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Helga Finnsdottir #2
Council
A murdered diplomat, planted evidence and a treacherous once again, Helga had better find the real killer quickly, before heads start rolling - literally - in this brand-new Viking noir mystery.
'For Vikings done right, come to Snorri Kristjansson' Mark Lawrence, author of Red Sister
Helga Finnsdottir left her foster parents, the old Viking chieftain Unnthor Reginson and his knowing wife Hildigunnur, to see the world, but she stopped in Uppsala when she fell in love. Now she's established herself as a local healer and herb-woman on the outskirts of town, and life is good - until King Eirik the Victorious calls a trade council and hairy northerners and southern Swedes alike descend on the town.
Unfortunately for Helga, one delegation is headed by a very determined young woman who has her own agenda and will let nothing - and no one - get in her way. But the last time Helga saw Jorunn Unthorsdottir, her foster-sister was being cast out by their father for killing their brother Bjorn and trying to pin the blame on Helga.
So perhaps it's no great surprise when one of the delegates is murdered, or that Helga's soon tagged as the lead suspect. It doesn't take her long to clear her own name, but that only leads suspicion to fall on to her man.
Once again, Helga must solve a murder, and fast , before the innocent pays with his head.
'Truly entertaining' Yrsa Sigurðardóttir, author of the Thóra Gudmundsdóttir series, on Kin
'An exciting new voice. With his Viking mystery, Snorri has created a new and interesting sub-genre of Icelandic noir' Ragnar Jonasson on Kin
'For Vikings done right, come to Snorri Kristjansson' Mark Lawrence, author of Red Sister
Helga Finnsdottir left her foster parents, the old Viking chieftain Unnthor Reginson and his knowing wife Hildigunnur, to see the world, but she stopped in Uppsala when she fell in love. Now she's established herself as a local healer and herb-woman on the outskirts of town, and life is good - until King Eirik the Victorious calls a trade council and hairy northerners and southern Swedes alike descend on the town.
Unfortunately for Helga, one delegation is headed by a very determined young woman who has her own agenda and will let nothing - and no one - get in her way. But the last time Helga saw Jorunn Unthorsdottir, her foster-sister was being cast out by their father for killing their brother Bjorn and trying to pin the blame on Helga.
So perhaps it's no great surprise when one of the delegates is murdered, or that Helga's soon tagged as the lead suspect. It doesn't take her long to clear her own name, but that only leads suspicion to fall on to her man.
Once again, Helga must solve a murder, and fast , before the innocent pays with his head.
'Truly entertaining' Yrsa Sigurðardóttir, author of the Thóra Gudmundsdóttir series, on Kin
'An exciting new voice. With his Viking mystery, Snorri has created a new and interesting sub-genre of Icelandic noir' Ragnar Jonasson on Kin
352 pages, Paperback
First published May 16, 2019
3 people are currently reading
107 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
June 24, 2023
I normally like both scandi style books and historical books but putting the two together I struggled with this one. Again I couldn't quite connect with the characters. I'm kind of falling on the good but not great line with it. It dragged a bit for me to.
There's a lot in there and I think there is the makings of a really good book and probably a lot of people think it actually is but not enough for me.
There's a lot in there and I think there is the makings of a really good book and probably a lot of people think it actually is but not enough for me.
May 24, 2019
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
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
June 11, 2019
https://lynns-books.com/2019/06/10/co...
Council is the second in the Helga Finnsdottir series and is another really good story that builds on the world and characters established in Kin.
I’m enjoying this series so far, the second book is undoubtedly different from the first in that Helga has now left the homestead but it continues in the same tone as the first which is something I really enjoyed. There’s a simplicity to the life here plus a casual brutality that is always threatening to break out which adds a layer of tension to the story and makes the pages turn all that much faster.
Taking place a few years after Kin we find Helga living in Uppsala as a healer. She seems to be gaining something of a reputation for herself and is generally well respected. Basically Helga is a young woman who pays attention, she notices things and figures out what they mean or how they relate to events and this makes her unique in many respects because most others simply don’t pay attention. On top of that Helga has learned to keep her intelligence under wraps. For the large part she is ignored by the men around her and she uses this to her advantage.
As the story begins the King is planning a Council in which the leaders of his tribes will meet. This is a time of threat and the atmosphere is loaded with potential violence as the men take part in different bouts to demonstrate their strength. There’s a lot of chest beating that eventually calms down as the real purpose of the meet is discussed but between times a young boy is discovered dead in a nearby field. Helga is asked to take a look at the body and immediately determines that the boy’s death was not an accident. Of course she has to tread very carefully, these are very superstitious times and it would be easy for any actions Helga takes to be misinterpreted. To be honest it’s difficult to really go too much into the plot without giving away things so I’m going to leave it alone. All I can really say is that Helga unwittingly finds herself as part of a delegation where everyone suspects everyone else and things become incredibly tense and rife with deceit.
What I’m really enjoying about this is the atmosphere and sense of place. There’s a real starkness and brutality to the way of life and a simplicity that makes this a very unique murder mystery. There are no crime scenes, no dusting for fingerprints, no forensics, no nothing really. Just one young woman trying to look beyond the immediately obvious and draw conclusions about the whys and wherefores and on top of that there is the odd inkling of god-like interference which is very subtly worked into events.
Helga is a character that I’m really enjoying. She makes mistakes and she can’t always puzzle things out quickly, which means as a reader you’re also in the dark. You only know as much as Helga does and if she is sometimes frustrated by the thoughts that won’t work their way loose then those feelings are sure to be the same for you as a reader. Personally, I like that Helga struggles a little with making her deductions – it makes things more relatable somehow and adds to the air of mystery.
As well as Helga there are a number of other characters here, a character from her past who she is less than happy to see and also a romantic interest. But, many of the characters have their own motivations at heart and this helps to increase the feelings of mistrust between them all and create a real air of confusion. There are also a number of twists and turns (some obvious, some not so much). What I will say is that one of the characters is becoming a real thorn in Helga’s side and needs dealing with – that is all – well, that being said, I’d kind of like this character to pop up and cause trouble again if I’m going to be totally honest. Sorry Helga.
In terms of criticisms. Nothing major to report. I think there was a point in the story where I felt events were lulling a little bit but then the action took off and pretty much didn’t relent until the conclusion – which brings me to my other little issue – this ends on something of a cliff hanger (which I’m not overly fond of). It definitely makes me hankar after the next book all the more and thankfully these books have been published so far in a rather snappy fashion so fingers crossed that the next isn’t a lengthy wait.
Overall I think Council is a really good second instalment that sees the main character really grow having learnt some harsh life lessons. It will be very interesting to see where Helga winds up next and I very much look forward to picking up the next instalment.
I received a copy courtesy of the publishers, through Netgalley, for which my thanks. The above is my own opinion.
Council is the second in the Helga Finnsdottir series and is another really good story that builds on the world and characters established in Kin.
I’m enjoying this series so far, the second book is undoubtedly different from the first in that Helga has now left the homestead but it continues in the same tone as the first which is something I really enjoyed. There’s a simplicity to the life here plus a casual brutality that is always threatening to break out which adds a layer of tension to the story and makes the pages turn all that much faster.
Taking place a few years after Kin we find Helga living in Uppsala as a healer. She seems to be gaining something of a reputation for herself and is generally well respected. Basically Helga is a young woman who pays attention, she notices things and figures out what they mean or how they relate to events and this makes her unique in many respects because most others simply don’t pay attention. On top of that Helga has learned to keep her intelligence under wraps. For the large part she is ignored by the men around her and she uses this to her advantage.
As the story begins the King is planning a Council in which the leaders of his tribes will meet. This is a time of threat and the atmosphere is loaded with potential violence as the men take part in different bouts to demonstrate their strength. There’s a lot of chest beating that eventually calms down as the real purpose of the meet is discussed but between times a young boy is discovered dead in a nearby field. Helga is asked to take a look at the body and immediately determines that the boy’s death was not an accident. Of course she has to tread very carefully, these are very superstitious times and it would be easy for any actions Helga takes to be misinterpreted. To be honest it’s difficult to really go too much into the plot without giving away things so I’m going to leave it alone. All I can really say is that Helga unwittingly finds herself as part of a delegation where everyone suspects everyone else and things become incredibly tense and rife with deceit.
What I’m really enjoying about this is the atmosphere and sense of place. There’s a real starkness and brutality to the way of life and a simplicity that makes this a very unique murder mystery. There are no crime scenes, no dusting for fingerprints, no forensics, no nothing really. Just one young woman trying to look beyond the immediately obvious and draw conclusions about the whys and wherefores and on top of that there is the odd inkling of god-like interference which is very subtly worked into events.
Helga is a character that I’m really enjoying. She makes mistakes and she can’t always puzzle things out quickly, which means as a reader you’re also in the dark. You only know as much as Helga does and if she is sometimes frustrated by the thoughts that won’t work their way loose then those feelings are sure to be the same for you as a reader. Personally, I like that Helga struggles a little with making her deductions – it makes things more relatable somehow and adds to the air of mystery.
As well as Helga there are a number of other characters here, a character from her past who she is less than happy to see and also a romantic interest. But, many of the characters have their own motivations at heart and this helps to increase the feelings of mistrust between them all and create a real air of confusion. There are also a number of twists and turns (some obvious, some not so much). What I will say is that one of the characters is becoming a real thorn in Helga’s side and needs dealing with – that is all – well, that being said, I’d kind of like this character to pop up and cause trouble again if I’m going to be totally honest. Sorry Helga.
In terms of criticisms. Nothing major to report. I think there was a point in the story where I felt events were lulling a little bit but then the action took off and pretty much didn’t relent until the conclusion – which brings me to my other little issue – this ends on something of a cliff hanger (which I’m not overly fond of). It definitely makes me hankar after the next book all the more and thankfully these books have been published so far in a rather snappy fashion so fingers crossed that the next isn’t a lengthy wait.
Overall I think Council is a really good second instalment that sees the main character really grow having learnt some harsh life lessons. It will be very interesting to see where Helga winds up next and I very much look forward to picking up the next instalment.
I received a copy courtesy of the publishers, through Netgalley, for which my thanks. The above is my own opinion.
May 16, 2019
Back in 2018, I read Kin by Snorri Kristjansson. I really enjoy the sub-genre of historical crime fiction, and Kin is a particularly good example. Lacking all the technology available today, historic detectives are reliant on the most basic of skills. The fundamentals of crime investigation remain the same irrespective of time period. The who, what, why, where and when are always going to lie at the heart of the matter. Setting a murder mystery during the Viking era worked well, so I was glad when I heard Helga Finnsdottir has returned for another tale.
Council picks up not long after the events of book one. There is a nice sense of evolution to Helga’s character in the time that has passed. She has become more certain of her abilities, and since leaving home she is a little wiser in the ways of the world. Helga has continued to hone her abilities and she has a growing confidence in what she is capable of. Coupled with her new knowledge as a healer and herbalist, she makes her an ideal detective. The natural tenacity she has exhibited in the past, in tandem with keen observational skills, also stand her in good stead. As a woman, Helga is often ignored by the ignorant menfolk, but she has learned to use this discourtesy to her advantage. She knows how to become all but invisible in larger gatherings. Anonymity has become an ally and allows her a freedom that many of her kinsman can never have.
Helga finds she must tread a delicate path during the course of her investigations. People are immediately suspicious of anything they don’t understand. Any peace is hard fought, and the various clans tend to be insular in nature. Even when they come together to meet and trade, the threat of violence hangs heavy in the air. Old rivalries and blood feuds have a tendency to reignite at a moment’s notice.
There are subtle nods to Nordic mythology and religion throughout. How much you wish to read into that element of the story is entirely up to you. I suspect different readers will take different interpretations of some content. I can think of one scene in particular where a character’s actions can certainly be described as enigmatic. I’ll be honest, I know it may drive some readers to distraction, but I think a bit of ambiguity can be a good thing. If you choose to look for the hand of the Norse gods and goddesses in this novel, I think you’ll find it. If that’s not your thing, then you won’t.
Council is entirely serviceable as a story in its own right, but if you get the opportunity, I would strongly advise reading its predecessor beforehand. The first novel in the series goes a long way in fleshing out Helga’s character and the world she inhabits.
Fans of Kin are bound to enjoy Council. Kristjansson has an evocative style that is easy to get caught up in. If you’ve not already discovered these books, and you enjoy your crime fiction historic in nature, I heartily recommend checking them out.
Council picks up not long after the events of book one. There is a nice sense of evolution to Helga’s character in the time that has passed. She has become more certain of her abilities, and since leaving home she is a little wiser in the ways of the world. Helga has continued to hone her abilities and she has a growing confidence in what she is capable of. Coupled with her new knowledge as a healer and herbalist, she makes her an ideal detective. The natural tenacity she has exhibited in the past, in tandem with keen observational skills, also stand her in good stead. As a woman, Helga is often ignored by the ignorant menfolk, but she has learned to use this discourtesy to her advantage. She knows how to become all but invisible in larger gatherings. Anonymity has become an ally and allows her a freedom that many of her kinsman can never have.
Helga finds she must tread a delicate path during the course of her investigations. People are immediately suspicious of anything they don’t understand. Any peace is hard fought, and the various clans tend to be insular in nature. Even when they come together to meet and trade, the threat of violence hangs heavy in the air. Old rivalries and blood feuds have a tendency to reignite at a moment’s notice.
There are subtle nods to Nordic mythology and religion throughout. How much you wish to read into that element of the story is entirely up to you. I suspect different readers will take different interpretations of some content. I can think of one scene in particular where a character’s actions can certainly be described as enigmatic. I’ll be honest, I know it may drive some readers to distraction, but I think a bit of ambiguity can be a good thing. If you choose to look for the hand of the Norse gods and goddesses in this novel, I think you’ll find it. If that’s not your thing, then you won’t.
Council is entirely serviceable as a story in its own right, but if you get the opportunity, I would strongly advise reading its predecessor beforehand. The first novel in the series goes a long way in fleshing out Helga’s character and the world she inhabits.
Fans of Kin are bound to enjoy Council. Kristjansson has an evocative style that is easy to get caught up in. If you’ve not already discovered these books, and you enjoy your crime fiction historic in nature, I heartily recommend checking them out.
November 1, 2023
A truly superb sequel that provides a mystery with even higher stakes than Hilda has faced before. Personally, locally and maybe nationally!
Enjoyed every page of it yet again and the ending took my breath away!
Sets up for a truly exciting voyage beyond the horizon for book 3 which I kind of want ASAP!
Enjoyed every page of it yet again and the ending took my breath away!
Sets up for a truly exciting voyage beyond the horizon for book 3 which I kind of want ASAP!
May 11, 2019
I requested this book because I loved the first one in this Viking murder mystery series and was really looking forward to reading more about Helga. I wasn't disappointed!
Council is set about five years on from the first book, Kin. Helga has settled in Uppsala, near the court of King Erik. She is well regarded as a healer and is now in her first serious relationship. The King has summoned all who owe him fealty to a council and, with rumours of an imminent attack, tempers are fraying, even before the discovery of a body. Can Helga solve the murder before anyone else is killed? And can King Erik get everyone to work together to prevent a war?
I love the character of Helga and it is so refreshing to read a murder mystery set amongst the Vikings! I'm fascinated by history and I enjoyed the appearances of real-life vikings Harald Bluetooth and Styrbjorn the Strong! My favourite part of the story was when Helga joins a party of spies heading to Harald Bluetooth's court. Although I thought I'd worked out one of the twists I was completely wrong. The ending was extremely nail-biting and I also liked that there was a hint of the next adventure to come.
The pace is slow to start with, which didn't bother me, but I can appreciate some readers might not like this. There were also a lot of characters, which could be confusing at times. But I'm sure anyone who enjoys stories about vikings, or historical mysteries that are a little bit different, would love reading Council.
I was lucky enough to receive an advance copy of this book, which will be published on 16th May 2019.
Thank you to Snorri Kristjansson and Jo Fletcher Books (Quercus) for my copy of this book, which I requested from NetGalley and reviewed voluntarily.
Council is set about five years on from the first book, Kin. Helga has settled in Uppsala, near the court of King Erik. She is well regarded as a healer and is now in her first serious relationship. The King has summoned all who owe him fealty to a council and, with rumours of an imminent attack, tempers are fraying, even before the discovery of a body. Can Helga solve the murder before anyone else is killed? And can King Erik get everyone to work together to prevent a war?
I love the character of Helga and it is so refreshing to read a murder mystery set amongst the Vikings! I'm fascinated by history and I enjoyed the appearances of real-life vikings Harald Bluetooth and Styrbjorn the Strong! My favourite part of the story was when Helga joins a party of spies heading to Harald Bluetooth's court. Although I thought I'd worked out one of the twists I was completely wrong. The ending was extremely nail-biting and I also liked that there was a hint of the next adventure to come.
The pace is slow to start with, which didn't bother me, but I can appreciate some readers might not like this. There were also a lot of characters, which could be confusing at times. But I'm sure anyone who enjoys stories about vikings, or historical mysteries that are a little bit different, would love reading Council.
I was lucky enough to receive an advance copy of this book, which will be published on 16th May 2019.
Thank you to Snorri Kristjansson and Jo Fletcher Books (Quercus) for my copy of this book, which I requested from NetGalley and reviewed voluntarily.
July 1, 2019
Not as good as the first book “Kin”
I enjoyed Kristjansson’s writing and knowledge in the “Rise of Sigurd” series, leading me to try the earlier “Raven” books, which were disappointingly banal and predictable, and I gave up part way through book two. So I was happy when I came across “Kin”, as all the fighting fellas get a bit boring after a while! The more in-depth exploration of farm life in medieval Scandinavia was really interesting and I was kept guessing until the end.
But what read as a believable internal discourse in “Kin” became increasingly irritating in “Council” as the author gave us blow by blow descriptions of Helga’s theorising. The occasional italicised sentence in “Kin” representing Helga’s more pronounced insights was overused so much in “Council” that I nearly put the book down.
I persevered but didn’t get much back for my effort. At the end, Helga’s critical thinking appeared to desert her and the outcome appeared obvious to me, which is saying something as I’m usually the last to work out whodunnit.
I’m not giving up on Kristjansson completely but I’ll be trying a sample before buying the whole book next time.
I enjoyed Kristjansson’s writing and knowledge in the “Rise of Sigurd” series, leading me to try the earlier “Raven” books, which were disappointingly banal and predictable, and I gave up part way through book two. So I was happy when I came across “Kin”, as all the fighting fellas get a bit boring after a while! The more in-depth exploration of farm life in medieval Scandinavia was really interesting and I was kept guessing until the end.
But what read as a believable internal discourse in “Kin” became increasingly irritating in “Council” as the author gave us blow by blow descriptions of Helga’s theorising. The occasional italicised sentence in “Kin” representing Helga’s more pronounced insights was overused so much in “Council” that I nearly put the book down.
I persevered but didn’t get much back for my effort. At the end, Helga’s critical thinking appeared to desert her and the outcome appeared obvious to me, which is saying something as I’m usually the last to work out whodunnit.
I’m not giving up on Kristjansson completely but I’ll be trying a sample before buying the whole book next time.
August 19, 2019
Started slowly, built up nicely, unexpected ending!
Council by Snorri Kristjansson is not an 'easy' read, but rather a worthwhile one.
Beginning a few years after the events of Kin, the start of Council is a little jarring. I imagine those lucky enough to read Kin and then head straight into Council will not have the same problem of trying to remember who everyone is, and what happened in the previous book.
