
James Richardson Author
Classic adventures for modern readers
Are you ready to jump headfirst into a time when heroes couldn’t Google their way out of trouble, text for a quick rescue, or rely on high-tech gadgets to save their skin? When help was always far away, and danger lurked in every jungle ruin, shadowed alleyway, and storm-tossed sea?
Sound up your street?
Then hop on board and join me, James Richardson, in a world that was bigger, wilder, and full of wonder.
My books –
- Are packed full of explosive action, edge-of-your-seat chases, dastardly villains and exotic locations.
- Don’t contain explicit swearing, sex or gore.
- Blend a time when journeys took days or even weeks by airship, steamship, or rickety train, with the high octane, thrill-a-minute pace of a modern action thriller.
- Feature an array of fun, loveable characters who survive shocking twists and turns by their wits, courage, and a generous helping of sheer dumb luck—because sometimes, that’s all they’ve got.
Meet
Jackson Raine, PI
``If Bogart played Indiana Jones, Jackson Raine is what you'd get``
-Luke Richardson, bestselling author of The Ark Files.
Disgraced navy hero.
Down-and-out PI.
Reluctant savior of the world.
Jackson ‘Jax’ Raine, a disgraced navy hero, struggles to make ends meet as a PI in the down and dirty streets of New York City. Navigating a web of corruption and greed, dirty cops and ruthless mobsters, each day is a battle just to stay alive.
When his latest case lands him in hot water, Jack finds it’s not just his neck on the line, but the fate of humanity.
An ancient Norse secret…
A ruthless Nazi plot…
A world on the brink of war…
1939
As German forces mass on the Polish border, New York P.I. JACKSON RAINE is just trying to make ends meet. But, when a murdered Norwegian professor leaves behind a cryptic message, Jack is thrust into a deadly race against time.
The Nazis seek a long-lost relic—the key to the fabled Hall of Valhalla—a treasure powerful enough to remake the world in Hitler’s twisted vision.
Hunted by gangsters, federal agents, and an elite SS death squad, Jack’s chase for answers leads from the World’s Fair to the roaring waters of Niagara Falls—and into the unforgiving Arctic, where an unspeakable truth lies buried in the ice.
With the fate of the world hanging by a thread, Jack must stay one step ahead of his enemies before they unlock Ragnarök—the end of days.
THE VALHALLA KEY delivers pulse-pounding action with golden-age adventure charm. Perfect for fans of Indiana Jones, James Rollins, and Andy McDermott. Buy now to unlock the secret of Valhalla!
About me
Living the adventure
When I’m not daydreaming about my next pulse-pounding adventure, I do my best to live them. I’ve trekked through jungles, scaled volcanoes, and dune-buggy raced across deserts—so far, I’ve explored nearly 40 countries across six continents (Antarctica, you’re next!). I love stories in all forms—books, movies, video games, comics, even the odd stage show. If it involves lost cities, ancient artifacts, booby traps and daring escapades, then count me in.
I have a degree in archaeology, work in a museum, and can often be seen sporting a fedora. My wife reckons I’m secretly channeling a certain iconic movie relic hunter – no, I haven’t outrun a giant boulder yet, but I’m working on it!
I live in Devon, England, with my wife and two young sons, who are already showing signs of inheriting the adventure bug.

SIGN UP TO JACKSON RAINE'S
SLEUTH CREW
Every great detective, sleuth, and private eye has a crew of experts, pals, old flames, reformed ex-cons, helpful citizens, shady informants – and of course the feisty secretary – backing them up.
And Jax is no different.
Join Jackson Raine’s Sleuth Crew to receive my monthly newsletter and dive beyond the books into an expanded world of action-packed fun and shenanigans.
It ain’t gonna cost you a dime, a cent, or a nickel, and don’t worry, I promise I won’t share any of your details or bombard you with spam.
Here's a taste of
what you'll get each month
What's shakin'?
Find out what I’ve been up to lately and be among the first to hear exciting updates about new releases.
Come ‘behind the scenes’ with insights into my writing, inspiration, travel memories and anything else ticking in my over-active imagination.
Loose Lingo
Know your ‘bees knees’ from you ‘cats pajamas’ or your ‘Chicago typewriters’ from your ‘Firkietoodles’?
Experience the weird, wonderful and often mindboggling loose lingo of the 1930s.
Jackson Raine on the Case
Be among the first to read snippets from future books, or access exclusive short stories and other content, including Jackson Raine’s recently de-classified case files, written in his own words.
Myths and Mysteries
Explore some of the myths that inspire my writing, from the well known tales of Ancient Greece to rarely heard folktales from the depths of the Amazon; or dive in with me to unravel unexplained mysteries from times past.
Quirky Thirties
From brewing gin in bathtubs to being arrested for eating ice cream on a Sunday, we’ll wade through the quirky, whacky and sometimes absolutely nuts world of the Dirty 30s.
Terrible P.I. Puns
Have ya heard this one?
“I’ve been hunting a killer who locks his victims in a freezer . . . It’s a cold case.”
There’s more where that came from!
