Northern Europe, 976 AD. Bjólf and the viking crew of the ship Hrafn flee up an unknown river after a bitter battle, only to find themselves in a bleak land of pestilence. The dead don’t lie down, but become draugr – the undead – returning to feed on the flesh of their kin. Terrible stories are told of a dark castle in a hidden fjord, and of black ships that come raiding with invincible draugr berserkers. And no sooner has Bjólf resolved to leave, than the black ships appear... Now stranded, his men cursed by the contagion of walking death, Bjólf has one choice: fight his way through a forest teeming with zombies, invade the castle and find the secret of the horrific condition – or submit to an eternity of shambling, soulless undeath!

From the bestselling author of Jurassic Park, Timeline, and Sphere comes an epic tale of unspeakable horror. It is 922 A.D. The refined Arab courtier Ibn Fadlan is accompanying a party of Viking warriors back to their home. He is appalled by their customs—the gratuitous sexuality of their women, their disregard for cleanliness, and their cold-blooded sacrifices. As they enter the frozen, forbidden landscape of the North—where the day’s length does not equal the night’s, where after sunset the sky burns in streaks of color—Fadlan soon discovers that he has been unwillingly enlisted to combat the terrors in the night that come to slaughter the Vikings, the monsters of the mist that devour human flesh. But just how he will do it, Fadlan has no idea.

Laughing Shall I Die explores the Viking fascination with scenes of heroic death. The literature of the Vikings is dominated by famous last stands, famous last words, death songs, and defiant gestures, all presented with grim humor. Much of this mindset is markedly alien to modern sentiment, and academics have accordingly shunned it. And yet, it is this same worldview that has always powered the popular public image of the Vikings—with their berserkers, valkyries, and cults of Valhalla and Ragnarok—and has also been surprisingly corroborated by archaeological discoveries such as the Ridgeway massacre site in Dorset. Was it this mindset that powered the sudden eruption of the Vikings onto the European scene? Was it a belief in heroic death that made them so lastingly successful against so many bellicose opponents? Weighing the evidence of sagas and poems against the accounts of the Vikings’ victims, Tom Shippey considers these questions as he plumbs the complexities of Viking psychology. Along the way, he recounts many of the great bravura scenes of Old Norse literature, including the Fall of the House of the Skjoldungs, the clash between the two great longships Ironbeard and Long Serpent, and the death of Thormod the skald. One of the most exciting books on Vikings for a generation, Laughing Shall I Die presents Vikings for what they were: not peaceful explorers and traders, but warriors, marauders, and storytellers.

Filling a gap in the literature for an academically oriented volume on the Viking period, this unique book is a one-stop authoritative introduction to all the latest research in the field, and the most comprehensive book of its kind ever attempted.

Next on Wren and Death's Appraisal List: Item #1: An Old Family Feud. Item #2: A Missing Woman. Item #3: A Body in the Rosebushes of their Dream House Auctioneer Wren Morgan and her private eye fiancé Death (pronounced "Deeth") Bogart are ready to meet each other's parents and settle down together. But their sleuthing days are far from over. While Death and Wren are helping prepare auction items at an old supper club, a Viking reenactor nearly dies at the historical settlement next door. The cause? Seeing the ghost of his daughter, who went missing twenty years ago. As Wren looks into what happened to the Viking's daughter, Death is hired to investigate the theft of historical items that have high sentimental value. When their respective investigations turn out to be connected, the couple gets caught in a deadly conflict. Praise for the Auction Block Mysteries: Death & the Gravedigger's Angel "Ross's sleuthing pair again faces a present-day murder steeped in historical detail."—Kirkus Reviews Death &the Brewmaster's Widow "There are fewer auctions in this second series entry, but readers won't mind as the twisty, Hitchcock-style plot unfolds."—Booklist "Lively."—Publishers Weekly "The second case for Death and Wren uses an intriguing premise to flesh out the charming detective duo."—Kirkus Reviews Death & the Redheaded Woman "[A] winning debut."—Publishers Weekly "The witty sarcastic banter between the lead characters was charming and endearing."—RT Book Reviews "Ross's debut features a likeable pair of sleuths, some local Missouri history, and a nice little mystery."—Kirkus Reviews

"Viking Magic," the second installment in the Forbidden Knowledge series, embarks on a captivating journey into the mystical realms of Old Norse magic. This non-fiction book meticulously examines and interprets stories and poems of Icelandic sagas to bring forward the secrets of the magic wielded by the Norse people. The exploration begins with an immersive look into the magical worldview of the Vikings, unraveling concepts like Hugr – the unity of mind, or the protective force of Hamingja. As the narrative unfolds, readers are guided through captivating stories, displaying the depth of Viking magical traditions. Venturing into the supernatural, the book brings to life the mysteries of revenants and the enigmatic realm of Hel – the land of the dead. Trolls, both legendary and contemporary are studied, exploring their role in Norse mythology and their presence in today's digital landscape. The heart of the book delves into the intricacies of Viking magic, dissecting practices like divination and clairvoyance, the power of words, and the fascinating art of illusion. The encyclopedic content of the Appendices includes topics ranging from deviant burials to the Oseberg Ship, from ancient curses to the Shamanic Drum, presenting a supplement to the various facets of the subject. With over 50 illustrations, this book provides a unique and insightful analysis of Viking magic. The meticulous translation of every detail from original manuscripts, along with hyperlinks to relevant sources, ensures that readers gain an authentic understanding of the magical legacy left behind by the Norse people.

Please note: This is a companion version & not the original book. Sample Book Insights: #1 The longship sways on the windy sea like a seer in a trance. After days of hard rowing, the crew is exhausted. They had set sail from the western coast of Scandinavia several days ago, bound for the eastern coast of England. #2 The Vikings landed in a deserted town, and began to search it. They found a large ornate building in the center of the city, and entered it. The building was more lavish than anything Sverrir had ever seen, and the townspeople had apparently brought all of their valuables into it. #3 The townspeople of Bebbanburg perform a strange gesture that involves touching one of their hands to four different parts of their torso and head as the Vikings begin to hew down anyone who stands in their way. The Vikings suffer heavy losses in the battle, and most distressingly for Sverrir, Hauk falls after having fought valiantly. #4 The poem was so intricate and learned that the simple warriors could not understand parts of it. The king was said to be a descendent of Odin, and his generosity was unparalleled. The raid was presented as an unmitigated, glorious victory.