Customer Reviews

River of Ruin (Philip Mercer Series)

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(12)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I have read all of Jack Dubrul's novels so far, and there is one thing I can say about him. When he is good, he is good and when he is bad, he is really bad. I know that might sound generic, but it's true, and the best I could think to write it. His hits as I mentioned above seem to come with every other outing he takes us along with his character Mercer. It all started with Vulcan's Forge, which was good as action adventure goes, but was a little weak on characterization. Mercer's friends are all cardboard cutouts, that are at best one dimensional. Next came Charon's Landing, which was just bad. It felt like he had writers block when he wrote it and went with whatever first popped into his head to keep the story going, which was usually a crude joke. He improved with The Medusa Stone, which was a well rounded novel, and you actually began to care about the poorly drawn supporting characters such as the eighty year old friend, that he traveled across the world to save, and who has been in all the adventures so far, in one way or another. Pandora's Curse was like deja vous if you read a book called Riptide by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child. Also, nazi hunters and nazis altoghether are all worn out. Aside from some good action, and the tug of war between a sub and a zeppelin that was the seed that started the novel in the first place, it was a mediocre effort. Oh, the secret society or brotherhood aspect has been better used many different places, Serpent by Cussler and Kemprecos for example. Now we come to River of Ruin. By now we like Harry the octagenarian, and we begin to learn some of Mercer's dark past. As an action adventure novel, it was good with some really good bad guys, and the whole plot involving the Panama Canal was good. Though I did have some flashbacks about a book called Flood Tide by Cussler. Overall, Dubrul has improved over the course of four books, having developed his characters and toned down his language. His earlier works were fairly well laced with "colorful metaphors". In that aspect he has matured, and seems to be following some other successful examples. If Cussler and Grisham can sell millions of books without an F word, so can Dubrul. And, if he can further his plots without resorting to crude humor or exploiting tired stereotypes, I see him turning out several more good adventures in the future. However, his new release Deep Fire Rising is following a hit, so let's hope that the pattern is broken and he releases two hits in a row.

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!

What happens when you combine Dirk Pitt and James Bond? You get Phillip Mercer. Jack Du Brul has plunged geologist Phillip Mercer in the middle of a plot to gain control of the Panama Canal. Drawn to Panama to help an old friend, Mercer finds himself neck deep in murder, conspiracy, and a plot to shift power to an elite branch of the Chinese military. With the help of Harry White, a US Army Captain, and several members of the French Foreign Legion, Mercer makes the connection between an old journal and lost Inca treasure. This is Jack Du Brul's best book yet!! His characters are well developed, the action is fast, and the plot is believable with enough twists and turns to keep you on the edge of your seat.

The newpaper headline aside I really liked this book. After reading the tedious Red Rabbit by Clancy, this book was refreshing. The Clancy book took forever to read and was more suited for insominacs, this book moved along at a rapid pace from the first page.
It starts with a bang when he goes to Paris to buy an old diary written by the first person who tried to build a Panama canal. After he buys the diary the book takes off on a wild journey through and under Paris to Panama.
Whereever Mercer goes the body count mounts as he always seems to find the wrong people in search of the truth.
I like the book because of some of the honest statements about people and guns, like at more than 50 yards shooting a pistol with accuracy is only seen in the movies, or words to that effect.
Best of all is the cast of characters and the parts they play in this book, one of the heros is his best friend Harry who at 80 comes to the rescue. All in all this was a great read, I work weekends and still found time to use every non working minute to read a few pages until I was finished.
One last thing, there of course is the evil villian and his henchman and the femme fatale, but it would not be a Mercer book without them. Some books like Cusslers who have similar plots in each of his book I found tedious, but these I seem to find refreshing as duBrul seems to find new ways to keep my interest.

Read it!

As with Dirk Pitt and Al Giordino, there's a new dynamic duo in town, and one of them is older than the sun. (every pun intended) DuBrul does a fantastic job with developing the characters; their depth and frailities, charisma and understanding. The tale weaved, bested by the intense character exposure and interaction. Maybe DrBrul will write a christmas story one day as a follow up. Maybe even a short story. I have a feeling it would be one heckuva party! Medical doctors should beware, however, because there's an 80 year old, chain smoking, hard drinking hero that absolutely steals this book. I give DrBrul a "thumps up" for scoffing at the politically correct nonsense that has pervaded the current conscious. Harry - keep drinking, smoking and stabbing bad guys with your cane; it makes for an enjoyable read.

No adventure fiction book comes close to a book you can believe (like Day of the Jackal) but I think these are better than the Cussler books.

Totally implausible, but very entertaining

I read The Medusa Stone by BuBrul about 4-5 years ago and picked this book up after I was done. It has been sitting on my shelf for a long time and just now got to reading it. I can see why I picked up another book from this author. This story is very deep ans smart. The action is good and the characters are likeable. The downside to this story is the length of the descriptions and the depth at which DuBrul writes. It takes a good while for the story to actually get going. I still would recommend this book but only to those who want a really deep story with heavey descriptions.

This book was great.
Everyone loves Mercer and Harry White. Cool dudes...
This book was well written with an interesting plot..and Mercer doesn't exactly get off scott free....bummer.

Man what a book .I couldn't put it down .Just keep reading
really exciding !!!!!I want more just like it .
I have all Clive Clusser's books and looking forward to more and Jack has the same excitement as Clive Thank You

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.