Fire and Ice Series

Book 1

Amid Iceland's wild, volcanic landscape, rumours swirl of an ancient manuscript containing a long-lost saga about a ring of terrible power. The manuscript, which is believed to have inspired Tolkein's Lord of the Rings, exists... but why is it worth killing for?

Untangling murder from myth is Iceland-born, Boston-raised homicide detective Magnus Jonson. Seconded to the Icelandic Police Force for his own protection after he runs afoul of a drug cartel back in Boston, Magnus also has his own reasons for returning to the country of his birth for the first time in nearly two decades - to investigate the unsolved murder of his father.

Binding Iceland's landscape and history, secrets and superstitions in a strikingly original plot that will span several volumes, Where the Shadows Lie is a thrilling new series from an established master.

Bk. II

66° North

by Michael Ridpath

Published 1 May 2011

From the million-copy bestselling author, perfect for fans of Stieg Larsson, Anne Holt, and The Killing.

"Michael Ridpath is on the war path, trouncing the Scandinavians on their home turf. This is international thriller writing at its best, fine characters, page turning suspense and a great, fresh location." PETER JAMES

Iceland 1934: Two boys playing in the lava fields that surround their isolated farmsteads see something they shouldn't have. The consequences will haunt them and their families for generations.

Iceland 2009: the credit crunch bites. The currency has been devalued, savings annihilated, lives ruined. Revolution is in the air, as is the feeling that someone ought to pay the blood price... And in a country with a population of just 300,000 souls, where everyone knows everybody, it isn't hard to draw up a list of those responsible.

And then, one-by-one, to cross them off.

Iceland 2010: As bankers and politicians start to die, at home and abroad, it is up to Magnus Jonson to unravel the web of conspirators before they strike again.

But while Magnus investigates the crimes of the present, the crimes of the past are catching up with him.

Book 2

Far North

by Michael Ridpath

Published 7 August 2012

"In January 2009 there are demonstrations in the centre of Reykjavik. A small group of protesters meet up and complain about how the demonstrations are too peaceful, not violent enough. They get drunk together, and then go out on to the streets where they attack and accidentally kill a banker, the former boyfriend of one of them. The death is dressed up as suicide. Eight months later a senior Icelandic banker is murdered in London. Magnus works with the British police on the case. As Magnus begins to discover links between the deaths of the two bankers, it becomes clear that there is a conspiracy to kill the people whom Icelanders blame most for the economic crisis in their country. Magnus must nail the conspirators before they kill again. Meanwhile Magnus makes uncomfortable discoveries about his Icelandic family going back several generations. Are these related to the death of his own father in Massachusetts when Magnus was a student?" -- from author's web site.

Book 3

Meltwater

by Michael Ridpath

Published 1 June 2012

Operation Meltwater: FreeFlow, a group of internet activists committed to the freedom of information have video evidence of a military atrocity in the Middle East and have chosen Iceland as their HQ while they prepare to unleash their greatest coup on the world's media. On the glacial rim of erupting volcano Eyjafjallajökull, they christen their endeavour Operation Meltwater. Minutes later, in the steam and mist, one of them is murdered. The list of people Freeflow has antagonized is long - the Chinese government, Israeli military, a German Bank, Italian politicians, even American College Fraternities. Magnus Jonson has a long list of suspects but he's getting precious little help from FreeFlow - for an organization dedicated to the transparency of information, they're a secretive bunch.

But they are not the only ones with secrets. Asta, a newly qualified priest, has contacted FreeFlow with information about a scandal in the church. Her involvement with FreeFlow will cost her dear.

And with the return of Magnus's brother Ollie to Iceland, the feud that has haunted their family for three generations is about to reignite.