Former Special Forces operator Dak Harper needs a job.
Out of work and on the run after a shocking betrayal by his brothers-in-arms, the ex-Special Forces commando hasn’t stopped moving for months.
He can’t. Some of the same soldiers who left him for dead in the Middle East still want his head. And they’re getting closer.
So far, he’s been lucky. But Dak is low on money and nearly out of time. All he needs is an easy gig. A place to lie low, bank some cash, and quietly figure out his next move.
That’s not exactly what he finds.
Some rich kid with more money than he knows what to do with wants to open his own museum. But first, he’s got to fill it, and that’s where Dak comes in.
Not sure if his gift for hunting bad guys will translate to finding priceless artifacts, Dak’s willing to give it a shot. He needs this job. The kid will pay him a lot of money and ask no questions.
Before he knows it, Dak’s on the first flight to South America, chasing his big payday. But Dak’s about to trade one set of problems for something even worse: the deadliest mission of his life.
Ernest Dempsey is a huge fan of action/adventure thrillers and science fiction.
He has been creating stories since he was in high school but never published a book until 2010, long after the days of high school were gone.
His action & adventure books come from a lineage similar to Clive Cussler, Dan Brown, Steve Berry, and James Rollins. While his science fiction novels are full of influence from Suzanne Collins' The Hunger Games, The Matrix movie, and Gladiator directed by Ridley Scott.
He is quickly becoming one of the hottest fiction authors in the book world.
John Wick? Please. I believe I am one and done with Dak Harper. I was expecting a really good action thriller along the lines of Indiana Jones and Wick. Instead, I get a story that while it is filled with action, it did not seem to lead anywhere. To what purpose?
Towards the end of the book I had forgotten what led Dak there in the first place! Oh yeah, a 12 year old rich kid. Dak killed maybe 100+ bad guys just to steal a historical sword. Just waltzed into Peru to take on the biggest drug kingpin in Lima. He avoided drug dealers and the police and all seemingly with no problems. All because he was a former Delta operator? Oh, and he is on the run from some military guy. Not really sure why.
We know almost nothing about this guy. Why compare him to John Wick? Just because of the violence? The writing is kind of simple. Nothing is really planned, as Dak can do almost anything. Had to force myself to finish this. Kind of makes me want to stop my Kindle Unlimited account.
The Courier is the first book in an action adventure thriller series featuring former Delta operator Dak Harper. A man on the run, but not from a crime he committed. Dak is running from a crime he didn’t commit – or rather from the man who actually did commit that crime and is pissed as hell to have it pinned on him. Particularly after all the trouble he went to in his failed attempt to put Dak in that frame.
(That origin story is told in a 6-part novella series, descriptively titled The Relic Runner Origin Story. The reader does get enough hints of those events to slip into this book fairly easily, but I’ll probably read those when I get a round tuit because I always like more background.)
So Dak is open to a job that will take him out of the country, and temporarily out of the reach of the man who wants him dead. Even if it’s a job that might add more than a few names to that list of people who are out to kill him.
But the job he picks up at the beginning of this story is nothing like he ever expected. It’s also where that passing reference to Indiana Jones comes in. Twelve-year-old Boston McClaren has parlayed his knack for video gaming into an extremely lucrative career. And he plans to use some of his legally gotten gains to do something of dubious legality – or, at least, to pay someone, hopefully Dak, to do something of dubious legality on his behalf.
The young entrepreneur hires the disgraced Delta operator to go to Lima, Peru and re-appropriate, by whatever means necessary, a priceless relic purchased on the dark web by the cartel kingpin who runs everything shady in the city of Lima.
Considering that everyone in Lima from the Mayor on down is at least partially on that kingpin’s payroll, Dak is going to have to go through a lot of people – one way or another – to “find” the relic that he’s looking for.
The kingpin needs to go down, the city needs to get out from under his thumb, and that relic needs to get into the hands of a museum where many, many more people will be able to appreciate it and its history.
Dak Harper is looking forward to taking out the trash. Unless he ends up in it.
Escape Rating B: I picked this up on a whim because a writer whose work I really like recommended this author and the series. The comparisons in that recommendation were to Indiana Jones, Dirt Pitt And Doc Savage. While I’m more familiar with Indy than the other two, I’ve certainly heard of all of them. I have to say that I was a combination of intrigued and confused, but decided it was worth a try, if only because I enjoy the work of the author providing the recommendation so damn much.
Having finished The Courier, I think all of those comparisons are dead wrong, although the book made for a terrific, edge-of-the-seat read. But the cinematic character that Dak Harper resembles more than any other isn’t Indiana Jones – it’s Nathan Drake. And not so much from the movie as from the game series, also titled Uncharted.
And that includes the level of violence. You mow down a LOT of bad guys while you’re pretending to be Nathan Drake, including a whole slew of drug dealers, gun runners and kingpins of cartels dealing one, or the other – or both. Dak’s origins are actually a bit less shady than Nathan’s, but neither of their hands are exactly clean.
Howsomever, at least in this first outing, the Relic Runner as a series does bear a sharp resemblance to that video game. There is a story, but the story is in service of watching Dak Harper outsmart all of his opponents and essentially mow them down in one way or another. The conditions he observes in Lima are heartbreaking and even horrific, and the reader does reach the point of wanting to see all those bastards go down and go down as hard as possible while Harper does his best to avoid as much collateral damage as he can.
If you see it resembling a certain type of action-adventure video game – like the Uncharted series or even Tomb Raider – it’s easy to get caught up in the rhythm of the dropping of the bodies and just go with the action. But if you’re looking for a story with any kind of depth, you’ll probably be disappointed.
I wasn’t. I was looking for a bit of mindless adventure being led by a character who was superlative at his job and I got exactly what I wanted. We’ll see if that’s true in the next book in the series, Two Nights in Mumbai, the next time I’m in this kind of mood.
Which, admittedly, is the kind of mood where I either want to vicariously kill things by playing a video game – or read about someone else doing it in a story that – you guessed it – resembles a video game.
Boston McClaren a self made video gamer multi millionaire has decided to try and locate missing artifacts and see that they are returned to their rightful owner, government or museum.
In Boston's research he has narrowed down the location of the sword carried by the conquistador Francisco Pizarro. Boston's research for someone to hire, to locate the sword and retrieve it for him has resulted Dak Harper as the person best for the job.
Dak Harper is ex-Delta Force, and highly trained in all aspects of warfare and defense. He is a true hero who was turned on by his fellow soldiers and left for dead. Then they tried to frame him for crimes they committed and is hunted by their leader for assassination.
Dak is always on the move so he can keep a step ahead of those who are after him. With funds being low he accepts the job from Boston to find and retrieve the sword. Thus the journey and thrill ride to Lima, Peru begins.
There are many twists and turns in trying to locate the sword believed to be held by the head of the cartel. Dak must find him and work with some locals and old Navy Doc. Along the way there are a few others he must try and protect fro the cartel.
The story has lots of action and is a thrill ride you will enjoy. You will find it hard to put the book down, I know I really enjoyed it, I think you will also!!
The start of Ernest Dempsey's riveting new novel, The Courier, has a dual time-line, each theme narrated by the protagonist - either Dak Harper, a former Delta Force soldier, or the eponymous Courier, young Hector Mamani, who reluctantly carries gold and dirty money for Senor Diaz, a cartel boss in Lima, Peru - until he meets 'gringo' Dak, who changes the boy's future for ever.
Dak's mission sees him meet Doc Davenport in Lima, to get intel on the next part of his quest, to retrieve Conquistador Pizarro's sword from Diaz. Having freed starved and downbeaten sex slaves and drug workers, then wrought terrible retribution on men working for Diaz in several locations, Dak and Doc return later to seek the malefactor and take down his empire of misery and death once and for all. Will they win through in the end?
Get Ernest Dempsey's amazing, unputdownable crime-thriller, The Courier, as soon as you can, to find out - it's a 5 star winner you'll never forget!
