Valhalla Found

Sam Reilly #23

by Christopher Cartwright

In 980 AD a Viking fleet, banished from their native Greenland, sailed west across a savage and icy sea.

After making the perilous journey, they found a world abounding with lush meadows, rivers teeming with salmon, and wild grapes so suitable for wine that they called the region Vinland.

But there was something else they discovered…

They weren’t the first Europeans to make the treacherous journey.

And they were not alone.

In present day, Sam Reilly is called in to investigate the death of a group of archaeologists researching the ancient Maya city of Chichén.

What he discovers might just reveal a deadly secret thousands of years in the making, and the missing link to the ancient origins of Valhalla.

Genres: Audiobook, Action, Fiction, Adventure, Thriller

381 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 10, 2021

About the author

Christopher Cartwright writes spellbinding mysteries and suspense novels. Often with a backdrop of ocean adventure. Born in 1983, he has a background as a paramedic, and is an avid sailor and SCUBA diver.

He holds degrees in paramedics, nursing and emergency management.

Chris currently lives in Sydney with his wife and two children.

Reviews

[Lee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Generally an interesting story with lots of action. It's just distracting when there is repeated in-depth sharing of esoteric details of this location, piece of equipment, etc. It does little to enhance the story. Instead, it feels more like the author showing off his depth of research skills. It gets worse when he uses terms like "jet boat" to repeatedly describe a boat with outboard motors. By definition that is not a "jet boat". There are other instances of similar distractions throughout the book. (i.e. the depth is 10 feet...then a few sentences later the depth is stated as 9 feet. One's brain goes off chasing the details and/or mis-labeling of things wondering where the editors were and why they weren't paying attention.

[Harald Gill · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good story, but...

Liked the story, but there is one thing that all these books have in common...long-winded explanations of an item or historical fact...and much of it is taken right out of Wikipedia, plagiarized.

I would suggest to the author to lose these sometimes pages long explanations, and just stick with the story.

[jeremy dierst · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another fine addition to the Sam Reilly story line. Almost Cussler like in style and historical fiction. Most times it is a little more violent than the Cussler novels, but just as enjoyable. The cast of characters does not change very much and that makes the character arc from novel to novel easier to follow all the characters without having a lot of back story. The plots and story line are a just a little far-fetched, but in the fantasy world that makes it seem almost plausible. I always look forward to this author's next novel and where the next fantasy trail leads to.

[Matt Kelland · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm done with this series. Wafer-thin plots (pretty much the entire first half of the book is one chase scene), interspersed with page after page of mansplaining (most of which is lifted from Wikipedia anyway). Guy gets on a train (insert technical details of the engine, power, acceleration, and top speed, and a history of the railroad), and as he passes through some gorgeous scenery (insert extended geography lesson about the local geology, ecology, vegetation and local wildlife), while sipping a glass of whiskey (insert details about the manufacturing process and the distillery, with a digression into the value of rare whiskeys), a man with a gun bursts in (insert details of model, muzzle velocity, rate of fire, magazine capacity, weight, and a list of custom add-ons). It's not interesting, it just reads like "look at me, I know everything about everything and look how much research I've done." I wish he'd stop doing that and just tell the damn story.

[Susie Pickthorn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great adventure

Christopher Cartwright never fails to entertain! His hero, Sam Reilly, is awesome! I look forward to the next book I find on Kindle that will entertain me as much as this one did!

[Sheila Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Vikings and Valhalla did they make it or did they land somewhere else

We hear if Thor and Odin in a different way in today's world but to the Vikings it's a different story. Sam at times is like a school boy excited at the mere thought of another adventure but this time he just fell into it. Getting involved trying to save a reckless young man from drowning was just the start and within hours he was fighting for his life again, yes its a story about Vikings but also something they brought with them and as you will expect it goes all the way to the top. Meeting a woman named Suttie who told him a tale that brings him back to his adventures while still fighting a gang called the berserkers. It's a really tough story that takes Sam all over Canada to dangerous whirlpools and life risking challenges. I highly recommend this book to all adventure seekers.

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Listened over winter break and into the new year. I enjoy the Sam Reilly books - although the author can get a bit repetitive in their description. I don't need to know a person is out of breath when you say they're running for their life. And then you tell me they're straining for breath, as if they were running for their life. I love the descriptions of the place settings and I found that I google where the events take place and the kernels of history that the author puts in the book. Absolutely fascinating.

[Michael Ray · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book started out really really good! Christopher Cartwright has told an intriguing and action-packed story here. I enjoyed it. However, the dialogue often sounds like reading a text book on history rather than two people talking. Those sections of the book reads like cut and paste from Wikipedia. Nobody has conversations like that. Some posts are obvious page fillers with paragraphs being repeated word for word. I really like the Sam Riley books. Cartwright is a good writer. It could have been so much better.

[Holly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don’t k is how Cartwright comes up with a winner every time. He certainly does tho. His research and historical facts, real or otherwise comes across as authentic and grabs you from the get go because you can’t help but wonder hmmm, Sam Reilly and his crew bring it every step of the way. The storyline the action and great cast of characters makes this unputdownable! Cartwright scores another winner.

[Teresa Cage · Rating 5 out of 5]

Action Never Stops

As with so many Sam Reilly Adventures, this one starts fast and never seems to end. In fact the last page of this book was like taking a body blow. You see I discovered these books over the summer an started at the beginning. Unfortunately I read too fast and I am waiting for #24 without another one to read while I wait. Definitely a series worth working your way through!

[Batu · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's another Sam Reilly novel. What's not to like? We have a hero with more skills than Bear Grylls and Rambo combined, discovering a secret in a very unlikely place, and traveling miles underwater, on water, on land, and in the air to solve and resolve the conflict that inevitably arises involving the U.S. Secretary of Defense. Along the way we are treated to a travelogue with historical, cultural, and social perspectives worthy of Wikipedia.

[Karen Kepner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sam Reilly in Canada

Another adventure starts with Sam enjoying a vacation. This quickly turns into a rescue, then disaster after disaster. The adventure then centers around Vikings. The only downer to the story is the overdone technical details about mechanical issues. I think it interrupted the flow.

[Mr Simon B Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rollicking read but with very quick and weak ending - shame!

Lots of detail and well developed characters until the end when development stopped and it seems that the book was terminated rather than finished. Almost as if the final few chapters were rushed to get the manuscript out of the door!

[wayne peters · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review of Valhalla Found

An exciting story. Add on a gang of cartel members and the story goes over the top! I sincerely hope this gang does not exist. That would be really scary!! The story took a really different turn of events with the SOD taken hostage. I did not see that coming. The author just keeps getting better. Great reding.

[FredM2 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another Sam Reilly action story. This time Sam is going all over the world. Mainly in Canada for the most part. The description of the areas is fantastic as is the action. This one really made me think. Is it possible our government would really do something like this. It was an interesting enjoyable read. Another one to add to my Sam Reilly collection.

[Richard Flagg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another homerun in the Sam Reilly series.

I found Valhalla Found to be another excellent book in the Sam Reilly series. The characters combined with another well thought out back story create another excellent adventure for the reader. I recommend this as another Christopher Cartwright book to read.

[J W Millard · Rating 3 out of 5]

He spends too much time on explaining every little detail of weapons,helicopters,aeroplanes and sailing vessels and different abbreviations of things and to me that spoils the story.If I want to know all these things I'll look them up myself

[Dana Monson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sam Reilly never disappoints.

Once again the adventurer games the challenge and mixes history and thrills together. The reader is swept along with the mystery right to the final page.

[Melanie R · Rating 5 out of 5]

Entertaining Series

I love this series. I enjoy the mysteries that Sam Reilly and his friends solve but also the history and archeology included in the books. Even if parts are fiction a lot is based on historical facts and speculation.

[Lisa Clements]

This book, along with all the others written by Christopher Cartwright is excellent! It's such a good read, well written and complete joy to read. I find myself immersed in the story lines of the entire Sam Reilly series. Well done!!

[Brian Baisley]

Another great read

As the rest of the series, I was pulled in and had a difficult time putting it down

Just wish the next one would be out sooner

[Mrs A. J. Turbfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazingly Informative.

Having forgotten How enjoyable this author is, I am delighted to say this is a nother triumph for Sam Reilly and his crew. wonderful.

[LoisBow · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow!

Sam is off on vacation that takes a decidedly unexpected turn after rescuing a young man from drowning. Things get Very interesting.

[Conrad Melancon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding!

As with all the Sam Reilly books Christopher Cartwright hits another home run! This is a great series and the story lines as well as characters always stay fresh!!!

[Sandra Casile · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm a fan np matter what.

Loved the journey I went on with Sam and team. They always manage to meet new intriguing characters everywhere they end up in their travels.

[Caroline · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love Sam Reilly

Fun read with interesting facts and theories. Always well written and creates visuals as you are there experiencing the splendor of our world

[Leigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great Sam Reilly adventure

Sam is real as well as having a wonderful mind. Always enjoy the history that is woven int the story

[C. Richard Lane · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best

This was great read. The story along the way was interesting, but as usual, it get ended too quickly like 'I have typed the number of words required'.

[Wendy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Sam Reilly!

Off on another adventure! Sam is in the wrong place at the right time and gets drawn into the soup before he knows it. Highly recommend it for a read.

[Dan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Most interesting and thought provoking plot