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Adrian Tarn #3

Shock Diamonds

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How far would you travel to save a friend? Adrian Tarn would go 700 trillion miles to the Mu Arae system, a place where no real laws exist and even the laws of physics can't be trusted. Join the crew of the starship Griffin on a journey through unexplored space to solve the mystery of the skull, and the fate of lost friends. (Sequel to Deep Crossing)

291 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 19, 2014

58 people are currently reading
79 people want to read

About the author

E.R. Mason

16 books85 followers

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5 stars
446 (47%)
4 stars
346 (37%)
3 stars
112 (11%)
2 stars
22 (2%)
1 star
9 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
141 reviews2 followers
November 25, 2021
Really Good Reading of

Just finished the third book in the series and the story is still going strong. The characters are still fun to read about and the still just the right amount of action. Funny thing but as I'm reading this series I'm thinking to myself didn't I see this on Star Trek and wasn't this in an episode of Twilight Zone. Now this is not a bad thing really it brings up good memories. Now if you've read any of my reviews you know I like to give the really good books that I've read Two Thumbs up so here UT goes "I here by rate this series Two Thumbs Up" all playing aside this is a great series so far so if you're looking around for a fun Si-Fi series this is it.
912 reviews5 followers
January 8, 2022
Loving this series

No plot spoilers
No potential triggers
There are some errors but I honestly don't care about them because the book is full steam ahead fun.
The characterisation is good, more than enough to allow the reader to form a connection.
It's full on adventure, old school story telling at its best.
There are a couple of sex scenes so lightly written they are over within a few sentences.
There is some swearing and some violence.
If you are a fan of the genre I have no problem recommending the series.
I can't wait to read the next book in the series!
17 reviews1 follower
July 5, 2015
Serendipitous

This hero has the luck of the Irish. He also has the approval of a far more advanced race that monitors all of the galaxy that has given him a starship, the fastest around. Action packed with plenty of unexpected turns of events keeps you turning pages to see what happens next.

266 reviews1 follower
November 12, 2020
Okay, I liked it

Again, three stories in one. First story has our pilot flying a refurbished '86. (You remember that old song "did you go boom today, two blew up yesterday.") Boy meets girl, and girl tries to prove she's too hot to handle, but boy does. Second story reminds me of an old Campbell story I think it was spacehounds of the IPC. We somehow finds ourselves on a virgin planet, and we have to survive. So we make a fire starter. We develop military tactics for the locals, and we teach them about bow and arrows. Last story we play theater, and sneak into a compound in order to rescue a little girl. In the end we're confronting a double dozen security troops in the heroic stand and deliver pose in order to escape. They then quote from CyraNOSE de Bergerac which I can't double check through Google. Sounds good, however.
21 reviews
January 15, 2018
Mason does it again!

Another in what I hope is a long series that is quite a bit more than just space opera. This one features a 2001-like episode where Tarn is rescued by a tribe of not-so-savage savages. This novel actually takes a good look at ethical issues. But still entertaining. Can't wait for the next.
Profile Image for David John Morgan.
100 reviews
June 4, 2020
A another great read

Wow having just read this story could not put it down thank goodness to this pandemic we have it helps to keep us all sane and being able to read great story's and not worry about going to work in the lock down I am now looking to get the next book downloaded as soon as I can I just love reading about the adventures of the Griffin
6,726 reviews5 followers
January 6, 2021
A will written novel
The 3rd book in the series is will written with lots of action, twist, and turns. The characters are interesting and well developed. The travel to outer space is well developed and narrated. The externals meet are well describe. I would recommend this series too anyone who enjoys a good SI-FI. Enjoy reading 2014
Profile Image for Jenn.
31 reviews
December 6, 2017
Laughter and fun!

This book had plot twist and comedy aplenty. Take your time. Trader. Laugh. Repeat.
Another great book by this author, in a fun funny slightly space horror series.
7 reviews
December 18, 2018
Dope

Dope book son. I’ve read all of the books from the Tarn series, some twice including this one, and I’ll probably read them again. Greatly worded and makes you wish you could go to space like they do.
Profile Image for Nooilforpacifists.
990 reviews64 followers
March 11, 2019
Again, an excellent series, that now has move beyond the opening. This mostly hard SF, with some Fantasy, plus a touch of mystery, is quite intriguing. It’s a series of five; only the 5th book is disappointing.
Profile Image for Cathy Leininger.
124 reviews
December 4, 2021
Adrian Tarn continues to get in trouble

In this third book of the Adrian Tarn series, the Griffin travels to get artificial gravity and Adrian and crew run into a band of human smugglers.
Profile Image for Conrad.
43 reviews1 follower
July 29, 2023
I can give it 5 stars. For me, this was the best of the series so far.
Entertaining and exciting storyline, I really like this type of sci-fi, and it is getting better and better, since the first novel.
58 reviews
April 28, 2018
Very good book

Good continuing action and adventure the players held true to form. Wish to see a return to the cave in man planet in future stories.
2 reviews1 follower
October 27, 2020
A very good read

A book with twist and turns that meant you wanted to keep reading. I can t wait to read the rest of the books.
1 review
March 11, 2017
Scott-Fi

Great read for anyone who enjoys a good space opera. A bit of romance combined with a bit of space-cowboy.
14 reviews
March 5, 2017
Best

Adrian Darn has me wanting to join his crew. Where will they go next and will the Nasbiens be guiding him this time.
Profile Image for John.
1,884 reviews59 followers
May 26, 2015
Didn’t like this one as much. The author does seem to be working on creating female characters without objectifying them (I’d say that he’s not quite there yet, but there’s been some progress). Howsomeever, there is a car race (exciting but totally misplaced) and a long interlude with Adrian stranded among peaceful alien savages; these are just set pieces, doing little to advance the storyline and reading more like they were shoehorned in as filler because the author thought he needed more plot to make the novel.

Some memorable lines:

“You? Spaceflight? You ever done that?” “What the hell? It’s not rocket science.”

“We’re leaving for the Mu Arae system as soon as the formal flight plan is approved. “ “Oh, thank God. Where is that?”

“She was adamant in her dubiety.”

A few typos: I’ll send a list to anyone able/willing to fix them.
Profile Image for Darlene.
502 reviews26 followers
March 16, 2016
Wonderful book

Once again, I was not disappointed by an E.R. Mason novel. I love this series and wish there were more books. I love The Griffin and the characters who ride within her. They have these fantastical adventures most of which you might not call entertaining due to the seriousness of the situation but they manage to keep their sense of humor. The characters just endear themselves to you. They show heroism, vulnerability, and tears. Sometimes not with each other, but with the reader. Which shows they are not all egomaniacs. I know sometimes my reviews don't reveal much if anything about the stories, in and of themselves, I just think a person should be able to delve into a story and find their own character voices and see the wonder for themselves.
Profile Image for Shelley.
482 reviews3 followers
June 4, 2016
I love the Adrian Tarn series

I enjoyed the previous two books, and this one has not disappointed. Adrian Tarns records show that that he is involved in 82.5% more controversies than the average space agency officer. And this is fantastic as you get a book and a character full of high jinks, adventure and laugh out loud moments.

In this book Adrian travels 700 trillion miles to help a friend, along the way people turn blue, ships explode, Shakespeare is quoted, planets discovered and a mystery is explored. I recently realised there is a fourth book which I'm super excited about reading
Profile Image for Lindsey Brooks.
Author 16 books73 followers
March 14, 2015
Fast, fun and very entertaining. Another highly enjoyable slice of space opera from the author. Yes there are a few typos, the odd formatting hiccup and occasional misused word - "breaks" for "brakes" , for example - but they won't spoil your enjoyment of this fast-paced and exciting story, any more then they did mine. Now I'm wondering how long I have to wait before Adrian Tarn gets himself into more trouble.
Profile Image for TJ.
55 reviews
September 9, 2017
Mind bogglingly awesome. No adjectives to explain, Simply the best. Read it to know it.


I never thought the Tarn Series would be this entertaining. I couldn't do anything until I finished this book. Happened with the last book as well, if this goes on, I'll never be able to complete my work on time. Inspite of having a bad cold and headache, I kept reading. This series is mesmerising. No words to explain.

Once again, This is the best Sci-fi series till date...

32 reviews1 follower
December 2, 2014
Excellent.

As always. Three books, all very good reads. Surprises and scenarios that just keep adding to the characters and don't bog down the main storyline at all. Very enjoyable as usual. Keep writing!
3 reviews
December 31, 2014
Great book!


I still can't believe the first two books in this series were free and this one was only 99 cents. They are very well done. The plot and character development were very professional. I really hope he'll keep them coming.
9 reviews
January 20, 2015
Good sci-fi read.

I have enjoyed all 5 books in the series. I have a NASA engineer as a son in law who lives in Titusville. The book is true to reality a few years in the future! ,
18 reviews2 followers
June 6, 2015
Another great read by E.R. Mason

In the continuing tales, Mason does an excellent job of continuing the saga. It still has a realistic edge to it. Not to far out in the future, but far enough that is still believable.
17 reviews
September 21, 2016
Excellent read

Great character's and a good plot with all the players and places fitted together nicely. A well designed and crafted adventure. I would recommend it to anyone interested in sci-fi action and adventure.
577 reviews
February 23, 2016
This book covers the trip to rescue the daughter of a friend. The short book includes slavery, escape, aiding a backward planet, upgrading a spaceship, and several other events. Well written and keeps you on the edge of your chair.
333 reviews1 follower
September 13, 2014
A very suspenseful story

a story that keep you willing, not to put it down ,to keep reading.the story line keeps getting better .where is the next book.
47 reviews1 follower
October 18, 2014
Amazing

Shock Diamonds is one of the best books I have read in a long time. I loved the characters and all of their antics. Great reading thanks to E.R.Mason. What is next?
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews

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