Relic Runner Returns(something I hope I see often)...
I have been a fan of this author for some time. I get worried when an author becomes “too successful”-without naming names, Two of my favorite authors I read for decades who had thoroughly original ideas and great story telling abilities, reached a point in their careers where it seemed they just took one of there old stories, plugged in slightly different characters and their work became tedious. Thankfully, this story proves Dempsey is still working as hard as ever! I read to escape and love a story that doesn’t let me go just because I need to eat or sleep...Dak’s character worried me a bit at first...you can kill for “God & Country” and obeying the rules of engagement you are “justified” in the eyes of the law. When you decide to track down and kill those who wish to kill you, there is always the chance you become the monster you seek to protect yourself from. Dak comes perilously close at times. This is a great read that will set it’s hook quickly and reels you in until the end....
This book is about a former Special Forces soldier that due to unforseen circumstances must live off the grid, so he takes jobs here and there to generate enough funds to have a living.
The main character is named Dak Harper and he showed up in one of the Sean Wyatt books, his story is a little darker than the rest of the crew and he is basically on a mission of getting his former commander before he gets Dak.
This book though is about Dak being hired to find a sword and in the process he takes on a drug cartel in Lima. It is well written and if you've read other books by Mr. Dempsey than you should definitely read this one.
Sit back, relax, enjoy, and remember even if the good guy doesn't fit the perfect mold, he's still the good guy.
Ernest Dempsey’s new Dak Harper series has several hallmarks of his Sean Wyatt series with some serious action/violence expertly woven in making this a series well worth reading. When I read the Dak harper series would be like John Wick, I was a bit skeptical. Having read the Courier, I’m sold on that fact as well as the series. Without going into great detail or providing any spoiler, I’ll just say I like the way Dak keeps his objective in mind even when he follows up on taking care of situations he comes across that need someone to “make it right” for people who can’t. I received an Advance Reader Copy and chose to provide this review.
I chose a 5 star rating as I thoroughly enjoyed this book. While there is a lot of action , which I love, the author Ernest also brings out the personalities of the people in the book, especially Dak, the main character. Even though he has to keep looking over his shoulder expecting colonel Tucker to pop up, he takes on an assignment to recover an ancient sword for his new employer, a teenage millionaire,, Dak doesn't even let the cartel stop him in his quest, especially when they are hurting women and children It's non-stop action for our Dak.
This new action character is very good writing by the author. I had been reading Robin Williams’ biography, but needed to get my action fix! And get it I did. Harper is hired by 12-year-old internet millionaire to find an ancient sword. Dak goes to Lima, a place the boy, Boston, is convinced is the location of the treasure. Turns out the new owner of the sword is the head of a drug cartel. Dak’s journey to retrieve the sword is action packed. ENJOY!
First job in his new "career", expectedly more complicated than originally believed. The story unfolded more slowly than I would have liked, I found myself saying " enough, already! Get to the climax". I'm hoping the blood and guts will lessen as Dark becomes the good guy who met and helped Sean Wyatt and crew. I would love to see more of that collaboration.
I gave it 5 stars because it is a good story but I prefer more archaeology and less violence. Dak is a wonderful humanitarian. His contact in Lima is also a wonderful humanitarian. Together they do a one heck of a job regarding the cartel and helping the poor in that city. It will be interesting to learn more about the family that sets up the jobs for Dak. Thank you.
If you're looking for a story that gets the adrenaline going their heart racing and your mind trying to figure out his solution this definitely is a story to read. I contains a major character and some of that wanted to help go through some really hair raising experiences but came out on top The other has a way of making you reader not want to put the story down until it's finished so grab a copy at sit back enjoy
A really enjoyable novel with some interesting set pieces and as usual with Dempsey some good prose. This is a shift away from Sean Wyatt and more like a cross between Indiana Jones and Jack Reacher, rather than the Wyatt/Schultz "Pitt/Giordano" Cussler vibe, which is not a bad idea. A simple plot structure allows for a quick, fun read and the action scenes are tight and described well. Not many characters in this book, again keeping it simple and light.
I finished the Sean Wyatt series and am thrilled to.find another exciting series and hero. Dak is amazing, yet human. I loved the Doc and Dak team. It added a whole new dimension to the nonstop action . I really like the kids in this book also. From opposite ends of the earth and the financial spectrum, both unique and special in their own right. Excellent writing! Thank you.
I liked it. Have to admit I am a fan of Ernest Dempsey and have read all of his books. I have never been disappointed. A couple of times Sean has me raise an eyebrow but have always enjoyed the read. This is the start of a new series and it’s off to a good start. Good characters, good plot, lots of action. What more can you ask for? Recommended.
Interesting adventure with action which keeps one interest. Dak is a good guy. He is always a step ahead. Takes care of the bad guys almost all by himself with the duration of a kid Boston to recovery an artifact. Dak helps out the good especially the poor in Lima which gives a look at life there. Looking forward to another Dam adventure.
The first book in this series continues with the same pace, action, shady characters and new encounters, just as we saw in the "Relic Runner Origin Story" - also hard to put down. Dak always seems to have a few tricks up his sleeve and, just when you think his end is upon him, Dak will conjure up a last second "I'm not done yet", so get out of my way.
Cross Dirk Pit with Delta Force and you have Dak Harper. The storyline was imaginative and the characters interesting, the narrative was crisp if a little improbable, but it kept your interest to the end and wanting more. For a good old fashion adventure this is your book.
Intriguing action thriller with plenty of heroes and villains. Ernest Dempsey even throws in some vestiges of robin hood. His characters are larger than life with moral vigor built in to his heroes character portrayal, where cash is not king over moral virtue.
Dak Harper is a man that needs to disappear with his old nemesis after his blood he has no choice. But when a opportunity comes along to find an old sword he agrees even if the person paying him is a eleven your old boy! Dak really doesn't know the trouble he is getting into finding the artifact and expect a explosive ride.
This book is another great full length tale from the continuing saga of Dak Harper. It is definitely worth the read. I must admit though that I did get tired of the huge number of graphic kills in the story. I’m not sure it always added to the story as much as it distracted. None the less, it is a great DakHarper undertaking and mission.
Ok, that was fun!!! I appreciate the stealth, the multiple tools of weaponry, the characters, plot twists, and language. Most engaging! Set aside some fun reading time in a couple of days, and take this in. Take some chore breaks so you can mull the action and see if you can predict the next move(s).
A good read. The book is fast moving and there is rarely a dull moment. However, one person taking down an entire gang made it read like a superhero book. Overall a decent first book in the series, though I would have preferred if Dak had some more support, that would have made the book more believable.
Don't ask for Dak, unless you're ready for an Adventure
I started this book this evening and just couldn't put but down until finishing it at 3: 30 a.m. If your looking for a hero that is willing to fight a Cartel by himself, this is the man for you. He takes jobs that terrifies others and with a heart for all takes them down. A thrill a minute!
Dak Harper’s first assignment getting a priceless artifact for a 12 year old prodigy was amazingly action packed. The story was well developed and the characters were real. This will be another Ernest Dempsey series I will read fully. Can’t wait for the next one!
Doesn't get any better than an Ernest Dempsey novel !
By far the very best archeological thriller writer ever. Love the action and non stop adventure in every chapter. Thank you Ernest for sharing your talent. Looking forward to each new novel.
Great book. I couldn't put it down. Stayed up to finish it. Never dreamed I'd enjoy something like this. A lot of action. It was thrilling. Guess I'm a fan now want to read the next.
When Dak Harper gets ready rescue to leave his temporary housing,of course there's an assassin waiting for him. Guess he's not getting that cleaning deposit back!!!
Not my most favourite book bit to involved with the killing bits and didnt really give enough insight into the relationship of Dak and the boy employer. Also what happened to Doc. I was just pleased to finish
Uh oh, another Ernest Dempsey series I am addicted to.
If you like thrillers with archeology and history partnered w I th intriguing and well written characters pick up any book by this author. I've read all of them and can't wait for the next one.