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Paranormal Archaeology Division #1
Hell's Gate
On any given day, the experts at Atlanta’s International Archaeological Agency crisscross the globe to rescue ancient relics long feared lost to time, war, or thieves. IAA agents have recovered billions’ worth of missing antiquities, have wiped out entire networks of smugglers, and have even solved a murder at the Vatican. Their successes have made headlines from Tokyo to Turin to Tulsa.
But some mysteries require deeper investigation—enigmas so puzzling that they’ve defied the explanations of history, science, and faith for millennia.
Enter the IAA’s top two researchers, Alex Simms and Tara Watson, among the brightest, most dogged investigators ever to unearth a secret. This husband-and-wife duo has played a key role in every major success at the agency, but they’ve never been tested like this before.
Their first assignment? To track down and stop a resurgent order of neo-Nazis who believe a cache of ancient stones holds the key to a new, eternal German Reich.
Alex and Tara—whose “weapons” normally include computers, lab equipment, and reference books—are about to face an entirely new brand of war: in the real world, against real criminals…with real guns.
They’ll need every bit of skill, luck, and maybe a miracle to stop these madmen who are hell-bent on opening Hell’s Gate.
USA Today best-selling author Ernest Dempsey, creator of the popular Sean Wyatt series, unlocks a new realm of danger in this, his first in a new collection of thrillers. Archaeology has gone paranormal.
Ernest Dempsey has written and published archaeological thrillers since 2010 and his catalog continues to grow every year. Discover a world of some of the best action adventure fiction Kindle Unlimited has to offer and find yourself stealing a glance at the clock as you burn through the pages late into the night, telling yourself "just one more."
But some mysteries require deeper investigation—enigmas so puzzling that they’ve defied the explanations of history, science, and faith for millennia.
Enter the IAA’s top two researchers, Alex Simms and Tara Watson, among the brightest, most dogged investigators ever to unearth a secret. This husband-and-wife duo has played a key role in every major success at the agency, but they’ve never been tested like this before.
Their first assignment? To track down and stop a resurgent order of neo-Nazis who believe a cache of ancient stones holds the key to a new, eternal German Reich.
Alex and Tara—whose “weapons” normally include computers, lab equipment, and reference books—are about to face an entirely new brand of war: in the real world, against real criminals…with real guns.
They’ll need every bit of skill, luck, and maybe a miracle to stop these madmen who are hell-bent on opening Hell’s Gate.
USA Today best-selling author Ernest Dempsey, creator of the popular Sean Wyatt series, unlocks a new realm of danger in this, his first in a new collection of thrillers. Archaeology has gone paranormal.
Ernest Dempsey has written and published archaeological thrillers since 2010 and his catalog continues to grow every year. Discover a world of some of the best action adventure fiction Kindle Unlimited has to offer and find yourself stealing a glance at the clock as you burn through the pages late into the night, telling yourself "just one more."
258 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 28, 2020
615 people are currently reading
216 people want to read
About the author
Ernest Dempsey
71 books473 followersErnest 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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 74 reviews
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January 20, 20242024 Reads #19/250
February 28, 2020
"The kids" of IAA are all grown up and kicked out of the nest. Yikes! They have been training for a long time with Sean but real life is real with real bullets. I was pretty proud of them and how they handled each and every situation using their training and their brains to adapt and overcome! Yay for them! I am looking forward to the next book in this series which is a spin-off of the Sean Wyatt series.
March 15, 2020
Very good read and set up for more books with this cast of characters. If you like action then you won't be disappointed with this book. Plenty of twists and turns to keep you guessing how it is going to end.
March 3, 2020
This new series is off to a great start, very enjoyable thriller/mystery with 'The Kids' from the Sean Wyatt series being brought to the fore.
Alex and Tara have been the 'back room' investigators for the Sean Wyatt series for some time now, they started off as purely tech geeks doing research while Sean and Tommy were at the sharp end. Having been promoted to a new 'Paranormal Archaeology' division within the IAA, they are now field agents.
To some extent this series is a natural extension to the Sean Wyatt series, but it also gives more than a passing nod to to the author's 'Adventure Guild' young adult stories written with his nephew, especially as they have assistance from a rather special boy.
I really like that the author is diversifying, with this series as well as his Beta Force books, his new 'relic Runner' series and the 'Shadow Cell' special agent stories.
Once again we are treated in this book to great characters, especially Buri, the gloriously evil head of a global network looking to release a supernatural force to enable them to rule the world. There are also the usual evocative descriptions of the locations where the action takes place, excitement and tension and a great story.
I received an advance copy of the book, but have voluntarily written this honest review based on my own opinions.
Alex and Tara have been the 'back room' investigators for the Sean Wyatt series for some time now, they started off as purely tech geeks doing research while Sean and Tommy were at the sharp end. Having been promoted to a new 'Paranormal Archaeology' division within the IAA, they are now field agents.
To some extent this series is a natural extension to the Sean Wyatt series, but it also gives more than a passing nod to to the author's 'Adventure Guild' young adult stories written with his nephew, especially as they have assistance from a rather special boy.
I really like that the author is diversifying, with this series as well as his Beta Force books, his new 'relic Runner' series and the 'Shadow Cell' special agent stories.
Once again we are treated in this book to great characters, especially Buri, the gloriously evil head of a global network looking to release a supernatural force to enable them to rule the world. There are also the usual evocative descriptions of the locations where the action takes place, excitement and tension and a great story.
I received an advance copy of the book, but have voluntarily written this honest review based on my own opinions.
March 1, 2020
A FANTASTIC Start for Ernest Dempsey and his new Paranormal Archeology Series!!! It was a FANTASTIC READ!!!
Ernest Dempsey has done it again!!! Hell's Gate was a really exciting thrill ride and once you start reading it you just can't stop!!! In this book the readers get to become better acquainted with Tara and Alex, better known as "the kids" in the Sean Wyatt series of adventure!!! Now Tara and Alex are on their own edge of your seat adventure!! I really enjoyed this book!! It has all of what a reader loves about Ernest Dempsey 's books!! He has a way of bringing the reader on a very exciting journey, with a lot of dramatic adventures. It was an Action Packed Book FILLED with terrifying bad guys, dramatic action and well developed characters that makes the reader feel like they are apart of the action!!! I highly recommend this book to everyone who loves well written action books, complete with travel and excitement all throughout the book!!! I just couldn't stop until the very last page and I am really looking forward to enjoying more books in this series!!! Thank You Again Ernest Dempsey for such a great and thrilling book!!!!
Ernest Dempsey has done it again!!! Hell's Gate was a really exciting thrill ride and once you start reading it you just can't stop!!! In this book the readers get to become better acquainted with Tara and Alex, better known as "the kids" in the Sean Wyatt series of adventure!!! Now Tara and Alex are on their own edge of your seat adventure!! I really enjoyed this book!! It has all of what a reader loves about Ernest Dempsey 's books!! He has a way of bringing the reader on a very exciting journey, with a lot of dramatic adventures. It was an Action Packed Book FILLED with terrifying bad guys, dramatic action and well developed characters that makes the reader feel like they are apart of the action!!! I highly recommend this book to everyone who loves well written action books, complete with travel and excitement all throughout the book!!! I just couldn't stop until the very last page and I am really looking forward to enjoying more books in this series!!! Thank You Again Ernest Dempsey for such a great and thrilling book!!!!
March 11, 2020
Hell's Gate is the first in a new spinoff series. If you are a Sean Wyatt fan you will already love ' The Kids' ; husband and wife Alex and Tara who are the computer geniuses at the IAA. They have been given the task of heading the new Paranormal Archaeology Division and their first case takes them to Greece. This is a good book and it is great to see Alex and Tara out in the field again where they did extremely well last time. Hell's Gate is much less intense than other Ernest Dempsey books although there is still plenty of drama and danger. A couple of things niggled at me whilst reading this book. Firstly the frequent references to Ikea .. why? Secondly, as a huge Stargate fan I could not help but notice some similarities even though this is a very different storyline. The ending was very good and I look forward to the next book.
July 5, 2020
"The eleven with 3 are none without one- Scattered are they that open the gate. The power of god awaits he who walks through" Hell's Gate
Ernest Dumpsey, the author of Hell's Gate, has written over 40 books. With his art of historical creativity, he has written a suspenseful archaeology story that will keep the readers wanting more. The readers will travel with the main characters Tara Watson and Alex Simmons to different parts of the world as these characters solve the mystery of who is stealing artifacts from museums. The main antagonist, Buri, is a member of a Natzi group called the Ahnenerbe. He will stop at nothing to find the artifacts that he needs to complete his mission. How does the archaeological site, The Gateway of the Sun in Tiwanaku, Bolivia, have to do with Buri's mission? Find out and read the book, Hell's Gate!
Ernest Dumpsey, the author of Hell's Gate, has written over 40 books. With his art of historical creativity, he has written a suspenseful archaeology story that will keep the readers wanting more. The readers will travel with the main characters Tara Watson and Alex Simmons to different parts of the world as these characters solve the mystery of who is stealing artifacts from museums. The main antagonist, Buri, is a member of a Natzi group called the Ahnenerbe. He will stop at nothing to find the artifacts that he needs to complete his mission. How does the archaeological site, The Gateway of the Sun in Tiwanaku, Bolivia, have to do with Buri's mission? Find out and read the book, Hell's Gate!
April 10, 2023
I am a big fan of Dempsey and the Archaeology Adventure genre. This is book one in a new sub-genre with the addition of the paranormal, featuring "the kids" as the lead characters.
It is a fierce downhill run to the end with a few plot twists and surprises along the way. Alex and Tara really come into their own as the drivers of the story. In addition we have a very nasty group of bad guys with (of course) unlimited funds and sinister objectives (see Pinky and The Brain "what are we doing tomorrow Brain?" "Take over the world".)
There are also appearances from a pair of characters from the Relic Runner series: Boston and his bodyguard/relic finder Dak Harper. The setup for future novels does not appear until the last 3 pages and the plot twist is a doozy.
I have been working my way through the Sean/Tommy/Adriana books as they become available with discounts. They are very good!
It is a fierce downhill run to the end with a few plot twists and surprises along the way. Alex and Tara really come into their own as the drivers of the story. In addition we have a very nasty group of bad guys with (of course) unlimited funds and sinister objectives (see Pinky and The Brain "what are we doing tomorrow Brain?" "Take over the world".)
There are also appearances from a pair of characters from the Relic Runner series: Boston and his bodyguard/relic finder Dak Harper. The setup for future novels does not appear until the last 3 pages and the plot twist is a doozy.
I have been working my way through the Sean/Tommy/Adriana books as they become available with discounts. They are very good!
March 6, 2020
Hell's Gate (Paranormal Archaeology Division #1) by Ernest Dempsey finds IAA’s top researchers, Alex and Tara, on their first field assignment. They are sent to Greece to find and stop a neo-Nazis group who are stealing ancient artifacts they believe will allow them to enter a portal (Hell's Gate) and return with the power of the Devil in Bolivia.
Readers of Dempsey's Sean Wyatt series know well the research duo who have trained with Sean for years, enabling them to deal with the worst of villians in the field.
Extremely exciting and action packed with twists and turns, and puzzles to be solved in this #1 thriller.
Readers of Dempsey's Sean Wyatt series know well the research duo who have trained with Sean for years, enabling them to deal with the worst of villians in the field.
Extremely exciting and action packed with twists and turns, and puzzles to be solved in this #1 thriller.
April 26, 2025
Hellgate
As always, your books are a great read. I have been reading you for I don’t know how many years. Every one of your series you have are excellent. Every once in a while there might be one but out of all the books you’ve written if you have one that’s got a three star instead of five everyone of ever given has been at least a five I remember reading one that I was it was 136. I don’t remember the number but it wasn’t quite up to par but hey if I written as many books as you had your fantastic writer, keep on writing don’t worry you always make my day. I’m sure Kathleen.
As always, your books are a great read. I have been reading you for I don’t know how many years. Every one of your series you have are excellent. Every once in a while there might be one but out of all the books you’ve written if you have one that’s got a three star instead of five everyone of ever given has been at least a five I remember reading one that I was it was 136. I don’t remember the number but it wasn’t quite up to par but hey if I written as many books as you had your fantastic writer, keep on writing don’t worry you always make my day. I’m sure Kathleen.
November 18, 2020
IAA top researchers Alex and Tara husband and wife, also known as the kids. Emily comes giving them a case since they are civilians, and the artifacts are of a particular nature. Also a. British M16 Agent was killed though someone wanted it look like a suicide, and what is the connection.
Can’t seem to get into this like I do with the authors other stories from the first page, on to the end.
Seems wordy and doesn’t flow for me, the artifacts have no meaning to make one curious. With the other books one knows about the artifacts or have read about them. Gave up after 100 pages.
Can’t seem to get into this like I do with the authors other stories from the first page, on to the end.
Seems wordy and doesn’t flow for me, the artifacts have no meaning to make one curious. With the other books one knows about the artifacts or have read about them. Gave up after 100 pages.
April 29, 2025
Dempsey never fails to deliver, lide and death situations are always just around the corner for his characters, even those who would normally be sitting in a research lab. 'The Kids' from the IAA together with Dak work together to discover the mysteries of some rather insignifiacnt rocks that are being stolen and at the same time protect the life of a 10 year old boy (or is he protecting them!).
As usual the history behind the story is interesting and the geographical locations vary and make you want to visit them all.
As usual the history behind the story is interesting and the geographical locations vary and make you want to visit them all.
February 28, 2020
This new series from Mr. Dempsey includes several characters that Sean Wyatt fans will be very familiar with. Tara & Alex get out of the lab in pursuit of a group looting very specific artifacts. This story is action packed along with some well placed humor that makes it very entertaining. If this is an indication of what is to come in future episodes, the next installment can't come soon enough.
I received an Advance Reader Copy and chose to provide this review.
I received an Advance Reader Copy and chose to provide this review.
March 2, 2020
Enjoyed this book!!
Really enjoyed reading about the kids! Loved the sense of humor displayed by themselves which frequently brought a smile to my place. The plot was very compelling and as a result it has pushed me to some research on my own! Thanks for a great read and I highly recommend it to other readers! Please keep this series coming as I can’t wait to see what trouble these two can get into!
Really enjoyed reading about the kids! Loved the sense of humor displayed by themselves which frequently brought a smile to my place. The plot was very compelling and as a result it has pushed me to some research on my own! Thanks for a great read and I highly recommend it to other readers! Please keep this series coming as I can’t wait to see what trouble these two can get into!
March 9, 2020
New series by Ernest Dempsey that was quite enjoyable.
Alex and Tara, from the Sean Wyatt series, are on their 1st real assignment.
Through in a neo-nazi mobster, a 10 year old, his ex- special forces protector, Emily, and a surprise traitor to the US you have quite the story.
Honestly, the word paranormal made me think twice but it not paranormal...paranormal.
I you like adventure and archaeology this is a fantastic story!
Alex and Tara, from the Sean Wyatt series, are on their 1st real assignment.
Through in a neo-nazi mobster, a 10 year old, his ex- special forces protector, Emily, and a surprise traitor to the US you have quite the story.
Honestly, the word paranormal made me think twice but it not paranormal...paranormal.
I you like adventure and archaeology this is a fantastic story!
March 24, 2020
The Kids
This book is only getting four stars from me because it didn't seem to have enough paranormal in it. I guess I expected more, from a book with a title like this.
I think it was a good beginning for the kids, it will be interesting to see what happens next with them.
I recommend this book if you have read previous Sean Wyatt books or even the Carolina Caper, there are some references you may not get the full picture from.
This book is only getting four stars from me because it didn't seem to have enough paranormal in it. I guess I expected more, from a book with a title like this.
I think it was a good beginning for the kids, it will be interesting to see what happens next with them.
I recommend this book if you have read previous Sean Wyatt books or even the Carolina Caper, there are some references you may not get the full picture from.
July 3, 2021
Great new beginning
Its no secret I love Sean Wyatt, Tommy, Tara and Alex. Also Adrianna. This new series should be quite interesting, paranormal. The Kids have become quite a duo. I love how you have brought in Dark and Boston. Emily will be ecstatic when the mole is caught. Buri on the loose again is another story. Sounds like he still wants to open the gate. Great job. Thank you.
Its no secret I love Sean Wyatt, Tommy, Tara and Alex. Also Adrianna. This new series should be quite interesting, paranormal. The Kids have become quite a duo. I love how you have brought in Dark and Boston. Emily will be ecstatic when the mole is caught. Buri on the loose again is another story. Sounds like he still wants to open the gate. Great job. Thank you.
January 14, 2024
Several years ago I read 2 books in the author's Sean Wyatt series. After the second book I swore off this author for a variety of reasons. I decided to give him another chance in the hope that time had honed his writing skills. It hasn't. Several times I had to stop and try to figure out who or what the author was talking about. The overall storyline was ok but nothing special. I don't claim to be an expert but I have read lots of books in this genre so I know what I'm talking about. Bottom line - I seriously doubt I'll be back for more stories by this author.
November 26, 2024
I personally enjoyed the story. Some of the story is obviously fiction, however there are some parts are somewhat true. I'm a huge fan of WWII history and have always been fascinated by supposed events that took place during WWII.
While this book doesn't go alot into the Nazi WWII history a whole lot regarding the Nazi unit in charge of exploring relics & thier acquisition of such, it adds just enough to keep you interested.
While this book doesn't go alot into the Nazi WWII history a whole lot regarding the Nazi unit in charge of exploring relics & thier acquisition of such, it adds just enough to keep you interested.
March 10, 2020
New team
If you are familiarity the Sjhawn Wyatt series, then you will recognize the"kids", Alex and Tara in their own adventure. I found the story very entertaining and with many paths for future adventures as this series develops. I hope to see the young kid and Dak in future adventures. Can't wait to see how these characters develop.
If you are familiarity the Sjhawn Wyatt series, then you will recognize the"kids", Alex and Tara in their own adventure. I found the story very entertaining and with many paths for future adventures as this series develops. I hope to see the young kid and Dak in future adventures. Can't wait to see how these characters develop.
May 13, 2020
Never miss a chance to read one of Ernest Dempsey's books
I love the adventure, history and characters that bring this book to life. I'm has to see Alex and Tara receive more in depth roles. It was nice that Dak made an appearance too. You will never disappointed with any book by Ernest Dempsey.
I love the adventure, history and characters that bring this book to life. I'm has to see Alex and Tara receive more in depth roles. It was nice that Dak made an appearance too. You will never disappointed with any book by Ernest Dempsey.
November 19, 2023
Excellent Read
What an unexpected story. It was fun and exciting and a whole lot dangerous from the beginning. Yet the story proves the skills of Tara andAlex. Plus you absolutely have to love Boston. That Kid is fantastic. Smart and brave. He’s a great character and I hope we hear more about him.
What an unexpected story. It was fun and exciting and a whole lot dangerous from the beginning. Yet the story proves the skills of Tara andAlex. Plus you absolutely have to love Boston. That Kid is fantastic. Smart and brave. He’s a great character and I hope we hear more about him.
May 18, 2025
review of “Hell’s Gate” by Ernest Sempsey
Another great book by Ernest Dempsey. I really enjoy archeological thrillers but if you add paranormal and different dimension’s to the mix then you have an irresistible story that’s really hard to put down. Lots of action and plot twists make it really interesting. A good read
Another great book by Ernest Dempsey. I really enjoy archeological thrillers but if you add paranormal and different dimension’s to the mix then you have an irresistible story that’s really hard to put down. Lots of action and plot twists make it really interesting. A good read
February 29, 2020
Hell’s Gate
I liked it. Good start to a new series. Looking forward to seeing more about the ‘kids’. Have watched them grow and develop in the Sean Wyatt books so it felt like being with old friends. Good plot with lots of action. Nice believable twist at the end. Recommended.
I liked it. Good start to a new series. Looking forward to seeing more about the ‘kids’. Have watched them grow and develop in the Sean Wyatt books so it felt like being with old friends. Good plot with lots of action. Nice believable twist at the end. Recommended.
February 29, 2020
True to Ernest Dempsey’s love for archeological adventures, this book does not disappoint. Alex and Tara get their first big assignment to stop a power hungry man from opening the gates of hell. Another enjoyable read.
March 3, 2020
I adore this author and love the way he's branching out. This time the kids get out of the lab and into all sorts of trouble. I kept waiting for Sean or Tommy to jump into the fray and save the day, but we don't see Sean at all, and Tommy only briefly. The kids do great on their own.
March 4, 2020
Tara & Alex
I enjoyed the start of this new paranormal series. Also glad to see Tara and Alex assume the main focus. Lots of action, exotic settings and mystery. Looking forward to their future adventures.
I enjoyed the start of this new paranormal series. Also glad to see Tara and Alex assume the main focus. Lots of action, exotic settings and mystery. Looking forward to their future adventures.
March 7, 2020
Bells gate
You did it again another exciting action adventure I was waiting for the next Sean Wyatt adventure but now I can't wait for the next alex Tara and hope you keep dad and boston around .so k keep on writing
You did it again another exciting action adventure I was waiting for the next Sean Wyatt adventure but now I can't wait for the next alex Tara and hope you keep dad and boston around .so k keep on writing
March 30, 2020
Hells Gate
I am very pleased to highly recommend Helps Gate. If you like the Sean Wyatt series books you will like this new series. I must say that I was just a little disappointed with the ending but overall it was a great read
I am very pleased to highly recommend Helps Gate. If you like the Sean Wyatt series books you will like this new series. I must say that I was just a little disappointed with the ending but overall it was a great read
April 6, 2020
Fascinating, heart thumping adventure.Alex and Tara
Having a rather rough time ,away from the safety of the lab.
Everything happening at break neck speed. Danger it seems is everywhere. A must read.
Having a rather rough time ,away from the safety of the lab.
Everything happening at break neck speed. Danger it seems is everywhere. A must read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 74 reviews