Rating: 
Summary: Norm Harris' Debut is a great read
Review: I've read over 200 Action-Thrillers and bought Norm Harris' new book on the recommendations from readers. I wasn't disappointed. Norm writes with clarity and has put together a credible plot and characters who are well developed. As a veteran, I found his expertise on matters military crisp and accurate. It's difficult to combine mystery and action-thriller themes, but Norm does it masterfully.The story involves a JAG Lt. Commander Faydra Green, who, stepping into a role by request of a former shadow warrior who is now her superior, begins an investigation into the death of a Navy SEAL by another shadow-ops Marine MEU Sargeant. From there, the fun and suspense grows. In an investigation that becomes increasingly more complex, Cmmdr. Green finds herself partnering with some curious characters, while personnel records and information regarding a widening cast of suspects turn up "missing." The investigation leads to some interesting places and eventually involves Cmmdr. Green's involvement in a black op. Norm has masterfully crafted the suspense, and I found myself propelled through the book, not being able to figure out how the twisted and interesting facts would culminate in a conclusion. But in the end, Norm justifies his readers' patronage and I found the book both fast-paced, involved and fulfilling. A must read!
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Summary: Great Read- Women in Uniform
Review: Best read this spring. Faydra Green's scuba experience's were so exciting that they literaly took by breath away. Am looking forward to the next adventure of Faydra Green.
Rating:
Summary: Very enjoyable action/intrigue novel
Review: I read this book in one sitting, and enjoyed it quite a bit! A very good story and the plot held my attention didn't seem hokey at the end, as many adventure/intrigue novels can. It reminded me of the movie "Spy Games" (I think that's what it was called, with Robert Redford), regarding the relationships and leverage between black-budget agencies. The characters and dialogue are believable, and some of the one-liners made me laugh out loud! A recommended read.
Rating:
Summary: Solid-Rollicking Read
Review: Fruit of a Poisonous Tree is a solid, rollicking read from a novelist who is nothing if not ambitious. Crafting a military-pilitico thriller set in the world of the Navy, Black Ops programs, high-powered conspiracy...military justice procedures, and truly nasty (and realistic) bio-warfare...well, that would make even a ten-time novelist think twice or more before undertaking such a challenge. Nonetheless, Mr. Harris has created an enjoyable read that manages to include all that plus his enormous experience in the milieu he describes here. Faydra Green is a well crafted and realized character, and she was a pleasure to follow from beginning to end. Her relationships with the other characters felt right and unforced. The prose is smooth and forward-moving all of the time, though I must confess to getting a bit bogged down a time or two--although there were no show stoppers. So, what impressed me most? I'd say that it was how well Mr. Harris wove his ample life experience and, I assume, sharp research into the story that fulfills all the requirements of a mystery thriller--and did so without weighing his story down with cumbersome loads of info-dumps or backfill. He's a natural writer for this genre, and I'm certain that Fruit of a Poisonous Tree will attract and enthusiastic readership. (reviewer: Writers Digest, 04/02)
Rating: 
Summary: Overrated book
Review: I ... was disappointed to find such poorly written material. With every turn of the page I expected it to pick up and smooth out, but it never did. It's in need of serious editing. While some dialoque is quite good, overall it is too inconsistent in quality. It's too bad editors don't help their writers like they used to. This could be a promising writer with some help.
Rating: 
Summary: good start
Review: This was a good book. It has a good start but to me it gets heavy 2/3's on the way through. Confusing and boggling. But comes up with a clever ending. I was especially interested in the Pacific Northwest location. All in all a good read tho.
Rating:
Summary: A hard one to swallow!
Review: The plot, while not very plausable did have some interesting twists. The big problem though, is the writing is very amaturish. The best way to describe it is bad Tom Clancy. The author does seem to have some good insights into his subject, but he does need to work on his style, it is just not very interesting. If you are looking for a well written military thriller by a new author, I suggest you try Hard Strike.
Rating:
Summary: Action, action, and more action!!
Review: What a great book to read right now, with our country's refreshed patriotism and the awakened interest in our military actions.
This story brings to light how our governmentworks quietly at all times and how every move that is made is planned and is a gamble, of sorts.
Faydra, the expresident's daughter, is a military attorny,JAG. She's investigating a murder of a man that was in a club and then found dead in the alley. Fay is more thorough and starts finding out so much, that her superior officer starts to get concerned about her. The possibility of bio-terrorism and a full fledged war breaking out starts to evolve.
All of the characters in this book are very real and none of the story is farfetched at all. It is mystery, murder, family love betwwen 2 sisters and their comradary. Poisonous Tree shows how tenacious the officers are when it comes to their duties.
If you are a military enthusiast or like suspenseful mysteries, this is a book you don't want to miss. You'll keep guessing til the end of the book. Very enjoyable book and not weighed down at all with hard to understand military jargin. I'm not and never have been military but I did not have a hard time keeping up with this story. Great book by a very good author who definitely does massive research.
Rating:
Summary: a dashing debut
Review: REVIEW: FRUIT OF A POISONOUS TREE
Title: Fruit of a Poisonous Tree
Author: Norm Harris
Publishers: 1st Books Library, 2001
ISBN: 1-58820-963-6
Category: techno- legal- political thriller
Rating: ****
Short title: A promising debut
Price: .......... (Paperback) Fruit of A Poisonous Tree is a thrilling adventure work which is potpourri of political, legal, military and techno action. A promising debut. Norm Harris's debut work "Fruit of a Poisonous Tree" is a techno thriller, is a military thriller, is a political thriller and is also a legal thriller. The author has in the right proportion mixed the elements of these three thriller sub- genres in a fine, polished manner creating all- in all a superb work that transcends each genre. Even the very title has a tale of its own. It is a phrase denoting a not- so- popular legal principle- "Fruit of the Poisonous Tree Doctrine"- which suggest that, evidence which is the direct or immediate product of an illegal conduct on part of an accused is inadmissible as evidence in a criminal trial as part of the due process of law principle.
Commander Faydra Green, a JAG officer undertakes the defense of a Sergeant Linn accused of murder of a colleague and investigates the dark secrets behind the murder. She slowly realizes that the Sergeant had been made a scapegoat and that there exist something more than in this murder case. What follows is a thrilling journey where the author takes us through various areas of military procedure, defense secrets etc. The whodunit and the whydunit question keeps the reader guessing till the very end.
A former U.S. Military official, Mr. Harris's extensive knowledge of military aircrafts, defense procedures etc. are clearly reflected in the book. A 'Tom Clancy touch' in the narration, (but thankfully devoid of heavy techno- jargon,) also gives an added authenticity to the work. However, the dialogues are prim and proper, to the point as if the whole murder investigation takes place inside the courtroom. The Galaxy Friendship Association mentioned in the book reminds me of Sidney Sheldon's "Doomsdays Conspiracy", where a similar organization of defense specialists is described.
The book is a real page-turner and the action is thick and fast- a true, gritty 100% ADVENTURE
Rating:
Summary: Patrick Robinson fans will LOVE this!
Review: One of the best escapes in any novel is to be taken on a journey by an author who knows his stuff. Norm Harris makes you feel like you've enlisted in the Navy and skipped boot camp. This story is complex and well crafted, and you'll immediately invest your emotions in these vivid characters. The dialogue is some of the freshest I've encountered in some time. Can't wait for the next Norm Harris thriller. As a reader, and as a novelist myself, and now as a fan, my hat goes off to this guy. A wonderful debut.
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