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Dak Harper Thriller #3
Country Roads: A Dak Harper Thriller
Trouble is brewing in the mountains of North Carolina.
After scouring the world for rare stolen artifacts, former commando turned treasure hunter Dak Harper is looking forward to a little time back in the States.
His boss, an eccentric young millionaire with a passion for antiquities, has sent him to North Carolina to retrieve a set of Civil War pistols stolen from a museum. The legendary Samuel Colt made the guns for President Abraham Lincoln, but some local bigwig has purloined them for himself.
As he tracks his quarry, Dak learns this Southern tycoon’s interests stretch much further than stolen weapons. Turns out he’s holding an entire town hostage at the center of a sprawling crime syndicate. And innocent townsfolk are dying.
Armed with few weapons of his own, Dak must somehow fight through a county full of crooked cops and deadly mercenaries to erase a tyrant whose greed is matched only by his cruelty.
Only then can he find the guns, rescue the town, and maybe save himself.
After scouring the world for rare stolen artifacts, former commando turned treasure hunter Dak Harper is looking forward to a little time back in the States.
His boss, an eccentric young millionaire with a passion for antiquities, has sent him to North Carolina to retrieve a set of Civil War pistols stolen from a museum. The legendary Samuel Colt made the guns for President Abraham Lincoln, but some local bigwig has purloined them for himself.
As he tracks his quarry, Dak learns this Southern tycoon’s interests stretch much further than stolen weapons. Turns out he’s holding an entire town hostage at the center of a sprawling crime syndicate. And innocent townsfolk are dying.
Armed with few weapons of his own, Dak must somehow fight through a county full of crooked cops and deadly mercenaries to erase a tyrant whose greed is matched only by his cruelty.
Only then can he find the guns, rescue the town, and maybe save himself.
296 pages, Paperback
Published August 18, 2021
184 people are currently reading
64 people want to read
About the author
Ernest Dempsey
71 books479 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.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews
January 28, 2023
I love this author, and the Dak Harper series is action packed. Dak is kind of an international actor in the Jack Reacher category. especially when it comes to his fighting skills. He is also excellent at laying a long con which ends in a trap. This one has a nice twist at the end.
Dak has popped up in a couple of Dempsey's other series.
While the Courier series can be read as stand-alone, you will enjoy them more if you read Relic Runner: the Origin Story series first. Everything leading up to Dak becoming the Relic Runner is in those 6 books. Lots of action and good story telling. Dempsey can really tell a good story!
Dak has popped up in a couple of Dempsey's other series.
While the Courier series can be read as stand-alone, you will enjoy them more if you read Relic Runner: the Origin Story series first. Everything leading up to Dak becoming the Relic Runner is in those 6 books. Lots of action and good story telling. Dempsey can really tell a good story!
September 9, 2021
Good read
Got one more in the series. Quick read and lots of action
Recommend trying the series, its a fun read
Got one more in the series. Quick read and lots of action
Recommend trying the series, its a fun read
August 29, 2021
Fantastic Story you will want to read!!
Dak was hoping for some time to relax, yet a corrupt tycoon with no morals is about to interfere with that plan.
The billionaire from a small town in North Carolina wants what he wants, and he will kill to get it, and to keep his dirty secrets so he can make more money. Being the king fish in a small pond he gets away with everything.
He wants a set of Civil War pistols stolen from a museum several years ago and decides to murder the thief instead of paying for them. This sets in motion a new clue as to the location of the stolen pistols.
Dak is then sent there to try and locate the pistols and return them to the museum.
As Dak is investigating the situation in the town to try and locate the pistols, he observes the entire town being controlled by this bully and he gets involved in helping a few of them.
Follow along with Dak and see if he can save a few women who the tycoon wants to kill.
There are many twists and turns as Dak tries to keep one step ahead. 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 really enjoyed it, I think you will also!!
Dak was hoping for some time to relax, yet a corrupt tycoon with no morals is about to interfere with that plan.
The billionaire from a small town in North Carolina wants what he wants, and he will kill to get it, and to keep his dirty secrets so he can make more money. Being the king fish in a small pond he gets away with everything.
He wants a set of Civil War pistols stolen from a museum several years ago and decides to murder the thief instead of paying for them. This sets in motion a new clue as to the location of the stolen pistols.
Dak is then sent there to try and locate the pistols and return them to the museum.
As Dak is investigating the situation in the town to try and locate the pistols, he observes the entire town being controlled by this bully and he gets involved in helping a few of them.
Follow along with Dak and see if he can save a few women who the tycoon wants to kill.
There are many twists and turns as Dak tries to keep one step ahead. 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 really enjoyed it, I think you will also!!
August 28, 2021
Once again Mr. Dempsey takes his readers on a very wild ride as Dak Harper hunts a missing artifact/relic. To say this story is action packed would be the understatement of the year. Along with hunting the relic, Dak gets involved in multiple situations in the small town where his hunt is focused. Without providing any potential spoilers, several of these small-town issues will be familiar to anyone who grew-up or lived(s) in a small town. Being familiar with each of Mr. Dempsey’s series, I’m quickly beginning to feel like these Dak Harper stories are my favorites. I received an Advance Reader Copy of Country Roads and chose to provide this review.
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September 16, 2021another great story by Mr. Dempsey. Dak is on another adventure for the kid and as usual stumbles on someone who needs his help in addition to getting the relic for the kid. Really enjoy all Dak's adventures in addition to the other books Mr. Dempsey writes. I also enjoy his books because MR. Dempsey stories are in areas I am familiar with, Georgia mountain cities, and Florida panhandle cities. Like being in the story myself.
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August 31, 2023This One's a Good'n
Of the three Relic Runner books I have read (I've read all the Sean Wyatt books, but I won't drag Sean into this review, he gets dragged into enough stuff without my help), this was far and away the best. Great plot twist. Wonderful descriptive prose. A really awesome (and detestable) villain. And a protagonist who really, really came I to his own. Mr. Dempsey has got another outstanding series growing here. Don't pass this book up.
Of the three Relic Runner books I have read (I've read all the Sean Wyatt books, but I won't drag Sean into this review, he gets dragged into enough stuff without my help), this was far and away the best. Great plot twist. Wonderful descriptive prose. A really awesome (and detestable) villain. And a protagonist who really, really came I to his own. Mr. Dempsey has got another outstanding series growing here. Don't pass this book up.
April 15, 2024
A town is in serious danger.
Dak goes to KY to retrieve stolen Colt pistols. As he enters the town to find information on where the pistols might be, he hears an older woman asking a person where her kidnapped daughter is. Now Dak starts on the trail that leads him on an adventure he didn't figure on.
Country Roads, by Ernest Dempsey, is a very fast paced story that shows a softer side of Dak. Any fan of the Dak Harper will definitely enjoy this book.
Dak goes to KY to retrieve stolen Colt pistols. As he enters the town to find information on where the pistols might be, he hears an older woman asking a person where her kidnapped daughter is. Now Dak starts on the trail that leads him on an adventure he didn't figure on.
Country Roads, by Ernest Dempsey, is a very fast paced story that shows a softer side of Dak. Any fan of the Dak Harper will definitely enjoy this book.
August 26, 2021
Country Roads - a review by Rosemary Kenny
Elliott and Merritt make a fatal error when they try to double-cross a black market buyer and pay the ultimate price when the tables are turned on them.
Dak Harper is a skilled relic hunter, working for Boston, (a 14 year old internet gaming designer and multi-millionaire philanthropist) who pays him well to re-acquire purloined artifacts world-wide, before restoring them to their original locations/owners. What a team they make!
