Philip Mercer The Lightning Stones, Book 8, (Paperback)

Publishers Weekly,A prologue set in 1937 in bestseller Du Brul's fast-paced eighth Philip Mercer thriller (after 2006's Havoc) offers a new explanation for the disappearance of aviatrix Amelia Earhart-some rock samples she was asked to transport emitted electromagnetic forces that skewed her navigator's readings. In the present, Mercer, a geological consultant, has come to Minnesota's Leister Deep Mine to teach mine rescue techniques. In another part of the mine, gunmen slaughter a team of scientists-headed by Mercer's role model and surrogate father, retired professor Abraham Jacobs-who are studying climate change and cosmic rays. Vowing revenge, Mercer dedicates himself to tracking down the killers and their paymaster. There are some nice touches (e.g., a villain takes advantage of cap-and-trade limits on carbon emissions to make millions), but not every reader will be able to relate to an action hero who takes time during a gun battle to notice a woman's "jeans stretched tight across her backside." Agent: Robert DiForio, DiForio Agency. (Aug.) ��� Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.