Viking Revolt

by Gavin Chappell

A historical spy thriller set against the savage backdrop of Viking Age Scandinavia.


Nine years after King Harald Finehair’s decisive victory over viking rebels, a king’s man has been murdered in Rogaland. Gest, an agent of the king's spies known as the Gestasveit, is despatched to identify the killers and bring them to justice.


But in his attempts to solve the mystery, he uncovers evidence of a far more serious crime: a plot against the king himself.


Racing against time, Gest must struggle to uncover the truth in a murky Viking Age world of spies and traitors. And he soon learns that the kingdom itself is at stake…

367 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 21, 2019

Reviews

[Peter]

A great narrative drive and excellent descriptions mark this novel set c.880 in the reign of Harald Finehair, first king of Norway. Gest is a spy for the king, sent to Rogaland on the west coast where Viking ships and duplicitous local lords are causing problems. Gest replaces a previous spy killed, perhaps by a troll, and ends up at sea, including a raid on Scotland, before trying to foil a plot involving a raid on the trading port of Kaupang. He has a few too many narrow escapes but it’s more a Mission Impossible-type story than a James Bond. A pleasant surprise from an unheralded author, 4.5 stars.