FATAL HARVEST is a
modern day story set in New Mexico. The story takes the reader on visits into Texas,
Oklahoma, Mexico, France, and Sudan.
When high school
sophomore, Matthew Strong, is assigned a research paper on food chains, he stumbles upon a
dangerous secret which can destroy one of the world’s largest food suppliers. Taken
out of class by alleged Princeton recruiters, he is beat up and left for dead in a remote
location. Managing to escape, he finds his way to Jim Banyon’s home, the neighbor who
has helped him with the research. To his horror, he discovers Mr. Banyon has been brutally
murdered. When Matt hears cars approaching the house, he panics and handles the gun lying
beside the body before he flees.
When Matt doesn’t
come home from school, his father, Cole Strong, is concerned. With the help of Matt’s
best friend, Billy, he starts hunting for his son, finally ending up at the school,
talking to the teacher who assigned the research paper that got Matt into trouble. Cole
orders Miss Pruitt to accompany him as they follow the paper trail in hopes of finding
Matt before its too late.
Matt’s
computer teacher, Jill Pruitt, is shocked to find that computer geek, Matthew, has been
blamed for the brutal murder. Matt is incapable of killing a fly. She is angry at Cole for
neglecting his son in favor of working his ranch and accuses him of some horrible things
before finally agreeing to help. A strong Christian, she believes in going the extra mile
when someone asks for help.
Agrimax President,
Vince Grant, is scared. Matthew Strong holds the power to destroy him. He’s sent
threatening e-mails to the boy, hoping to scare him into backing off, and finally sends
his men to threaten him in person. But Matt refuses to back down, and now he’s in a
race against time. Will Matt be able to deliver the secrets to the person who is able to
stop Vince Grant or will Mr. Grant’s men manage to stop Matt? Will Jill and Cole find
love or death?
Catherine Palmer’s
FATAL HARVEST is the first book I’ve read by this author. Cole is really involved in
his ranch and neglected his son more than he should have, but when Matt comes up missing
he really rallies and surprises everyone by how much he cares. Jill is realistic, caring
about her students, but a bit outspoken when it comes to dealing with others. The computer
technology and food management are both explained in detail in this book. It is obvious
Ms. Palmer spent hours in research.
FATAL HARVEST
gripped my attention immediately and held it to the end. I was a little disappointed by
the ending; I thought there should have been another chapter to wrap things up but there
isn’t, and the ending is left to the reader’s imagination. All in all, FATAL
HARVEST was a satisfying read, and I highly recommend it. Available August 2003, $12.99,
309 pages.
Reviewed by Laura
V. Hilton for The Road to Romance
October 28, 2003 |
