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Jackson Raine #1
The Valhalla Key
An ancient Norse secret...
A ruthless Nazi plot...
One private eye who's outnumbered, outgunned, but not giving up...1939
New York P.I. Jackson Raine has a talent for finding trouble, and trouble has a talent for finding him right back.
When a murdered Norwegian professor leaves behind a cryptic message, Jack is dragged into a deadly race for the Valhalla Key — a weapon so powerful it could hand the victory to the enemy before the war’s even begun.
Pursued by gangsters, double-crossed by federal agents, and in the crosshairs of an elite SS death squad, Jack’s search for answers takes him from the glittering lights of the World's Fair to the roaring waters of Niagara Falls, and deep into the Arctic, where a deadly secret lies buried in the ice.
The fate of the world is on the line. The clock is ticking. And Jackson Raine is the best man for the job — which, frankly, says a lot about the state of things.
THE VALHALLA KEY is a pulse-pounding adventure in the golden-age tradition — all the action and intrigue of Indiana Jones, with a wisecracking hero who’s in way over his head. Perfect for fans of Clive Cussler, James Rollins, and Andy McDermott.
While THE VALHALLA KEY has loads of conflict, chase scenes, fighting and suspense, there's no swearing, sex or gore.
"Jackson Raine is the next hero to take the world of archaeological thrillers by storm. He's rolling back the clock to a time when villains were dastardly and heroes took the hard road to victory. If Bogart played Indiana Jones, Jackson Raine is what you'd get!" Luke Richardson, author of THE ARK FILES.
A ruthless Nazi plot...
One private eye who's outnumbered, outgunned, but not giving up...1939
New York P.I. Jackson Raine has a talent for finding trouble, and trouble has a talent for finding him right back.
When a murdered Norwegian professor leaves behind a cryptic message, Jack is dragged into a deadly race for the Valhalla Key — a weapon so powerful it could hand the victory to the enemy before the war’s even begun.
Pursued by gangsters, double-crossed by federal agents, and in the crosshairs of an elite SS death squad, Jack’s search for answers takes him from the glittering lights of the World's Fair to the roaring waters of Niagara Falls, and deep into the Arctic, where a deadly secret lies buried in the ice.
The fate of the world is on the line. The clock is ticking. And Jackson Raine is the best man for the job — which, frankly, says a lot about the state of things.
THE VALHALLA KEY is a pulse-pounding adventure in the golden-age tradition — all the action and intrigue of Indiana Jones, with a wisecracking hero who’s in way over his head. Perfect for fans of Clive Cussler, James Rollins, and Andy McDermott.
While THE VALHALLA KEY has loads of conflict, chase scenes, fighting and suspense, there's no swearing, sex or gore.
"Jackson Raine is the next hero to take the world of archaeological thrillers by storm. He's rolling back the clock to a time when villains were dastardly and heroes took the hard road to victory. If Bogart played Indiana Jones, Jackson Raine is what you'd get!" Luke Richardson, author of THE ARK FILES.
488 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 30, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
April 28, 2025
Kudos to the author for keeping two books worth of stories and adventure in one volume! Halfway through, there was a good opportunity to end the book with a semi cliff hanger. (I hate cliffhangers!) but the author didn’t take it.
THE VALHALLA KEY is a fun, action filled adventure. The first third of the book is set-up for the rest of the story (the series?) and frankly, I found it a bit slow going. However, after that point the story took off and I became fully invested in all the characters and the plot. Stick with it. The ride is definitely worth it!
I reviewed a free Advance Reader Copy of this book with no strings attached.
THE VALHALLA KEY is a fun, action filled adventure. The first third of the book is set-up for the rest of the story (the series?) and frankly, I found it a bit slow going. However, after that point the story took off and I became fully invested in all the characters and the plot. Stick with it. The ride is definitely worth it!
I reviewed a free Advance Reader Copy of this book with no strings attached.
June 30, 2025
The Valhalla Key is a story full of mystery and action that'll keep you reading through the night. There's a long lost treasure that PI Jackson Raine may put his hands on but in order to accomplish that he'll have to fight gangsters, the SS, federal agents in a setting that changes fast. Will he be able to do it or will he succumb to the enemy? Looking forward to reading the next book in this series.
I thank the author for this ARC.
I thank the author for this ARC.
April 23, 2025
Grab the popcorn and your favourite tipple!
Snuggle in to your favourite reading place with your pet or cosy blanket (either will do).
Because once you have started The Valhalla Key you won't be able to stop reading it until the end.
Get ready to dive into the murky world of PI Jackson (Jax) Raine. Jax is one of the good guys but trouble seems to follow him around like magnets to metal.
After Jax discovers that priceless artifacts are being faked and the originals bring sold on the black market to the highest bidder to fund the Nazi's regime Jax will stop at nothing to hunt the people down and bring them to justice.
The Nazi's want a particular artifact that would in the wrong hands, lead them to ultimate victory and total world domination.
What Jax doesn't envisage is that he will have to take on is an army of SS death squad, most of New York's police force, gangsters, oh and not forgetting the ultimate villain to boot!
Jax does receive help along the way, one person that he never thought possible to save his life but fate often has a habit of throwing you a bone or two.
The book takes you from New York, Niagara Falls to the arctic with lightning speed, there are some fantastic movie references along the way. So hang onto your hats everyone because you are in for one heck of a ride!
Snuggle in to your favourite reading place with your pet or cosy blanket (either will do).
Because once you have started The Valhalla Key you won't be able to stop reading it until the end.
Get ready to dive into the murky world of PI Jackson (Jax) Raine. Jax is one of the good guys but trouble seems to follow him around like magnets to metal.
