4.0 (1 rating)
At First Light (Dr. Evan Wilding, 1)
Ritual murder. Archaic clues. A visionary killer. In this heart-stopping novel by the Wall Street Journal and Amazon Charts bestselling author of the Sydney Rose Parnell series, words can kill.
On the muddy banks of the Calumet River, a body has been found posed next to a series of mysterious glyphs and bearing wounds from a ritualistic slaying. Chicago detective Addie Bisset knows only one man who can decipher the message left by the killer: her friend Dr. Evan Wilding. A brilliant forensic semiotician, Evan decodes the etchings as Viking Age runes. They suggest either human sacrifice or righteous punishment. But to what god? And for what sins?
Only one thing is clear from the disturbing runic riddles: there are more victims to come.
As Evan races to determine the identity of the Viking Poet, he and Addie uncover the killer’s most terrifying secret yet: the motive. This startling discovery puts Evan’s life in mortal danger, and verse by ancient verse, time is running out.
On the muddy banks of the Calumet River, a body has been found posed next to a series of mysterious glyphs and bearing wounds from a ritualistic slaying. Chicago detective Addie Bisset knows only one man who can decipher the message left by the killer: her friend Dr. Evan Wilding. A brilliant forensic semiotician, Evan decodes the etchings as Viking Age runes. They suggest either human sacrifice or righteous punishment. But to what god? And for what sins?
Only one thing is clear from the disturbing runic riddles: there are more victims to come.
As Evan races to determine the identity of the Viking Poet, he and Addie uncover the killer’s most terrifying secret yet: the motive. This startling discovery puts Evan’s life in mortal danger, and verse by ancient verse, time is running out.
Published: December 1, 2021
ISBN: 9781713551522
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4.0
1 rating
Charlene M.
Apr 18, 2026
I thoroughly enjoyed this character driven mystery/police procedural. Dr Evan Wilding and Addie are amazing as are the side characters. And I didnt see the ending coming! (Usually I do lol). And all the build up is a slow and steady burn of tension to keep you reading without wrecking sleep lol.
It definitely helps enjoyment if you have a bit of knowledge of Old English sagas like Beowulf. The author did plenty of research and helps you through, but as someone who knows the sagas a bit, it was just that much better.
One thing that bugged me....(and a little spoiler-y but I tried to be vague so stop here if you are concerned you'll see through my vagueness)
Is how/why the killer targets Dr. Wilding *from the beginning* (ie, before Wilding got involved). I have a theory and I'm likely correct but while every other victim ends up kinda making sense, Wilding only makes sense for one thing and its not as tightly fitted as the others. I feel like the 5 victims didn't *quite* lock together as tightly as they could have, especially Wilding. (The reason for him is arguably weaker than the reasons for the others from the killer's pov)
It definitely helps enjoyment if you have a bit of knowledge of Old English sagas like Beowulf. The author did plenty of research and helps you through, but as someone who knows the sagas a bit, it was just that much better.
One thing that bugged me....(and a little spoiler-y but I tried to be vague so stop here if you are concerned you'll see through my vagueness)
Is how/why the killer targets Dr. Wilding *from the beginning* (ie, before Wilding got involved). I have a theory and I'm likely correct but while every other victim ends up kinda making sense, Wilding only makes sense for one thing and its not as tightly fitted as the others. I feel like the 5 victims didn't *quite* lock together as tightly as they could have, especially Wilding. (The reason for him is arguably weaker than the reasons for the others from the killer's pov)