Which begs the question, do you need to have read Kin to enjoy Council? Possibly not, although it does add to the background story of the main character, and Kin is an excellent book, well worth reading.
Council is deeply ingrained in the day to day lives of the people of Uppsala, and there are many factions and people to come to know, although the story threaded through it is not complicated. The hints of events in the wider world keep the reader hooked - references to Hedeby and Harald Bluetooth.
Yet, it is in the final stages of the novel that the story really comes alive. While some of the book had been a struggle - I was disappointed that it ended when it did, although it does hint at much more to come for the main character.
I have a feeling this might be a 'bridging' book, between Kin, and what might happen to Helga in the future, and I find the possibilities exciting.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for my review copy.
Council by Snorri Kristjansson is not an 'easy' read, but rather a worthwhile one.
Beginning a few years after the events of Kin, the start of Council is a little jarring. I imagine those lucky enough to read Kin and then head straight into Council will not have the same problem of trying to remember who everyone is, and what happened in the previous book.
Which begs the question, do you need to have read Kin to enjoy Council? Possibly not, although it does add to the background story of the main character, and Kin is an excellent book, well worth reading.
Council is deeply ingrained in the day to day lives of the people of Uppsala, and there are many factions and people to come to know, although the story threaded through it is not complicated. The hints of events in the wider world keep the reader hooked - references to Hedeby and Harald Bluetooth.
Yet, it is in the final stages of the novel that the story really comes alive. While some of the book had been a struggle - I was disappointed that it ended when it did, although it does hint at much more to come for the main character.
I have a feeling this might be a 'bridging' book, between Kin, and what might happen to Helga in the future, and I find the possibilities exciting.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for my review copy.
September 6, 2019
Vikings and Crime - 2 words that promise magic when brought together.
I read the first one so was looking forward to this.
We start with a body - here's a good old fashioned whodunnit? - like reading Miss Marple with your eyes screwed up
Love Helga - a strong ,smart woman in a man's world - she gets through life as a thinker.
Set itself up well - bodies, rivals, enemies. - good start, got a bit lost in the middle where I wondered how we got here and then pulled itself back in the last third.
Ended a bit abruptly and set itself up for book 3
Did enjoy ,but not as much as Kin - but am looking forward to further adventures
I read the first one so was looking forward to this.
We start with a body - here's a good old fashioned whodunnit? - like reading Miss Marple with your eyes screwed up
Love Helga - a strong ,smart woman in a man's world - she gets through life as a thinker.
Set itself up well - bodies, rivals, enemies. - good start, got a bit lost in the middle where I wondered how we got here and then pulled itself back in the last third.
Ended a bit abruptly and set itself up for book 3
Did enjoy ,but not as much as Kin - but am looking forward to further adventures
December 8, 2021
This book could have been good and I liked the setting, more of the Viking ways with the council and such, threats of war/battle. But lots of character I feel nothing for, I have no idea how they look except tall or short. And really…after somehow a lethal herb in her herbshed was misplaced while she’s always so neat ánd her lover there at the same time 🙄 it was obvious… Only at the last 10 pages I got a bit surprised by the ‘betrayal’. Finally some real action!
This book had a lot of things you could see coming for miles ahead and some things were quickly and unsatifactory finished (the battle for instance).
This book had a lot of things you could see coming for miles ahead and some things were quickly and unsatifactory finished (the battle for instance).
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 23, 2019
Having read a number of reviews of the previous novel I approached this with high anticipation. There are a lot of good ideas here, weaving a murder mystery into historical events and particularly with a unique setting in Viking times in Scandinavia. However I just couldn’t get into the story and struggled to reach the end.
August 20, 2019
This is my first story of Helga Finnsdottir a healer. She is settled near the court of King Eirik. A healer is either well thought of when healing wounds and the sick but at a time when people still believed in gods a women has to take care to watch the signs all around. Due to the simplicity of life at this time the first body found is taken as an accident but Helga is not sure. When more accidents occur Helga is the one to link the crimes but leaves herself in great danger. This is an involving story which takes you back to a different world. With a cliff hanger at the end to lead you back into Helga’s world with the next story.
I was given an Arc of this book by Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
I was given an Arc of this book by Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
March 25, 2021
In this second outing Helga attends the council of King Eirik where she finds herself investigating dead bodies and facing off against an old foe. This is shaping up to be a great little series and I do hope we will see more of Helga. Nice twist at the end that I didn't see coming.
March 21, 2024
Really well written and obviously well researched Viking mystery. Same as the first book I learned a lot about Viking history and culture and the main character Helga has grown to be formidable character. Very open ending so hoping for another book soon !
March 21, 2020
I really enjoyed this book, good storyline, fast paced and good structure. I was hooked straight away.
Read
July 8, 2022It is a dark mystery that takes place during the Viking Age, an age I am passionately interested in. Helga's driving need to find the killer kept me engaged till the end and I was not disappointed.
September 25, 2023
A good insight into the process of gaining wisdom and the need for suspicion. To be as shrewd as a serpent and gentle as a dove.
April 28, 2019
In this outing, Helga has now settled in Uppsala at the court of King Eirik. A council is summoned - and as the leaders from the four points of the compass arrive, nerves are frayed, tension is rising, and death rears its heads adding to the atmosphere of suspicion.
At times, the narrative is mundane and drags a bit; about halfway through I was wondering how much more of the story can there be but all this sets up the rest of the story nicely. The plot reminded me a bit of the "Old Lady Who Swallowed The Fly" - this happened because this happened because this happened, etc etc. We have all the elements of a good drama (Scandi or otherwise): murder, betrayal, espionage, adventure. There is still more to come as the fate of Helga is left in the lap of the Gods.
At times, the narrative is mundane and drags a bit; about halfway through I was wondering how much more of the story can there be but all this sets up the rest of the story nicely. The plot reminded me a bit of the "Old Lady Who Swallowed The Fly" - this happened because this happened because this happened, etc etc. We have all the elements of a good drama (Scandi or otherwise): murder, betrayal, espionage, adventure. There is still more to come as the fate of Helga is left in the lap of the Gods.
April 25, 2019
This second novel felt a lot more like the traditional 'Vikings' I was expecting compared to the first book. Another decent murder mystery, but with a slightly older Helga, some intrigue, great characters of the untrustworthy backstabbing variety and a smidgen of meddling gods. I really enjoyed it, not so much the cliffhanger though as it made the ending feel rather abrupt. I am rather keen to read the next one now...
(ARC provided by publisher via NetGalley)
(ARC provided by publisher via NetGalley)
November 1, 2020
Snorri Kristjansson started off his writing career with the Valhalla saga, a series of Viking fantasy novels. The Helga Finssdottir series is also set in Viking times, around end of the 10th century and is full of subterfuge, pig-headed men and unscrupulous women.
Full review on my blog: https://westwordsreviews.wordpress.co... or Crime Fiction Lover- https://crimefictionlover.com/2019/05...
Full review on my blog: https://westwordsreviews.wordpress.co... or Crime Fiction Lover- https://crimefictionlover.com/2019/05...
May 12, 2019
Usually I'm not a fan of Scandinavian mystery but the blurb seemed unusual so I requested this book.
It's darker than what I usually read but I couldn't help falling in love with this book and Helga.
Helga is a very great character, strong and wise, and the other characters are well written and fleshed out.
The plot is engaging and atmospheric, I couldn't put this book down, the setting is detailed and fascinating. The only issue was the final that seemed a bit rushed.
The mystery was very good and it kept me guessing till the end.
I look forward to reading other installment in this series.
Highly recommended!
Many thanks to Quercus Books and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.
It's darker than what I usually read but I couldn't help falling in love with this book and Helga.
Helga is a very great character, strong and wise, and the other characters are well written and fleshed out.
The plot is engaging and atmospheric, I couldn't put this book down, the setting is detailed and fascinating. The only issue was the final that seemed a bit rushed.
The mystery was very good and it kept me guessing till the end.
I look forward to reading other installment in this series.
Highly recommended!
Many thanks to Quercus Books and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.
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