The Dakota Cipher

For anyone interested in a mystery/thriller with a historical setting, the Ethan Gage series of William Dietrich is an excellent place to start. DAKOTA CIPHER is the third book in the series, preceded by NAPOLEON'S PYRAMIDS and THE ROSETTA KEY. The previous two novels are set around Napoleon's Middle Eastern expedition and involve the search for ancient super-knowledge and Freemason conspiracies. DAKOTA CIPHER involves a search for pre-Columbian Norse remains. Gage is an engaging character, pardon the pun. Dietrich is a witty writer who has thoroughly researched the history and the myths and legends that drive his plots.

The continuing adventures of Ethan Gage continue to impress and excite. After tackling Egyptian mysticism, ancient relics and secret societies connected with the Great Pyramid, Jerusalem and other historic sites in Napoleon's Pyramids and The Rosetta Key, I didn't think it possible for another sequel to be as exciting - especially one that took place in boring old America. But I was so wrong. More than the simple enjoyment of spending time with old friends, like Jefferson, Naploeon, and Lewis and Clark, The Dakota Cipher brings it all home, managing to infuse the unexplored American frontier with the same mystery and exotic intrigue Dietrich worked into the previous Ethan Gage novels. This time, the Templars still make an indirect appearance, but it's all about the Vikings here, as Gage teams up with a Scandinavian on a quest to the American interior looking for the ancient Norse artifact, the hammer of Thor himself. Working from the actual historical basis of Nordic rune stones discovered in Minnesota dating back to before the time of Columbus, The Dakota Cipher leads us on an adventure of discovery. And along the way we can expect even more of Gage's signature humor and wit, bad luck and womanizing that we've come to love. Thoroughly enjoyable, right through the electrifying conclusion.

The Dakota Cipher by William Dietrich continues the adventures of Ethan Gage. An American expatriate, student of Ben Franklin, and sometimes-comrade of Napoleon, Ethan has survived a perilous adventure in the Middle East, and a perilous return to France, to find himself again in Napoleon's good graces. After a few heroics, a few misadventures, and a dalliance with the emperor's sister, Pauline, Ethan finds himself headed back to his home country, accompanied by Magnus Bloodhammer, a Norwegian in search of Thor's hammer. Ethan returns to America as something of a hero, or at the very least a curiosity, thanks to his adventures in Egypt and heroics at the battle of Acre. Unfortunately, he has also accumulated a list of enemies along the way, thanks to his propensity to change sides when fortune and his personal safety dictate such. Serving as a liaison from Napoleon, he and Bloodhammer gain an audience with newly-elected president Thomas Jefferson. Despite his reluctance to venture into the dangerous frontier Ethan accompanies Magnus on his search, in part at Napoleon's behest, and in part at Jefferson's. Dietrich paints a vivid picture of the oft-romanticized American frontier, emphasizing not only its beauty, but its bleakness, and its danger. He expertly weaves historical figures such as Meriwether Lewis, Tecumseh, and Simon Girty, with skillfully-crafted characters like temptress and crack-shot Aurora Somerset and the affable Pierre Radisson. The plot incorporates Norse legend, Templar tradition, the famed and controversial runestones that have been discovered in parts of the American Midwest, and Ethan's old enemies, the Egyptian snake cult. Though the story stands on its own as a thoroughly entertaining adventure, Ethan Gage truly shines. Dietrich has avoided the pitfall common to the genre of creating a character that is too perfect, heroic, and noble. Ethan is a character of contradictions: he easily slips into a woman's good graces, but can't hold on to a woman to save his life. He is unlucky in that he is constantly finding himself in perilous situations, many of his own creation, but usually lucky or resourceful enough to find his way out. He is bright, but makes foolish decisions. He is a character with whom the imaginative reader can easily identify. Overall, The Dakota Cipher is a worthy follow-up to Napoleon's Pyramids and The Rosetta Key. Highly recommended!

Ethan Gage is enjoying his stay in Paris as Napoleon has forgiven him for the Battle at Acre. His goal is to enjoy the Emperor's married sister Pauline. However, after spending a delightful night with Pauline, thugs kidnap Ethan and tie him up to some fireworks. Thanks to melted chocolate in his sleeves and luck, he escapes and looks like a hero to the crowd as he appears to be holding the torch of liberty during the gala. With Pauline's help, accompanied by Norwegian freedom fighter Magnus Bloodhammer, who seeks Thor's Hammer to free his people from the Danes, he escapes to America. The French who reclaimed the Louisiana Territory and President Jefferson want Gage to explore beyond the Great Lakes. A reluctant Ethan and Magnus begin the journey from DC to Detroit and from there across the Great Lakes towards the un-chartered Northwest in search of blue eyed light skin Indians, woolly mammoths and Thor's Hammer; allegedly brought by Knights Templar in the fourteenth century. This fast-paced historical thriller engages readers from the moment that Ethan knows it is time to say au revoir and never slows down as he and the Odin look alike Magnus make the westward journey before Lewis and Clark. The story line is filled with action even when Ethan has them resting in New York waiting for the election of 1800 to be decided. The contrast between Magnus and Ethan is incredible as the former is dedicated to his quest and the memory of his beloved late wife while the latter is dedicated to the woman of the moment; in fact Gage's womanizing gets him into one dangerous predicament after another whether it is in France or on the Great Lakes and beyond. Readers will relish his coming home escapades while newcomers will seek his previous adventures overseas (see NAPOLEON'S PYRAMID and THE ROSETTA KEY). Harriet Klausner