspects grows, the Inklings splinter off to pursue different leads. During this time, they reach out to two authors outside of their group who could aid them in their pursuit: Dorothy Sayers, who later would become a great friend to Lewis, and Agatha Christie. In a terrific bit of historical reimagining, Christie confides to Lewis that during the 11-day period when she famously went missing, she actually was in pursuit of a murder case. How ironic that her return to the public eye is in Doyle’s company. Christie provides some keen advice to Lewis: “Never let the threat of death keep you from being a good detective. There are far more important things to lose than your life. Like your self-respect.”
THE INKLINGS DETECTIVE AGENCY is a diabolically clever and deeply researched work by Kelly, who breathes life into these long-departed authors whose encounters with one another are the dream of any classic mystery fan or aficionado of great literary works. I am eager to see where these characters, and the possibility of others, take this series in future installments.
Reviewed by Ray Palen
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Based on true stories, THE INKLINGS DETECTIVE AGENCY is a treasure trove of the Victorian era's most famous writers of mystery, fantasy, (a touch of occult literature), and crime.
THE INKLINGS were a gathering of famous authors that included the likes of: J. R. R. Tolkien, C. S. Lewis, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Evelyn Underhill, WB Yeats, Aleister Crowley, G. K. Chesterton, Dorothy Sayers and the Queen, Agatha Christie. There are others who participated; about 30, or so. For the purposes of this story, Tolkien, Lewis, Doyle and Crowley are the primary characters.
With key assists from Christie and a group of author buddies, (Adam Fox, Nevill Coghill, Hugo Dyson, Lord David Cecil, Charles Blagrove), Tolkien and Lewis take the lead in solving a murder presented to this illustrious group. They meet in a pub called “The Eagle and Child”, nicknamed, “The Bird and Baby”. This is a real location that is scheduled to reopen, after years in disrepair, in 2027.
Once the actual investigations begin, tasks are assigned to different Inklings. The plot is well organized, if a little busy, due to the number of characters. If you’re used to classic mystery/thriller reads, it’s not uncommon to wish for a scorecard to keep them all straight, early on.
Readers should definitely avail themselves of the Historical Notes of Interest and peruse the Readers Guide prior to delving into the book. Author, John R. Kelly, does an excellent job of providing context and explaining the literary license he took to craft this story.
Each of the 38 chapters begins with a quote from an Inkling member or a contemporary. Not all are well known but I found them perfect for both the storytelling and representational of the authors. Most chapters are short and contain enough information to fill a scene on tv. I could easily imagine this book being turned into a series on PBS or Britbox.
The characters are rich and the dialogue is well suited for them. There’s no foul language, sexual content or descriptive violence; only good storytelling. Pacing is moderate in keeping with the mostly staid characters. Kelly infuses humor in discretely which adds to the overall entertaining aspect.
While toasting the New Year and celebrating a job well done, the gathered Inklings share a New Year’s resolution. I found two most interesting: Tolkien plans to finish The Hobbit and Doyle says, “Here’s to fellowship. May this new year bring new books to write, new adventures to step into and new mysteries to solve!” I couldn’t agree more - another book, (or six) to create a series would be a cracking good idea📚
I received a copy for review purposes. All opinions are honest and mine alone.
Read & Reviewed from an eARC via Kindle with thanks to the publisher and author.
THE INKLINGS were a gathering of famous authors that included the likes of: J. R. R. Tolkien, C. S. Lewis, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Evelyn Underhill, WB Yeats, Aleister Crowley, G. K. Chesterton, Dorothy Sayers and the Queen, Agatha Christie. There are others who participated; about 30, or so. For the purposes of this story, Tolkien, Lewis, Doyle and Crowley are the primary characters.
With key assists from Christie and a group of author buddies, (Adam Fox, Nevill Coghill, Hugo Dyson, Lord David Cecil, Charles Blagrove), Tolkien and Lewis take the lead in solving a murder presented to this illustrious group. They meet in a pub called “The Eagle and Child”, nicknamed, “The Bird and Baby”. This is a real location that is scheduled to reopen, after years in disrepair, in 2027.
Once the actual investigations begin, tasks are assigned to different Inklings. The plot is well organized, if a little busy, due to the number of characters. If you’re used to classic mystery/thriller reads, it’s not uncommon to wish for a scorecard to keep them all straight, early on.
Readers should definitely avail themselves of the Historical Notes of Interest and peruse the Readers Guide prior to delving into the book. Author, John R. Kelly, does an excellent job of providing context and explaining the literary license he took to craft this story.
Each of the 38 chapters begins with a quote from an Inkling member or a contemporary. Not all are well known but I found them perfect for both the storytelling and representational of the authors. Most chapters are short and contain enough information to fill a scene on tv. I could easily imagine this book being turned into a series on PBS or Britbox.
The characters are rich and the dialogue is well suited for them. There’s no foul language, sexual content or descriptive violence; only good storytelling. Pacing is moderate in keeping with the mostly staid characters. Kelly infuses humor in discretely which adds to the overall entertaining aspect.
While toasting the New Year and celebrating a job well done, the gathered Inklings share a New Year’s resolution. I found two most interesting: Tolkien plans to finish The Hobbit and Doyle says, “Here’s to fellowship. May this new year bring new books to write, new adventures to step into and new mysteries to solve!” I couldn’t agree more - another book, (or six) to create a series would be a cracking good idea📚
I received a copy for review purposes. All opinions are honest and mine alone.
Read & Reviewed from an eARC via Kindle with thanks to the publisher and author.
June 16, 2026
There are two versions of this book on Goodreads that are only sort-of linked. Some things carry over and some do not. I found that in trying to put my review in both places, it ended up being deleted in both. So I am trying again.
This book tries to please so many people that I am afraid many will be disappointed.
It has three components: seeing various authors get together, a mystery, and Christian philosophy. Most of the time is spent on the authors meeting other authors, so those looking for either a mystery or Christian philosophy will be disappointed.
The mystery was not the focal point of the book. It was conversation between authors such as Lewis, Conan Doyle, Agatha Christie, Dorothy Sayers, G. K. Chesterton, etc.
If you are interested in C S Lewis' gatherings with other authors, I recommend a real-life remembrance of them in "A Severe Mercy." Most of these in "The Inklings Detective Agency" are fictionalized.
Because they are fictionalized, I am unconvinced the real people would have agreed with their representations as these characters.
For example, from what I can gather, although C S Lewis was willing to debate, he did not hold animosity towards those with different views, remembering that he himself had come to Christianity from atheism. But in this book, he has a gut-level negative response to someone because of their different viewpoint. The real CS Lewis may have thought them mistaken or misguided, but not likely repugnant.
Also, although the friend's mother that Lewis took care of did become more negative and needy in her later years, there was nothing revealed in this book that justified, at this point, Lewis calling her unpleasant.
And poor Warnie's alcoholism has started.
I think, if they hadn't been real people, I would've liked this better.
I solved the mystery, thinking at the beginning that it would be a certain person and I was right. I don't know what took them so long, and I was disappointed that there weren't the usual plot twists and double-backs of a mystery to dissuade me.
There is not much in the way of Christian philosophy, either.
One character did say, "I became convinced that experience was all that mattered. The brain, logic, reason, and truth gave way and were of less importance than the heart and how I felt. Emotions had become my new truth... They all essentially pointed down a similar road, which is the pursuit of God on our terms rather than His, and when that happens, sometimes the god we find at the end of the road isn't the one we thought we were seeking. Perhaps it's even just an ugly, twisted version of ourselves....
"But in all my steps and decisions, I let my emotions lead rather than the truth. This is well and good if the strongest emotions we have are love, compassion, and joy. But when anger, envy, and bitterness take hold, that is where trouble springs forth."
That is one problem, but I disagree that it is the only one.
If any one of these positive emotions are sought to the exclusion of all else, that's to our detriment. For example, if someone seeks joy exclusively, they might become an adrenalin junkie, or a little less extreme, someone seeking joy all the time may not be able to deal with the calmer, steadier responsibilities of life.
Even love can be sought to extremes if it is not bounded by other virtues. For example, if someone were to seek love beyond all else, they might commit murder on behalf of their beloved.
Our feelings are fickle, and we are often self-deceptive, even when the emotions are good.
Emotions might be able to tell us when something's wrong, like a car's dashboard indicator light, but even there, they can become stuck on when there's no real problem to point to (false guilt or unnecessary suspicion, for example). Or, these emotional indicator lights may fail to light up in a genuine emergency, (such as when we have all good feelings about something that turns out not to be good.)
"The heart is deceitful above all things and desparately wicked. Who can understand it?" - Jeremiah 17:9
This book tries to please so many people that I am afraid many will be disappointed.
It has three components: seeing various authors get together, a mystery, and Christian philosophy. Most of the time is spent on the authors meeting other authors, so those looking for either a mystery or Christian philosophy will be disappointed.
The mystery was not the focal point of the book. It was conversation between authors such as Lewis, Conan Doyle, Agatha Christie, Dorothy Sayers, G. K. Chesterton, etc.
If you are interested in C S Lewis' gatherings with other authors, I recommend a real-life remembrance of them in "A Severe Mercy." Most of these in "The Inklings Detective Agency" are fictionalized.
Because they are fictionalized, I am unconvinced the real people would have agreed with their representations as these characters.
For example, from what I can gather, although C S Lewis was willing to debate, he did not hold animosity towards those with different views, remembering that he himself had come to Christianity from atheism. But in this book, he has a gut-level negative response to someone because of their different viewpoint. The real CS Lewis may have thought them mistaken or misguided, but not likely repugnant.
Also, although the friend's mother that Lewis took care of did become more negative and needy in her later years, there was nothing revealed in this book that justified, at this point, Lewis calling her unpleasant.
And poor Warnie's alcoholism has started.
I think, if they hadn't been real people, I would've liked this better.
I solved the mystery, thinking at the beginning that it would be a certain person and I was right. I don't know what took them so long, and I was disappointed that there weren't the usual plot twists and double-backs of a mystery to dissuade me.
There is not much in the way of Christian philosophy, either.
One character did say, "I became convinced that experience was all that mattered. The brain, logic, reason, and truth gave way and were of less importance than the heart and how I felt. Emotions had become my new truth... They all essentially pointed down a similar road, which is the pursuit of God on our terms rather than His, and when that happens, sometimes the god we find at the end of the road isn't the one we thought we were seeking. Perhaps it's even just an ugly, twisted version of ourselves....
"But in all my steps and decisions, I let my emotions lead rather than the truth. This is well and good if the strongest emotions we have are love, compassion, and joy. But when anger, envy, and bitterness take hold, that is where trouble springs forth."
That is one problem, but I disagree that it is the only one.
If any one of these positive emotions are sought to the exclusion of all else, that's to our detriment. For example, if someone seeks joy exclusively, they might become an adrenalin junkie, or a little less extreme, someone seeking joy all the time may not be able to deal with the calmer, steadier responsibilities of life.
Even love can be sought to extremes if it is not bounded by other virtues. For example, if someone were to seek love beyond all else, they might commit murder on behalf of their beloved.
Our feelings are fickle, and we are often self-deceptive, even when the emotions are good.
Emotions might be able to tell us when something's wrong, like a car's dashboard indicator light, but even there, they can become stuck on when there's no real problem to point to (false guilt or unnecessary suspicion, for example). Or, these emotional indicator lights may fail to light up in a genuine emergency, (such as when we have all good feelings about something that turns out not to be good.)
"The heart is deceitful above all things and desparately wicked. Who can understand it?" - Jeremiah 17:9
June 7, 2026
I have been a big fan of classic mystery authors like Agatha Christie and Arthur Conan Doyle since I was a teenager. I also read much of C.S. Lewis’ work, and enjoyed J.R.R. Tolkien’s fantasy world through movies. So when I saw that The Inklings Detective Agency had all these wonderful writers as characters (and several others as well) I was excited to check it out. Especially since they would be solving a mystery.
I had known for sometime that The Inklings were a real thing and I always thought it was fascinating that all of these great literary minds not only knew each other, but would come together regularly as a group. The Inklings were an informal literary discussion group associated with J. R. R. Tolkien and C. S. Lewis at the University of Oxford for nearly two decades between the early 1930s and late 1949. Taking this group and putting them in a book to solve a mystery was a brilliant idea! In this story, they are approached by Arthur Conan Doyle (whom they all thought was dead) and asked to solve a mystery on his behalf. Members of a secret society keep turning up dead and it is thought to be murder. This society is more like a cult and there are some creepy dark characters involved. As they investigate, Lewis also ends up calling on Dorothy L Sayers and Agatha Christie for their help. There’s also an appearance by G.K. Chesterson. Can they solve the mystery before someone else dies? Possibly even one of their own?
One of my favorite things about the book was the mix of historical details (I know a lot of the characters in the story were also real people, just not names I recognized personally). While this is an ensemble cast, Lewis and Tolkien are the driving forces and you see more from their perspective than the others. This made me curious about whether they were such good friends in real life, too. I also enjoyed the involvement of Lewis’ brother. There are little hints here and there about some of the books they were working on at the time, which was also a nice touch. Many British mysteries seem to be set at Oxford just like much of this one, and it has made me very interested in visiting there someday. This book also takes you to London, and Loch Ness, providing readers with a delightful trip to different parts of the UK.
The Inklings Detective Agency was an absolute delight and I hope that it will be part of a series. Not only were the characters and setting fun, but it was also a complex mystery filled with plenty of twists and turns. I highly recommend checking out The Inklings Detective Agency, especially if you are a fan of the literary characters involved.
I had known for sometime that The Inklings were a real thing and I always thought it was fascinating that all of these great literary minds not only knew each other, but would come together regularly as a group. The Inklings were an informal literary discussion group associated with J. R. R. Tolkien and C. S. Lewis at the University of Oxford for nearly two decades between the early 1930s and late 1949. Taking this group and putting them in a book to solve a mystery was a brilliant idea! In this story, they are approached by Arthur Conan Doyle (whom they all thought was dead) and asked to solve a mystery on his behalf. Members of a secret society keep turning up dead and it is thought to be murder. This society is more like a cult and there are some creepy dark characters involved. As they investigate, Lewis also ends up calling on Dorothy L Sayers and Agatha Christie for their help. There’s also an appearance by G.K. Chesterson. Can they solve the mystery before someone else dies? Possibly even one of their own?
One of my favorite things about the book was the mix of historical details (I know a lot of the characters in the story were also real people, just not names I recognized personally). While this is an ensemble cast, Lewis and Tolkien are the driving forces and you see more from their perspective than the others. This made me curious about whether they were such good friends in real life, too. I also enjoyed the involvement of Lewis’ brother. There are little hints here and there about some of the books they were working on at the time, which was also a nice touch. Many British mysteries seem to be set at Oxford just like much of this one, and it has made me very interested in visiting there someday. This book also takes you to London, and Loch Ness, providing readers with a delightful trip to different parts of the UK.
The Inklings Detective Agency was an absolute delight and I hope that it will be part of a series. Not only were the characters and setting fun, but it was also a complex mystery filled with plenty of twists and turns. I highly recommend checking out The Inklings Detective Agency, especially if you are a fan of the literary characters involved.