After Jax discovers that priceless artifacts are being faked and the originals bring sold on the black market to the highest bidder to fund the Nazi's regime Jax will stop at nothing to hunt the people down and bring them to justice.
The Nazi's want a particular artifact that would in the wrong hands, lead them to ultimate victory and total world domination.
What Jax doesn't envisage is that he will have to take on is an army of SS death squad, most of New York's police force, gangsters, oh and not forgetting the ultimate villain to boot!
Jax does receive help along the way, one person that he never thought possible to save his life but fate often has a habit of throwing you a bone or two.
The book takes you from New York, Niagara Falls to the arctic with lightning speed, there are some fantastic movie references along the way. So hang onto your hats everyone because you are in for one heck of a ride!
July 15, 2025
The Valhalla Key takes place in the late 1930's but, strangely, seems current. Jackson Raine is just trying to keep his head above water and make enough money to pay his bills and his office girl. He ends up fighting his old flame, Nazis, a gangster and his henchmen, and the police. Phew! Did I leave anyone out? They are all out to get/capture/kill Jax while looking for the mountains of gold in Valhalla. Jax, and his ragtag band of friends, is always just behind the others. This book kept me up two nights into the wee hours. A fun romp. Just read it!
September 16, 2025
Holy mackerel, what a ride! In the tradition of those beloved Saturday afternoon matinee serials, this book hits all the right notes. Action, daring-do, and cliffhangers abound. Sure, it's over-the-top here and there, but what was really fun and different was the time period. This is the first archeological action series I've found set in this time period, and boy, is it fun. The team is an eclectic group of unexpected heroes. The wisecracks are pure period. And the humor is actually funny. Action abounds, and I am along for the ride. the next book can't be released soon enough.
February 13, 2026
What an amazing adventure
The search thrill flame the gangster the Indian oh and the wolf and Jack the team and their search fighting Nazis to find the key first. It's a complicated story before WW2 and the beginning of that war. There are times when you wonder where its heading but the author brings it all together in the end. I really enjoyed this book and recommend you should read it too
The search thrill flame the gangster the Indian oh and the wolf and Jack the team and their search fighting Nazis to find the key first. It's a complicated story before WW2 and the beginning of that war. There are times when you wonder where its heading but the author brings it all together in the end. I really enjoyed this book and recommend you should read it too
July 3, 2025
Can a PI, a mobster, an archaeologist and another special person stop Hitler's Nazis from gaining the keys to Valhalla? Follow Jackson Raine and his ragtag team as they try and stop the Nazis from acquiring a supernatural item that just might allow Hitler's army to be unstoppable.
February 13, 2026
Decent freshman entry from this new author. Kind of predictable in spots, and the overuse of 1930’s slang was a bit of a turn off for me. But overall it was an enjoyable read and I will pick up the next one when it comes out.
March 25, 2026
There was a moment in this book when the ‘goodie’ and the ‘baddie’ were chasing each other. At one point one of them said the equivalent of ‘na na na na’ whilst poking out their tongue.
Book put down and not to be picked up again.
Book put down and not to be picked up again.
July 10, 2025
Really enjoyed this non stop action lots of twists and some nice humour. The main characters were well written. Looking forward to the next to see where the author takes us.
July 20, 2025
Excellent plot and characters and non-stop action. Very interesting and informative too.
January 31, 2026
A slow starter, the book eventually races to a thrilling conclusion.
February 27, 2026
Ok, this one gets my TSTF (Too Stupid To Finish) rating. Don’t waste your time on this one.
March 6, 2026
This book was written so well. it was like a movie in my head while I was reading it. it's giving Indiana Jones vibes but in 1930 America. for a genre I don't normally read it was good
March 8, 2026
This is Indiana Jones on steroids. Nonstop over the top action that, although unbelievable, is also thoroughly entertaining.
March 12, 2026
A Thrilling Mystery Adventure
Great characters, phenomenal plot, loads of exotic and interesting locations, plenty of action and intrigue! You’re going to LOVE IT!!!
Great characters, phenomenal plot, loads of exotic and interesting locations, plenty of action and intrigue! You’re going to LOVE IT!!!
April 20, 2026
Really liked it, but had a few bits of anachronistic language that while not taking me out of it, should have probably been caught by an editor
June 19, 2025
The Valhalla Key - a review by Rosemary Kenny
James Richardson's The Valhalla Key has hints of The Fugitive, as the hero is framed for murder, plus other homages to Indiana Jones villains and Dan Brown's Robert Langdon novels, when he's forced to decode puzzles leading to the eponymous Key and a secret door's location.
Great characters, lots of action and international locations, The Valhalla Key has them all in spades.
Grab a copy today - and drink plenty of coffee...you'll read all night!
James Richardson's The Valhalla Key has hints of The Fugitive, as the hero is framed for murder, plus other homages to Indiana Jones villains and Dan Brown's Robert Langdon novels, when he's forced to decode puzzles leading to the eponymous Key and a secret door's location.
Great characters, lots of action and international locations, The Valhalla Key has them all in spades.
Grab a copy today - and drink plenty of coffee...you'll read all night!
July 1, 2025
Definitely a binge worthy thriller.
The writing has the flavor of a noir mystery with the punch of a modern thriller. Imagine Indiana Jones crossed with an intelligence officer in New York written by Dashiell Hammett! The language, references and action are very true to the era. Set during the tense time before WWII, the threat has the potential for worldwide consequences. Definitely a binge worthy thriller.
The writing has the flavor of a noir mystery with the punch of a modern thriller. Imagine Indiana Jones crossed with an intelligence officer in New York written by Dashiell Hammett! The language, references and action are very true to the era. Set during the tense time before WWII, the threat has the potential for worldwide consequences. Definitely a binge worthy thriller.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews