A legendary Viking relic is about to wreak havoc across Europe. Unless Harry Fox gets it first.
Harry Fox only wants to know the truth. About what happened to his mother. About his father's mysterious amulet. He's close to finding it - then the gods intervene.
There aren't days off when you hunt relics for the New York mob, so Harry's quest to pull back the curtain on his family's past is derailed when the District Attorney's office comes asking for a favor. Harry can't say no if he wants to keep his employers out of the D.A.'s crosshairs.
Forced to recover two stolen Viking drinking horns, Harry soon realizes the horns hold an incredible secret powerful enough to change nations. A secret tied to the most powerful Norse gods of all, Odin and Thor. With Egyptologist Sara Hamed at his side, Harry embarks on a perilous Viking quest stretching back to the conquest of Rome.
Except Harry isn't the only person chasing this mythical power. A mysterious Norseman with ties to Norway's throne covets the terrifying symbol of Viking might to resurrect a broken nation from history's ashes. A man willing to do anything, including partnering with a deranged nationalist to help him storm after Odin and Thor's might with the force to crush anyone in their path.
Peril awaits as Harry skirts danger at every step in a race to claim the incredible Viking artifact which could set fire to Scandinavia and destroy Harry's future - unless he gets it first.
Andrew Clawson is from Pennsylvania and fervently hopes the Pirates win a World Series in his lifetime.
He is currently writing two series.
The Harry Fox archaeological adventure series involves a Pakistani-American who chases artifacts for the Italian mob. He’s a man caught between two worlds, uncovering history’s greatest treasures while carving out his place in the world.
The Parker Chase series follows a daring banker who unravels forgotten historical mysteries while outpacing modern villains intent on using the past for their own nefarious purposes.
The TURN novels reveal the exploits of a former American big-game hunter turned conservationist who battles to save his adopted African homeland from being ripped apart by greed and violence.
Andrew lives near Pittsburgh with his wife, two young children and a rescued black cat.
Firstly the book is well written and the characters substantial however my objection is simple while this is a work of fiction the basis of the story is historical and while some artistic license is expected in this case its a liability By the authors own admission little or nothing about the book is based on historic fact its a more or less made up version of history to suit the author This in my opinion is at the very lest misleading at worse i leave up to you
🎬 IN A WORLD... where ancient myths are real, mobsters fund archaeology, and maps/history are just “polite suggestions”…
🔨 THE PAGAN HAMMER 🔨 "One relic to rule them all. One lunatic to wield it. And one very tired relic hunter who just wants answers about his mom."
They’re back… Harry Fox — historian, relic hunter, accidental action hero. Joey Morello — mob prince turned boss, chasing blood and legacy. Sara Hamed — archaeologist, scholar… and this time, kidnapped. Because yes, even in the 21st century, apparently damsels in distress are still a plot point.
THE MACGUFFIN: Mjölnir... or Something Like It... The Pagan Hammer Forged in legend, worshipped in myth, and very likely inspired by a late-night binge of "The Avengers." It’s Thor’s Hammer — or a ceremonial object tied to the god of thunder — and it’s the centerpiece of one man’s deranged dream of Norse supremacy.
THE VILLAIN: Magnus Dahl — a name that sounds like an Indian curry but comes with world domination aspirations. He doesn’t just want to be king of Norway — he wants to unite all three Scandinavian nations and declare himself the King of the North. Move over, Jon Snow. Magnus brought a warhammer.
With Ingvar Larsen, an extremist organizer with a spreadsheet of grudges, they’re rewriting history to fit a new, myth-powered nationalism.
(Stefan Rudovic – Off-screen and off crutches, benched this round after a satisfying ankle-crunch in the previous book.)
THE LOCATIONS: Norway: Oslo, Avaldsnes, Vagsoy – Misty fjords and hidden bunkers.
Sweden: Stockholm, Visby, Gotland – Home of questionable rune translations.
No side trips to Cairo — and thank Odin, because Clawson stays within the borders of Scandinavia this time. A win for geographic continuity, if not historical credibility.
THE PLOT (NOW WITH 90% MORE BOOBYTRAPS): While Harry tries to uncover more about his mother and the mysterious amulet, Nora pulls Harry into an investigation involving Nordic relic trafficking. Only this time, Sara gets kidnapped (yes, really), forcing Harry to juggle emotional trauma, national instability, and a one-man rescue mission.
Meanwhile, Joey Morello is climbing the ranks of organized crime, chasing vengeance for his father’s death.
Magnus and Ingvar are whipping up ancient myths into political rhetoric, hoping to launch a coup using a relic that may or may not be a glorified museum piece.
The plot takes us on a scavenger hunt through caves, fortresses, and neo-pagan rallies where the line between cosplay and coup is paper-thin.
But wait — this wouldn’t be a Clawson caper without boobytrapped ruins straight out of a theme park engineer’s dream.
We’re talking:
Hidden blades!
Ancient pressure plates!
Fire-spewing walls!
And yes… a giant rolling boulder that feels like it was rented directly from the set of Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark.
THE CREATIVE LICENSE (THE PROBLEM WITH FACTS...) Clawson takes major liberties with actual Norse history, Scandinavian politics, and archaeological interpretation. We're talking:
Viking symbolism twisted into modern political manifestos.
Clawson repurposes history loosely, stylishly, and with absolutely no concern for accuracy.
Norse mythology is reinterpreted by a Marvel intern.
Ancient relics behaving more like Marvel props than anything historically reviewed.
If you’re writing an archaeology-based thriller, maybe—just maybe—base the story in some version of historical truth.
AUTHOR'S NOTE VS. REALITY Yes, there’s an Author’s Note. No, it doesn’t save the historical carnage. The line between fiction and “did he just make that up?” is thin. Clawson takes creative freedoms with European history and folklore that would make any actual historian roll their eyes. Let’s be honest: Clawson follows a simple rule:
“If the facts don’t match the narrative? Change the facts.”
🎬 If you’re looking for pulse-pounding action and emotionally wounded relic hunters, The Pagan Hammer delivers. Clawson’s storytelling still has enough charm, chaos, and character arcs to keep me hooked. Flaws and all, I’ll be continuing the series—grimacing at the “facts,” maybe, but flipping pages all the same.
But if you're hoping for a faithful dive into Scandinavian myth, culture, or geography? You might be better off watching Frozen.
I found this book entertaining. Here’s why: 1. The author has a talent in writing action scenes; the scenes are connected with descriptive writing and dialog that holds my interest. 2. There are multiple stories within the book that are taking place at the same time in different scenes. 3. The author has incorporated the historical information into the story in a way that is respectful to reader and does not preach. 4. The characters are unique and complex, with good and bad aspects to their personalities and backgrounds. Sometimes the “heroes” make mistakes in their judgements and motives, which make them seem real and not stereotypes. The same thing applies to the “bad’ guys. 4. I appreciate that there are no supernatural events that take place. The adventure includes a quest-like scavenger hunt for relics that leads Harry Fox and his friend Sara from one location to another in Scandinavia. They have to quickly decipher ancient Viking runes, interpret the instructions in the runes’ messages that lead Harry and Sara to the next location. They are in a hurry because they are being chased by “The Scandinavians.” who would also like to obtain the ultimate relic – Thor’s Hammer (Mjölnir). Therefore, Harry and Sara kind of smash-and-grab their way through each ancient site and grab relics in ways that would make a scientific archeologist cringe. (It’s a story, no real artifacts were harmed!) 5. For the most part, there was no offensive language. The author discretely writes that someone curses and leaves it up to the reader’s imagination. This way there was nothing to distract from the story. There is one swear word during the last action scenes. And the “bad” guys are described with bad words a few times. 6. There is some gun play at the end of the story. For most of the story, though, Harry and Sarah have to use their own wits and strength to defeat their obstacles to the relics. 7. There is a good, solid ending. Also, the “Author’s Note” at the end explains what was factual and what was fictional in the story. I was really impressed with the way Mr. Clawson was able to make fictional locations seem real. I learned something about Scandinavian history. 8. This book can be read as a standalone. I suggest planning on taking a while to read the book. Even though it is very engaging, it is not a bare-bones novel, which I like; I don’t think it can be read in one sitting. It reminds me of a Jules Verne adventure updated to 21st Century. Locations: [Norway: Oslo, Oslofjord, Avaldsnes, Vagsoy, Vagsoy Island, Pai/Usynlig Island (fictional); Sweden: Visby, Stockholm; New York City, United States: Queens, Brooklyn, Manhattan] Improvements could be made to the book. The author has an authentic and unique style of writing. Some editing could assist in the book being easier to read, but I doubt most readers will notice. I didn’t find any misspelled words. For that reason, I give the book 4.5 stars rounded up to a five. I am writing this review voluntarily. I received an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) of the book.
I received this book from the author as a result of agreeing to be part of his ARC team from the beginning (a decision that I am glad that I had made back in the beginning).
The Harry Fox novels are thrillers with depth and heart. Harry has a history that makes him more realistic than the average thriller hero. His vulnerability makes him human. I found the continued exploration of the mystery of Harry's parents to be quite interesting and definitely a reason to keep reading the Harry Fox novels
This book reminded me of an Indiana Jones quest combined with a treasure hunt. With some personal questions Harry wants answers to, he is sent to find a relic, Thor's Hammer, that could change Scandinavia for good so he is being chased on his quest all across Scandinavia.
The thriller itself has enough thrills to keep you turning pages but with enough history woven in to take you along for the ride. Unless you are extremely knowledgeable about the period of time Andrew is writing about it's almost impossible to tell the difference between actual historical events and those that come from the pen of this author.
The author has an authentic and unique style of writing. Some editing could assist in the book being easier to read, but I doubt most readers will notice.
Rating this book is a bit of a struggle in that I would normally give books that I found enjoyable to read a solid four stars out of five (and some books where I am really interested in the subject matter and have had a solid experience with reading the authors tend to drift towards the vaunted five-star rating). This book put me into a bit of a quagmire as I was definitely in the midst of the tow realms. For that reason, I give the book 4.5 stars rounded up to a five.
As with all my literary ramblings, these are my five cents worth
Book 5 is once again a fast paced action packed book with multiple story lines happening at the same time. Harry is already in trouble in Chapter 1.
To me, it is interesting how all of the Harry Fox books are coming together and as usual, we are left with a "cliff hanger" at the end to do with the amulet, so it is no surprise that Book 6 is going to be called The Pharoah's Amulet.
As the description reads on Amazon - Harry Fox chases relics for a living, hunting legendary artifacts in a race against deadly adversaries to reveal the truth behind some of mankind's most enigmatic mysteries. I could not have put it better myself.
The author has built on the stories of the main characters throughout this series and I am enjoying the interaction between all of the main ones - Harry, Sara, Joey and Nora.
This one is a Scandanavian adventure and while reading the book it is easy to believe that all of the locations and history are real. As always, the last chapter in the book (Author's Note) explains it all as the author explains what is true and what is fictional.
I recommend that you read the books in order starting with The Arthurian Relic.
I know just before the next one is released, I will be reading the first 5 in the series.
This is Andrew Clawson at his best.
I am honored to be part of the Advance Reading Team and received a free copy of this book for an honest review.
This book reminded me of an Indiana Jones quest combined with a treasure hunt. With some personal questions Harry wants answers to, he is sent to find a relic, Thor's Hammer, that could change Scandinavia for good so he is being chased on his quest all across Scandinavia. With his friend Sara, they are going from deciphering rune after rune to be able to follow the clues. Can they survive their hunt and find the relic and get it safely back to the states? What an adventure complete with some ancient history mixed in. A nicely paced adventure that keeps you turning pages to a great ending! I received and ARC of this book but the opinions expressed here are strictly my own.
The Harry Fox novels are thrillers with depth and heart. Harry has a history that makes him more realistic than the average thriller hero. His vulnerability makes him human.
The thriller itself has enough thrills to keep you turning pages but with enough history woven in to take you along for the ride. Unless you are extremely knowledgeable about the period of time Andrew is writing about it's almost impossible to tell the difference between actual historical events and those that come from the pen of this author.
You can read this as a stand-alone story but there is a bit of Harry's backstop that runs through it.
Neither an academic tome, nor a fluffy romantic romp. Instead, Clawson's 5th in the series, consistent with 1 thru 4, is entertainment fiction of the best kind.
An engaging exploration of history, geography and believable social interactions with a collection of characters the reader, (myself), would love to know and count as friends. And, I love reading the Kindle version with the ability to quickly check details and definitions.
Looking forward to book six, but already sad to know that when it ends, my new friends will fade into memory. Unless...
Could there be more? One way or the other, thank you Andrew!
Oh, boy. What a ride! This latest Harry Fox adventure is an archeological thriller of the best kind. Puzzles, hidden chambers and artifacts and cryptic clues lead Harry and Sara on their wildest adventure yet. The villains were a bit stock but there was a new twist with Magnus Dahl that was refreshing. I found the problems Harry's friend Joey was dealing with to be somewhat distracting but I think they highlight Harry's complex life. Harry is definitely a multidimensional character which is quite different from a lot of heroes in this genre. As usual, there is a cliffhanger at the end that has me hungry (and impatient) for the next book in the series.
Clawson takes major liberties with historical facts; the Vikings did not descend from Visigoths they are two separate groups and Athaulf was the brother-in-law of Alaric; he took their people into Gaul after Alaric's death not Scandinavia. Athaulf was murdered in Modern day Spain while bathing by a follower of one his former rivals. It is just fiction, but if you write an archaeology-based thriller, at least base the story in historical truth. With that said, this book follows in his usual style; you have antiquities, chases, bad guys and mystery.
Two Viking drinking horn were stolen from an archaeological dig. Harry was sent to get them back. He was to pay $100,000 for them. Jan double crossed Harry. Harry did escape bringing the drinking horns back to the States. Magnus want to unite the the three Scandinavia countries. He feels that he is the only one who can do this. The author is very descriptive and his writing the story. This book is not exactly what I normally read. It is a good book just not for me.
Every book gets better and better, more adventure and intrigue than the previous one. When I'm done one book I can't wait to start the next book which I continue reading until I finish it. Good thing I'm retired and don't have to go to work! Great stories, terrific characters, just great reads...KUDOS!!
Another thrilling Harry Fox book. I am a sucker for these Indie type stories and Andrew writes a fantastic one after another. I love the combination of treasure hunting and the Mob all mixed in with the law. Once I start reading these spell binding books they are hard to put down.
What an attention-grabbing reading experience! Harry and Sara's journey is wrought with mystery, suspense, and intrigue. These two took me along on one heck of a ride. I thoroughly enjoyed the plotline and the tales of the treasures within the pages of this book.
Received as ARC. The series just keeps getting better. Harry and Sara are sent to Norway in search of Thor's hammer. An ultra nationalist is also searching for it. This leads to one hairy situation to another. Author is a great story teller.
Great book. Love the characters. Cannot wait for the next book. Such intriguing plots of historical treasures. It make you feel as if you are right there searching alongside them.
A very good read with mystery, history and death defying action. Harry and Sara make a good team. Each lead and resulting find moves you to the next step of the mystery. I was disappointed not to find out what happened to Harry's friend Joey.
Another great story. Harry just wants to figure out what’s happening with his parents. There’s a relic that will put everyone in danger, can he save them. Intriguing characters that won’t let you down. Don’t miss out once it’s released.
This was a good chaser novel. You want to keep reading to see what's next. Sure there were some points where the truth was stretched a bit, but over all a great read. Without a spoiler alert, Harry learns about more of his background with a cliff hanger at the end.
Doesn’t provide much suspense once it gets going, it actually becomes predictable. However, the underlying story is actually more riveting as Harry searches his family roots and the Morello’s fight the Albanians on the streets.
My fifth Harry Fox character book in a row…CANT GET ENOUGH! Just finished this one at 4:01A:M. Couldn’t put it down. So much action and intrigue, should be two books!
Such a great series. Cannot wait for the next one to come out. I recommend this series to anyone wanting to read historical mysteries and action adventure.
I read all 4 books and was really excited, entertained and learned some history also. These books are full of everything looked for in a fantastic read