Praise for the novels of Andy McDermott Raises the bar to please adventure junkies who prefer to mainline their action.Publishers Weekly (starred review), on The Hunt for Atlantis A fun, action-filled James Bond/Indiana Jones-esque story.Geek Speak Magazine, on Return to Atlantis Adventure stories dont get much more epic than this.Daily Mirror (U.K.)About the AuthorAndy McDermottis a former journalist and movie critic who now writes novels full-time following the international success of his debut thriller,The Hunt for Atlantis,which has been sold around the world in more than twenty languages. He is also the author ofThe Tomb of Hercules, The Secret of Excalibur, The Covenant of Genesis, The Pyramid of Doom, The Sacred Vault, Empire of Gold, Return to Atlantis, The Valhalla Prophecy,andThe Shadow Protocol. He lives in Bournemouth, England.Excerpt. Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.9780345537041|excerptMcDermott / THE VALHALLA PROPHECY1New York City Fifty-Three Years LaterNina, Eddie! cried Lola Adamsne Gianettiacross the coffee shop. Long time no see!Nina Wilde hopped to her feet to greet her friend. Lola had, until a few months earlier, been Ninas personal assistant at the International Heritage Agency. The reason for her departure was peering curiously at the world around him from a papoose on the chest of Lolas husband. Lola, Don, hi! Wow, its so great to see you both again! And to meet this little guy in person for the first time. Oh, hes beautiful!Ninas own husband also stood. Yeah, thats not a bad-looking sprog youve got, said Eddie Chase with a grin. Shame about the name, though.Lola pouted. Whats wrong with Gino? It was my grandpas name.Theres nothing wrong with it, its just not as good as my suggestion. Now, Eddiethats a name for a baby. He frowned. Wait, that didnt come out like I meant it to.Nina laughed. Accurate, though. The balding Englishman pulled a face, to which Gino responded with a gurgling laugh of his own. Aw, look at that! Hes so sweet.He is, said Lola, embracing the pair, when hes not occupying every moment of my time. And I thought you were demanding, Nina!Now it was Ninas turn to look affronted, while Eddie chuckled. Come on, sit down, he said, pulling a chair out for the young mother. So being a parents a bit stressful, is it?You have no idea, man, said Don as he unfastened the papoose. I thought being a firefighter was tough, but pulling people out of burning buildings is a cakewalk compared with watching out for a baby.Dons worse than I am, Lola said as she sat. Theres danger everywhere, isnt there, hon? To him, every room looks like a death trap out of a Final Destination movie. It drives me nuts, cause now I cant even plug in my hair dryer without unlocking the gadgets hes put on all the outlets.Safetys a serious business, babe, Don replied, in a way that suggested it was far from the first time he had been teased.The big-haired blonde took Gino from the papoose, settling the baby on her lap. Anyway, were just about getting a handle on things, so we can finally catch up with everybody. What have I missed? What have you guys been up to? Have you found any more ancient wonders or saved the world again?What, since the last time? asked Eddie with a mocking snort. Come on, its only been a few months. Give us a chance.Im enjoying the fact that we havent been running around the world being chased and shot at and having everything blow up around us, Nina said, with considerable relief. It means I get to do the things I joined the IHA for in the first place. Like being an actual archaeologist, you know? Overseeing digs, research, writing papers ...Eddie yawned theatrically. Yeah, its thrilling.Oh, shut up, said the redhead. But its amazing how much more productive you can be when you arent being attacked by helicopter gunships and hunted by assassins.And ninjas. Dont forget the ninjas.Dons eyebrows rose. Babe? You are so not going back to the IHA.Lola kissed Ginos head. This little guys going to be my boss for the next few years, dont worry. She looked back at Nina. If things are nice and easy at work, is that giving you more time to plan things at home?What things? Nina asked.You know. Lola held up Gino, who let out a little squeak of delight, and kissed him again. Family matters.Yeah, added Don. Youve been married for, what, two or three years now? Im surprised you dont have kids already.Nina found herself feeling surprisingly defensive. My work hasnt been exactly conducive to it, what with all the ... ninjas and world saving.The burly firefighter nodded. But now everythings quieted down, youre thinking about it, yeah? I mean, you dont want to leave it too late.Eddie huffed. Were not that old. He put on a crotchety old mans voice. Im hip to all the popular tunes of todays young people, you know. Lola laughed.Youre past forty, though, right? Me, Ive just gone thirty and Lolas coming up on it, and we were worried that might be pushing itDonnyyyyy, said Lola, singsong, through her teeth. Her husband got the message and clammed up. So, whats new at the IHA? Hows my replacement working out?Melinda? Nina said. Shes fine, shes doing a good job. Seeing Lolas face fall ever so slightly, she continued, Nearly as good as you. The younger woman brightened. Okay, what else? Al Little got a job with Apple in California, Lucy DeMille got engaged, Bill Schofield got promotedoh, and we got a new UN liaison after Sebastian Penrose, uh, retired. The United Nations officials departure had been under a cloud, to say the least, but to avoid a media scandal the details were covered up. Nina had been dismayed at that, but the decision was made at far higher political levels than she had influence over. A guy called Oswald Seretse.Lola searched her memory, then nodded. Ohhis dads a diplomat too, isnt he? I met them at the UN once, before I transferred to the IHA.Yeah, I think so. Anyway, thats all the big stuff.You should come round to the office sometime, Eddie suggested. Theres a lot of people whod love to see you and your nipper.Maybe I will, said Lola. She looked down at her son. Would you like to see where Mommy worked before she had you? Would you, little snooky-wooky? Gino did not appear enthused by the prospect.Just make sure there arent any frickin ninjas there that day, Don said.There wont be, Eddie assured him. I shot em all. The firefighters expression wavered between amusement and a suspicion that the Englishman was not joking.Everyone would love to see you. And Gino, said Nina.Lola smiled. Then well come.Good! In the meantime, I think its time for some caffeine. What do you want?Lola and Don named their choices, then Nina turned to Eddie, only to find him looking at Gino, lost in thought. Eddie?He snapped back. Hmm?You okay?Yeah, yeah. Just thinking about something, thats all. What?Coffee?Ill get em. Whats everyone having?Nina stood. Its okay, Ill go. You want your usual?Yeah, thanks.She headed for the counter, looking back to find him again seeming preoccupied before returning to the conversation.The same look was on his face that evening.Nina was curled up in an armchair reading a book, ignoring the television. She raised her eyes to see her husband, stretched out on the sofa, paying just as little attention to the events on screen. Earth to Eddie.He blinked and lifted his head. What?You were miles away. Penny for your thoughts?Sounds like a good deal, he said. If Id had a penny every time Id had a thought, Id probably have about ... oh, three pounds seventeen by now.That much? They both smiled. So whats on your mind? You had that same look this afternoon when we were with Lola and Don.Eddie hesitated before replying. I was thinking about ... well, what Don said. About having kids. He sat up. Im wondering if he had a point. Do we want to have kids, and if we do, are we leaving it too late?Weve still got plenty of time to decide, she assured him. Like you told him, were not that old.He didnt seem convinced. I dunno. Im past forty now, youre coming up on thirty-five ... I mean, Christ, my mum and dad were only twenty-one when they had me.Times change, though. People had kids when they were younger back then. My parents were in their mid-twenties when I was born.I suppose.Realizing that the matter was still bothering him, she put down her book and joined him on the sofa. Hey, she said, putting her arms around him, do you want to have kids?Another pause. I dont know. I really dont, he said, closing a hand around hers. I mean, its not like we havent talked about it before, and its one of those things you just sort of assumell happen after you get married. But ... thereve been things that got in the way. Like mad cults and lost cities and psychos trying to start World War Three.She grinned. Minor distractions, then.Yeah. Most people just worry about how its going to affect their careers. We keep having the weight of the bloody world dumped on us.Its not really something you want to make a child deal with, is it? Probably a good thing we havent had one after all.Nina had meant the comment lightheartedly, but a sudden downcast twinge to his expressionwhich he hurriedly tried to hidewarned her that Eddie had taken it more seriously. Hey, hey, she said apologetically, I was joking. Im not ruling it out, not at all. But our lives have been, well ... complicated.Yeah, I know. He intertwined his fingers with hers and squeezed her hand, then kissed her cheek. Although ...What?Well, things are a bit less complicated at the moment, arent they? All the IHAs operations are ticking along without any troubleDont jinx it!He laughed. Im right, though, arent I? The Atlantis digs back up to speed after what happened last year; the Egyptians asked us to help with the tomb of Alexander the GreatIf thats what it really is, Nina cut in. Even the top experts in the field were not entirely certain whether the new excavations in Alexandria would bear fruit.Whatever, weve still got our hand in. And the Indian governments working with us on the Vault of Shiva, and even the Peruvians are letting the IHA get involved with whats happening at El Dorado.Grudgingly, she said, with a flash of professional annoyance.The point is, theyve still asked for our help. So weve got all these digs going on at once, and you know what? Theyre all going smoothly.You are so jinxing it!Eddie grinned. Theyre going smoothly, he insisted, and you know why? Because you put people in charge of each of em who know what theyre doing. So that means you dont have to micromanage everything anymore.She treated him to a particularly sulky scowl. What do you mean, anymore?No, you never once looked over anyones shoulder and told them to dig six inches to the left, did you? he said, kissing her again. But the IHAs in a quiet patch at the moment. Weve been talking about taking a break for a whilemaybe nows the time. And theres the book thing too.Right, the book thing, Nina echoed. It was her turn to become thoughtful. I still dont know what I want to do about that.Whats to think about? For fucks sake, love, theyre offering you six figures to write about all the stuff youve discovered! I know its not like we desperately need the money or anythinghe waved a hand to encompass their Upper East Side apartmentbut youve got to admit itd be a hell of a bonus. Christ, if you want Ill write everything up for you. Although I cant type, so Ill have to scribble it all down in biro.Just make sure you leave out all the things that are top secret, she reminded him, amused. Oh, and the part where you were wanted for murder by Interpol.And the part where you got a faceful of crap while you were crawling through a sewer pipe.She grimaced at the memory. Its all glamour being a famous archaeologist, isnt it?Eddie sniffed her cheek. You got most of it off. This book, thoughit might be the perfect time to take a bit of a break and write it, while things are quiet at work. And we could also do somea lascivious smirk crept across his square faceother stuff.Nina feigned innocence. What kind of stuff, Mr. Chase?Oh, you know. Shagging like rabbits.She laughed, swatting his hand off hers. Theres that subtle charm I fell in love with.Yeah, its irresistible, innit? Im serious, though, and not just about a nonstop fuck-fest. Nina giggled. I mean about the book, and having a break from work. We could take a really long holiday, somewhere we havent been beforeand with absolutely nothing to do with archaeology.Now she feigned horror. Oh, lets not do anything crazy ...Grant invited us out to Hollywood, remember? We could do that as part of a West Coast tour, maybestart off in Seattle, then go down through San Francisco to LA to watch him filming his next movie. Even though itll probably be as big a piece of crap as his last one.I thought you liked action movies.I like good action movies. Nitrous 2 was absolute bollocks, though.I think you mean Ni-two-rous, Nina corrected with a smile. Their movie-star friend Grant Thorns most recent film had gone by the rather awkward moniker of Ni2rous on its posters, providing a source of endless amusement to the coupleas well as late-night talk show hosts.Yeah, when nobody even knows how to pronounce the title, thats probably a bad start. It really was complete arse, though. That bit where he dived out of the car that went over the cliff and fired a grappling hook to grab hold of his mates car that was jumping the other way? That was so fucking unrealistic they might as well have had him grow wings.It wasnt any more unbelievable than his other movies, and you liked those.I used to like em. Maybe Im growing old.Her smile returned, wider. Maybe youre growing up.Eddie snorted. No danger of that, love. But Ive got to admit, these days Im happy just to watch Matt Damon moving purposefully for two hours. Still, actually getting to see Grant filming should be fun. Something to tell the grandkids.That kinda presupposes kids, said Nina. I guess this conversations come around full circle.He shifted position to face her. So ... whats your view on that? Youre ... He paused, choosing his words. Youre not dead set against it, are you?She also gave careful consideration to her reply. No, she said at last. No, Im not against it. Its just that, like I said, our lives have been complicated. But if things did get more straightforward, then ... Another moment of thought. I wouldnt say no.From the look of delight Eddie was trying hard to contain, it was clear he was happy with her answer. Nor would I.They kissed, then held each other tight. Its a big decision, though, Nina said at last.Yeah, taking a sabbatical to get paid half a million dollars and have loads of sex. Big decision.Nina prodded him in the stomach, making him flinch and laugh. I dont mean like that. Its more about ... well, what Don blurted out. She became more serious. We are getting on, in a purely biological sense. The risks start to increase almost geometrically every year once a woman passes thirty, and the older the man is, the greater the likelihood of complications too.What kind of complications?Just getting pregnant in the first place becomes harder, for a start. Then there are things like an increased risk of pre-eclampsia, high blood pressure, gestational diabetesI thought you were a doctor of archaeology, not pregnancy!Ah, well, she admitted sheepishly, when Lola was still at work, I got worried about her and the babys health, so I did some reading about any potential problems she might have. What? she went on, seeing his mocking expression. Shes the first close friend Ive had whos been pregnant. I wanted to be prepared if anything happened to her!He chuckled. See? This is that whole micromanagement thing again. Pretty sure the UN has a couple of actual medical doctors on staff somewhere.Oh, shut up, she said, jabbing him again. The point is, it made me realize that the odds of anything going wrong with Lolas pregnancy were pretty lowbut the risks start rising once a woman gets to my age.But they should still be pretty low, Eddie said. I mean, youre in good nickyou exercise, youre not a lard-arse, you dont eat junk, you dont even drink all that much anymore. And Im still in exactly the same shape I was in when I left the SAS.Nina eyed his midsection skeptically. Uh-huh.He made a rude sound. Okay, so maybe Ive put on a little weight in nine years. But Im not spending every day running twenty miles with a full pack of gear anymore, so what do you expect? Anyway, were both in decent nick, so that should put us in a better position than most people our age right from the start.Its not just about health, though. There are some things that are still a danger even if both people are in perfect condition. I dont want to be morbid and depressing, but the chances of a miscarriage go up enormously after thirty. And then there are higher risks of delivery complications, birth defectsBirth defects? Eddie said sharply, straightening.Yeah, Im afraid so. Autisms more common in kids with older parents, as well as Down syndrome and other genetic disorders. She took in his oddly stricken expression. Whats wrong? Sorry, I didnt mean to bring you down so much.He shook his head. No, its okay.Is that something youre worried about? But there was something deeper to his reaction, she realized. Something youve seen?His reply took a moment in coming. Yeah.Where?On a job, he said, tone becoming brusquer. Cant talk about it.After six years together, she was attuned enough to her husband to pick up the nuances of those rare occasions when he discussed his professional pastfirst as a British special forces soldier, then a hired troubleshooter. A job, not a mission? The difference was small, but crucial. The latter were covered by the laws of state security; any secrets from the second stage of his career, however, would be kept for more personal reasons.Doesnt matter. Lets just say Ive seen that kind of stuff. And that I dont really want to talk about it.Nina decided not to push him. Okay, no problem. You and your secrets, though, she continued, deliberately teasing in the hope of changing the subject. I think I know you fairly well by now. And after everything weve been through together, I cant believe theres anything in your past that could shock me.Eddie smiled. Nah, probably not.But she couldnt help noticing that he hesitated before replying. what is the best app for free books The Valhalla Prophecy: A Novel (Nina Wilde and Eddie Chase)
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful. What an adventure!!By TerenceWhen you thought the previous adventures of Nina and Eddie (Atlantis, Garden of Eden, The Tomb of Hercules etc.) couldnt be topped, then this one certainly did the trick. The best of all the adventures Nina and Eddie has undertaken by far! The ending is much of a schocker and did not expect it to happened, but then I remember, Andy McDermott is a master of twisting stories which I like! Throughout the book I was kept on the edge of my chair (literally!) and refused to put the book down! This is Andy McDermott's best book to date! I doubt the next one (Please Please Please, write more adventures of my favourite characters - Nina and Eddie) will be topped after this one!0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Break-neck action, Indiana Jones' style!By Don KidwellGave this book to my uncle as a gift for Christmas, and then he loaned it to me when finished and all I have to say is that it sure makes for one wild ride! Book combines both grand adventure and plenty of thrills as it bounces back and forth between present day and eight years ago as the past catches up with Eddie Chase and his wife, Nina, in their hunt for a mythological Viking relic. Not only did I love the characters, the chase scenes, and the incredible stunts, but having the historical background included as well made for a highly entertaining read much in the "Indiana Jones" fashion I enjoyed years ago. Book finishes in a cliffhanger (leaving me wanting to read more), but because this was my first exposure to the series and given other reviewers having mentioned books 1-8 are even more action-oriented it looks like I've got a lot of catching up to do. Great books I look forward to reading more of in the future! (And, hey, Uncle Bill, you know that book you loaned me, might you also have the first of the series?...)0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Great potential but with poor execution. Very unsatisfying read and loaded with cliches. There is a lot better out there.By Jeff SaundersThe description of this book was enticing. Valhalla, a prophesy, runestones,covert agents, mercenaries, racing to the ends of the earth, good guys vs. bad guys, etc. Sounded like a book with potential for a great escape read. One of the more interesting aspects of this book is that the Americans are actually the bad guys in this book which tends to be rare for this genre (and that aspect didn't bother me - I actually thought it was somewhat refreshing). Sadly, this is the only positive comment I can make. The plot had a lot of potential but the writing style is very poor and the prose is littered with cliches. And no, I am not an English teacher or major. The "Englishman said" or "Yorkshireman said" gets tiring after a while - the author does not have a good sense of proportion around this. The major problem for me with this book was the necessity of repeatedly suspending disbelief. For example, the plot revolves around a deadly liquid called eitr that is boiling and contained within the earth. A small splash on the skin means a death sentence but breathing the vapors is harmless. Seriously? An antidote has been developed that will neutralize this eitr (apparently this is not a stoichiometric interaction since a relatively small amount of the antidote will render the eitr inactive regardless of the enormous eitr volume compared to the antidote. Furthermore, no serious attempt is made to explain how this antidote can possibly work in the first place). The eitr forms crystals that look like serpents. Fine, but the crystals get stronger with heat and weaker with the cold? Should be the other way around. Like the vapors, humans can touch the eitr crystals with no consequences! Again, hard to believe. The final battle in the novel has a cruise missile being launched by the Russians to destroy the access to the eitr. There is so much ridiculousness in this part of the novel that I won't even bother trying to capture it. I had to laugh when the "Englishman" saves the day by screaming on the radio for the Russians to stop the cruise missile. "Abortski" Really? And why would the Russians suddenly listen to him when they previously ignored the Russian commander who told them not to send the cruise missile in the first place? And, if thats not enough, would Russia ever seriously risk nuclear war to nuke Canada? There is so much of this type of ridiculousness that it made it difficult for me to focus and enjoy the plot.I have not read any other books by this author but I really hated his writing style. I like reading this genre so the book did keep my interest, but just barely. It is the type of book that you keep reading because you think it just has to get better at some point. Unfortunately, at the end of the novel, I regretted my decision to read the whole thing. Very unsatisfying. I don't recommend reading unless you have absolutely nothing else to read.