Book info

• Title Where the Shadows Lie
• Author Michael Ridpath
• Year 2009
• Genre Mystery

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 twentieth century's most pervasive legend. The professor's name? John Ronald Reuel Tolkein. Six hours ago: An expert on Old Iceland literature, Agnar Haraldsson, is murdered. Everything is connected, but to discover how, Detective Magnus Jonson must venture where the shadows lie...

Thoughts

I really enjoyed this book. It got off to a bit of a stilted start, and the mechanics of getting Magnus back to Iceland felt a little contrived, but gradually even that side of the story became fascinating. Once in Iceland, the mystery took over, the intrigue of such an unusual landscape all the time topped with Magnus’ inner struggles with his identity.

There were some great characters, and the direct nature of the dialogue (an Icelandic trait, apparently) was really refreshing. Straight questions, straight answers, and everyone knew when everyone else was lying. In terms of the story, I think you need a working knowledge of Lord of the Rings to get by, even though they do try and explain it for anyone who doesn’t know.

If you do, though, I highly recommend giving this one a go, and I’m intrigued what the next adventure with Magnus contains!

Rating: 4 / 5