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Full Measure
Patrick Norris returns to rural California after serving with the Marine Corps in Afghanistan. Fire has ravaged his home farm and it has all become too much for his parents and brother to manage. The country has changed though, notably after the mass killings of children in schools across the United States, invariably by lone gunmen, and a great tension exists in the people. Is there really a case for an even wider ownership of guns? Patrick's brother, Ted, hasn't had it easy in life. Health conditions have slowed him down and set him apart. Ted worships Patrick, and Patrick knows he has to be an example, but settling down to the country life cannot be easy after Iraq. When a child is mown down by an unknown driver suspicion takes over Fallbrook. There will be deaths before it is all resolved, perhaps many and perhaps the death of innocents.
300 pages, Paperback
First published September 25, 2014
93 people are currently reading
1615 people want to read
About the author
T. Jefferson Parker
101 books860 followersT. Jefferson Parker is the bestselling author of 26 crime novels, including Edgar Award-winners SILENT JOE and CALIFORNIA GIRL. Parker's next work is coming-of-age thriller, A THOUSAND STEPS, set for January of 2022. He lives with his family in a small town in north San Diego County, and enjoys fishing, hiking and beachcombing.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 144 reviews
May 22, 2017
This is a very moving and beautifully written novel of a family and a community under siege. Patrick Norris's family has been growing avocados near the town of Fallbrook in southern California for decades, but the farm and the region have been suffering the effects of a long-running drought that has taken a particularly hard toll on the Norris family farm and on many others as well.
Avocado trees are very sensitive plants and only about a million things can go wrong before the avocados are harvested. The last thing they need in addition to the lack of rainfall is a wildfire that sweeps through the region and destroys many of the trees. Patrick has been away from home, fighting with the Marines in Afghanistan, and he returns to find the farm on the brink of failing. The crops are ruined; his father and mother are already extended almost to the limit, and the banks will not loan any more money.
Patrick has long made it clear that he has no interest in farming. His dream in life is to own a small boat and guide sport fishermen. But he agrees to put his dreams on hold in an effort to help his parents and his brother try to save the farm.
Patrick is very happy to be back from Afghanistan, but like a lot of other returning servicemen and women, he carries a considerable amount of baggage from the war. In addition to all the other problems confronting him is his older brother, Ted.
Ted is a tormented soul who seems incapable of doing anything right, certainly in the eyes of his father. He firmly believes that government at every level is his enemy and everyone else's. This extends all the way to the mayor of the small community that is suffering so badly. Ted, who was carrying "a solid D average," has been kicked out of college for drawing and posting a nasty cartoon critical of the mayor, and he's fallen in with a rough crowd of white supremacists. Patrick loves his brother and does everything he can to save him, but the challenge is an enormous one.
In a way, the Norris family and the town of Fallbrook can be seen as stand-ins for any number of individuals and communities who are struggling to adapt to changing times and circumstances in the United States of the early twenty-first century. Parker writes elegantly and sympathetically of these characters, their community, and their precarious place in the world. He draws you into their lives and gives you a ringside seat as the community and each of these characters attempts to make their way under extremely difficult circumstances. It can be hard to watch at times, but it's a beautifully written and very timely story.
Avocado trees are very sensitive plants and only about a million things can go wrong before the avocados are harvested. The last thing they need in addition to the lack of rainfall is a wildfire that sweeps through the region and destroys many of the trees. Patrick has been away from home, fighting with the Marines in Afghanistan, and he returns to find the farm on the brink of failing. The crops are ruined; his father and mother are already extended almost to the limit, and the banks will not loan any more money.
Patrick has long made it clear that he has no interest in farming. His dream in life is to own a small boat and guide sport fishermen. But he agrees to put his dreams on hold in an effort to help his parents and his brother try to save the farm.
Patrick is very happy to be back from Afghanistan, but like a lot of other returning servicemen and women, he carries a considerable amount of baggage from the war. In addition to all the other problems confronting him is his older brother, Ted.
Ted is a tormented soul who seems incapable of doing anything right, certainly in the eyes of his father. He firmly believes that government at every level is his enemy and everyone else's. This extends all the way to the mayor of the small community that is suffering so badly. Ted, who was carrying "a solid D average," has been kicked out of college for drawing and posting a nasty cartoon critical of the mayor, and he's fallen in with a rough crowd of white supremacists. Patrick loves his brother and does everything he can to save him, but the challenge is an enormous one.
