“The Dakota Cipher is a supple, elegant thriller that carries the reader triumphantly from one exciting climax to the next.”
—Steve Berry, New York Times bestselling author of The Jefferson Key
Ethan Gage is a fearless adventurer who has crossed paths (and, sometimes, swords) with the likes of Napoleon Bonaparte and Benjamin Franklin—and whose unabashed derring do puts even Indiana Jones to shame. Now Gage is back for a third time in William Dietrich’s The Dakota Cipher, an ingenious page-turner that carries our hero to the American wilderness in search of an almost unthinkably powerful ancient artifact. No stranger to thrilling action himself, New York Times bestseller James Rollins, author of Black Order, The Last Oracle, and Altar of Eden, is a dedicated fan of Dietrich’s Ethan Gage novels, and proclaims that, “The Dakota Cipher should be read by anyone who loves adventure at its grandest.”
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"This is a rare series that seems to improve or at least gets more interesting. Not great intellectual stuff but good for doctor waiting rooms and waiting around. I think there is one more to go. It is historical fiction and the author seems to know his history and gives a good feeling for the times."
— David (4 out of 5 stars)
“William Dietrich is a born stylist, moving characters around on a historical chessboard with the assured hand of a master novelist firing on all cylinders. Ethan Gage is a wiry, battle-scarred hero, with great decency, who rings absolutely true. And The Dakota Cipher is a supple, elegant thriller that carries the reader triumphantly from one exciting climax to the next.”
— Steve Berry, New York Times bestselling author“William Dietrich’s The Dakota Cipher should be read by anyone who loves adventure at its grandest, or humor both smart and sharp, or romance with a wild heart. For that matter, why even qualify it? The novel should simply be read by everyone!”
— James Rollins, New York Times bestselling author“Fast, fun, and full of surprises…The tale twists and turns like a spitted serpent, but Dietrich shows his sure hand as a storyteller, leavening a tale rich in intrigue and impressive historic detail with abundant wit and humor.”
— Publishers Weekly (starred review)“Dietrich is a master storyteller who knows exactly how to keep his readers enthralled.”
— Historical Novel Review“Breathtaking…Dietrich richly illustrates the people and settlements of the Northwest and Great Plains. This fun blend of history and adventure makes for a terrific, fast-paced read as Gage once again winds up inadvertently impacting history. For all popular fiction collections.”
— Library Journal“A spirited installment of what promises to be a long-running series.”
— Booklist" My least favorite of the trilogy so far. The first part felt more like a Harlequin Romance for men. When it gets going it's pretty good, but it takes too long. "
— Mike, 2/20/2014" Although I have enjoyed the Ethan Gage series thus far, I was not as pleased with this book as I was with the previous two. The adventures are still unique and I enjoy the inclusion of actual historical as well as mythological events. "
— Anthony, 2/13/2014" first time for Dietrich. Interesting read, not too deep but fun. "
— Bill, 2/11/2014" Annoying main character, probably won't venture to other books in the series. "
— Anders, 2/10/2014" Any historical fiction that can cover both an affair with Pauline Bonaparte, Norwegian mythology, frontier life at Fort Mackinnac, and a canoe chase across the Great Lakes is a good summer read in my book. "
— Raully, 2/7/2014" Cheap fun. Especially if you don't take it too seriously. "
— Ben, 2/5/2014" Not as great as the first two in thecseries, but still worth reading. "
— Deborah, 2/2/2014" This book wasn't as good as the previous two. There wasn't as much action and it was just a little too slow. That being said, the history in the book is quite interesting as it looks at some of the first groups in America. Ethan Gage once again is only interested in treasure and women and there is plenty of both for him. Well, almost... "
— Jc, 1/22/2014" Totally engrossing, now I need to read the first two books. "
— Justaskibum, 10/29/2013" If you like American history and adventure, this book will fit the bill. It was slow in the beginning, but improved as the story unfolded. "
— Judy, 8/20/2013" It a good book if you are into mystery. First book I read of Dietrich and his style does take some reading to get use to. "
— Sjohnson329, 1/14/2013" It's good. He puts together things that we now know....like the Vikings were in America possibly before Columbus. "
— Susan, 8/1/2012" A decent adventure novel, but nothing amazing. "
— Tucker, 2/5/2012" Very good but not as exciting as the first two Ethan Gage stories. "
— David, 12/20/2011" First half was just boring. Last half better....would not recommend. The only reason I finished the book was the setting--Great Lakes. "
— Beth, 6/11/2011" Enjoyed! Adventurous books with the women and the man who can't resist them. Throw in Norse men and American Indians and Voila! "
— Chichi, 1/28/2011" Unbelievable nonsense about hunting for a Norwegian "hammer" or mythology in the American West. Garbage, but absorbing. "
— Cyril, 1/8/2011" The potential was there for a great story, BUT it was terrible...will not read anything else starring Ethan Gage from this author. "
— Sam, 1/2/2011" not as good as the first two. Quick read though, so I recommend it if you are in the car (not the driver's seat), boat, plane, etc. "
— Mario, 10/24/2010" Book #3 of the Ethan Gage Trilogy. This book was the most bizarre and unbelievable of the three in the series. I love drama and adventure but this was "over-the-top" in strangeness. I plodded through it just to see what the ending would be. Read it and see if you agree with me. "
— Denise, 9/30/2010" It a good book if you are into mystery. First book I read of Dietrich and his style does take some reading to get use to. "
— Sjohnson329, 6/16/2010" The potential was there for a great story, BUT it was terrible...will not read anything else starring Ethan Gage from this author. "
— Sam, 12/21/2009" An good beach book. Enjoyed it along with the other 2 in the series. Great fun. "
— Jim, 9/30/2009" It's good. He puts together things that we now know....like the Vikings were in America possibly before Columbus. "
— Susan, 9/12/2009" First sentence - "I suppose it's not precisely true that it was solely I who consolidated Napolean's power and changed the course of world history." "
— Douglas, 9/7/2009" The main character was weak. Indiana Jones and the DeVinci code had more substance to their tales. Interesting historical notes at the end however. "
— Judy, 6/6/2009" Although I have enjoyed the Ethan Gage series thus far, I was not as pleased with this book as I was with the previous two. The adventures are still unique and I enjoy the inclusion of actual historical as well as mythological events. "
— Anthony, 6/1/2009William Dietrich is a Pulitzer Prize–winning journalist, historian, and naturalist, as well as the author of numerous novels, including the Ethan Gage adventures, which have been translated into more than thirty languages. He is a winner of the PNBA Award for nonfiction and lives in Washington State.
William Dufris attended the University of Southern Maine in Portland-Gorham before pursuing a career in voice work in London and then the United States. He has won more than twenty AudioFile Earphones Awards, was voted one of the Best Voices at the End of the Century by AudioFile magazine, and won the prestigious Audie Award in 2012 for best nonfiction narration. He lives with his family in Maine.