My favorite yet of the Gage series. Everyone knows about the Louisiana Purchase and Lewis and Clark, so it was clever of Dietrich to go back a few years and pick the brief period of Napoleonic rule as the setting. I want to go see those runestones in Minnesota! Looking forward to the next book. ( )

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. ( )

I have enjoyed the previous two Gage stories, but this Gage is less self assured, more egocentric, and more driven by his libido. Gage has not grown as a character due to his previous adventures - he has become more simplistic.

I agree that the setting was novel, and the description of Louisiana interesting, but this novel lacked some of the exotic allure of the previous two. I look forward to the fourth book, to see if Gage can become less of a caricature. ( )

Dakota Cipher – Bringin' it Home, Norseman-style

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 Norseman on a quest to the American interior looking for the ancient Norse artifact, the hammer of Thor himself. Working from an 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. ( )

This is William Dietrich's third adventure featuring Ethan Gage. I really enjoyed the first two Gage books and was excited to come across the newest one. I felt it was lacking in the thrills and intrigue of the first two, but it was still an interesting story. I was interested, too, in the portrayal of the American frontier in 1800. Dietrich does some very thorough research for his books. ( )