Rating: 
Summary: Among the Best
Review: I orginally became familiar with Jack B. Du Brul's writing through his first novel, "Vulcan's Forge". It was a fast moving, globe-trotting epic that kept me in suspense right on up to the end. His second book, "Charon's Landing", simply didn't deliver the same punch for me as did his first. While it was well written, I almost decided not to bother with another "Phillip Mercer" installment. But I did... and boy, I'm glad I did. "The Medusa Stone" is as well written as "Vulcan's Forge", has a very good plot, and moves like a good novel should. While this adventure does not take you to every corner of the globe the way "Vulcan's Forge" does, it is full of intricate little plot twists that kept me turning the pages. The characters that have survived from Du Brul's earlier novels have grown to the point that I can almost see their features and hear the inflections in their voices. Not many novelist have been able to bring me to that point. For what it's worth, I would recommend this book. I would also recomend reading the first two books from this author (yes, even "Charon's Landing") before reading this one just to get the total historical perspective. (As an afterthought - I hope Du Brul will see fit to write a "pre-squel" to give us a better picture of Mercer's involvement in the Iranian situation.)
Rating:
Summary: Exciting Thriller!
Review: I particularly like books which have real places, people or events as part of the scenario. That is one of the reasons I enjoyed this book..It is a well written book which holds your attention, has a well reasoned plot, & is exciting to the end. Also recommended: If you like this book or books by Clive Cussler, you might want to try A TOURIST IN THE YUCATAN, BY James Brumfield, An adventure thriller which includes exploration of Mayan ruins
Rating:
Summary: A wild wild roller coaster ride.
Review: I picked up this audio book not knowing what to expect. Boy was I blown away. It is exciting and compelling throughout. Now I admit that some of Mercer's escapades are a little fantastic, the book is enjoyable nonetheless. Du Brul's attention to historical and socio-political overtones also adds to the book and helps put the characters and their motivations into context. This book will remind you of Indiana Jones for numerous reasons, but the strength of the supporting cast and their characterization make it better than any movie. A small warning...while not overdone, some portions of this book are graphically violent. It does not diminish the story but I thought I should warn you.
Rating: 
Summary: hard to put down
Review: I really enjoyed reading - Jack du Brul's book it captured my intrest from beginning to end. I really like Indiana Jones types of movies with lot's of adventure and excitement, that's what i felt while reading this book...
Rating: 
Summary: What the hell is all the fuss about....
Review: If you like reading two thirds of a book with no idea why people are dying left and right then this is the book for you.
While it starts stong and grabs your interest it lags through the middle as you slog through pages of near death experiences with no clue as to why these things are happening. You just end up confused.
If you stick with it (which i did because I am genetically incapable of not finishing a book), it will pick up in the last couple chapters. The ultimate ending however was pitiful, predictable and left you wishing for at least a glimpse of the prize.
If you must read this book check out from your local library and save your $$ for something better.
Rating:
Summary: Du Brul ROCKS!
Review: Is there anyone out there besides me who thanks the good Lord above that they discovered Jack Du Brul? I read just about every type of fiction there is, and a little non-fiction as well, and I bounce from whatever interests me at the moment but I must admit I ALWAYS have time for Clive Cussler and Tom Clancy...well now I officially add Jack Du Brul to the short list. I crave action/adventure novels like a junkie longs for his next high, and after reading Cussler/ Clancy I get a hankering for a good adventure thriller, but most (if not all) fall short of what I like to call 'The Entertainment Factor'. I can't even remember HOW I stumbled upon Vulcan's Forge--it might have been something I read here on Amazon, anyway I went out and bought a used copy and BAM! I've been hooked ever since. Now due to the timing in which I started his books, I couldn't find a copy of 'Charon's Landing' until AFTER I finished 'The Medusa Stone' and, well I'm reading them a shade out of order, but I am STILL getting a 'high' that I haven't had in a long time. Phillip Mercer is like Dirk Pitt was when he was brand new to me. Totally fresh and completely entertaining. Don't get me wrong, Pitt will probably be my favorite adventure/hero but Mercer is working hard to come in second. The Medusa Stone is a totally facinating story and a totally engrossing one at that. The plot is more sophisticated than your average adventure thriller novel and the scenes of bravado are just realistic enough that you don't sit there going, 'C'mon, that was hard for even ME to swallow'. Du Brul's sense of characterization and plot twists should honestly earn him fans that will flock to his stories for years to come (am I the only one to notice that Du Brul looks VERY young?). I am hungrily lapping up 'Charon's Landing' as I write this and can hardly wait for the next Mercer novel. For sheer entertainment value, Mercer stands toe-to-toe with Pitt or ANY other 'adventure/thriller' out there today. IF you enjoy Cussler, Chrichton, Clancy or anything similar, do NOT pass up the chance to get to know Jack Du Brul. Cussler nailed it when he calls Du Brul '...one of the finetst adventure writers on the scene today...' (or something to that effect). Du Brul is AWESOME! And Phillip Mercer is a guy we ALL would like to call 'friend'. Do yourself a GIGANTIC favor and grab these books and thank me later (I KNOW yo will...). Fun, thrilling and above all, entertaining...what more is there in a novel? Enjoy.
Rating:
Summary: Another page thrilling page turner
Review: Jack DuBrul is back with another of his wonder tales. While other reviewers will give you details of the plot, I think it is time to look at the area of the world he chose a desolate spot of no mans land in the former area of the world called Ethiopia.
The details of this desolate wasteland combined with the urgency of completing his hunt were fascinating. I do not care that he took liberties with geography, and that his plots are a little different than the norm. He writes interesting books. His writing is good, his understanding of geology very good, and the descriptions of obsession and greed are riveting.
Most of the big buck authors of the last 20 years have forgotten how to develop plots and people, here is where the mastery of DuBrul comes rising to the top.
I have read all his books and recommend them for pure entertainment. They are not rocket science or meant to be, they are enjoyment.
Rating:
Summary: Medusa Stone ROCKS!
Review: Jack DuBrul's Medusa Stone will leave your bruised,battered and exhausted. The heart-pounding, fast-paced, non-stop action takes you to the far reaches of the globe and back again. Mercer is once again thrown into the middle of an ever twisting plot. But this time it's personal. An impossible task of finding the lost mine is just one of Mercer's worries. Throw in an international terriost group, a multi-millionaire Italian businessman, and a beautiful woman and you have the ingrediants for an action-packed adventure thriller. It will leave you wondering just how much can one man take before he decides to get even. Medusa Stone is the third book written by Jack DuBrul. His previous works are Vulcan's Forge and Charon's Landing. Move over Dirk Pitt. Phillip Mercer has arrived.
Rating:
Summary: YOU WILL LOVE THIS BOOK!
Review: Jack has surpassed his own work and then some! Medusa Stone is a fast paced, tightly scripted, thrilling adventure. You will not be able to put this book down! Jack has taken Mercer and made him a true action adventure hero. We have a new hero to root for and hopefully he will be around for many more adventures! I can't wait for the next one! Jack is worthy of the comparison with Clive Cussler. You will not be disappointed with this book at all. I only wish it had come out in hardback!
Rating:
Summary: Dirk Pitt--move over, Mercer HAS arrived!
Review: My first 5 star review for Mr. Du Brul, and well deserved. I picked this up at the Orlando airport, disappointed that I couldn't find another book I had been looking for, but desperate to be able to spend my time on the plane reading SOMETHING, I grabbed 'The Medusa Stone' and began an incredible adventure that began thousands of years ago. I'd tell you WHAT they are looking for, but finding out is actually a very tantalizing adventure worthy of anything Clive Cussler has come up with or even Tom Clancy, for that matter. Mercer's drinking pal is abducted--but not by who you might think--and actually when you DO find out it sorta takes you by surprise--but that's by NO MEANS the ONLY surprise you run into inside the pages of this adventure masterpiece. Mercer is asked to help out a tiny little country in Africa in finding a diamond mine that could rival anything in South Africa, and in so doing help to bring Eretria out of the dark ages--literally. Phil is then linked up with a mysterious woman who may or may not be on his side, trust me it takes a while to figure that one out. All the while a mafia Don believes that the diamonds--should there actually BE any are HIS. Sound complex? It IS--but all in a GOOD way. Don't worry, Du Brul ties it all together in the end perfectly. I'm really anxious for the next Mercer novel--as much so as I normally look forward to the next Dirk Pitt novel. As much as I LOVE Cussler, Du Brul is fast becoming the NEW head of adventure in modern fiction. Give Du Brul a few pages of your time, and you'll be singing his praises, too--no matter if you can hold a tune or not.
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