I have always been intrigued by myths and legends, but I have never learned about them, and I have to say that Columbkill Noonan has created such a fun and innovative way to learn about Gods and Goddesses of various ancient religions and mythologies. I already had a keen interest in Egyptian mythology, which drew me to the first book: Barnabas Tew and the Case of the Missing Scarab, but, having had no idea about Norse mythology, I have to say that I have learned so much by reading Barnabas Tew and the Case of the Nine Worlds.

Columbkill Noonan is definitely on to a winner with her creation of Barnabus and his trusty sidekick, Wilfred. Think Bob Mortimer (Wilfred) trying to control Vic Reeves (Barnabas) and you will get the idea. Barnabus is so hilarious that you have no idea what he might do next and he is one of these people who always claims to have known something before everyone else. His favourite phrase seems to be: 'that's what I always say' when he never says anything of the sort.

In this book, Barnabas and Wilfred are tasked by Odin to find the thief of a missing bowl; a bowl that Loki's wife holds over him to protect him from the poison dripping from a serpent. With the bowl missing, the poison is dripping onto Loki and causing him to thrash around, causing earthquakes across the nine worlds. Will Barnabas and Wilfred be able to find the bowl before Ragnarok, the end of the world, takes place?

The Barnabas Tew books are so accessible for all ages to learn about myths and legends, in such a fun yet informative way. In Norse mythology, I had heard of Odin, Thor and Loki but I didn't realise that there is so much more to learn. Having read Barnabas Tew and the Case of the Nine Worlds, I feel as if I could hold my own in a conversation about Norse mythology. Without perhaps even realising it, Columbkill Noonan has taken it upon herself to teach us all about mythology in a way we will never forget.

Entertaining, fun, and informative, Barnabas Tew and the Case of the Nine Worlds will teach you more about Norse mythology than you could possibly learn in a lesson or a book about the subject. Columbkill Noonan's books should definitely be part of the curriculum; making learning fun again. I can't wait for the next adventure!

I chose to read an ARC and this is my honest and unbiased opinion. ( )

Admittedly, my info base came from what bits and pieces I've run across in life...and from watching Thor. Yep, no shame in my game, and you know what? Even THAT little bit of knowledge made connecting things throughout the story a bit easier...understandably so when you're dealing with two deceased detectives (sorta like a Holmes and Watson situation) who are just on the other side of the living...as in NOT...as in that is one of their reasons for traveling to Asgard in the first place....to see if the King can be appeased enough to allow them to return to the land of flesh and bone once again. It's certainly not too much to ask...right? Yeah...about that...

You see, Anubis (you know, the Egyptian god of the underworld?) was the one to send them to Odin, but Odin didn't request their presence to dole out favors. He sent for them to solve a mystery...a rather unusual and not only life changing but WORLD ENDING type of mystery. Without getting severely into all the ins and outs, it boils down to WHO STOLE THE BOWL? What bowl? Are you SURE you want me to get into that because it's not just a oh it belonged to so-and-so's-grandma sort of story. Alright, maybe a quick version. Sigyn (Loki's wife) dedicated herself to using that same said missing bowl to catch the venom that falls from the viper's fangs that is wrapped around Loki's (her husband) head as he remains tethered in place with a most ghastly material. ~shudders~ It's punishment for a death he caused as well as a thousand others he orchestrated, but that venom dripping in his face bit was softened by Sigyn's kindness to the world, thus allowing him to suffer in silence...until he doesn't...and his discomfort is enough to move worlds. No really, he thrashes, so does the earth, and eventually to the point of Ragnorak (it's the end of the WORLDS as we know it!) commencing. Have I lost you? Please say no because honestly it was SUCH a great read!

I truly enjoyed my time between the epages, and considering the book tops out around 400 pages, that's saying something! Alongside the mystery to be solved is all the snark, whit, and wisdom shared between our leading detectives and their female companion and guide, Brynhild. There's nary a situation that Barnabas couldn't foul up with his stiff British spine, but at heart he means well...even if time and again his actions have dire consequences, and Wilfred need to constantly save the day in his own little way. So, if you're ready to embark on a grand adventure through the nine worlds, meeting giants, gods, goddesses, and mere mortals, you might want to add this one to your WISH LIST stat!


**ebook received for review ( )

Barnabas Tew and Wilfred Colby, having completed their unwanted assignment in the Egyptian Land of the Dead, have been helpfully packed off to the Nine Worlds of Norse mythology, to help Odin out with a little problem. Loki's bowl, that is, the silver bowl that his wife, Sigyn, uses to catch the venom that a snake is dripping on the face of the bound Loki, has been stolen. Odin wants to know by who, and he wants the bowl back.

Since neither Barnabas nor Wilfred has ever studied Norse mythology they understand even less of what's going on in the Nine Worlds than they did in the Land of the Dead. Since everyone around them is treating all this knowledge as self-evident, it takes them a while to work out that catching the falling venom is essential to prevent, or at least delay, the start of Ragnarok, because with every drop that falls on Loki's face, he struggles mightily to break loose of his bonds. This causes earthquakes, and if he does it long enough, his bonds will eventually break. Then he heads off to seek revenge, and Ragnarok, the end of the world, starts.

They also, slowly, realize that nearly everyone who matters at all in Asgard has a either a motive to cause harm to Loki even if it will hasten Ragnarok, or to help him break free even if it will hasten Ragnarok, or just a reason to hasten Ragnarok, because loved ones who have died will return to life.

And as little as Barnabas and Wilfred understand the Nine Worlds, and less than Holmesian detectives though they may be, they quickly learn that the Viking belief in and resignation to Fate has resulted in a failure to ask even the most obvious questions of even the most obvious and convenient suspects.

At first, as with the first book in the series, I had a hard time getting into the story, and found Barnabas in particular a bit annoying. Yet I persisted, and I really wasn't very far in before I remembered what I'd come to like about the dogged, determined, and ultimately, loyal and kind, displaced Victorian detective.

While I know more about Norse mythology than Barnabas and Wilfred, I'm no expert, and can't say how faithful and accurate this is. I can only say that, once again, I got hooked on Barnabas and his determination to do what he's committed to do, and his exploration of at least this version of the Nine Worlds.

Recommended.

I received a free electronic galley of this book from the publisher, and am reviewing it voluntarily. ( )