In a way, the Norris family and the town of Fallbrook can be seen as stand-ins for any number of individuals and communities who are struggling to adapt to changing times and circumstances in the United States of the early twenty-first century. Parker writes elegantly and sympathetically of these characters, their community, and their precarious place in the world. He draws you into their lives and gives you a ringside seat as the community and each of these characters attempts to make their way under extremely difficult circumstances. It can be hard to watch at times, but it's a beautifully written and very timely story.
May 28, 2014
When Patrick Norris returns home after being discharged from the Marines, he finds the family avocado farm devastated by a recent wildfire. His older brother Ted still lives at home and is kind of a loser. How can Pat help his family when he's still adjusting to life away from Afganistan?
I got this ARC from Netgalley.
I've seen T. Jefferson Parker novels on bookstore shelves for years, right after Robert B. Parker. I don't know what I expected from T-Jeff, as I now call him, but it wasn't this.
I'd thought T-Jeff was a crime writer but this felt more like general fiction with a few crime elements. I expected a mystery around who set the wildfire but it was barely touched upon. The bigger story was the contrast between Pat and Ted, the Norris brothers.
I felt sorry for Ted. He tried as hard as he could to please his father and generally fit in but was socially inept and had bad feet and a history of drug abuse. Plus he had a pet tarantula. Since I had one for a brief time when I was a young teen, I felt some kinship for him. Pat seemed like a good guy but I sure wouldn't go drinking with him. He's really keyed up from life in the marines and can't seem to relax. Alcohol does NOT help.
The story wasn't what I expected but I still found it interesting. There was the mystery behind what Lucinda's deal with and what messed up thing Ted would do to prove himself. For me, the biggest mystery of the book was why Iris would put up with Pat's crap. She saw him beat the dog shit out of some guy and he and some of his ex-marine pals got tanked and trashed her place.
Besides Pat and Ted, I found the rest of the Norris family interesting, even when I didn't agree with them. The final scene of the book was my favorite part and I was worried a specific character wouldn't survive. I was pleased at how it turned out.
Final random thought:
Avocado farming seems like a hard life. Did you know it takes years and years for an avocado tree to bear fruit?
Three out of five stars. I think one of T-Jeff's Charlie Hood books would have been a better choice to bust my cherry with.
I got this ARC from Netgalley.
I've seen T. Jefferson Parker novels on bookstore shelves for years, right after Robert B. Parker. I don't know what I expected from T-Jeff, as I now call him, but it wasn't this.
I'd thought T-Jeff was a crime writer but this felt more like general fiction with a few crime elements. I expected a mystery around who set the wildfire but it was barely touched upon. The bigger story was the contrast between Pat and Ted, the Norris brothers.
I felt sorry for Ted. He tried as hard as he could to please his father and generally fit in but was socially inept and had bad feet and a history of drug abuse. Plus he had a pet tarantula. Since I had one for a brief time when I was a young teen, I felt some kinship for him. Pat seemed like a good guy but I sure wouldn't go drinking with him. He's really keyed up from life in the marines and can't seem to relax. Alcohol does NOT help.
The story wasn't what I expected but I still found it interesting. There was the mystery behind what Lucinda's deal with and what messed up thing Ted would do to prove himself. For me, the biggest mystery of the book was why Iris would put up with Pat's crap. She saw him beat the dog shit out of some guy and he and some of his ex-marine pals got tanked and trashed her place.
Besides Pat and Ted, I found the rest of the Norris family interesting, even when I didn't agree with them. The final scene of the book was my favorite part and I was worried a specific character wouldn't survive. I was pleased at how it turned out.
Final random thought:
Avocado farming seems like a hard life. Did you know it takes years and years for an avocado tree to bear fruit?
Three out of five stars. I think one of T-Jeff's Charlie Hood books would have been a better choice to bust my cherry with.
October 16, 2014
Received this via GoodReads FirstReads in exchange for an honest review.
Hate to not finish I book I won but DNF at 45%.
I tried, I really did but... I can't. It's not a bad novel, just couldn't sink into the story. Maybe I wasn't the right audience for it? *shrugs*
You may like it better.. I think it's another case of 'It's not the book, it's me'
Hate to not finish I book I won but DNF at 45%.
