Council -Snorri Kristjansson

Paperback, 352 pages

Published May 16th 2019 by Jo Fletcher Books

Series: Helga Finnsdottir #2

Historical thriller mystery Crime

To review

I read reviews of book 1 who said it was not viking enough, which I felt was silly because it was Iceland and it was totally viking. Viking is more than raiding. But here I felt like the author tried making it more viking.

Here we have a king in a part of what is now Sweden. His people are coming to a council. Someone seems to want to make that council fall apart. And being a king back then you always worry about other kings too.

Helga is the heroine from book 1. That is she is the smart one who solves crime. Since this is after all, Viking noir, or whatever we should call it. And it is very Scandic. She does a lot of thinking, because what else can you do at that time. The only way to solve a crime is to think and ask questions.

There is a body, and, well I did not see anything coming. As for the end, what? It can not end like that? I have no idea what will happen in the next book. If I have to guess, well we have been from Iceland to Sweden so maybe, maybe she will solve a crime in Viking York or something. 

It was not as light in reading as book 1 (I did miss that), the author threw in a lot of curveballs and I never knew what to expect. Also, if that one person is not punished in book 3 I am going to be so freaking mad. I want death! A cruel death for that person.

I enjoyed it, and, arghh I can not sto thinking about book 3. Do not leave me like that

BlurbAfter five years on the road, Helga has finally settled near King Eirik’s court in Uppsala, where she’s well-regarded as a healer. She’s even in a relationship, of sorts.
But life is about to get a bit more exciting, for King Eirik has summoned all those who owe him fealty to the King’s Council and tempers are already flaring. The body of an unknown boy is found near the river, but with delegations from all over the country arriving and rumours of an imminent attack, there are more important things to attend to than the death of a nobody . . .
Only Helga suspects murder, until a second body makes it clear that someone is intent on breaking up the King’s Council – and that a traitor walks among them . . .

Kin - Snorri Kristjansson

He can deny it all he likes, but everyone knows Viking warlord Unnthor Reginsson brought home a great chest of gold when he retired from the longboats and settled down with Hildigunnur in a remote valley. Now, in the summer of 970, adopted daughter Helga is awaiting the arrival of her unknown siblings: dark, dangerous Karl, lithe, clever Jorunn, gentle Aslak, henpecked by his shrewish wife, and the giant Bjorn, made bitter by Volund, his idiot son.

And they're coming with darkness in their hearts.

The siblings gather, bad blood simmers and old feuds resurface as Unnthor's heirs make their moves on the old man's treasure - until one morning Helga is awakened by screams. Blood has been shed: kin has been slain.

No one confesses, but all the clues point to one person - who cannot possibly be the murderer, at least in Helga's eyes. But if she's going to save the innocent from the axe and prevent more bloodshed, she's got to solve the mystery - fast . . . 

Paperback, 352 pages
Expected publication: March 8th 2018 by Jo Fletcher Books Historical fiction /crime Helga Finnsdottir #1

For review

My thoughts:

It has been a very long time since I finished a book in a day. Not that I have not wanted to. But a baby makes it harder. But today everything came together, and it also helped that I could not put the book down and that it was so light and it flowed so well. Suddenly I was on page 150 and it felt like a blink of an eye. Who knew Viking crime drama could feel so light! In writing that it. In tone, eh, not so much. There will be blood as kin slay kin. Though dark it is not.

Helga is our heroine and she was awesome. She is the adoptive daughter in the house. Calm, patient and with a good eye for things. As she will soon learn.

Her foster parents have 3 sons and 1 daughter. And they all gather now. They all believe their father have hid a Viking treasure somewhere. They all have their own hidden agendas. This is a very dysfunctional family. Helga seems to be the only normal one.

Obviously there will be blood, and Helga is on the case.

Viking crime drama. Yes, honestly that truly says it all. Iceland, desolate, kin. Murder.

Conclusion:

So if you like crime read it. If you are a historical fan, read it. If you just like a good story (like we all do!) then well duh, this is a must read.

Oh it was just so good! I truly enjoyed this one. Writing that just flows. And a murder I could not figure out (but then I never can.)

Cover

Can I say amazing!

Plum Spooky - Janet Evanovich

According to legend, the Jersey Devil prowls the Pine Barrens and soars above the treetops in the dark of night. As eerie as this might seem, there are things in the Barrens that are even more frightening and dangerous. And there are monkeys. Lots of monkeys.

Wulf Grimoire is a world wanderer and an opportunist who can kill without remorse and disappear like smoke. He's chosen Martin Munch, boy genius, as his new business partner, and he's chosen the Barrens as his new playground. Munch received his doctorate degree in quantum physics when he was twenty-two. He's now twenty-four, and while his brain is large, his body hasn't made it out of the boys' department at Macy's. Anyone who says good things come in small packages hasn't met Munch. Wulf Grimoire is looking for world domination. Martin Munch would be happy if he could just get a woman naked and tied to a tree.

Bounty hunter Stephanie Plum has Munch on her most-wanted list for failure to appear in court. Plum is the all-American girl stuck in an uncomfortable job, succeeding on luck and tenacity. Usually she gets her man. This time she gets a monkey. She also gets a big guy named Diesel.

Diesel pops in and out of Plum's life like birthday cake - delicious to look at and taste, not especially healthy as a steady diet, gone by the end of the week if not sooner. He's an uber bounty hunter with special skills when it comes to tracking men and pleasing women. He's after Grimoire, and now he's also after Munch. And if truth were told, he wouldn't mind setting Stephanie Plum in his crosshairs.

Diesel and Plum hunt down Munch and Grimoire, following them into the Barrens, surviving cranberry bogs, the Jersey Devil, a hair-raising experience, sand in their underwear, and, of course . . . monkeys.

Blurb from author's site cos yup there was a lot of things going on in this book, and to write something about that, tricky. And honestly I don't have much to say in my review either, maybe that is why I have the very long beginning.

I was a bit disappointed in this one. Actually none of her "between the numbers" novel are as good as her numbers novels. Now I know why, it's the lack of Ranger and Joe. These novels have Diesel, and sure he is weird and fun but not what I am looking for. What I love about these novels is the tension between her and Ranger, and the love with Joe. Some root for one guy, some for the other, I for both. Cos that is what makes them great.

This one, has some Joe, but not much. He is busy at his end. It has some Ranger, but not as much. And nothing between any of the 3 is like it's in the numbers books. That is why I can't love this one as much. But don't get me wrong, it made me smile and rush towards the end to find out what was happening. There is some chemistry between them too, but I can take it or leave it. The best thing about this book is the monkey, that monkey is crazy, you will love him. It has the same action and it gets pretty good. And she blows up things as usual.

Average yes, worth reading, oh yes, but I am looking more forward to getting my hands on Finger lickin' 15. I can't wait. perhaps she does't put at much time on these between novels and that is why it's lacking some, and doesn't have me rolling on the floor in laughter, it just has me smiling.