Trying to do an 'Erin Brokovitch' on mega-mogul Mitchell Baldwin's covert, pollutant processing plant, doesn't go well for Hattie Markham's daughter, eco-activist Heather, when she trips an invisible alarm and is confronted by the egomaniac and his thugs one night. What will he do to her?
When Dak's path crosses that of Baldwin's necrotic plans for the Markham's and anyone else who stands in his way, you may be sure that a reckoning,à between this unexpected champion of the underdog and righter of moral and financial wrongs will soon follow.
I can highly recommend Ernest Dempsey's wonderful modern morality tale, Country Roads, as a guaranteed 5-star winner in his 3rd Dak Harper Relic Runner Series, to fans of Lee Child's Jack Reacher novels or Jason Bourne films.
Get a copy today - your all-action, vigilante-with-a-twist bookshelf will thank you!
Elliott and Merritt make a fatal error when they try to double-cross a black market buyer and pay the ultimate price when the tables are turned on them.
Dak Harper is a skilled relic hunter, working for Boston, (a 14 year old internet gaming designer and multi-millionaire philanthropist) who pays him well to re-acquire purloined artifacts world-wide, before restoring them to their original locations/owners. What a team they make!
Trying to do an 'Erin Brokovitch' on mega-mogul Mitchell Baldwin's covert, pollutant processing plant, doesn't go well for Hattie Markham's daughter, eco-activist Heather, when she trips an invisible alarm and is confronted by the egomaniac and his thugs one night. What will he do to her?
When Dak's path crosses that of Baldwin's necrotic plans for the Markham's and anyone else who stands in his way, you may be sure that a reckoning,à between this unexpected champion of the underdog and righter of moral and financial wrongs will soon follow.
I can highly recommend Ernest Dempsey's wonderful modern morality tale, Country Roads, as a guaranteed 5-star winner in his 3rd Dak Harper Relic Runner Series, to fans of Lee Child's Jack Reacher novels or Jason Bourne films.
Get a copy today - your all-action, vigilante-with-a-twist bookshelf will thank you!
August 27, 2021
Dak Harper at his best!
What a ride!!! If you want kidnapping, small town owned by millionaire and people getting poisoned by drinking water read Country Roads. Dak Harper doesn't miss a beat in this book. Has you on the edge of your seat till the very end. Thank you Ernest Dempsey for another great book.
What a ride!!! If you want kidnapping, small town owned by millionaire and people getting poisoned by drinking water read Country Roads. Dak Harper doesn't miss a beat in this book. Has you on the edge of your seat till the very end. Thank you Ernest Dempsey for another great book.
August 28, 2021
Country Roads
This series continues to get better with each book. Dak is a good leading character. He is developed nicely, as are all the characters in the story. Plenty of action. And a good story line. This one goes from retrieving a pair of stolen pistols to a nasty environmental problem. Highly recommended.
This series continues to get better with each book. Dak is a good leading character. He is developed nicely, as are all the characters in the story. Plenty of action. And a good story line. This one goes from retrieving a pair of stolen pistols to a nasty environmental problem. Highly recommended.
August 31, 2021
Another Great One
I just finished bingeing on 3 full days of Dak Harper! Beginning with The Courier then Three Days in Mumbai and finally this great story. Having grown up in this area of the States I can identify with the topography and the absolute love of being raised in an area that “takes hold” of your heart and won’t ever let go especially down those Country Roads,
I just finished bingeing on 3 full days of Dak Harper! Beginning with The Courier then Three Days in Mumbai and finally this great story. Having grown up in this area of the States I can identify with the topography and the absolute love of being raised in an area that “takes hold” of your heart and won’t ever let go especially down those Country Roads,
September 4, 2021
Hardest part
Figuring out a title is always the hardest part for me. This story has so many twists and turns between good versus evil and the poor people caught in the middle. Dak really worked overtime in this story which is understandable considering he had to save a town and retrieve the antique handguns for Boston. Great job. Looking forward to Dak's next job. Thank you.
Figuring out a title is always the hardest part for me. This story has so many twists and turns between good versus evil and the poor people caught in the middle. Dak really worked overtime in this story which is understandable considering he had to save a town and retrieve the antique handguns for Boston. Great job. Looking forward to Dak's next job. Thank you.
September 24, 2021
Down Home Blues
Another 5 star rating for Dak Harper, this time the story takes place in the States and tackles a corrupt business owner, his henchmen, crooked cops, all in the small town of Dawsonville.
This is a definite must read for fans of Mr. Dempsey, and those that have read the previous two books from the Relic Runner series.
Sit back, Enjoy, and Good Reading
Another 5 star rating for Dak Harper, this time the story takes place in the States and tackles a corrupt business owner, his henchmen, crooked cops, all in the small town of Dawsonville.
This is a definite must read for fans of Mr. Dempsey, and those that have read the previous two books from the Relic Runner series.
Sit back, Enjoy, and Good Reading
September 26, 2021
Country Roads : A Dak Harper Thriller
Ernest Dempsey sure knows how to spin a yarn to keep you on the edge of your seat. You can start the series from anywhere, but if I can give you a piece of advice, start the Relic Runner books from the beginning. They are well crafted stories that leave you wanting to read more.
Ernest Dempsey sure knows how to spin a yarn to keep you on the edge of your seat. You can start the series from anywhere, but if I can give you a piece of advice, start the Relic Runner books from the beginning. They are well crafted stories that leave you wanting to read more.
October 5, 2021
A hero for our times
With so many real life anti- heroes in our world today, Dak is a refreshing breath of fresh air. Mr. Dempsey is giving us a window into a simpler, satisfying world where good and evil have their own distinctive faces, and good ultimately triumphs. I’ve read the majority of Mr. Dempsey’s
Works and thoroughly enjoy them. If you haven’t- you’re missing out.
With so many real life anti- heroes in our world today, Dak is a refreshing breath of fresh air. Mr. Dempsey is giving us a window into a simpler, satisfying world where good and evil have their own distinctive faces, and good ultimately triumphs. I’ve read the majority of Mr. Dempsey’s
Works and thoroughly enjoy them. If you haven’t- you’re missing out.
March 9, 2022
Billionaires never have enough
Dark is in search of two priceless antique guns stolen from a museum some years ago. But along with discovering where the guns are, he comes upon a ruthless billionaire who is trying to buy up property the owner doesn’t want to sell. He works hard to both retrieve the guns and protect the owners of the land. ENJOY!
Dark is in search of two priceless antique guns stolen from a museum some years ago. But along with discovering where the guns are, he comes upon a ruthless billionaire who is trying to buy up property the owner doesn’t want to sell. He works hard to both retrieve the guns and protect the owners of the land. ENJOY!
August 29, 2021
Excellent action novel!
This book was awesome! I couldn't put it down. Dak helps a little town in this novel that's run be a corrupt and evil man. I love it when he outsmarts the wicked people.
This book was awesome! I couldn't put it down. Dak helps a little town in this novel that's run be a corrupt and evil man. I love it when he outsmarts the wicked people.
August 29, 2021
Stirring and suspenseful
Ernest does a great job of keeping you on your toes with this latest story. It took me less than two days to read because I didn’t want to put it down. I was so worried because the bad guys were sooo bad, but thankfully Dak is most preserving. Enjoy!
Ernest does a great job of keeping you on your toes with this latest story. It took me less than two days to read because I didn’t want to put it down. I was so worried because the bad guys were sooo bad, but thankfully Dak is most preserving. Enjoy!
September 9, 2021
Plenty of Action
Dak is riding his white horse again. I love these stories, it's hard to find good clean stories but this is one of them. They keep you guessing, but wanting to come back for the next book.
Dak is riding his white horse again. I love these stories, it's hard to find good clean stories but this is one of them. They keep you guessing, but wanting to come back for the next book.
September 11, 2021
Nonstop page turner!
This story grabs your attention and pulls you in . I was awake until well into the night, There are lots of surprises and you just have to find out the ending . Well done Mr. Dempsey.
This story grabs your attention and pulls you in . I was awake until well into the night, There are lots of surprises and you just have to find out the ending . Well done Mr. Dempsey.
December 21, 2021
Body count continues
Good storyline which is often .on the 6 o'clock news as another high powered businessman is caught causing significant environmental damage for increased profits.
Good storyline which is often .on the 6 o'clock news as another high powered businessman is caught causing significant environmental damage for increased profits.
December 22, 2021
A great series with a great story every time
I have read all of this authors related books and never been disappointed. The story lines are so real, the descriptions full but over the top. Looking forward to next book in the series, can’t come soon enough!
I have read all of this authors related books and never been disappointed. The story lines are so real, the descriptions full but over the top. Looking forward to next book in the series, can’t come soon enough!
February 4, 2022
A Good Read!!!
Another good storyline. Lots of action as Dak Harper takes on another relic recovery mission for his young employer. Except for some typographical errors, that are annoying, I enjoyed this installment, and look forward to the next in this series.
Another good storyline. Lots of action as Dak Harper takes on another relic recovery mission for his young employer. Except for some typographical errors, that are annoying, I enjoyed this installment, and look forward to the next in this series.
April 2, 2022
Excellent writing!
Interesting characters, great story line. Everything completed. All holds interest and attention. Recommend author
completely. I have read almost all of his books and have never been disappointed. Read and enjoy escaping into fantasy.
Interesting characters, great story line. Everything completed. All holds interest and attention. Recommend author
completely. I have read almost all of his books and have never been disappointed. Read and enjoy escaping into fantasy.
July 20, 2022
If there were more more
People who were honestly good our slice of the world could be. Perhaps we all need a Dak Harper to stand up for us, I know everyday there are brave people fighting for our freedom, thank you all!
People who were honestly good our slice of the world could be. Perhaps we all need a Dak Harper to stand up for us, I know everyday there are brave people fighting for our freedom, thank you all!
October 19, 2022
While searching for an artifact for his employer, Dak gets sidelined with a human story - yet, he is able to effectively deal with both situations. As usual, there is collateral damage, as a few people get killed, which he was trying to prevent this from happening. Just another wonderful read.
January 5, 2023
Good series
I love the stories written include justice, that someone is making sure that criminals get what they deserve. Relic hunter Dak is a very good character and a tv series of these books would be very watchable.
I love the stories written include justice, that someone is making sure that criminals get what they deserve. Relic hunter Dak is a very good character and a tv series of these books would be very watchable.
March 22, 2023
Another Great Dak advenventure
I always enjoy the action packed stories but I really enjoy the fact that there is always an underlying human interest undertone. Dak really shows he can be soft hearted when he needs to be. This was a great read.
I always enjoy the action packed stories but I really enjoy the fact that there is always an underlying human interest undertone. Dak really shows he can be soft hearted when he needs to be. This was a great read.
June 29, 2023
I love Dak Harper!
This book had some harsh scenes that show how evil some people can be! Dak is one of the good guys who gets drawn into the realm of the bad guys while doing a job for another very young good guy!
This book had some harsh scenes that show how evil some people can be! Dak is one of the good guys who gets drawn into the realm of the bad guys while doing a job for another very young good guy!
August 19, 2023
Thank you Ernest Dempsey
Love that Dak character! No matter what, he is not afraid to do what's right and he has the training and skills to see it through. Very, very good read. Fixing to start book 4! Thank you Ernest Dempsey for the Relic Runner books.
Love that Dak character! No matter what, he is not afraid to do what's right and he has the training and skills to see it through. Very, very good read. Fixing to start book 4! Thank you Ernest Dempsey for the Relic Runner books.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews