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Philip Mercer #4
Pandora's Curse
During World War II, in a secret Nazi submarine base, containers crafted entirely from looted wartime gold were hidden away. The treasure was not the solid gold chests, but the cargo they carried — an artifact so lethal that whoever possessed “Pandora’s boxes” held the power to unleash hell upon the Earth… In the unforgiving wastes of Greenland, geologist Philip Mercer uncovers a long-abandoned U.S. Army base buried under the ice — and a long-dead body still hot with radiation. But before Mercer and his colleague, the seductive Dr. Anika Klein, can investigate further, a flash fire engulfs the base. Ordered to evacuate, their plane is forced to land when a bomb is discovered on board, and they must seek shelter from the murderous weather in a hidden ice cavern. That’s where they learn the startling truth. A powerful German corporation has launched an operation to destroy evidence of its Nazi past. But one of the corporate mercenaries knows what’s inside the Pandora’s boxes, and he plans to hold the entire world hostage — unless Mercer can find a way to stop him…
472 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published September 1, 2001
111 people are currently reading
928 people want to read
About the author
Jack Du Brul
52 books457 followersJack DuBrul is a New York Times Best-Selling Author from Vermont who writes techno thrillers. Recently, he has been co-authoring "The Oregon Files" novels with Clive Cussler, taking over from Craig Dirgo with the third novel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews
September 27, 2025
Първа книга от автора. Стилът напомня на Дан Браун, но няма чак толкова исторически препратки. Книгата е приятна и става за разнообразие, но не е нещо запомнящо се. Има прекалено детайлно описани батални сцени с престрелки, което на мен не ми допада да присъства в един роман.
Слушах я под формата на аудио книга и мисля, че ако я бях чел, оценката ми щеше да бъде дори по-ниска.
Все пак романът има своите достойнства. Осветлява интересни моменти от ВСВ, свързани с ценностите на културата, които са били плячкосвани от нацистите. Също така запознава читателя с някои интересни географски територии като Исландия и водните територии около нея. Романът успява да държи в известно напрежение почти през цялото време.
Слушах я под формата на аудио книга и мисля, че ако я бях чел, оценката ми щеше да бъде дори по-ниска.
Все пак романът има своите достойнства. Осветлява интересни моменти от ВСВ, свързани с ценностите на културата, които са били плячкосвани от нацистите. Също така запознава читателя с някои интересни географски територии като Исландия и водните територии около нея. Романът успява да държи в известно напрежение почти през цялото време.
August 22, 2025
Fateci un film
November 17, 2019
Philip Mercer # 4
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 20, 2023
Dr. Philip Mercer, just your average, everyday, geologist and mining expert who just can't seem to keep from getting into international trouble on a regular basis. You probably don't want to board an aircraft with this guy.
The fourth offering of the misadventures of Mercer has in the frozen barren wasteland of Greenland. And the action was probably the most intense and exciting so far. One of the things I've enjoyed about the books by Matthew Reilly and James Rollins have been their mastery at describing the action in such a way that the reader, at least this reader, can literally "watch" the action as if watching a movie. In this book it is safe to say that Jack Du Brul has joined this class of authors.
I was also impressed that Mr. Du Brul wrote a story that was so believable that it you are left wondering how much fact is intertwined into the fiction (again, very much like Mr. Rollins). That being said, I was quite happy to see a short paragraph at the end of the story where Mr. Du Brul acknowledged the facts and the liberties that he took with the facts. To me this made the story all that much enjoyable in retrospect.
The fourth offering of the misadventures of Mercer has in the frozen barren wasteland of Greenland. And the action was probably the most intense and exciting so far. One of the things I've enjoyed about the books by Matthew Reilly and James Rollins have been their mastery at describing the action in such a way that the reader, at least this reader, can literally "watch" the action as if watching a movie. In this book it is safe to say that Jack Du Brul has joined this class of authors.
I was also impressed that Mr. Du Brul wrote a story that was so believable that it you are left wondering how much fact is intertwined into the fiction (again, very much like Mr. Rollins). That being said, I was quite happy to see a short paragraph at the end of the story where Mr. Du Brul acknowledged the facts and the liberties that he took with the facts. To me this made the story all that much enjoyable in retrospect.
September 29, 2018
This is a mondo book of adventure. One should suspend belief reading thrillers even more so than one usually would while reading fiction. Nonstop action, no rest, amazing feats of marksmanship, death-defying crashes, etc...
That said, the history one can learn from a book like this made me keep reading. I tend to have to pace myself between thrillers as I can become exhausted just reading what the characters are up to.
There is a convocation of world religious leaders that is never completely fleshed out to my satisfaction. That one felt like it was an attempt to make the book reach its 472 page mark. Padding. It did add to the eyebrow lift while I read the part of the characters jumping from a U-Boat to the hew-gah ship that the convocation was being held on.
Like I said above, suspend belief even more so that your usual fiction while reading a thriller, this one in particular. It took me a while to read due to the many characters to keep track of, some "huh" parts, the exhaustive action.
It will likely be a while before delving into another thriller for me.
I can recommend this book and author to those who like eyebrow raising adventure.
That said, the history one can learn from a book like this made me keep reading. I tend to have to pace myself between thrillers as I can become exhausted just reading what the characters are up to.
There is a convocation of world religious leaders that is never completely fleshed out to my satisfaction. That one felt like it was an attempt to make the book reach its 472 page mark. Padding. It did add to the eyebrow lift while I read the part of the characters jumping from a U-Boat to the hew-gah ship that the convocation was being held on.
Like I said above, suspend belief even more so that your usual fiction while reading a thriller, this one in particular. It took me a while to read due to the many characters to keep track of, some "huh" parts, the exhaustive action.
It will likely be a while before delving into another thriller for me.
I can recommend this book and author to those who like eyebrow raising adventure.
September 24, 2019
I have to say that I did enjoy this book. Strong characters and an intriguing plot made it a fun read. However, somethings tend to be a bit too coincidental to be enjoyed totally. Like one of the few people in the world who could operate a WWII German submarine with a crew of six or seven just happens to survive all perils and be around to help fix and sail the sub out of the subterranean harbor? There also just happens to be a native German person who can translate the dead submarine captain's charts and log to get through the twisted underwater maze to freedom? Well, it was not quite deus ex machina, but pretty well laid out, don't you think?
Jack Du Brul have spent a lot time writing with Clive Cussler and it shows. Just as I loved Cussler's earlier Dirk Pitt novels, so do I enjoy Du Brul's adventures with Philip Mercer.
I won't spoil the book, but even though I had a pretty good idea how it was going to end, I enjoyed the journey. It was well worth the time spent reading.
Jack Du Brul have spent a lot time writing with Clive Cussler and it shows. Just as I loved Cussler's earlier Dirk Pitt novels, so do I enjoy Du Brul's adventures with Philip Mercer.
I won't spoil the book, but even though I had a pretty good idea how it was going to end, I enjoyed the journey. It was well worth the time spent reading.
July 8, 2017
These Mercer books have been really good fiction books with some excellent action. Although, I can pick exactly which woman Mercer is going to have a brief affair with. The women that Mercer briefly has a relationship with is getting to be like the red shirts on the old Star Trek TV show. Not hard to figure which woman is going to be the one as the author leaves enough clues.
I like how Mercer is shown as fallible and full of doubts like the rest of us. Not the untouchable superman, Mercer is approachable. His treatment of his neighbor is more like that of a father, which with Mercer's background is appropriate.
With such an intelligent character, you would think that Mercer would speak more than one language. Perhaps because his mother died early in his life, she did not have time to impart another language to her son other than English.
I like how Mercer is shown as fallible and full of doubts like the rest of us. Not the untouchable superman, Mercer is approachable. His treatment of his neighbor is more like that of a father, which with Mercer's background is appropriate.
With such an intelligent character, you would think that Mercer would speak more than one language. Perhaps because his mother died early in his life, she did not have time to impart another language to her son other than English.
July 16, 2022
Страхотна книга изпълнена с много динамика.
Харесва ми фактът, че авторът използва различни гледни точки, за да разкаже случващото се.
На моменти се прекаляваше с описания на предмети и обекти, но това не беше проблем за мен, тъй като авторът много майсторски завъртя действието на историята, която ме държеше в напрежение през цялото време.
Харесва ми фактът, че авторът използва различни гледни точки, за да разкаже случващото се.
На моменти се прекаляваше с описания на предмети и обекти, но това не беше проблем за мен, тъй като авторът много майсторски завъртя действието на историята, която ме държеше в напрежение през цялото време.
December 5, 2020
Скоростен трилър, който незаслужено е стоял в библиотеката ми без да бъде прочетен повече от три години. С най-голямо удоволствие, при възможност, бих се впуснал в някое от другите приключения на Филип Мърсър. Имам усещането, че няма да остана разочарован.
