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Tier One Origins #1
Scars
You may think you know John Dempsey, but not like this! In SCARS, Tier One fans get a rare glimpse into Dempsey's past when he was Jack Kemper, a young Navy SEAL operating in Iraq. Discover the story of Dempsey's first encounter with Mahmood Bin Jabbar (the villain in WAR SHADOWS) and learn how Dempsey got his iconic serpentine scar.
With SCARS, Andrews & Wilson are launching the first installment in a new series of novellas called TIER ONE ORIGINS. Each short features a different Tier One character during a pivotal event in their past before joining Task Force Ember.
With SCARS, Andrews & Wilson are launching the first installment in a new series of novellas called TIER ONE ORIGINS. Each short features a different Tier One character during a pivotal event in their past before joining Task Force Ember.
106 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 29, 2020
304 people are currently reading
340 people want to read
About the author
Brian Andrews
40 books1,166 followersBrian is a US Navy veteran, nuclear engineer, and former submarine officer. He graduated from Vanderbilt University with a degree in psychology, holds a Master's in business from Cornell University, and is a Park Leadership Fellow. He is a principal contributor at Career Authors, a site dedicated to advancing the careers of aspiring and published writers: www.careerauthors.com.
He is half of Andrews & Wilson, the New York Times, USA Today, Wall Street Journal, & #1 Amazon best-selling co-author team behind the TIER ONE series. New in 2026:
- SLEDGEHAMMER (short): (JAN)
- SCARS (audiobook): (FEB)
- THE EQUESTRIAN (short): (MAR)
- INSURGENT: Tier One #10 (JULY
- And much more!
In addition to their novels, Andrews & Wilson have multiple projects under development for film and television with major motion picture studios including Tier One, Dark Intercept, 4 Minutes, Portal, Glitch, and The In Between.
Find Brian online at:
Web: www.andrews-wilson.com
Instagram: @andrewsandwilson
Twitter: @BAndrewsJWilson
Sign-up for his newsletter at www.andrews-wilson.com to stay informed about all his new releases or "Follow" his Amazon Author page!
He is half of Andrews & Wilson, the New York Times, USA Today, Wall Street Journal, & #1 Amazon best-selling co-author team behind the TIER ONE series. New in 2026:
- SLEDGEHAMMER (short): (JAN)
- SCARS (audiobook): (FEB)
- THE EQUESTRIAN (short): (MAR)
- INSURGENT: Tier One #10 (JULY
- And much more!
In addition to their novels, Andrews & Wilson have multiple projects under development for film and television with major motion picture studios including Tier One, Dark Intercept, 4 Minutes, Portal, Glitch, and The In Between.
Find Brian online at:
Web: www.andrews-wilson.com
Instagram: @andrewsandwilson
Twitter: @BAndrewsJWilson
Sign-up for his newsletter at www.andrews-wilson.com to stay informed about all his new releases or "Follow" his Amazon Author page!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
December 6, 2020
Great look into Jack Kempers previous life
I really enjoyed this. Jack Kemper/John Dempsey is an amazing character, but this takes him back let’s you understand some back story from him. Andrews and Wilson continually provide authentic feeling reads with amazing detail and paint the clearest of pictures in their battles!!!
I really enjoyed this. Jack Kemper/John Dempsey is an amazing character, but this takes him back let’s you understand some back story from him. Andrews and Wilson continually provide authentic feeling reads with amazing detail and paint the clearest of pictures in their battles!!!
November 2, 2021
SCARS by Brian Andrews and Jeffrey Wilson is one of the best things so far from this author duo. Here we get the backstory behind John Dempsey or Jack Kemper. How he started his way into the secret organisation we know him from. This book although short is filled with action and thrills. It's very well written and I really look forward to more books like this about the individual characters we all have come to know. Great work guys.
May 6, 2020
My only complaint is the novella is too short, I could have seen an entire full length novel about the early SEAL career of Jack Kemper/John Dempsey.
It was a great story of Jack Kemper's first assignment as a Tier One SEAL squad leader and we find out exactly how he got his iconic scar. After a mission failure the die is cast for Jack Kemper to eventually become John Dempsey and join Ember.
This is the first in a series of novellas the authors have planned about an important moment in one of the characters in their Tier One series before they joined Task Force Ember.
It was a great story of Jack Kemper's first assignment as a Tier One SEAL squad leader and we find out exactly how he got his iconic scar. After a mission failure the die is cast for Jack Kemper to eventually become John Dempsey and join Ember.
This is the first in a series of novellas the authors have planned about an important moment in one of the characters in their Tier One series before they joined Task Force Ember.
May 2, 2020
Awesome background!
This is a must read for any fan of the Tier One series! In this novella, we get to meet Jack Kemper: husband, father, strong team leader. This novella shows the reader a pivotal moment in Kemper’s life that will impact who he is as he becomes John Dempsey: reluctant spook, and still a strong leader!
This is a must read for any fan of the Tier One series! In this novella, we get to meet Jack Kemper: husband, father, strong team leader. This novella shows the reader a pivotal moment in Kemper’s life that will impact who he is as he becomes John Dempsey: reluctant spook, and still a strong leader!
May 11, 2020
I went into Scars expecting a wild action ride along with getting to know more about John Dempsey's previous life as Jack Kemper. Lucky for me, Scars was the perfect novella for my criteria. Scars is a fast-paced read about the legendary Tier One operation that gave Jack Kemper aka John Dempsey the serpentine scar on his forearm, a scar that strikes immeasurable fear into anyone on Dempsey's bad side. The novella, even as a short read, is a work of finesse, focusing on Jack Kemper's beginnings as Team Leader of his Tier One outfit, a clandestine unit tasked with eradicating the worst of the worst. Scars provides an excellent insight into Jack Kemper's foundations, the lessons he learns, and his first brush with the gray world that Dempsey now operates in. The action is ofcourse top-notch, with brilliantly written and tactically sound shootouts and hand-to-hand combat, all trademarks of a true Tier One thriller. One particular moment where Kemper singlehandedly takes on 7 armed guys with the aid of his M4, Sig Sauer P226, and his badass hand-to-hand combat skills was an incredibly rewarding experience for me as a huge fan of the Tier One series.
I was immediately hooked in and I just couldn't stop flipping through the pages, reading more and more. It was all I hoped for and more. The intimate and realistic portrayal of the good guys and the evil they fight is beautifully captured by the authors, no doubt a testament to their own experiences on the frontlines.
I was immediately hooked in and I just couldn't stop flipping through the pages, reading more and more. It was all I hoped for and more. The intimate and realistic portrayal of the good guys and the evil they fight is beautifully captured by the authors, no doubt a testament to their own experiences on the frontlines.
Read
October 7, 2020Obviously a short but.....
This was good to read, I now know the meaning of some of the hidden storylines in the ember series.
This was good to read, I now know the meaning of some of the hidden storylines in the ember series.
May 7, 2020
I really enjoyed SCARS. I love learning more about established characters and a prequel novella is a great idea, especially since it means we can expect origin stories for multiple characters in the coming months/years. John Dempsey was the obvious place to start and this book didn't disappoint. Compelling backstory that gives more depth to one of the great elite operator characters in the genre. Can't wait for the ones that follow. Well done Brian Andrews & Jeff Wilson!
October 25, 2020
wow that was a fast read. Anyways the action in this book was great as usual especially against the bad guy of this book, holy cow. Teases to future events was fun to read knowing exactly what happens having read all the books. If you haven't read this series or thinking about reading you won't regret it. its one of those series I am glad i gave a chance. Jack Kemper/John Dempsey is a great character. His up there with Mitch Rapp in my Opinion. Can't really say anything bad about this series. it doesn't really have anything bad from my pov. maybe the military jargon can be too much. though the index in the back sure does help. Besides that nothing is bad about this book Series.
May 3, 2020
KU.
I’m a big fan of military/spec ops books and the writing team of Brian Andrews & Jeffrey Wilson. I think this is a great indicator of their style if you’re trying to determine if their books are for you. It’s definitely a fantastic bonus for fans familiar with them, especially those who have gladly immersed themselves into the Tier One world for the last few years (me! me! ooh, that’s totally me!)
The great thing about SCARS is that I think you could easily start here without any kind of spoiler of the main Tier One series, yet it also serves as a great background to those of us who have read (or listened to) already.
My only complaints:
1. Y’all should be spelled “y’all”, not “ya’all”.
2. I had to read this to myself. I miss Ray Porter’s narration. A LOT. I hope Andrews & Wilson will box set these novellas at some point and give us an audiobook.
I’m a big fan of military/spec ops books and the writing team of Brian Andrews & Jeffrey Wilson. I think this is a great indicator of their style if you’re trying to determine if their books are for you. It’s definitely a fantastic bonus for fans familiar with them, especially those who have gladly immersed themselves into the Tier One world for the last few years (me! me! ooh, that’s totally me!)
The great thing about SCARS is that I think you could easily start here without any kind of spoiler of the main Tier One series, yet it also serves as a great background to those of us who have read (or listened to) already.
My only complaints:
1. Y’all should be spelled “y’all”, not “ya’all”.
2. I had to read this to myself. I miss Ray Porter’s narration. A LOT. I hope Andrews & Wilson will box set these novellas at some point and give us an audiobook.
May 8, 2020
Great short story
Great background story that explains a great deal plus a sneak peek at the new book. I highly recommend reading this.
Great background story that explains a great deal plus a sneak peek at the new book. I highly recommend reading this.
May 13, 2020
Good Origins Story.
I really enjoyed this story about Jack Kemper and how he started with his boss and mentor Jarvis. Kemper is seriously injured in this story and Kemper explains that there is an even higher calling then to be a Tier 1 operator.
I really enjoyed this story about Jack Kemper and how he started with his boss and mentor Jarvis. Kemper is seriously injured in this story and Kemper explains that there is an even higher calling then to be a Tier 1 operator.
May 5, 2020
This novella was a nice “shelter in place” surprise...looking forward to the next installment; really appreciate the insight into your characters’ respective histories.
May 3, 2020
The birth of the John Dempsey character
Thrilling short sequel to the John Dempsey series. We discover how he got his horrendous snake scar and more about his first introduction to the secret undercover world of Tier One.
June Finnigan - Writer
Thrilling short sequel to the John Dempsey series. We discover how he got his horrendous snake scar and more about his first introduction to the secret undercover world of Tier One.
June Finnigan - Writer
March 23, 2021
This was a good introduction into Jack Kemper. I especially like the meaning behind his famous scar. I look forward to other Tier One Origins novellas.
May 15, 2020
This first "Origin Story" from the Tier One universe is a great read. If you, like me, have ploughed through the first five in the Tier One series, this is a perfect way to stay connected with the team until Collateral comes out in September.
This origin introduces us to Jack Kemper (you know who, if you are a fan of the series) on his first mission with the Tier One Team. We get to see the young man, and gain some insight into the man he will become in the future. We get to meet Jarvis, and find out how he became such an integral part of Jack's life, and we get to find out how Jack received his iconic scar.
All in all, it was a fun read, that I wish was longer. I think the plan is to release these "back stories" on the members of Team Ember up until September. To me, they are like the little snacks you eat on Thanksgiving between breakfast and the turkey dinner: Just enough to hold you over until the feast.
This origin introduces us to Jack Kemper (you know who, if you are a fan of the series) on his first mission with the Tier One Team. We get to see the young man, and gain some insight into the man he will become in the future. We get to meet Jarvis, and find out how he became such an integral part of Jack's life, and we get to find out how Jack received his iconic scar.
All in all, it was a fun read, that I wish was longer. I think the plan is to release these "back stories" on the members of Team Ember up until September. To me, they are like the little snacks you eat on Thanksgiving between breakfast and the turkey dinner: Just enough to hold you over until the feast.
December 6, 2020
4.5 stars
I have to start by admitting that I really LOVE this series. In my opinion, it has only gotten better with each subsequent book that comes out. This, on the other hand, is a prequel. We get to go back in time and see a period in our MC/heroes life when he was just Jack Kemper. Knowing what we know now, it was so endearing to see the first real meeting (besides the mandatory introductory one that the teams go through) with Kemper and Kelso Jarvis and how one action and decision during an op ultimately changed the course of his life.
This is a quick easy read that is done before you realize it. I would have loved for it to continue, but it set the stage nicely and gave us long time readers a clue into why Jarvis wanted Kemper. It's been a while since I read book 1 in the series, but I remember it was heart breaking so this helps us to understand the steel core of beliefs and strong character that helps Jack/John to survive an incredibly awful situation of circumstance.
I have to start by admitting that I really LOVE this series. In my opinion, it has only gotten better with each subsequent book that comes out. This, on the other hand, is a prequel. We get to go back in time and see a period in our MC/heroes life when he was just Jack Kemper. Knowing what we know now, it was so endearing to see the first real meeting (besides the mandatory introductory one that the teams go through) with Kemper and Kelso Jarvis and how one action and decision during an op ultimately changed the course of his life.
This is a quick easy read that is done before you realize it. I would have loved for it to continue, but it set the stage nicely and gave us long time readers a clue into why Jarvis wanted Kemper. It's been a while since I read book 1 in the series, but I remember it was heart breaking so this helps us to understand the steel core of beliefs and strong character that helps Jack/John to survive an incredibly awful situation of circumstance.
May 17, 2020
Backstory time
I always wondered about the scar on Dempsey's arm, and now we find out what happened. Like all the Tier One books, this novella draws you in and won't let go. I appreciated the sneak peek of the next book in the series and have already preordered it.
I always wondered about the scar on Dempsey's arm, and now we find out what happened. Like all the Tier One books, this novella draws you in and won't let go. I appreciated the sneak peek of the next book in the series and have already preordered it.
December 18, 2020
Scars is set about a decade before Tier One, the excellent military ops series by Brian Andrews and Jeffrey Wilson. Tier One tells how and why Jack Kemper becomes John Dempsey. In Scars, you meet a young Jack Kemper leading his first Tier One mission. We see what about him caught Kelso Jarvis' attention and where he got that serpentine scar.
If you are not familiar with this series, you should start with Tier One, even though this is a prequel. Also, the authors do not interpret operator speak for the reader. You'll have to pick it up in context or ask google or siri. The action is hard, gritty, and fast. The dialogue and interaction between characters will make you will feel like you've been dropped into the middle of a SEAL team.
This is not family friendly due to profanity and violence. But if you enjoy military op thrillers, you are going to love this.
If you are not familiar with this series, you should start with Tier One, even though this is a prequel. Also, the authors do not interpret operator speak for the reader. You'll have to pick it up in context or ask google or siri. The action is hard, gritty, and fast. The dialogue and interaction between characters will make you will feel like you've been dropped into the middle of a SEAL team.
This is not family friendly due to profanity and violence. But if you enjoy military op thrillers, you are going to love this.
November 26, 2020
Great book
Quick little story,I always wonder where the scar came from. Thankful for the story because it gives me some insight on Jack dempsey.
Quick little story,I always wonder where the scar came from. Thankful for the story because it gives me some insight on Jack dempsey.
Read
December 25, 2020Great Read
Read it cover to cover without a break! I recommend this book to all of Mr. Andrew's fans. You won't put it down!
Read it cover to cover without a break! I recommend this book to all of Mr. Andrew's fans. You won't put it down!
November 28, 2020
An excellent prequel to the Tier One novels. Knowing his past sheds light on the evolving character of John Dempsey. The events in this book make his seemingly impulsive actions in American Operator very plausible. Also very much enjoyed knowing where his distinctive scar came from.
July 22, 2020
Great read
Short but sweet. The book gives more insight into the life of Dempsey and goes well with the entire series.
