Eck!! I read both Pandora's Curse and River of Ruin over recent weeks. Pandora was ok, but River of Ruin was boring. The plot was simple, it was poorly written, and with the exception of two characters, all were rather 2D. I found the writing hard to follow at times and kinda confusing. Pandora had a good plot and an excellent climax with some good characters.

Anybody else read DuBrul and have an opinion?

I feel you, bro... But there's a context here that you're not seeing.

I'm a first generation Jack DuBrul fan, which roughly means I've been reading him for about as long as anyone but his editors, and I've seen the hills and valleys of his work.

I was drawn to Jack's stuff for the same reason I've been a Cussler reader for nearly 20 years... he's created a hero that isn't: 1) a secret agent, 2) A Navy SEAL (past, present or future) or 3) a PI or policeman. Granted, a lot of Mercer's little habits are suspiciously Pitt- or Bond-esque. and some of the sillier one's have thankfully fallen by the wayside (Mercer no longer polishes train rails to work through knotty problems or plays nautical trivia games with a very Perlmutter-like friend, but he still collects Zeppellin memorabilia.) But there's a certain degree of comfort in that. It's kind of like a hamburger; whether you get it at Wendy's or McD's, you know what you want when you place the order, and if you get something radically different, you're at a loss.

My favorite DuBrul book is Charon's Landing (his second, and a sequel to the first in the sense that the villain returns) but with every book you see Jack kind of fishing for his narrative voice. Was River of Ruin boring? hmm...been a while since I read it, but I kind of dug on the plot to disable the Panama Canal. I had been considering a similar idea, but that book made me realize just how difficult it would be. Pandora's Curse certainly needed a little something--probably a good villain--but I like to consider each of these as parts of an ongoing saga. It's the same reason I buy every Dirk Pitt title, even when some of them leave me grumbling about the money I spent on them.

That being said, if after two books you're not enjoying it, I wouldn't invest any more. I've got a shelf full of Ludlum novels I picked up, not realizing that I find Bob's stuff almost impossible to read.

I too have a full shelf of Ludlum, Cussler books along with other writers and it is most definitely what you have come to accept in the writer's parameters as to whether it falls below or rises to the writers talent and writing. So it is not surprising that you have been disappointed by one writer after picking him up with just one out of a body of work already published and that's what happened to me too with Jack DuBrul and am slowly getting his other books so that I can appreciate him later once I have all of his books to measure his level of talent, etc...

I am one of those who found duBrul while in a "When is the next Cussler arriving again?" dry spell. I've read them all, agree that Charon's Landing is the smoothest, and consider myself a big fan of Jack's work. My take on his writing is a bit different from the above, though.

For one thing, if you read his bio, Jack is a very young guy who has basically gone from college to writing full time. (lucky dog) This obviously means he has huge room to mature as a writer, and define his unique style along the way. He also is dedicating himself to world travel and on-site research to build realism. This will inevitably expand his vision some. (Ever know anyone who survived world travel unaltered?)

I also immediately compared Mercer to Pitt, and DuBrul's plotting to Dr C's, but after a while, I found the rhythm of his style, and learned to expect a few digressions into gratuitous technical descriptions a la Clancy, and to overlook his sidekick's alcoholism. I read maybe a dozen writers on a regular basis, and duBrul is one of my favorites. I expect to see real growth from him, which brings me to:

The collaboration between Clive and Jack. Clive knows Jack's work, and has had him pegged for some time as a writer to watch in his (their) genre. These two working together will inevitably result in some fascinating dialogs. Man, what a master class that would be! Who among us with authoring aspirations wouldn't give a signed HC "Cussler Code" to spend a weekend with those two together, watching a plot develop?

So I say, give the kid a chance to learn at the master's side. Who knows what might result?
Good stuff, I'm a-thinkin'
-pete

I'm the prowd owner of all 6 of DuBrul's books -autographed. :P

The following are the good points of his books:

1. Language: I find his style and choice of words a lot better than some of the popular books I have read.

2. The different background of the hero.

3. I find some main characters in books a bit too close to being "Good psycopaths". Mercer has feelings, his character grows through the books, he has emotions, he is affected by what happens in his life. He is a lot more of a real person than many other books' main characters. In my opinion, there is a certain challenge in portraying a character with more of his attributes.

4. Harry is different from the average "side-kick". He is not a double of Mercer. Because of his age, he does not have the physical ability to fight out of situations - he has to rely on other means.

5. Difference of opinion - I quite enjoyed River of Ruin. But then again, I enjoy reading.

6. DuBrul did not put an age to Mercer (see my question and comments received about this on Jack DuBrul's forum). No kids required to appear and take over because he is getting too old.

7. As far as I am concerned, Jack's research and actually visiting places, show in his books.

Negatives

Not really. I just wonder about those Ndebele shields in the one book (forgotten which one). Ndebele is better known for their bead work. Shields are associated more with the Zulu.

Can live without the alcohol, but anyway...

I hope DuBrul gets his problems regarding an editor sorted, I can't wait for his next book. Or for the next Oregon files.

BTW, when Jack started writing, he was quite active on the SimonSays board. He was inspired by Cussler after all. If you do a search there, you'll find some of his posts, and posts about his books.

The Oregon Files series is in GREAT hands with Jack DuBrul, trust me! Jack is one of the best and has a passion for excellence that will translate to the pages. My favorite book of his is Charon's Landing as well, Nick - followed closely by Deep Fire Rising. Are you aware that he dropped his current Mercer book when Clive called and immediately began writing the new Oregon File that is now called Dark Watch? That's the sign of dedication. Let's give him a chance come November - my $ is on the fac t that we will be VERY pleased!!

Just picked up his book, The Medusa Stone the other day. th:

Does anyone know where the Jack DuBrul forum has gone?I tried finding it and got nowhere fast.


BTW...just finishing Charons Landing,very good book but with one HUGE glaring mistake...It's not Victoria Island,it's Vancouver Island.. :unsure:

And if anyone, you would know. :)

This thread has inspired me to seek out a DuBrul for a taste, as I've yet to read him.

Jack's old forum was maintained by a family member who could no longer do it. His publishers (I think it is Putnam) are going to do a new forum, can't wait!

Maybe someone could create an unofficial Jack DuBrul website! w:

What is Jack DuBrul up to now? After helping write Dark Watch has he gone back to his Phillip Mercer books or started another Oregon Files book? Any news about the man?

Du Brul has a new Mercer book coming out. Havoc is the title, but I don't have a release date. There doesn't seem to be much online about it. <_<

Jack sent the finished manuscript of his next Philip Mercer book titled Havoc to the publishers about 2 months ago. It will be published by Putnum in the spring of 2006 in hardcover. Mercer goes to Egypt, Moscow and Niagara Falls in this adventure - I know all of his fans eagerly await it!!

I love Jack DuBrul's books. They sit proudly on my book shelf next to Cussler's, while the Clancy novels get piled in the closet. Philip Mercer is a very likeable character, and I agree with whoever said that the character has a lot of emotion, because that is definitely true.

I am sad that he stopped polishing the pieces of railroad track, I didnt realize that not having read the books in order. I thought that was an important part of his personality and made him a more endearing character, because it shows that like most of us, a simple task can help clear your thoughts.

I definitely recommend the books to anyone.

I really wish they would get Jack's website up.

Thanks Ace! w:

Would anyone be able to list Jack DuBrul's books in order, i recently picked up a few from a used bookstore, and i would prefer to read his series in order, something I regrettably was unable to do with Cussler's Dirk Pitt series. Any help would be appreciated, Thank you.

Vulcan's Forge
Charon's Landing
The Medusa Stone
Pandora's Curse
River of Ruin
Deep Fire Rising
Havoc(coming soon)

I've read River of Ruin... now I'm currently reading Pandora's Curse.

I must say he's a good writer... very detailed but tad boring at times. I did enjoy the books but could have been better paced. But I guess thats DuBrul's style.

out of 10... I'd say as an author I give him a 7.

Since I have searched the internet and found nothing as far as forums for Jack go I decided to create my own.
I hope he doesn't mind.

http://robsansom.forumup.org/index.php?mfo...a7a0ff58f4799cd


If this steps on your toes Tony please delete it.

Great idea, Heep!! w:

Just went to the Library yesterday to pick up Skeleton Coast... it was out.
Tried to get Treasure of Khan instead... it was out.

Tried to get a Jack Du Brul book then instead. Not knowing which was the first in the series I thought I'd just go by publication dates. Both of the books published in 1999 or so were already checked out. What the heck! However, I later found Vulcan's Forge on the shelf and saw that it was his first book, woo hoo! Apparently it was listed seperately from the others for some reason when I looked him up in the first place.

How goes Vulcan's Forge Erik? I haven't even seen any of his books in shops down here but I haven't specifically looked for him!

beer:

The prologue was pretty good, Andy. I haven't had much chance to read more yet. Plus, I think I read Angles & Demons and The DaVinci Code so quickly (and for so long at a sitting) that I got a little burned out last week.

Pass on the torch -- I shall burn all the naysayers at the stake!

And I'm only half-kidding.

How can a Cussler Fan not love Jack? :blink:

Heep, check out the official site, it has a forum section: http://www.jackdubrulbooks.com/

The stores here don't stock them either, Andy Thank goodness for ebay and amazon ;)

Thanks Ian but the *official* forum is as dead as the one I created :lol:

Rob, you have a great site and did a beautiful job creating it. (Hint, hint more people join it!!!!!)

Awww shucks ......thanks my dear.....but the only things posting over there are the tumbleweeds :lol:

I agree it is a great site. I haven't joined yet but have visited a few times. Strongly recommended for anyone who enjoys Jack.