October 22, 2022
Great action thriller
Du Brul’s description of Greenland and Iceland was so vivid that I am glad that I was was not stationed there - despite volunteering two times to go to Thule while in the Air Force. Loved the book.
Du Brul’s description of Greenland and Iceland was so vivid that I am glad that I was was not stationed there - despite volunteering two times to go to Thule while in the Air Force. Loved the book.
March 31, 2023
It just keeps getting better and better!
If you thought the Mercer series would go stale with the villains and the miraculous escapes - WRONG! The plot and sub-plots move at breakneck speed. Outstanding writing and character development. Thank you!
If you thought the Mercer series would go stale with the villains and the miraculous escapes - WRONG! The plot and sub-plots move at breakneck speed. Outstanding writing and character development. Thank you!
June 10, 2019
This was a FABULOUS read. Set in Greenland, the plot proceeds with lot of action,fun and of course the hero has a love interest there!
May 14, 2020
Typical adventure -action novel. Interesting enough to keep reading with a bit of actual fact thrown in. Easy read.
December 3, 2020
so much like Cussler. although not as readable
May 13, 2021
Love this type of story.
September 6, 2021
Number 2 and 4 in the series are my favorites!
November 3, 2021
Great exciting read!
October 10, 2022
Pandora's curse
The book was entertaining and suspenseful I enjoyed it as much as Clive Cussels. I will definitely check out more of Jack Dubrul books.
The book was entertaining and suspenseful I enjoyed it as much as Clive Cussels. I will definitely check out more of Jack Dubrul books.
October 16, 2022
Philip Mercer, Great Hero
I really like Jack Du Brul's style, he keeps things moving at warp speed. This makes the book hard to put down. always want to know what's next.
I really like Jack Du Brul's style, he keeps things moving at warp speed. This makes the book hard to put down. always want to know what's next.
October 18, 2022
It passed the time between Bristol and Boston. Not terrible, but definitely cheesy, cliched, overwritten and ridiculous. Nevertheless, entertaining enough.
December 9, 2023
A much convoluted tale on a shaky premise, but still time well spent....
March 10, 2017
A strange deadly substance is the prize in this story as three group’s battle to claim it. One wants to destroy it, one to cover it up and a third to use it for profit.
I love the idea of the Surveyor’s Society. Not sure if it’s real, but I wouldn’t be surprised.
I was never sure how the Convocation fit in. It had some interest moments, but wasn’t really necessary to the story other than as filler and an additional place for action. Though it finally added some useful situations at the end. Tommy Joe & Lorna Farquar were hilarious.
The number of people in here got so complicated that I had to make up a chart to remember who belonged to what and how they were connected. Also the final chase seemed to go on and on until at the end I just wanted it over.
Footnote: 1) They should put a guide rope around the entire perimeter, so that if you lose your grip on the rope between buildings you’ll run into the perimeter rope before headed out into nothing.
2) The whole situation of boarding the cruise ship was very farfetched to me. There’s the size and height differences, the speed, the timing and even the implausibility of a guy with a broken leg jumping in time. The two ships would be going opposite direction which cuts down on the time available. And Hilda should have been pulled under. All makes it just too bizarre.
Fave scenes: portable vs potable, escaping the Camp, hiding the submarine and the airship-sub tug of war.
I love the idea of the Surveyor’s Society. Not sure if it’s real, but I wouldn’t be surprised.
I was never sure how the Convocation fit in. It had some interest moments, but wasn’t really necessary to the story other than as filler and an additional place for action. Though it finally added some useful situations at the end. Tommy Joe & Lorna Farquar were hilarious.
The number of people in here got so complicated that I had to make up a chart to remember who belonged to what and how they were connected. Also the final chase seemed to go on and on until at the end I just wanted it over.
Footnote: 1) They should put a guide rope around the entire perimeter, so that if you lose your grip on the rope between buildings you’ll run into the perimeter rope before headed out into nothing.
2) The whole situation of boarding the cruise ship was very farfetched to me. There’s the size and height differences, the speed, the timing and even the implausibility of a guy with a broken leg jumping in time. The two ships would be going opposite direction which cuts down on the time available. And Hilda should have been pulled under. All makes it just too bizarre.
Fave scenes: portable vs potable, escaping the Camp, hiding the submarine and the airship-sub tug of war.
July 16, 2015
This is a really interesting action\adventure novel that is pretty much a Clive Cussler novel. I enjoy those novels to an extent, never elevating them to a level of greatness, but I find the plots interesting.