Short but sweet. The book gives more insight into the life of Dempsey and goes well with the entire series.
October 6, 2024
I received this Origins story for free from Brian Andrews' website. It's a prequel from Kemper's early days on the Tier One team and the story of how he received the scar on his arm that he's carried through the Tier One series.
You can already see Kemper's Lone Ranger tendencies and his first real interaction with Jarvis.
You can already see Kemper's Lone Ranger tendencies and his first real interaction with Jarvis.
May 25, 2020
Answers are answered
Scars shows the beginning on how Jack Kemper became John Dempsey, to me it read like and actual military mission. Each book seems to get better and strong. Then for added bonus the first chapter of the new fore coming book has left me wanting to finish it now but have to wait until 1 Sept. If you like Brad Thor or Brad Taylor books you will love Wilson and Andrews.
Scars shows the beginning on how Jack Kemper became John Dempsey, to me it read like and actual military mission. Each book seems to get better and strong. Then for added bonus the first chapter of the new fore coming book has left me wanting to finish it now but have to wait until 1 Sept. If you like Brad Thor or Brad Taylor books you will love Wilson and Andrews.
May 21, 2020
I LOVE this series!! Jack Kemper/John Dempsey is a great lead character and the supporting characters fit in so great! Also, being a "combat type" of series, I like that not all characters "make it" all the way through the story-line. It's believable and exciting, which I oftentimes difficult to find in these types of books. I cannot wait for the next in the series and hope it doesn't end there (though the protagonist has to go! Ha!) Great job.
May 21, 2020
Awesome.
Another fantastic edition to the Tier One universe. Awesome. This was a great fill in, on information for the series. The Scar had always been part of the mystery, and now, it joins the ranks of storytelling one of the best groups of novels out there. If absolutely recommend this series to anyone who follows the military types series.
Another fantastic edition to the Tier One universe. Awesome. This was a great fill in, on information for the series. The Scar had always been part of the mystery, and now, it joins the ranks of storytelling one of the best groups of novels out there. If absolutely recommend this series to anyone who follows the military types series.
June 1, 2020
Love his story lines and can't wait for the next one to come out
May 20, 2020
NOT for the Uninitiated!!
1. If you haven't read the Tier One series---STOP!! This book is not the best place to start. This Book 1 novella is a prequel installment to the characters in the Tier 1 series, giving their backstory. (A series to introduce an existing series? Yikes!)
2. If you are not ex-military or a military enthusiast, then you might not like this book with its military terms and abbreviations.
3. If you object to coarse profanity, then sections of this book will likely offend you.
4. However, to experienced military veterans, this book and the primary series it supports will not only make sense to you, but it will likely stir some strong emotions in characters you will admire or want to be.
This novella focuses on a member of a SEAL team deployed in Iraq in 2004 and focuses on an all too stereotypical raid and its aftermath. Those familiar with John Dempsey in the Tier One series will see him introduced here with another name, Jack Kemper, but no further explanation of the two different names except by the authors in a foreword.
The book follows a military "procedural" approach with detailed descriptions of equipment, weapons, tactics, rules and regulations, and military culture. Dialogue banter reflects competitive bravado filled with egos and team bonding exchanges.
There's some great fast action, suspenseful situations, and series drama in the last part of the work making it an "acceptable" short escape read.
However, this first short book got off to a rocky start for me because it was hard to connect with the characters in the first few chapters. Nothing really grabbed me by the trivial interactions among flat characters filled with cliches and barracks talk that seemed to go nowhere. However, the book got much better with the last chapter being the strongest. Perhaps this quality disparity comes from unequal writing styles of the two authors, but the slow build up almost forced me to stop reading.
The story makes sense eventually, and perhaps this prequel series was a better way to develop character backgrounds rather than using flashbacks in the main series as explanations. However, writing a novella requires more efficient use of chapters and wording, focusing on the primary plotlines and basic story. Need more substance, please! This approach seemed too gimmicky to me to deserve more than 3 stars. Okay, but unremarkable. Ugh!
