First look: The Long Hunt, book 4 of The Strongbow Saga

I hear frequently from readers of the Strongbow Saga series wanting to know when the next installment of Halfdan’s story will come out. Those who discovered the story back when it was originally published by HarperCollins have been waiting especially long.

The continuation of the series was delayed for a number of years due to problems with the original publisher. I’ve discussed them in earlier posts on this site, so will not rehash them again.

And readers who have followed my posts here will be aware that this year has brought big changes in my personal life: I moved from Houston, Texas to Oregon, where my wife Jeanette and I have settled on a small farm, and are beginning a new life. The move and change have been very time consuming, and have temporarily further delayed my progress on book 4.

But I am back at work now, and Halfdan is back. The first chapter of book 4 is now posted on the “Free Previews” section of this website. It gives a first look at the new book, and will perhaps answer some questions–and no doubt raise others–about what will happen next.

Enjoy!

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53 thoughts on “First look: The Long Hunt, book 4 of The Strongbow Saga

    • I’m currently working on book 5, and plan to complete and publish it during 2016 (I guess in a few days I’ll be able to say “this year”). It’s still too early to predict when in 2016 yet, but I’ll post occasional progress reports on this website, with notifications on my Facebook author page as well (so if you “Like” that page, you should be able to find out whenever new posts are made), and plan in the very near future to start a series on this website of “behind the scenes” looks into how I’m creating book 5. The first one, “Becoming Halfdan,” in which I’ll explain how I get into character in order to write Halfdan’s story, will probably come out next week.

  1. Thank you so much for the series. I just recieved book four and I cant put it down. Good luck in Oregon. Just curious, do you believe in bigfoot?

    • Thanks, glad you’re enjoying it. I neither believe nor disbelieve in Bigfoot. I think it’s a possibility, but if they do exist, you have to wonder why no conclusive evidence has ever been found.

      • Of all things I have no idea why I asked you that. haha. If you do see one up in Oregon let me know. Anyway, I am almost done with the Long Hunt, so keep writing. I got into the Viking theme after reading The Last Light of the Sun by Guy Gavriel Kay and The Long Ships (forget the author) and have read other Viking books but nothing compares to yours. The way you paint the stories have made you my favorite author over Ken Follet, Robert Jordan, and George R R Martin. I also love the works of Louis L Amour. In fact, Halfdan fondly reminds me of Mathurin in L Amours the Walking Drum. Thank you for responding to my last post, but don’t keep chatting with me! Keep writing. haha. I wish you continued success, good health, and I hope Hollywood makes your books into a movie or miniseries. Thanks again.

  2. I have to say I have been a big fan of your books since I discovered them a few years ago. I am a quite a fan of the viking period in history and I was astounded to find such rich details in your works! It astounded me so much that I am planing my vacation to Denmark to include some of the locations mentioned in your book like Ribe and the Limfjord. I await with great anticipation to read the next installment in your series.

  3. Hey Judson, I just wanted to let you know that I am a huge fan of this series. You wrote this so well and detailed that i cant seem to put down the book. I am so excited for book 4 to come out in the strongbow saga. It may be a long wait but I know it will be worth it.

    • Thanks, Ryan. Not so long a wait now for book 4. I’m currently working on its final scenes, so it should be published by the end of the year.

  4. I recently discovered these books and have been surprised by how surprisingly well written the book was. thanks for a great story full of rich history. I cant wait for your next installment!!!!!!!!

      • Hello,
        I am new to your website but have been a longtime fan of Halfdan’s story and I just wanted to let you know I own all three books and have read them all a minimum of 4 times and I am so glad you are back!!! I have been truly captured by the Strongbow Saga and am looking forward to the next installment. I don’t know how you do it but whatever it is keep doing it haha. Congratulations on the move to Oregon and I hope to hear back from you

  5. Halfdan and Genevieve’s relationship in book three made me feel like a cat with a scratching post addiction. Hope he kidnaps her again and takes her to his estate, or that she’s carrying his child.

    Can’t wait for book 4

  6. I enjoyed halfdan’s adventures in viking warrior and dragons from the sea. I am still waiting when the third and fourth book gonna be available here in the Philippines. Whenever I go to Iloilo City(the nearest city with sizable book stores) I keep a sharp look out for those books..

    Keep up the good work Mr. Roberts. I am hoping that I’ll read those books soon..

    • Hello Leonaris,

      It sounds like you are looking for a printed version of book 3, not an e-book one, correct? By the time the original HarperCollins printed edition of book 3 came out back in 2008, that publisher had already decided to cancel the series, so they did not make much of an effort to get it distributed.

      The new Northman Books editions of the first three books that I have republished can be ordered from Amazon, or book stores can order them from CreateSpace, the company that prints them, but I’m afraid I don’t know whether either of those distribution channels are available in the Philippines. When book 4 comes out, it will be available through the same distribution channels.

      Northman Books will eventually offer a direct sale/mail order service for all books. It will geared primarily toward providing readers who would like signed copies a means by which they can get one, but we will also be willing to ship to locations where the books are not otherwise available. However, I’ve put the development of that program temporarily on hold while I focus on completing book 4 and publishing it, as I really want to get that book out to readers this year. But if you cannot get books 3 and 4 any other way, eventually–probably late this year or early next year–that will be an option to consider.