River of Ruin

Rating:
Summary: Another Grand Slam Effort from Du Brul
Review: Clive Cussler has long held the undisputed title of Grand Master of Adventure Fiction for years...and while Jack Du Brul may not have his sights set on de-throning Cussler, his novels just may do it anyway, whether intended or not. I discovered Jack quite by accident while shuffling through a used book store and found a copy of 'Vulcan's Forge'. I pride myself on reading ALL kinds of books and I attempt to find new authors to read on a regular basis...the problem with this is that there just aren't very many really good adventure/fiction writers in print today. I am happy to say that Jack Du Brul IS the REAL DEAL.

Over his previous novels, Du Brul has helped us become familiar with Phillip Mercer, an ordinary guy who finds himself in extraordinary situations. Whether or not he's off the coast of Hawaii, in Alaska, Eastern Africa or Greenland, Phillip has a nasty habit of showing up at just the right time to help avert major catastrophe's. In 'River of Ruin', Mercer begins with an attempt to purchase a very old diary at an auction in Paris. Before long, we discover rather quickly as Du Brul literally launches us like a Tomahawk missle that Mercer has stumbled upon something quite sinister. He doesn't know it just yet, but an unseen Chinese businessman wanted the same manuscript that Phillip came to buy. Next thing we see a group of thugs after Phillip driving him into some very old catacombs under Paris in one of the more original chase scenes I've encountered. Our next stop is Panama where a friend of Mercer is searching for the fabled 'Twice Stolen Treasure'...I don't know if this story is real or the result of Du Brul's fertile imagination, but I gotta tell you, it was certainly entertaining. What Mercer finds at their base camp just off the River of Ruin is shocking: everyone dead, except for a young boy. But the REAL story is in what killed them. I won't reveal that little bit of fun, you'll have to find out for yourself...but rest assured, the story is only JUST beginning at this point.

The Chinese are attempting something truly horrific with the Panama Canal, all in an attempt to keep the United States out of their business when they invade Taiwan. The plan is truly creative and the way Du Brul lays it out, you have to give him credit for such an original idea, and wonder at the same time if it isn't actually possible (let's HOPE not). Along the way is action-a-plenty, but that's a given in any novel featuring Phillip Mercer. The ever smoking and wise-cracking Harry has his biggest role since 'The Medusa Stone' and pulls a rather extravagant practical joke off on Mercer (a true work of art). Phillip's new love interest is his equal in many ways and adds plenty to an already way above average story.

What exactly IS the future of the Panama Canal? How are the Chinese planning on disrupting the traffic through the canal? And better yet: WHY are they planning this major operation? Finding out is truly the best part of any well written story and with 'River of Ruin' Du Brul makes that journey one well worth taking. Easily on par with ANY of Dirk Pitt's famous adventures. Like I said, he may not be planning on taking over the crown of Adventure Fiction from Clive Cussler, but at the rate his novels are progressing, it WILL happen, like it or not. I choose to like it. I will always be a Cussler fan, but Jack Du Brul is now my favorite action/adventure author...a roll he has definitely earned. Well done and HIGHLY recommended.

Rating:
Summary: River of Ruin
Review: I am not setting up to write a review- I like the author's works and think he can spin a taut yarn and because of that I keep coming back to his books. My question to the author is.....why did you leave Roddy hanging out there? Once he faxed the documents to Harry he was picked up by two "Dangerous looking" locals - he thought they might be Ex-Dignity Brigades......he was having end of life flashes on his wife and kids - the chapter ended but we were never told who these people were, what happened to him and how it came to be that he returned to the hotel. I then read the rest of the book expecting Roddy to betray his friends in one way or another....after all the last we saw of him he was being led away with "vomit on is chin and the look of death in his eyes". Or maybe I am missing something?!

Rating:
Summary: Keep 'em coming!
Review: River of Ruin is Du Brul's best since The Medusa Stone (hard to top that one, really). It's extremely fast-paced, witty and highly entertaining. It's a bit more technological than his other work, and I found myself not really paying much attention to the workings of the Panama Canal. I only cared about it as it related to the story, which I guess is the point anyway. Mercer continues to develop as a character into someone you care more and more about. Harry White is the only other recurring character to make an appearance here, but he's as grizzled and smarmy as ever. Set entirely away from the United States, the exotic locals in this book really help the story to clip right along.

With Clive Cussler having just announced his retirement (his next novel will be his last), lots of people will be looking for a new fix. If you're into action-adventure-thrillers, then Du Brul can't be beat!

Rating:
Summary: Great Character Development
Review: This was the first novel by Jack DuBrul I read and was impressed. I generally like good character development and that the main character has associations and friends and to learn something about the character. DuBrul does this with his Phillip Mercer character. He is not overly macho, has foibles, has expertise in something other than law enforcement, which I feel is over loaded in the market. There is a sense of humor throughout the book and subject matter is very timely. I have always been a big fan of Clive Cussler and his Dirk Pitt character, Dubrul DOES provide me with another enjoyable and interesting character to follow through his future.