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Dakota
Dakota Riley is a member of the Seattle Drug Task Force. During an investigation into an international drug smuggling ring, he loses his best friend and partner. To add insult to injury, he is assigned an African-American rookie, Marc Bradley.
Seeking revenge rather than justice, Dakota ditches the rookie…and almost gets himself killed. After leaving the hospital for a ‘forced’ vacation, Dakota and Marc head to Marc’s hometown of Charleston, South Carolina.
A day out on a fishing boat goes wrong when a mysterious storm arrives. The boat is destroyed, and the two men wash ashore…in 1861, just prior to the start of the American Civil War.
Seeking revenge rather than justice, Dakota ditches the rookie…and almost gets himself killed. After leaving the hospital for a ‘forced’ vacation, Dakota and Marc head to Marc’s hometown of Charleston, South Carolina.
A day out on a fishing boat goes wrong when a mysterious storm arrives. The boat is destroyed, and the two men wash ashore…in 1861, just prior to the start of the American Civil War.
416 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 15, 2011
13 people are currently reading
95 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
May 2, 2011
In some ways, Mr. Brown writes like a girl – but I mean that in the nicest way possible. I haven’t read a lot of books that have made me cry lately, writing sad and scary stories seems to numb you to that, but a few people manage to dig into you with their words and twist until it hurts. Evoking strong emotion is something I aim for myself, so I have to applaud other writers when they do it well. By about a sixth of the way into the book, I was already there, stuck dead centre in the middle of the story. I typically find those “shake-me-up” moments are reserved for the ending, so I appreciate it when a tale draws me in even sooner. It caught me by surprise in a few other ways as well.
In other ways, Mr. Brown also manages to write with a very masculine appeal, with plenty of fast-paced action and tough characters. I’m not usually fond of cop stories, so I was prepared to not like this book, but the story was stirring enough to push me past those prejudices, and there were plenty of unusual twists and turns to keep things interesting. He even had some of the stereotypical cop-story scenes, but his characters had sufficient personality that the author could make what should have been stale moments seem fresh to me. That and I’m a sucker for any story involving time-travel , as long as it has been well thought out, and anything in the past is written convincingly.
The other problem I normally have with cop or war stories is that the language used is often fairly simple and, for a better word, bland, but this was hardly a simple cop or war story. Mr. Brown was inventive enough with his description and use of vocabulary that I actually had to look words up (a rare occasion) – “concupiscence” BTW means “strong desire,” in this case, sexual. You learn something new every day.
Dakota was really entertaining, and I would recommend it as a great for men and women alike. I’m looking forward to reading more by this author, and I’m sure I will.
In other ways, Mr. Brown also manages to write with a very masculine appeal, with plenty of fast-paced action and tough characters. I’m not usually fond of cop stories, so I was prepared to not like this book, but the story was stirring enough to push me past those prejudices, and there were plenty of unusual twists and turns to keep things interesting. He even had some of the stereotypical cop-story scenes, but his characters had sufficient personality that the author could make what should have been stale moments seem fresh to me. That and I’m a sucker for any story involving time-travel , as long as it has been well thought out, and anything in the past is written convincingly.
The other problem I normally have with cop or war stories is that the language used is often fairly simple and, for a better word, bland, but this was hardly a simple cop or war story. Mr. Brown was inventive enough with his description and use of vocabulary that I actually had to look words up (a rare occasion) – “concupiscence” BTW means “strong desire,” in this case, sexual. You learn something new every day.
Dakota was really entertaining, and I would recommend it as a great for men and women alike. I’m looking forward to reading more by this author, and I’m sure I will.
August 31, 2012
Always enjoy reading new authors.
This one felt like it could have been trimmed by 100 or so pages though. I'm not one to doubt the choices an author makes but the setup took way too long to get to and most of the information that we needed to learn about the characters could have been explained in less time and after we were in the thick of things.
This one felt like it could have been trimmed by 100 or so pages though. I'm not one to doubt the choices an author makes but the setup took way too long to get to and most of the information that we needed to learn about the characters could have been explained in less time and after we were in the thick of things.
May 14, 2012
Todd Brown is known for his zombie books, but his fans would do well to take a closer look at Dakota. I won't rehash the synopsis, but I will say that everything I expected to be a problem in this story ended up being wrong. It works perfectly.
The time travel is handled quite well, and Mr. Brown still shows the authenticity of the period without wallowing in stereotypes - that's a pleasant experience for me. The ending was well handled also, and I didn't see it coming.
Best of all was the one thing that Todd Brown has been known for - the characterization. He knows a story is only as good as the characters and rather than just giving us a quick introduction to the titular character, Mr. Brown actually takes his time letting us get to know Dakota.
There's a lot going on under the hood here that some readers may just breeze by but that another reviewer touched on. Social commentary can be a double edged sword, but Todd Brown wields it perfectly - making the tiny nicks in our minds that may cause us to think without just beating us over the head and trying to drive points home.
The only reason I'm giving it a four instead of a five is simply that at times I felt the dialogue was a little bit stiff and unnatural. It's not constant, and at times it really flows while at other times it seems to be a bit...well, stiff is the only word I can think of for it. It's nothing so major that it ruins what really is a spectacular book and one of the best small press releases I've managed to find yet. Look beyond Mr. Brown's zombies and you'll find what's probably his smartest and best work yet.
The time travel is handled quite well, and Mr. Brown still shows the authenticity of the period without wallowing in stereotypes - that's a pleasant experience for me. The ending was well handled also, and I didn't see it coming.
Best of all was the one thing that Todd Brown has been known for - the characterization. He knows a story is only as good as the characters and rather than just giving us a quick introduction to the titular character, Mr. Brown actually takes his time letting us get to know Dakota.
There's a lot going on under the hood here that some readers may just breeze by but that another reviewer touched on. Social commentary can be a double edged sword, but Todd Brown wields it perfectly - making the tiny nicks in our minds that may cause us to think without just beating us over the head and trying to drive points home.
The only reason I'm giving it a four instead of a five is simply that at times I felt the dialogue was a little bit stiff and unnatural. It's not constant, and at times it really flows while at other times it seems to be a bit...well, stiff is the only word I can think of for it. It's nothing so major that it ruins what really is a spectacular book and one of the best small press releases I've managed to find yet. Look beyond Mr. Brown's zombies and you'll find what's probably his smartest and best work yet.
June 14, 2012
Modern-day undercover narcotics detective, Dakota Riley is the central character in this unique mixture of historical fiction and time travel. When a drug investigation turns nasty, Dakota loses his partner and best friend, and is sent with his new partner, Mark, to South Carolina. This is where they are transported back in time to the Civil War. Mark is taken for a slave and doesn't realize what time period he is in, while Dakota discovers from Confederate soldiers that it is 1861. Mark and Dakota are soon fleeing to the perceived safety of the North.
On the surface, this appears to be a story about the civil war, but I don’t think that was the author’s intention. It’s more an exploration into human attitudes regarding race and geographical identity, and how these have changed, or not, over time.
Tightly-written and very well-characterized, the time-travel is dealt with deftly, and the ending was a nice surprise. This is no simple detective or war story, but an evocative drama blended with suspense, action and deep emotion. I found Dakota highly entertaining, and I would recommend it as a great read for both male and female readers, something that is generally quite rare in a novel.
On the surface, this appears to be a story about the civil war, but I don’t think that was the author’s intention. It’s more an exploration into human attitudes regarding race and geographical identity, and how these have changed, or not, over time.
Tightly-written and very well-characterized, the time-travel is dealt with deftly, and the ending was a nice surprise. This is no simple detective or war story, but an evocative drama blended with suspense, action and deep emotion. I found Dakota highly entertaining, and I would recommend it as a great read for both male and female readers, something that is generally quite rare in a novel.
August 12, 2015
What an odd book.
Seemingly out of trew with his other novels Todd Brown gives us a rather limp Quantum Leap type episode in this book that doesn't really seem to sit in either time-travel or historical drama camps. Or even modern cops n'robbers (druggies in this case)come to think of it.