This one has a plot that rivals ANYTHING Cussler ever came up with. A clever Nazi scheme, mysterious radioactivity, and a modern mining engineer sent along to make certain an old American base remains secure and safe to enter.
From there it follows the Clive Cussler formula writing that has to include odd locations, a big chase scene, and macabre deaths for the bad guys... (okay, I don't think that's a real spoiler-- we expect the good guy to win)...
Good pulpy writing, and a nice change of pace for me. I felt that the author dragged the conclusion out a bit much... I would've preferred that the unit used to escape have been used in a different manner, one in which it was designed to do, to stop the bad buy and end the story there.. but NOOOOOO!
This one has a plot that rivals ANYTHING Cussler ever came up with. A clever Nazi scheme, mysterious radioactivity, and a modern mining engineer sent along to make certain an old American base remains secure and safe to enter.
From there it follows the Clive Cussler formula writing that has to include odd locations, a big chase scene, and macabre deaths for the bad guys... (okay, I don't think that's a real spoiler-- we expect the good guy to win)...
Good pulpy writing, and a nice change of pace for me. I felt that the author dragged the conclusion out a bit much... I would've preferred that the unit used to escape have been used in a different manner, one in which it was designed to do, to stop the bad buy and end the story there.. but NOOOOOO!
September 26, 2011
Nice entry in the Philip Mercer series, although this one takes place on the high seas, and you miss the supporting cast, although one of his later friends emerges this trip around. Set mostly in Greenland, with some high seas events, this one gave me a lot to think about, unusal in a thriller. For some reason, many of the things he was talking about resonated with me. But when the hero had to take action, it is an action book, and the consequences were grave - millions if not billions of lives lost, I think it's okay if you break a wrist, or even shoot a bad guy. But the heroine, a doctor, keep looking at him with disgust and horror. Yet they still enjoyed a trip to the Loire Valley at the end. Go figure. I would have dumped her in Iceland.
October 18, 2016
Excellent read
I found this book to be an excellent story, just the rig h t combination of fact, history, plausibility and fiction. Personal interactions in stories like this one are one of the things I truly enjoy, and Du Brul seems to have found the right formula to keep the story moving along. I am an amateur military historian and archiologist/geoligist by hobby, and found the information about the area of the mine and the Underseaboaten (SP ??) to be fascinating. The story line was very refreshing, bringing in a very plausible idea of an asteroid/meteroite of unknown substance. All in all a good read for a rainy night!
I found this book to be an excellent story, just the rig h t combination of fact, history, plausibility and fiction. Personal interactions in stories like this one are one of the things I truly enjoy, and Du Brul seems to have found the right formula to keep the story moving along. I am an amateur military historian and archiologist/geoligist by hobby, and found the information about the area of the mine and the Underseaboaten (SP ??) to be fascinating. The story line was very refreshing, bringing in a very plausible idea of an asteroid/meteroite of unknown substance. All in all a good read for a rainy night!
June 3, 2012
This is the fourth outing of Phillip Mercer and a far more enjoyable romp than the previous book. The story is more interesting and the characters a little deeper. I agree with those who compare Du Brul favourably with Clive Cussler and so does the man himself it seems as they now work together. This is a return to form for Mercer and definitely worth a read.
May 31, 2014
Excellent and Extremely Interesting!
Strongly recommend this read to anyone who enjoys excitement! While maybe not historically correct, it will definitely tweak the imagination as to the possibility of what might have happened?? Excellent writing and well worth the time to read! Some characters will be loved and some?? Enjoy!
Strongly recommend this read to anyone who enjoys excitement! While maybe not historically correct, it will definitely tweak the imagination as to the possibility of what might have happened?? Excellent writing and well worth the time to read! Some characters will be loved and some?? Enjoy!
December 15, 2014
First time I've read anything by Jack Du Brul but I will definitely be checking out more. The main character, Mercer, a geologist gets caught up in Nazi pillage, meteorite pieces that can destroy the world, and the wilds of Greenland. Great story with lots of action and a great plot. Great ending too.
December 14, 2014
Phillip Mercer is sent to Greenland to help unearth a buried US Army base. When they start finding bodies both new and old, as ties to a German company and the Nazi's are revealed will a long dormant superweapon be unleashed upon the world. Good read.
September 2, 2015
Another Riveting Winner
An entertaining and entreating blend of History and fiction. Phillip Mercer is lovable rogue that uses a combination of experience and intellect to vanquish his evil foes.
An entertaining and entreating blend of History and fiction. Phillip Mercer is lovable rogue that uses a combination of experience and intellect to vanquish his evil foes.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews