Today we sit down with Brynhild, a Viking seer who plays a major part in the just-released BARNABAS TEW AND THE CASE OF THE NINE WORLDS, which is the second book in the best-selling Barnabas Tew mystery-fantasy series. She’ll talk about what it was like to be a Viking woman working with two Victorian British detectives!
So, Brynhild, can you describe to us what role you play in “Nine Worlds?”
I’m what’s known in the Viking world as a skald, which is what most people would think of as a seer. Whatever term you use for me, it means the same: I know things. I know history, I know geography, I know the politics of the land. But, probably most importantly, I know all about the personalities of the Viking gods.
How do you think all this knowledge helped Barnabas and Wilfred as they try to solve their case?
I think they wouldn’t have gotten very far without my help, to be honest. They wouldn’t have known which gods to be wary of, or which ones they could push for information. Barnabas in particular has a way of speaking his mind without thinking out the consequences first, and so it was up to me to get him out of more than one mess because of that.
You come from a very different time and place than Barnabas and Wilfred, with very different ideas on the role of women in society. Did you find that there was a cultural barrier to be overcome while working with them?
Not at all, actually. Even though Barnabas can be a bit of a stick-in-the-mud at times, he is also very good at recognizing when someone else might be more capable than him at something, and letting them take the lead. Although, he is a gentlemen to a fault, which makes him do some astonishingly silly things sometimes… (Brynhild breaks off, laughing and shaking her head)…But you’ll have to read the book to see those things for yourselves. I really shouldn’t say any more.
Working so closely with the two of them for such a long time, did you develop any feelings?
Well, of course! Barnabas is so well-meaning that it’s impossible not to be fond of him, and Wilfred….well, Wilfred is just wonderful. They’ll both always be special to me.
You are a seer, and a capable warrior-woman on top of that. Still, the case was a dangerous one, and often took you to some of the less-than-savory places in the Viking world (or worlds, I should say!). Were you ever afraid during the case? If so, what was the one thing that scared you the most?
Yes, very much so! There were plenty of times where I was sure one or all of us were toast. If I had to choose one, I’d say it was definitely the wolves…no, wait, probably it was the dragons. Or the Dark Elves. Or the drowning. Hmmm. I think there was a lot to be scared of with this case! But I’m glad to have been through all that with Barnabas and Wilfred at my side.
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Review
BARNABAS TEW AND THE CASE OF THE NINE WORLDS
by Columbkill Noonan
The Second Barnabas Tew Mystery
Victorian private detective Barnabas Tew and his loyal assistant,
Wilfred, have left the heat of the Egyptian Underworld behind them and
are now facing the cold of the Norse afterlife. Tasked by Odin, with
Brynhild as their guide, the intrepid due travel the nine worlds of
Norse Mythology in search of a stolen silver bowl. Will they be able to
find the bowl and return it to Sigyn before Loki escapes or will it be
the end of the world?
I am absolutely delighted by the further adventures of Barnabas Tew. I will admit to having a periodic Wagner soundtrack in my head as I read since most of my Norse mythology knowledge is based on Der Ring des Nibelungen, which made reading about the characters even more fun. But you don't need to know anything about Vikings in order to enjoy this book. Vivid descriptions, exquisite characterizations, and plenty of humor make BARNABAS TEW AND THE CASE IF THE NINE WORLDS a delight to read.
The mystery is quite complex. There are lots of places to go and characters to meet and remembering them all can be a bit of a challenge. But every meeting gives us an opportunity to see Barnabas' and Wilfred's reactions to such unusual encounters. Indeed, most of the fun comes from seeing how our two fish out of water react to things so far from their normal life in Maryleborne and how they are coping with their new lives, or should I say unlives. We should all aspire to be like Barnabas and Wilfred when it comes to perseverance and adaptability. Mistakes are made (boy, are they made!) but they press on, do their duty, and ultimately succeed...for the most part.
BARNABAS TEW AND THE CASE OF THE NINE WORLDS is a completely unique and utterly charming mystery that captivated me and made me laugh. I'm still chuckling over Ragnarok tea! And if you don't like it, I summon my inner Barnabas and say "Good day".
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