Drug baron crimefighter Dakota and his new black pal are sent back to the eve of the Civil War.
Wow, you think, this is gonna be a corker !
Alas no. After the time transference it's clear that it's going to hinge around the race issue that formed a huge part of the Civil War conflict, in as much that Dakota's new partner is black american.
It's just a chasing game after that. The Confederates are depicted as the bad guys in the person of one particular officer who tries to capture and kill both Dakota and Marc. Lots of Travis (B7) moments of 'I'll get you Dakota if it's the last thing I do'.
He meets a sticky end of course and our heroes ride off onto the sunset. Readers are left deflated after the early promise and gone are the expectations of massive Civil War battles involving men and technology from the future.
What a yawn.
Seemingly out of trew with his other novels Todd Brown gives us a rather limp Quantum Leap type episode in this book that doesn't really seem to sit in either time-travel or historical drama camps. Or even modern cops n'robbers (druggies in this case)come to think of it.
Drug baron crimefighter Dakota and his new black pal are sent back to the eve of the Civil War.
Wow, you think, this is gonna be a corker !
Alas no. After the time transference it's clear that it's going to hinge around the race issue that formed a huge part of the Civil War conflict, in as much that Dakota's new partner is black american.
It's just a chasing game after that. The Confederates are depicted as the bad guys in the person of one particular officer who tries to capture and kill both Dakota and Marc. Lots of Travis (B7) moments of 'I'll get you Dakota if it's the last thing I do'.
He meets a sticky end of course and our heroes ride off onto the sunset. Readers are left deflated after the early promise and gone are the expectations of massive Civil War battles involving men and technology from the future.
What a yawn.
March 30, 2012
DAKOTA is a very unique kind of story. Possibly best described as 'Alternate Historical Fiction', DAKOTA takes place during the start of the civil war. Yet its not a civil war tale.
DAKOTA is more of a story of the development or lack of in national morality. The main character travel from modern days to the civil war era. From there we examine attitudes in humanity, races and geographical identities in how they have changed and how they haven't.
The writing is tight. It's difficult to find flaws with regard to question of time travel. The characters react appropriately and realistically with one another. The authenticity is best described as believable. Todd Brown surely put in his research.
Todd Brown may best be known for his stories about zombies. DAKOTA puts Broen on display as a true author with a lot of range. I would absolutly reccomend DAKOTA to the established fans of Brown's zombies and to those without a penchant for zombies but crave a quality read on humanity.
DAKOTA is more of a story of the development or lack of in national morality. The main character travel from modern days to the civil war era. From there we examine attitudes in humanity, races and geographical identities in how they have changed and how they haven't.
The writing is tight. It's difficult to find flaws with regard to question of time travel. The characters react appropriately and realistically with one another. The authenticity is best described as believable. Todd Brown surely put in his research.
Todd Brown may best be known for his stories about zombies. DAKOTA puts Broen on display as a true author with a lot of range. I would absolutly reccomend DAKOTA to the established fans of Brown's zombies and to those without a penchant for zombies but crave a quality read on humanity.
September 11, 2016
Had a hard time finishing this one.
September 16, 2012
First 1/3 of book was excellent, could not put it down, but then the main characterized got thrown back into the Civil War era - not smooth transition, not a good story line after this and the first part of the book with the intriguing story line was never completed.
June 28, 2013
Not bad for a free book. Good character development, but an unbelievable plot.
July 5, 2013
A Very interesting take on the world if time travel could happen. I enjoyed reading about modern characters in a past / Civil War environment. I enjoyed this book, but it also made me think.
April 29, 2017
I read this book with only a basic knowledge of the American civil war (not being from the USA) but still enjoyed this tale of two 21st century cops being sent back into time just prior to the civil war starting. In confederate country. One white man (with native American lineage) and one black man. As you can imagine it is a journey not without problems. Entertaining romp with an unexpected twist at the end.
Ray Smillie
Ray Smillie
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews