Ketil had not intended to return to Orkney, but when you work for Thorfinn Sigurdarson, you obey orders. Thorfinn wants him back to help with a visiting Abbot from Saxony, escorted by an old colleague of Ketil’s. Then people who know the Abbot start dying, and Ketil must once again work with his friend Sigrid to find out why – and to face dark memories from his own past.This is the second in the … the Orkneyinga Murders series.
more
History as entertaining as the mystery!
I am now officially hooked on this series. What I loved most in ‘A Wolf at the Gate’ was that the motives for the murders are embedded in the beliefs of that time – all fascinating. There’s no lack of twists and red herrings and I enjoyed the whodunnit even more for the stunning island location and the realism of daily life.
From nailbinding (Viking circular knitting) to what’s for breakfast, we are immersed in medieval life in 11th century Orkney, from the viewpoints of our ‘detectives’; a widow and her old friend. Sigrid and Ketil are very likeable and the switch between male and female perspectives gives a credible period feel that shows respect for both – with a little humour in Sigrid directing Ketil while staying in the background. There’s a also an enjoyable tension in their relationship. Will friendship become something more? Both of them bear emotional scars.
The making of a comb from bone is a beautiful passage and so many details brought the story to life without ever weighing it down. My only nitpick is whether someone would comb his hair, or wash, in the privy, which I’d have thought would be very basic in function and smelly. But I am happy to be corrected!
There was a domestic disagreement about the ending. I find it emotionally satisfying and throughout the novel we are shown that Viking justice would not be considered a legal outcome in our (British) society. Read it and see what you think!
A great murder mystery and an enjoyable whodunnit feel even more because of the stunning location Scotland. Steeped in history and culture of the Vikings, a different time and different beliefs and lifestyles of the time. I also loved the little humour that was infused in the story to give it that bit more of a realism feel. This author has a way to think you are on the right track and working it all out when in fact you have no idea.
Sigrid and Ketil are well written and are interesting characters that work well together. It was fun to watch as they once again decide to become detectives/sleuths whilst tracking down the murderer.
If you love whodunnit mysteries, love history and culture and Vikings then you are gonna love this series.
This was a wonderful mystery, full of historical detail that was so well done, it made me feel like I was sitting on a bench in the longhouse, sipping a cup of ale as I watched the story unfold. Sigrid and Ketil are well-drawn and interesting characters, perfectly complementing each other as they sleuth out the murderer. Having a Viking character who was on the spectrum was icing on the cake. The character was sensitively described and illustrated how neurodivergent people of that time managed in their societies. Starting in the second book of the series was not problematic; it only whetted my appetite for the other books in the series.