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Philip Mercer #3
The Medusa Stone
In the tiny African nation of Eritrea, the American spy satellite Medusa has crashed but not before its sensors revealed an underground kimberlite pipeline, the telltale sign of a huge load of diamonds. The mine turns out to be King Solomon's Lost Mine, but with it is a tale of heartbreak---it was children who worked and died in the mine for 400 years, leading to many local myths of curses. It is also practically on the border with a very unfriendly Sudan. Throw in two warring Israeli factions, a hidden monastery guarding an ancient secret, an evil Italian businessman with his own army, and an incredible amount of derring-do and you have one terrific action novel. In the Medusa Stone by Jack DuBrul readers will find an intricate tale filled with action and intrigue. DuBrul is only thirty years old but he is already being compared to the very best in the spy and thriller genre.
464 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published April 1, 2000
132 people are currently reading
780 people want to read
About the author
Jack Du Brul
52 books459 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 64 reviews
March 15, 2023
When I started reading this series I was really on the fringe as to whether I liked it or not. Honestly, the first two books in the series, while exciting and well written and basically had many of the elements I like in a book, were almost the same story.
And then came the third book. Apparently, Jack Du Brul was building something and the first two books were only the foundation.
In The Medusa Stone, Mr. Du Brul finally puts our hero, Philip Mercer, in his natural element as a geologist and mine engineer. Mr. Du Brul also starts off with similar intrigue that he has introduced the readers to the first two times but he continues to build upon that until an ending as thrilling and exciting as Matthew Reilly has provided in the Scarecrow series of books.
I think one of the most fascinating things about this story was the amount of elapsed time from beginning to end. I think it is probably one of the most elongated timelines in an action story I've come across - by my count around 2 months but maybe even longer. Mr. Du Brul masterfully elapses the time while at the same time keeps the reader engaged with useful information and edge of the seat intrigue and excitement.
This was definitely the best of the series thus far. I'll be quite excited to see if it remains or if Mr. Du Brul can top this story.
And then came the third book. Apparently, Jack Du Brul was building something and the first two books were only the foundation.
In The Medusa Stone, Mr. Du Brul finally puts our hero, Philip Mercer, in his natural element as a geologist and mine engineer. Mr. Du Brul also starts off with similar intrigue that he has introduced the readers to the first two times but he continues to build upon that until an ending as thrilling and exciting as Matthew Reilly has provided in the Scarecrow series of books.
I think one of the most fascinating things about this story was the amount of elapsed time from beginning to end. I think it is probably one of the most elongated timelines in an action story I've come across - by my count around 2 months but maybe even longer. Mr. Du Brul masterfully elapses the time while at the same time keeps the reader engaged with useful information and edge of the seat intrigue and excitement.
This was definitely the best of the series thus far. I'll be quite excited to see if it remains or if Mr. Du Brul can top this story.
February 10, 2019
Philip Mercer, a mining engineer and geologist searches for diamonds and the Ark of the Covenant in Eritrea while outwitting evil Israeli fanatics, a corrupt Italian businessman, and Sudanese rebels. The Indiana-Jones like plot is far-fetched but gripping and keeps the reader guessing as Mercer crawls through King Solomon’s mine outwitting and outgunning all foes. This is one of many unrealistic spy and mystery thrillers where the head of the FBI personally engages bad guys and the Israeli PM shoots and kills his rebellious defense minister. I had to write down these few comments quickly as I will have forgotten the entire plot in 30 minutes. But it was fun while it lasted.
August 25, 2008
I did not enjoy this book. The characters were shallow with little to no redeeming moral virtue. Most of the book focused on middle eastern politics and terrorist groups, which might be good if that is your topic of interest, but this was not the book I was hoping it would be.
April 25, 2017
একদল খুজে কিম্বারলাইট পাইপ,
আরেকদল খুজে সলোমনের খনি :3
Liked the book.
But liked the beginning most 💙
আরেকদল খুজে সলোমনের খনি :3
Liked the book.
But liked the beginning most 💙
May 14, 2017
Another great book in the Mercer series. Great action and suspense, with some great surprises and twists. Only thing that pisses me off is that Mercer comes off as a dick in the way that he treats women. He has these intense, brief affairs with a new woman each book, but then invariably Mercer leaves them for some new adventure. At least Mercer does not lie to the women, and they know going in that this will be a brief affair with no chance of permanence. Not sure how much of Mercer's woman issues are plot device or part of the character's tragic past which makes him leery to commitment. I am looking forward to the next book.
December 28, 2019
Fun read. Good mindless action adventure by a writer who keeps the story moving along. Not super well researched or really compelling narrative, but the characters are just corny enough to enjoy. Still, a good transport to a part of the world most westerners never visit, and some of the cultural stuff seeps in. But again, this isn’t amazing writing or brilliant storytelling. Just good fun.
March 28, 2019
I very much enjoyed this book. The setting in the county of Eritrea was exotic and not a place books in this genre usually use. I was pleased to find the characters relatable and multidimensional. Very enjoyable read.
July 7, 2010
Good adventure. Keeps you intrigued with a lot of action. Not necessarily believable, but that's not the point, right?!
January 14, 2019
Recommend this book
An interesting story that moves along. Holy Indiana Jones in a lot of ways. In reading a book like this you realize lots of fiction but maybe a little truth too
An interesting story that moves along. Holy Indiana Jones in a lot of ways. In reading a book like this you realize lots of fiction but maybe a little truth too
February 24, 2021
A mining engineer is blackmailed into traveling to an impoverished African country to find a lost diamond mine. However, several groups from different countries are determined to takeover the mine. Lots of action but also violence against people.
February 16, 2023
Never thought I’d be on my toes, someone is digging holes in a mountain to keep my attention!!
The plot was just enough to keep my attention and have me reading when I should be in bed sleeping!!
Very good novel!
The plot was just enough to keep my attention and have me reading when I should be in bed sleeping!!
Very good novel!
May 14, 2017
Very similar to a Clive Cussler novel, but with more geology. It trades some swashbuckling action for some cerebral exposition. There is plenty of action, though, particularly at the end.
November 10, 2017
Not feeling it.
January 14, 2018
Writes very similar to Clive Cussler's style. I liked the story very much.
May 10, 2018
This book is great! Romance, mystery, geology, history, loyalty. A search for diamonds and the Ark of the Covenant. Not sure who can be trusted and lives are at stake.
August 7, 2019
Adventure, history, action, mystery, suspense... what else do you need in a book?
November 17, 2019
OK for a vaca beach read.
January 20, 2020
A very good read. Learnt more about mining than I needed to know but the book was exciting to the end
April 21, 2020
Excellent
Characters are well developed. They come alive on the page. At times, I found myself holding my breath. I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
Characters are well developed. They come alive on the page. At times, I found myself holding my breath. I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
September 5, 2020
This is the thrird or fourth DuBrul title I’ve read other than ones written with Clive Cussler, and this is the best. Tons of action mixed with history and well drawn characters.
March 1, 2021
Really enjoyed this one. Great escape.
May 13, 2021
Good book
September 6, 2021
Proper adeventure novel.
January 24, 2023
Geoligist, Mercer, travels to a vi ends.olent land but he must do it to save his best friend, Harry. Lots of violence and ongoing action to see where this story
July 12, 2023
Pretty good adventure, with twists I didn't expect
January 28, 2024
Love the detail and the thrill
December 8, 2024
There is so much adventure in every novel, this one is no exception.
Hope there are more coning, I only have2 left.
Hope there are more coning, I only have2 left.
March 10, 2017
These bad guys aren’t very smart. If they would just do some background research into Mercer’s history they would realize he’s not just a geologist and stop underestimating him. Just look at what he did in Hawaii and Alaska. Plus he was born in Africa. Hello! But to tell you the truth, I’m surprised at how well he does seeing how much he drinks. He’s an unashamed boozer.
I love Harry through this. The way he handled being kidnapped. I’m surprised they didn’t let him go.
Footnote: 1) Amazing that just a little thing such as a wrench can mess up something big. There’s so much junk floating around up there. But there’s a lot of junk all over down here.
2)FYI: The only reference to the Hajer plateau I can find on Google is to this book, but there is an administrative region named Om Hager, or Om Hajer, in the Gash-Barka area to the west.
Fave scenes: the Lear & the Gulfstream, Harry’s encrypted phone call, the mine field and climbing the monastery wall.
I love Harry through this. The way he handled being kidnapped. I’m surprised they didn’t let him go.
Footnote: 1) Amazing that just a little thing such as a wrench can mess up something big. There’s so much junk floating around up there. But there’s a lot of junk all over down here.
2)FYI: The only reference to the Hajer plateau I can find on Google is to this book, but there is an administrative region named Om Hager, or Om Hajer, in the Gash-Barka area to the west.
Fave scenes: the Lear & the Gulfstream, Harry’s encrypted phone call, the mine field and climbing the monastery wall.
October 25, 2021
Jack Du Brul does it again!
Philip Mercer is the third cousin removed from Clive Cussler’s Dirk Pitt. He’s a refreshing splash of toxic testosterone somehow defeating all the bad guys aligned against him. Pure escapism that’s nearly impossible to put down!
Philip Mercer is the third cousin removed from Clive Cussler’s Dirk Pitt. He’s a refreshing splash of toxic testosterone somehow defeating all the bad guys aligned against him. Pure escapism that’s nearly impossible to put down!
November 22, 2011
It starts out briskly, with an interesting premise. A spy satellite crashes to earth, but not before taking pictures of something in Eritea that a lot of people find interesting. A renowned geologist-adventurer soon finds himself in the thick of conspiracies trying to find what some believe to be a motherlode of diamonds, and other believe is much more.
Jack Du Brul knows how to get you hooked, but the book-killer is that the ending is incredibly weak. Not only is the secret a cliche, it's explained away rationally, by means which are implausible at best. There really isn't anything world-shattering about it, which makes some of the foreshadowing ring hollow. It feels like he just included the "much more" on a whim, because he underdevelops it tremendously. What's left is a pretty dull reason for all these people to get worked up about, especially the main villain. Why didn't he just go in legitimately and try and obtain it?
If the writing were any weaker I'd give it one star because of that, but it's paced smartly, with enough realism and difference to entice you. Just expect to shake your head at the ending.
Jack Du Brul knows how to get you hooked, but the book-killer is that the ending is incredibly weak. Not only is the secret a cliche, it's explained away rationally, by means which are implausible at best. There really isn't anything world-shattering about it, which makes some of the foreshadowing ring hollow. It feels like he just included the "much more" on a whim, because he underdevelops it tremendously. What's left is a pretty dull reason for all these people to get worked up about, especially the main villain. Why didn't he just go in legitimately and try and obtain it?
If the writing were any weaker I'd give it one star because of that, but it's paced smartly, with enough realism and difference to entice you. Just expect to shake your head at the ending.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 64 reviews