The Berserkers
by Vic Peterson
Publisher
Recital
Publication
Feb 20, 2026
Format
Paperback/Softback
Illustrated
No
Price
15
Dimensions
5.5 x 8.5 in
ISBN
979-8-9886702-5-4
Pages
218
Age
Adult 18+
Category
Literary Fiction
Rights Sold
🌍 World Wide Rights Available
Description
Awards & Endorsements
Praise for The Berserkers
Praise for The Berserkers
Author(s)

Vic Peterson
Related Titles
| Publisher | The Berserkers |
| Publication | Feb 20, 2026 |
| Format | Paperback/Softback |
| ISBN | 979-8-9886702-5-4 |
| Pages | 218 |
| Age | 18 - 99 |
| Price | $15.00 |
Categories
Literary Fiction
The Berserkers
by Vic Peterson
THE BERSERKERS follows Grammaticus Kolbitter, a musician working as a police records clerk in the fictional Scandinavian city of Fulaflugahål, who becomes entangled in a bizarre murder investigation when a young woman is found dead beneath the frozen surface of Lake Munch—dressed in swan-feather wings. As Grammaticus assists the enigmatic one-eyed Constable in unraveling the case, he encounters a cast of unforgettable characters, including Aud, a towering giantess with mysterious origins, and discovers connections to underground music culture, ancient Norse mythology, and violent gang rivalries.
This 63,000-word novel offers readers a fresh take on Nordic noir that diverges from conventional Scandinavian crime fiction. Rather than following the typical social realist template, THE BERSERKERS embraces a darkly lyrical, literary style reminiscent of Patrick DeWitt and Christopher Isherwood, while incorporating elements of myth and the uncanny. The narrative weaves together murder mystery, coming-of-age story, and mythic quest, culminating in a revelatory journey to a remote island mine where ancient forces collide with modern violence.
The book's themes of identity, belonging, and transformation against a backdrop of Nordic conformity have particular resonance for contemporary readers. The protagonist's dual life as both institutional clerk and passionate musician mirrors the tension between societal expectations and authentic self-expression. The novel's exploration of outsider perspectives—through characters like Aud the giantess and Misty, the murdered woman of ambiguous ethnic origin—offers opportunities for cross-cultural dialogue.
THE BERSERKERS has attracted positive critical attention in English-language markets. Its genre-blending approach, literary style, and distinctive voice position it well for readers seeking sophisticated crime fiction that transcends formula.
Reviews, Awards & Endorsements
Praise for The Berserkers
"An engaging, tightly written experimental novel, full of evocative storytelling and narrative drive."
-- Will Menmuir, author of The Many, longlisted for the Man Booker Prize, 2016
Praise for The Berserkers
"Original and surprising in all the right ways."
- Jack Livings, author of The Blizzard Party, 2015 PEN award winner
Good Reads (Paperback)
FIVE STARS
I really enjoyed this unique story. Wonderful characters, awkward and revealing just enough of themselves to keep you wondering what they would do next. I never got bored with this story, I think because it left so much to the imagination, which made it a page turner for me. There’s a bit of magic and mythology, mixed in with the monotonous footwork of police investigation, told from the perspective of a character who is a reluctant participant just trying to be a musician. It was fun to read! -- Heather Durris
The Dactyl Review - Book Review by Brent Robison
"Genre-busting, in my view, is a key consideration in dubbing a work “literary.” I’m always intrigued when an author rejects the security of meeting reader expectations in order to follow a more personal muse.
Author

Vic Peterson
I am the author of The Berserkers, a novel (Hawkwood 2022 UK / Recital 2026 US).
My fiction, poetry, essays, and book reviews have appeared widely, including in The Strange Recital, The Dactyl Review, The Humanist, Rights in Russia, The Contemporary Poetry Review, Light, Sparrow, The Formalist, and other publications. I teach Osher courses at Johns Hopkins University and the University of Kansas.
I was educated at Kenyon College, the University of Texas (Dallas), and the University of Chicago. I divide my time between Lawrence, Kansas, and Northport, Michigan.
Current Licenses
🌍 World Wide Rights Available