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Where the Shadows Lie

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Where the Shadows Lie

By: Michael Ridpath
Narrated by: Seán Barrett
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One thousand years ago: An Icelandic warrior returns from battle, bearing a ring cut from the right hand of his foe. Seventy years ago: An Oxford professor, working from a secret source, creates the 20th century’s most pervasive legend. The professor’s name? John Ronald Reuel Tolkien. Six hours ago: An expert on Old Icelandic literature, Agnar Haraldsson, is murdered. Everything is connected, but to discover how, Detective Magnus Jonson must venture where the shadows lie….

©2010 Michael Ridpath (P)2011 Isis Publishing Ltd Crime Fiction Genre Fiction International Mystery & Crime Mystery Police Procedural Suspense Thriller & Suspense Fiction Crime
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There are two main storylines here, one dealing with murder, the other with retribution. There’s no great suspense, though the narrative is competently accomplished and the author wisely steers away from too close an association with fantasy literature.

The bleakness of the Icelandic countryside is well observed and none of the characters slips into caricature. In the end I could have done without the American drug angle, though something presumably was needed to justify the return to Iceland.

Rings and shadows

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US cop ends up in Iceland solving a mystery linked to sagas and to Tolkien. This is a good listen and for me has the right balance of light and enough dark to make it interesting. A good listen for driving to work and a lot less upsetting than Jo Nesbo!

Good fun whodunnit with Icelandic twist

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One needs to be conversant with Tolkien’s tale to enjoy this book. I would have returned it, but I had reached my ‘quota ‘ of returns. The excellent narration kept me listening .What a pity that what could have been a decent thriller was spoiled by endless chapters on the sagas. Perhaps a more thorough editor would have helped.

Lord of the Rings ?

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Icelandic landscape, sagas, Tolkien, a detective story - a wonderful combination of ingredients which form the recipe of a thoroughly engrossing and enjoyable book. I loved it.

Fabulous!

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Insight in to the Icelandic culture with historical perspective on Sagas and Tolkein. Plot holds interest with the standard, emotionally disfunctional detective.

Interesting and Enjoyable

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