The last 22% of this short work is an advertising preview to Book 6 of the Tier One series.
1. If you haven't read the Tier One series---STOP!! This book is not the best place to start. This Book 1 novella is a prequel installment to the characters in the Tier 1 series, giving their backstory. (A series to introduce an existing series? Yikes!)
2. If you are not ex-military or a military enthusiast, then you might not like this book with its military terms and abbreviations.
3. If you object to coarse profanity, then sections of this book will likely offend you.
4. However, to experienced military veterans, this book and the primary series it supports will not only make sense to you, but it will likely stir some strong emotions in characters you will admire or want to be.
This novella focuses on a member of a SEAL team deployed in Iraq in 2004 and focuses on an all too stereotypical raid and its aftermath. Those familiar with John Dempsey in the Tier One series will see him introduced here with another name, Jack Kemper, but no further explanation of the two different names except by the authors in a foreword.
The book follows a military "procedural" approach with detailed descriptions of equipment, weapons, tactics, rules and regulations, and military culture. Dialogue banter reflects competitive bravado filled with egos and team bonding exchanges.
There's some great fast action, suspenseful situations, and series drama in the last part of the work making it an "acceptable" short escape read.
However, this first short book got off to a rocky start for me because it was hard to connect with the characters in the first few chapters. Nothing really grabbed me by the trivial interactions among flat characters filled with cliches and barracks talk that seemed to go nowhere. However, the book got much better with the last chapter being the strongest. Perhaps this quality disparity comes from unequal writing styles of the two authors, but the slow build up almost forced me to stop reading.
The story makes sense eventually, and perhaps this prequel series was a better way to develop character backgrounds rather than using flashbacks in the main series as explanations. However, writing a novella requires more efficient use of chapters and wording, focusing on the primary plotlines and basic story. Need more substance, please! This approach seemed too gimmicky to me to deserve more than 3 stars. Okay, but unremarkable. Ugh!
The last 22% of this short work is an advertising preview to Book 6 of the Tier One series.
May 26, 2023
I haven't read any of the Dempsey series. I thought I'd start with this prequel (of sorts). Not knowing anything about Dempsey or what he does, it was good to meet him as a young man who was experiencing his first leadership role in the field. And it didn't go according to plan. And he's not Dempsey but Jack Kemper! I presume the name change gets detailed in a later edition.
The short 60 page story is fast, with quite a lot of military-speak including all the various guns and gear. A lot of people love this stuff but I get a bit bored of it after a while.
By all accounts, Dempsey has a prominent scar on his left arm and it's in this story we find out how he got it.
I enjoyed this because of its pace and Kemper, even though he has some super skills, isn't made out to be a super-hero but rather a flawed man who makes mistakes. And people follow him.
I think I'll try Book 1 in the Dempsey series.
The short 60 page story is fast, with quite a lot of military-speak including all the various guns and gear. A lot of people love this stuff but I get a bit bored of it after a while.
By all accounts, Dempsey has a prominent scar on his left arm and it's in this story we find out how he got it.
I enjoyed this because of its pace and Kemper, even though he has some super skills, isn't made out to be a super-hero but rather a flawed man who makes mistakes. And people follow him.
I think I'll try Book 1 in the Dempsey series.
November 4, 2022
This novella is a prequel giving some background on Jack Kemper before he became John Dempsey. The story is more about the Jack's connection to other Tier One characters than an action-packed page turner. I think the best part of the novella was learning about Jarvis and understanding some of history with him and Jack Kemper/John Dempsey.
Based on the Note to the Reader from the authors, there may be more novellas to come on different Tier One characters. I like these mini-stories and hope there will be a novella about Jarvis and how he got his reputation. I think another good novella would be about Jack's son Jake in BUD/S training.
Based on the Note to the Reader from the authors, there may be more novellas to come on different Tier One characters. I like these mini-stories and hope there will be a novella about Jarvis and how he got his reputation. I think another good novella would be about Jack's son Jake in BUD/S training.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews