Product Review

The Beast of Dublin—A Preview is a novella length (over 31,000 words) excerpt which offers a first look at the new novel, currently still being written, by Judson Roberts, author of The Strongbow Saga. It is only a preview, not the complete novel, which is not yet finished.

The year is 840 C.E. After years of punishing hit and run attacks on the kingdoms and religious communities of Ireland, Viking raiders have begun to adopt a new strategy. Led by the Norwegian chieftain Thorgils, they are establishing longphorts—fortified bases—across Ireland, with the intention of carving out a new Viking kingdom there.

One of these longphorts, built on the River Liffey in eastern Ireland at the Dubh Linn, or “Deep Pool,” will one day grow into the city of Dublin. But for now, its future is very much in doubt, for someone—or something—is repeatedly attacking the fortified encampment in the night, coming and going seemingly at will, brutally killing its inhabitants.

Hastein, a young Danish jarl in pursuit of a mortal enemy who has fled to Ireland to escape him, arrives at Dubh Linn shortly after the attacks begin. His fate becomes entwined with that of Conall, a young Irish nobleman who reluctantly aids the Vikings, and with that of the mysterious Beast of Dubh Linn.