From the icy edges of the Arctic to the roaring spectacle of the 1939 World’s Fair, James Richardson’s The Valhalla Key takes readers on a whirlwind ride through hidden history, Norse myth, and golden-age thrills. But how much of this epic is rooted in truth—and what inspired Richardson to set his story on the edge of war?

In this episode, we sit down with the author-adventurer himself to explore the real-life research, legends, and historical obsessions (looking at you, Nazi occultism) behind the novel. We talk classic adventure storytelling, lost civilizations, and what it takes to capture that pulpy, globe-trotting spirit on the page.

Richardson shares stories from his own expeditions—volcanoes, jungles, ancient ruins—and gives us a behind-the-scenes look at how his archaeology background fuels his fiction. If you’re a fan of Indiana Jones, ancient secrets, or stories where myth collides with history, this is one you don’t want to miss.

An ancient secret. A Nazi death squad. A race to stop the end of the world.

As war looms, New York P.I. Jackson Raine is pulled into a deadly hunt for a lost Norse relic—said to unlock the Hall of Valhalla itself.

From the World's Fair to the Arctic ice, he’s up against gangsters, spies, and SS killers. The prize? A power that could unleash Ragnarök.

The Valhalla Key is a pulse-pounding historical thriller packed with golden-age adventure.

Buy now and uncover the secret before it's too late.

Episode Takeaways:

• James Richardson's novel, 'The Valhalla Key', expertly intertwines elements of history, myth, and adventure.
• The setting of 1939 serves as both a pivotal moment in history and a rich backdrop for the narrative.
• Researching historical settings such as the World's Fair requires extensive investigation into archival materials.
• The characters in 'The Valhalla Key' navigate a world filled with both tangible and mythical challenges, emphasizing the blend of fiction and reality.
• The concept of keys in Norse mythology reflects deeper themes of unlocking knowledge and destiny throughout the narrative.
• James Richardson's personal adventures and archaeological background significantly inform his storytelling approach in 'The Valhalla Key'.

Got a Story Idea?

If you have a mystery, legend, or adventure you’d like me to explore, drop a comment or email me at hello@lukerichardsonauthor.com. I’d love to hear from you!

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Need more adventure in your life? (And let’s be honest, who doesn’t?) Join The Adventure Society, my weekly newsletter, where I share real-world explorations, book updates, and exclusive podcast insights. Sign up at:

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A missing Picasso... A master thief... A thrilling race against time!

When a priceless Picasso disappears in Paris, legendary thief Bernard Moreau is the prime suspect. But as two unlikely allies—Eden Black and Adriana Villa—hunt him down, the chase turns deadly. It’s a race through the shadowed streets of Paris, where every twist is as unpredictable as the city itself.

Grab your FREE COPY of The Paris Heist here:

LukeRichardsonAuthor.com/Paris

A Huge Thanks to My Patrons!

This podcast, my books,...

What happens when an archaeologist sets sail across three oceans with her family in search of story and discovery?

In this episode of The Adventure Fiction Podcast, I'm Joined by Nadine Slavinski, a woman who’s excavated ancient temples by land and sailed vast, unpredictable waters by sea. Her four-year sailing odyssey from the Mediterranean to Australia is more than a trip—it’s the kind of lived experience most adventure writers only imagine.

Silver Spider by Nadine Slavinski

Inspired by Nadine Slavinski’s real-life voyage across three oceans, Silver Spider plunges readers into a time-spanning adventure of hidden treasure, pirate secrets, and perilous clues.

From a Spanish soldier’s 1667 discovery to a modern-day sailing couple entangled in a dangerous mystery, this gripping novel weaves together the intrigue of plotting pirates, scheming cartels, and a silver spider with secrets of its own.

Check it out here.

Got a Story Idea?

If you have a mystery, legend, or adventure you’d like me to explore, drop a comment or email me at hello@lukerichardsonauthor.com. I’d love to hear from you!

Join the Adventure Society!

Need more adventure in your life? (And let’s be honest, who doesn’t?) Join The Adventure Society, my weekly newsletter, where I share real-world explorations, book updates, and exclusive podcast insights. Sign up at:

LukeRichardsonAuthor.com/AdventureSociety

Get a Free Adventure Thriller!

A missing Picasso... A master thief... A thrilling race against time!

When a priceless Picasso disappears in Paris, legendary thief Bernard Moreau is the prime suspect. But as two unlikely allies—Eden Black and Adriana Villa—hunt him down, the chase turns deadly. It’s a race through the shadowed streets of Paris, where every twist is as unpredictable as the city itself.

Grab your FREE COPY of The Paris Heist here:

LukeRichardsonAuthor.com/Paris

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This podcast, my books, and all my creative projects are made possible by my amazing supporters on Patreon. Want to support the show and get some awesome perks including:

🎧 Ad-free podcast downloads

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Join the crew on Patreon:

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Love Adventure Stories?

If you enjoyed today’s episode, you’ll love my books—fast-paced thrillers packed with action, history, and mystery.

Check them out at LukeRichardsonAuthor.com

Thanks for tuning in! See you in the next episode of The Adventure Story Podcast. 🏆🎙

In this episode of The Adventure Story Podcast, I sit down with thriller author Andrew Warren to dive into one of the world’s most enthralling cities—Tokyo.

We explore what makes Tokyo such a captivating backdrop for storytelling and how Andrew strikes the balance between cultural authenticity and fast-paced fiction. Andrew shares vivid memories from his time in Tokyo that shaped the novel, along with insights into how he weaves setting, character values, and action into his books.

We also delve into the research behind writing about the Yakuza, and how Andrew blends gritty realism with the cinematic flair that keeps readers turning the pages!

Whether you’re a fan of thrillers, fascinated by Tokyo, or just love a good story well told, this episode is for you.

Tokyo Black by Andrew Warren is available here. Here's what it's all about:

Thomas Caine was the CIA’s deadliest killer. Then he was burned, betrayed, and left for dead.

Now he survives off the grid, currently in Pattaya, Thailand. But when a feud with local criminals lands him in jail, his old CIA masters return with an offer he can’t refuse… Rot in a Thai prison, or accept one last mission in Tokyo, Japan.

Forced to hunt the neon-lit city for a CIA asset’s runaway daughter, Caine soon crosses paths with a sinister faction of the yakuza crime syndicate and finds himself drawn into a terror plot that could throw the US and Japan into chaos.

But Caine knows a double cross when he sees one. He’s convinced someone in the CIA is manipulating him from behind the scenes. Someone who knows his past in intimate detail.

But this time, he’s not going down without a fight…

Takeaways:

• Tokyo Black captures Tokyo’s unique blend of ancient shrines and high-tech sprawl, reflecting the city’s layered identity.
• Themes of honor, duty, and redemption run through the story, reflecting the protagonist’s search for moral clarity.
• Andrew's book taps into Japanese mythology, specifically the koi fish that transforms into a dragon to mirror the hero’s journey.
• Andrew's research into the Yakuza included books, films, and Japanese video games, helping him avoid clichés while keeping things dramatic!

Got a Story Idea?

If you have a mystery, legend, or adventure you’d like me to explore, drop a comment or email me at hello@lukerichardsonauthor.com. I’d love to hear from you!

Join the Adventure Society!

Need more adventure in your life? (And let’s be honest, who doesn’t?) Join The Adventure Society, my weekly newsletter, where I share real-world explorations, book updates, and exclusive podcast insights. Sign up at:

LukeRichardsonAuthor.com/AdventureSociety

Get a Free Adventure Thriller!

A missing Picasso... A master thief... A thrilling race against time!

When a priceless Picasso disappears in Paris, legendary thief Bernard Moreau is the prime suspect. But as two unlikely allies—Eden Black and Adriana Villa—hunt him down, the chase turns deadly. It’s a race through the shadowed streets of Paris, where every twist is as unpredictable as the city itself.

Grab your FREE COPY of The Paris Heist here: