Fruit of a Poisonous Tree

Rating:
Summary: Fruit Of The Posionous Tree Rocks!! Big Time!!!
Review: Mr.Harris is a first time author that we will be hearing from on a regular basis. His style is a welcome change in the mystery world of writing. I was hooked and held captive for two days while reading his exciting novel. Luckily my flight out of Los Angles the following morning after finishing this must read book was postponed or I would have been late. I enjoyed his cast of characters and the chemestry shared between them. The story was so true to life I actually felt a part of the story at times. Great Job by this up and coming mystery writer.

Rating:
Summary: I loved it
Review: I can't believe this is Norm's first writing effort, this book is simply great! Enough suspense to keep you on the edge of your seat and make you want to turn that page and find out what happens next. Maybe a tad too quick finish, but still neatly tied.

Can't wait for the next one.

Rating:
Summary: naval mayhem of the first water!
Review: In a dark Seattle alley, a silent murder is committed. Its repercussions echo across the Puget Sound to Bremerton's naval base, to the corridors of Congress & to the shores of the Korean peninsula.

Introducing us to Faydra Green, erstwhile First Daughter & intrepid JAG lawyer, Norm Harris weaves a wicked plot with credible people, fascinating naval insights & a few glimpses into the multi-layered world of Black Ops.

When Seattle Police Detective Farmer arrests Marine Sergeant Simon Linn for the murder of a Navy SEAL in an alley in his precinct, he doesn't know what stone he has turned over & is soon investigating cheek-by-jowl with a JAG advocate.

The trail branches out, undercover naval intelligence segues into an international two-step as Washington, the US Navy, North & South Korea jockey for recovery of a crashed spy plane & a scuttled Navy frigate in the Yellow Sea.

Some naval jargon, which is easily understood; athletic writing with a few gaps which I hope Norm Harris fills in in his next book & we're off to a running start on a rollicking good read!

Rating:
Summary: GIFTED STORYTELLER!
Review: I began reading Fruit of a Poisonous Tree not realizing by reading the reviews that a second and equally compelling story was about to take place. A story of Navy Captain Egan Fletcher, who is setup by the Navy to pirate a Russian man-of-war, runs parallel to the harrowing story of Navy lawyer/detective Faydra Green. I was delighted toward the end of the book, a book that ended far too soon in my estimation, when both stories fit neatly together.

First Faydra's story plays, and then we quickly switch to Egan's story. Back and forth the two stories play, like a great volley in an intense tennis match. A very effective technique, Mr. Harris, I must commend you.

As an experienced reader of works-in-progress and as one who has worked with Seattle writers for many years, I am especially impressed with this writer's keen sense of plot structure and his understanding of how to build a believable character. It is also clear to me that author Harris's strength lays in his great gift as a storyteller.

I give him five stars and two thumbs up for a valiant first effort. I'll look forward to reading future works by this author, as improvements in his talent I know are sure to come.

Rating:
Summary: Norm Harris is out of the gate with a certified winner!
Review: As the author of Strike Hard, and an avid reader of conspiracy suspense novels, I was quite taken by Norm Harris' freshman novel "Fruit of a Poisonous Tree". I found the story to be well-written and fast-paced, with a generous helping of suspense, action, and a number of other qualities.

Set in the Northwest, Fruit of a Poisonous Tree exemplifies the age-old suspicion that the government will go to any lengths to cover-up its activities. Norm Harris has captured this in bold style, showing how the government has no thoughts at all of ruining one person's life for the sake of keeping their secrets.

Being a former U.S. Army NCO, I could relate to a lot of the scenes in the book that dealt with the everyday doldrums of military life. The dialog was as realistic as any average encounter in the military, and did not detract from anything. In fact, the story was written in such a way that I found myself wondering if Norm had been following his characters around and writing this story as it were actually happening.

Norm Harris has proven, in his first outing, that the world can fully expect to see more from him. His style and prose shows a self-confidence that can only be a forecast of the work coming from this author in the future.

Rating:
Summary: Awful
Review: Poorly written, clumsily plotted, and pretty tedious. The characters are flat and stereotypical and the dialogue silly and overwrought. This is a slow-moving marathon trek through classic examples of bad writing. Attempts to be derivitive of better thrillers are obvious and fail. Set in the Northwest, it manages to suggest none of its beauty or atmosphere. A big disappointment for the price and a waste of time.

Rating:
Summary: THE FRUIT ON THIS TREE IS PRETTY JUICY!!
Review: Fast paced and action packed from page one until the end!! JAG Lt. Cmdr. Faydra Green takes us on a military mystery set on the west coast!! Mr. Harris's writing style and characterization is superb! How refreshing to see a guy get into the head of a woman and give us such a real and believable character such as Faydra!! Being married to a Navy pilot myself, hopefully Faydra will get some orders to the East Coast in the next book. She can surely get herself into something here in Pensacola or Jacksonville as well! Applause to Mr. Harris for an excellent job! I hope we won't have to wait long for the sequel!(?)

Rating:
Summary: An Exciting Read
Review: From beginning to end, this book is action-packed. The characters are very easy to like and respect because they are the best at what they do. The author is a great story teller and I hope he continues with what he started in Fruit of a Poisonous Tree.

Rating:
Summary: Good story doesn't overcome poor writing.
Review: Although the plot is strong, the style of writing in this book is amamteur-ish and does not live up to the strong storyline.The action is stiff, the characters are one dimensional, and the the 'conversations' are painfully awkward. The excellent story line does not compensate for the poor writing.

Rating:
Summary: Norm Harris captures you up and never lets go!
Review: The author has enough of his own personal experience in his own life that has given him the gift to write this truly accurage yet compelling fictional mystery! A 'got to have' book in my book. The author has the talent and skill to rapture you up into the military and sinister world of crime. Can't wait for his next adventure! Susie Harrison