Skalunda Barrow, Sweden, has long been rumored to be the final resting place of the legendary Nordic hero, Beowulf. And there's something of Beowulf's that charismatic and zealous right-wing politician Karl Thorssen wants very badly. Intent on getting his hands on the mythical swords Hrunting and Nægling, Sweden's golden-boy politico puts together a team to excavate the barrow. A team that American archaeologist Annja Creed manages to finagle her way onto. She wouldn't miss this possible discovery for anything.
With Nægling at his side, Thorssen could be invincible—a Nordic King Arthur. What his followers don't know—and Annja is beginning to suspect—is just how far Thorssen will go to achieve his rabid amibitions. When Thorssen marks Annja for death, she quickly realizes that this is much more than a political game. And the only way to survive is to match Thorssen's sword with her own.
A house name for the Rogue Angel series, published by the Harlequin Publishing's Gold Eagle division.
The first eight novels were written by Victor Milan and Mel Odom. New writers joining the series starting with book nine include Jon Merz and Joseph Nassise.
Brought in to document a dig in Sweden, Annja Creed… as seems to be her fate… finds herself on the outskirts of a political... and troubling... conflict. To complicate matters, the political issues not only have far reaching effects on the future of Sweden, but it directly impacts the dig that she has been brought into cover...the uncovering of the Skalunda Burrow... the burial site of what may be one of the greatest legends of history. For, it is here that the body of Beowulf is purported to be laid to rest...along with the mighty sword Naegling that was end of the creature Grendel. The uncovering of the burrow could not only have an impact on the history of the world and archaeology specifically, what lies buried may also change Sweden...for good...or evil.
This is the 48th book in the ongoing series telling the world roaming tales of Annja Creed and the sword she has found herself tied so closely to. While "ALEX ARCHER" is the house name of the authors who create these stories and is the one that you see on the cover, the actual writers behind the name are some of today's best when it comes to adventure and excitement. Mel Odom, Victor Milan, Jean Rabe, Jon Merz, Michele Hauf, and Joseph Nassise are some of the authors who lend their talents and imagination to adding to the legend of Annja Creed. This story, in particular was written by Steven Savile who dives into this, his first adventure in the world of Rogue Angel and he spins a story that stands up side-by-side with the best of the stories both his fellow "Alex Archers".
Every so often, it's good to get into one of these. They really are like a movie in your head. One of those action-packed movies that you just go for the ride and don't question anything. :)
Annja is filming a segment about the opening of what might be the tomb of Beowulf, or at least the king who might have inspired the legend. The dig is enabled, though, but a politician running for office on an anti-immigrant platform, and has other plans for the dig. Mainly, he is looking for Beowulf's sword, which he can use to get to power. But when the sword is actually found, he gets a more than he expected.
I quite enjoyed this installment. The only plot hole is that she couldn't get a hold of Roux, and when Garin arrives (conveniently in time to rescue her from a fire in an isolated area) he mentions that Roux actually was in town, but laying low and just observing. Whether he's lying or telling the truth is uncertain, but there's no reference to Roux again. I get the feeling that the author started to write him in, changed his mind, and couldn't be bothered (or didn't have the time) to do an edit to take the references out.
This adventure revolves around the legend of Beowulf and his sword. There was lots of background aka history revealed about the legends of Beowulf that I had never heard before. This was one of the better mixes of history and adventure. I really enjoyed it.
The only issue I had was that for being an assassin, he was pretty easy to kill. Plus, here never was a good reason for why Roux did not help Anja. Garin came out of nowhere as if by magic, and just in the nick of time. It was just a little too convenient. Especially since it is out of character for Garin to do anything just because Roux told him to.
Once again Annja finds herself facing death. She is in Sweden to do a segment on Beowolf's tomb for Chasing Histories Monsters when a bomb goes off and suddenly people keep dying. An assassin is sent after her and things get complicated real fast. Of course she can't get a hold of Roux and she doesn't feel the police are safe either. What's a girl supposed to do when someone is trying to have her killed and there is a mystery artifact at stake.
A re-read of this series - and how I love Graphic Audio's dramatization. The stories are predicatable and formulaic - but I do love following Anya's adventures.