July 3, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Inklings Detective Agency had such a clever and intriguing premise, and as someone who loves books about books, literary references, and historical settings, I was immediately drawn in by the idea of famous authors stepping into the role of amateur detectives.
Set in 1930s Oxford, this story follows members of the Inklings, including J. R. R. Tolkien and C. S. Lewis, as they become involved in a murder investigation tied to a secret society. The concept itself is really fun, especially with the addition of literary figures like Agatha Christie and Dorothy Sayers woven into the mystery. I appreciated the historical atmosphere, the nods to classic literature, and the clear admiration this book has for these authors and their work.
That being said, this ended up being more of a solid, middle-of-the-road read for me. My biggest hesitation was that the characters are based on real people, and at times that made the story feel a little strange for me personally. I usually love historical fiction, but seeing such well-known authors written into a fictional murder mystery occasionally pulled me out of the story instead of pulling me deeper in. There were moments where the concept felt charming and creative, but other moments where it felt a little gimmicky or almost too self-aware because I was constantly aware that these were real literary figures being used as characters.
I also think the literary cameos were both a strength and a weakness. They were fun to recognize, and I can absolutely see why fans of Tolkien, C. S. Lewis, Agatha Christie, and Dorothy Sayers would enjoy seeing them all connected in one story. But for me, the excitement of the cameos sometimes stood out more than the mystery itself. I found myself appreciating the idea of the book more than feeling fully invested in the investigation.
Overall, The Inklings Detective Agency was imaginative, thoughtful, and clearly written with a lot of love for classic literature and literary history. While it did not completely sweep me away, I still appreciated its creativity, atmosphere, and unique concept. I think this will work best for readers who enjoy cozy historical mysteries, literary references, and fictional stories built around real authors.
Recommend if you enjoy:
🕵️ historical mysteries
📚 books about famous authors
🏛️ 1930s Oxford settings
🖋️ Tolkien and C. S. Lewis references
🔎 literary whodunits
☕ cozy literary mystery vibes
Thank you to Penguin Random House and NetGalley for this eARC in exchange for my honest review!
The Inklings Detective Agency had such a clever and intriguing premise, and as someone who loves books about books, literary references, and historical settings, I was immediately drawn in by the idea of famous authors stepping into the role of amateur detectives.
Set in 1930s Oxford, this story follows members of the Inklings, including J. R. R. Tolkien and C. S. Lewis, as they become involved in a murder investigation tied to a secret society. The concept itself is really fun, especially with the addition of literary figures like Agatha Christie and Dorothy Sayers woven into the mystery. I appreciated the historical atmosphere, the nods to classic literature, and the clear admiration this book has for these authors and their work.
That being said, this ended up being more of a solid, middle-of-the-road read for me. My biggest hesitation was that the characters are based on real people, and at times that made the story feel a little strange for me personally. I usually love historical fiction, but seeing such well-known authors written into a fictional murder mystery occasionally pulled me out of the story instead of pulling me deeper in. There were moments where the concept felt charming and creative, but other moments where it felt a little gimmicky or almost too self-aware because I was constantly aware that these were real literary figures being used as characters.
I also think the literary cameos were both a strength and a weakness. They were fun to recognize, and I can absolutely see why fans of Tolkien, C. S. Lewis, Agatha Christie, and Dorothy Sayers would enjoy seeing them all connected in one story. But for me, the excitement of the cameos sometimes stood out more than the mystery itself. I found myself appreciating the idea of the book more than feeling fully invested in the investigation.
Overall, The Inklings Detective Agency was imaginative, thoughtful, and clearly written with a lot of love for classic literature and literary history. While it did not completely sweep me away, I still appreciated its creativity, atmosphere, and unique concept. I think this will work best for readers who enjoy cozy historical mysteries, literary references, and fictional stories built around real authors.
Recommend if you enjoy:
🕵️ historical mysteries
📚 books about famous authors
🏛️ 1930s Oxford settings
🖋️ Tolkien and C. S. Lewis references
🔎 literary whodunits
☕ cozy literary mystery vibes
Thank you to Penguin Random House and NetGalley for this eARC in exchange for my honest review!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
"This book is exactly what you think it is."
When I saw those words alongside the title on social media, I thought, "CS Lewis and JRR Tolkien solving a murder," and that is, delightfully, exactly what this book is.
As one would expect of a story about the Inklings, this is very much a story showcasing healthy male friendships, which is sorely lacking in literature today. While all the Inklings are present, the story is told from the perspectives of Lewis and Tolkien, which is what I expected going into it, since they are the most famous members, but I did find myself wishing for some of the other members to get a chapter or two from their perspective. I really enjoyed Dyson, who I wasn't familiar with before this book. He really brought out joy in those around him, which I loved.
This was a really interesting take on historical fiction, as usually historical fiction is made up people in real events, whereas this was real people in made up events (although with references to actual real events as well). I'm not a big historical fiction reader, but I thought that was a really interesting take (it got me to read it, lol). I do think this sort of take needs to be done respectfully to the real-life individuals, and I feel that, in this case, it was. I really enjoyed the mystery! The idea to look at murder through the eyes of a writer is not a new one, but I really enjoyed how that theme was used here. The foreshadowing was brilliantly done! It was there, but not super obvious, making it really feel like an "aha!" moment when you figure it out. I noticed the author left things open for future books, and I would definitely read more should this become a series!
There were quotes from famous literary works (usually from the Inklings themselves) at the start of every chapter, which I really enjoyed. There are also handy historical notes at the end, which is very helpful for anyone struggling to separate the fact from the fiction, as well as a reader's guide that would make this a lovely choice for a book club!
Content considerations: this book includes smoking, drinking, non detailed occult references including talk of rituals, a nightmare of war/mild ptsd, language such as "good Lord" "good God" and "what in God's name?", discussion of an affair between one of the victims and his housekeeper, and dismemberment (not graphically described)
When I saw those words alongside the title on social media, I thought, "CS Lewis and JRR Tolkien solving a murder," and that is, delightfully, exactly what this book is.
As one would expect of a story about the Inklings, this is very much a story showcasing healthy male friendships, which is sorely lacking in literature today. While all the Inklings are present, the story is told from the perspectives of Lewis and Tolkien, which is what I expected going into it, since they are the most famous members, but I did find myself wishing for some of the other members to get a chapter or two from their perspective. I really enjoyed Dyson, who I wasn't familiar with before this book. He really brought out joy in those around him, which I loved.
This was a really interesting take on historical fiction, as usually historical fiction is made up people in real events, whereas this was real people in made up events (although with references to actual real events as well). I'm not a big historical fiction reader, but I thought that was a really interesting take (it got me to read it, lol). I do think this sort of take needs to be done respectfully to the real-life individuals, and I feel that, in this case, it was. I really enjoyed the mystery! The idea to look at murder through the eyes of a writer is not a new one, but I really enjoyed how that theme was used here. The foreshadowing was brilliantly done! It was there, but not super obvious, making it really feel like an "aha!" moment when you figure it out. I noticed the author left things open for future books, and I would definitely read more should this become a series!
There were quotes from famous literary works (usually from the Inklings themselves) at the start of every chapter, which I really enjoyed. There are also handy historical notes at the end, which is very helpful for anyone struggling to separate the fact from the fiction, as well as a reader's guide that would make this a lovely choice for a book club!
Content considerations: this book includes smoking, drinking, non detailed occult references including talk of rituals, a nightmare of war/mild ptsd, language such as "good Lord" "good God" and "what in God's name?", discussion of an affair between one of the victims and his housekeeper, and dismemberment (not graphically described)
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