I tried, I really did but... I can't. It's not a bad novel, just couldn't sink into the story. Maybe I wasn't the right audience for it? *shrugs*
You may like it better.. I think it's another case of 'It's not the book, it's me'
April 9, 2015
A departure from the Charlie Hood series. A story about 2 brothers and the demons they fight. I enjoyed FULL MEASURE and recommend it to my GR FRIENDS.
June 21, 2014
I received this novel for free from Goodreads First Reads.
I enjoyed the storyline of this book: One brother returning home from Afghanistan while another brother is battling his inside demons. I wish the book would have focused more on the brother/brother relationship than on some political agenda. This made the first half of the book hard to read, and I almost gave up on it several times. Without going into detail I felt that the book was overly political, stereotypical and biased. Long conversations centered around finances, government, illegals, guns and war. From the beginning the book was predictable. I did enjoy the writing, which flowed smoothly, and the storyline. I wish the book would have delved deeper into the characters because they seemed very shallow and unemotional.
I enjoyed the storyline of this book: One brother returning home from Afghanistan while another brother is battling his inside demons. I wish the book would have focused more on the brother/brother relationship than on some political agenda. This made the first half of the book hard to read, and I almost gave up on it several times. Without going into detail I felt that the book was overly political, stereotypical and biased. Long conversations centered around finances, government, illegals, guns and war. From the beginning the book was predictable. I did enjoy the writing, which flowed smoothly, and the storyline. I wish the book would have delved deeper into the characters because they seemed very shallow and unemotional.
October 30, 2014
A little bit different from what I'm used to reading from Parker. And it was a great change from Parker's Charlie Hood series, which I thought he took a couple of books too far.
Parker fans will like the way he switched gears with this story.
Parker fans will like the way he switched gears with this story.
November 5, 2014
ARC received courtesy of Goodreads.com giveaway
This novel has so many layers to it that the reader really has to think to get below the surface story. Patrick Norris has just returned from a tour of duty in Afghanistan. He comes back to the family avocado farm that has been devastated by a wild fire. His father wants him to take over the farm once it gets back on solid footing but Patrick dreams of being the captain of his own fishing boat. Patrick's brother, Ted, is a very strange man who is beset by feet problems. The only way he feels comfortable in life is to "watch" life through some kind of glass like a video game.
"Full Measure" is the story of the family's coming apart just like the countryside came apart following the fire. Intertwined in the family's story are the stories of several other residents of the town. The reader is treated to Parker's distinct voice as he describes the setting and characters. We know that more destruction is coming, but we don't know what that destruction will be until the very end of the book.
Because I received this book as a giveaway, I was treated to a letter from T. Jefferson Parker describing his career and his inspirations for his books. I was so interested in learning about his motivations and inspirations for his writing. What a pleasure and an honor to be treated to an author's thoughts about a book that one is holding!
This novel has so many layers to it that the reader really has to think to get below the surface story. Patrick Norris has just returned from a tour of duty in Afghanistan. He comes back to the family avocado farm that has been devastated by a wild fire. His father wants him to take over the farm once it gets back on solid footing but Patrick dreams of being the captain of his own fishing boat. Patrick's brother, Ted, is a very strange man who is beset by feet problems. The only way he feels comfortable in life is to "watch" life through some kind of glass like a video game.
"Full Measure" is the story of the family's coming apart just like the countryside came apart following the fire. Intertwined in the family's story are the stories of several other residents of the town. The reader is treated to Parker's distinct voice as he describes the setting and characters. We know that more destruction is coming, but we don't know what that destruction will be until the very end of the book.
Because I received this book as a giveaway, I was treated to a letter from T. Jefferson Parker describing his career and his inspirations for his books. I was so interested in learning about his motivations and inspirations for his writing. What a pleasure and an honor to be treated to an author's thoughts about a book that one is holding!
October 7, 2014
T. Jefferson Parker is a top mystery writer, but, in this narrative, chose to write a story about the trials and tribulations of returning veterans from Afghanistan. Given recent news stories about the problems at the Veterans Administration, it is a topic certainly worthy of being told and retold many times. However, he has plotted a different course: A story about two brothers and their relationship with their parents, who are trying to salvage an avocado farm that has been devastated by a massive fire that has destroyed much of the California town in which they live and work.
Patrick Norris served in a Marine group that suffered the worst casualties of the long Asian war. When he returned home, he dreamed of buying a boat and running a fishing charter service from San Diego Bay. Instead, he has to help his father resurrect the avocado farm. And he has to cope with his brother Ted, who can’t seem to do anything right.
The plight of returning veterans seems to be an afterthought as the novel moves ahead despite the author’s avowal that the subject was his intent when he set out to write it. Instead, we have what amounts to a love story interspersed with the hardship of farming as a way of life, a possibly dysfunctional family situation, and occasionally an exhibition of violence or PTSD. Given the high bar set by this author in past novels, I must admit that I found this one disappointing.
Patrick Norris served in a Marine group that suffered the worst casualties of the long Asian war. When he returned home, he dreamed of buying a boat and running a fishing charter service from San Diego Bay. Instead, he has to help his father resurrect the avocado farm. And he has to cope with his brother Ted, who can’t seem to do anything right.
The plight of returning veterans seems to be an afterthought as the novel moves ahead despite the author’s avowal that the subject was his intent when he set out to write it. Instead, we have what amounts to a love story interspersed with the hardship of farming as a way of life, a possibly dysfunctional family situation, and occasionally an exhibition of violence or PTSD. Given the high bar set by this author in past novels, I must admit that I found this one disappointing.
November 6, 2014
Over the last few decades T. Jefferson Parker has written fists full of fine crime/mystery novels. He has the sales and awards to prove it and a background which grants him street cred.
This time out he has swerved onto a different road. He is still exploring the American psyche, the American infra-structure of people, the events we tsk-tsk about over our morning coffee or while digesting our dinners in front to the TV. Here, in "Full Measure", we have a pared down portrait in a literary novel which lacks the deadly boring prose and obfuscation which so gratifies Academia. We journey with real people down a tough and dangerous road with tragedies remembered, witnessed and overcome.
Set in Southern California's avocado country, in a small town, centered on a soldier returned from Afghanistan---a simple Marine, not a super man or someone bedecked with medals---we are swept into a life of adjustment, into a family struggling to save its dream, into a town trying to make itself a good place to live. This is a human story, grandly told.
Highly recommended.
This time out he has swerved onto a different road. He is still exploring the American psyche, the American infra-structure of people, the events we tsk-tsk about over our morning coffee or while digesting our dinners in front to the TV. Here, in "Full Measure", we have a pared down portrait in a literary novel which lacks the deadly boring prose and obfuscation which so gratifies Academia. We journey with real people down a tough and dangerous road with tragedies remembered, witnessed and overcome.
Set in Southern California's avocado country, in a small town, centered on a soldier returned from Afghanistan---a simple Marine, not a super man or someone bedecked with medals---we are swept into a life of adjustment, into a family struggling to save its dream, into a town trying to make itself a good place to live. This is a human story, grandly told.
Highly recommended.
October 19, 2014
This was a First Reads win for me. I'm glad I won it because I would not have read it otherwise. This wouldn't have been a book pick for me, but I liked it and read the whole thing. T. Jefferson Parker definitely reminded me of John Steinbeck's writing. This is about two brothers ... one is a former Marine who returned from Afghanistan and the other brother, who has some mental problems and is trying to prove himself. Both have serious problems and are trying to overcome them. They are having to deal with their family and mostly themselves. I would like to give this 3.5 stars ... the writing is definitely better than the content. I felt there was too much realism in the book for me ... and not the type that I like to read about.
March 25, 2017
Can't help but feel like I've read this book a hundred times before. I think it's mainly because of all the played out characters. Soldier returning home with PTSD, reclusive outcast character who falls in with the wrong crowd, family fighting to keep their land from being taken by the bank. And don't even get me started on the Hispanic character, because yup, he's in a gang. Only thing worse than the flat characters is the poorly written dialogue that goes from bad to absolutely cringe-worthy during the storm at the end of the work.
October 10, 2014
T. Jefferson Parker has won three Edgar Awards for a reason—he’s a great writer. With FULL MEASURE, he steps away from more traditional crime fiction and into the mainstream literary genre. The result is this wonderful book. Want to know what a character-driven story feels like? Read FULL MEASURE. Characters that will linger with you for a long time. Highly recommended.
DP Lyle, award-winning author of the Samantha Cody and Dub Walker thriller series
DP Lyle, award-winning author of the Samantha Cody and Dub Walker thriller series
October 9, 2014
Full Measure by T. Jefferson Parker was a well-written and timely book, and while I enjoyed reading about two the two brothers, Patrick and Ted and Norris, I expected so much more from this rather promising book, possibly too much. T. Jefferson Parker is an excellent writer and I suggest reading other reviews before deciding if this book is right for you.
June 4, 2015
Not his usual fare, but character's came to life, and I needed to know what came next. This novel based on a soldier's return home & the problems he is facing, that not only include adjusting to a drastic life change, but his parents farm is burned, a fellow soldier kills himself, and a brother who goes off the deep end.
January 3, 2015
Not the usual Parker story, but a wonderful departure from his usual. Recommended.
November 9, 2017
This book was different than other books I have read by this author in that it was not about the police trying to solve a crime, but about a family dealing with crises. Even though I cringed at some of the decisions made by the characters, their actions always were believable. Parker’s descriptions of the locales in his stories are always so detailed and beautifully written, I end up wanting to travel there.
January 3, 2021
I have read other of TJP books and enjoyed. This book seemed different and I lost interest early, started to skim read, then skipped to the end. So 2 stars from me, only as a heads up on future reads....just me, your mileage may differ.
August 7, 2019
Another terrific story by T. Jefferson Parker. I must enjoy his stories, this was my 14th story read by the writer!
October 11, 2014
There is a depth to Full Measure that is hard to put into words. Parker has a powerful way of capturing the emotion of a former soldier who has seen too much and will never be the same man.
Many men return from war broken, scarred and haunted by memories for a lifetime. Patrick isn't any different except that he comes home to as many problems as he left in Afghanistan; just different ones. Coming home should be a magical thing for a soldier but when all the comforts of home have disappeared it can leave a man lost and confused.
Patrick returns home to find his families farm burned down and his their financial future in limbo. This story takes place in Fallbrook, California, a place I have been a few times so I felt a deep connection to it. I was able to relate to the local references which always makes me feel more a part of the story and more invested in its outcome.
It seems Patrick's luck has gone from bad to worse and he is dealing with his own PTSD, the drama of a troubled brother and working to secure his families future. It's a lot for anyone to handle and he experiences the full gamete of emotions. It's not all bad news though as a potential new romance enters the picture and there is always the promise of new beginnings.
Snyder Jay brings Parker's story to life beautifully and is a reader that I hope to hear from again soon. They really do make or break the audio books. It got a bit slow for me at times and seemed to go off on random tangents but he always brought it back.
Full Measure is a story full of sadness and hope, heartbreak and joy. You will experience a full range of emotions while reading (or listening) to it.
Many men return from war broken, scarred and haunted by memories for a lifetime. Patrick isn't any different except that he comes home to as many problems as he left in Afghanistan; just different ones. Coming home should be a magical thing for a soldier but when all the comforts of home have disappeared it can leave a man lost and confused.
Patrick returns home to find his families farm burned down and his their financial future in limbo. This story takes place in Fallbrook, California, a place I have been a few times so I felt a deep connection to it. I was able to relate to the local references which always makes me feel more a part of the story and more invested in its outcome.
It seems Patrick's luck has gone from bad to worse and he is dealing with his own PTSD, the drama of a troubled brother and working to secure his families future. It's a lot for anyone to handle and he experiences the full gamete of emotions. It's not all bad news though as a potential new romance enters the picture and there is always the promise of new beginnings.
Snyder Jay brings Parker's story to life beautifully and is a reader that I hope to hear from again soon. They really do make or break the audio books. It got a bit slow for me at times and seemed to go off on random tangents but he always brought it back.
Full Measure is a story full of sadness and hope, heartbreak and joy. You will experience a full range of emotions while reading (or listening) to it.
November 25, 2014
An excellent book with an oddly misleading cover summary. Just ignore the inside cover text and read the book.
This book is unlike most of Parker's fiction, in that it is not exactly a crime novel, although there are several crimes involved. It is not exactly a mystery, even though there are two deadly mysteries which wander through the threads of the story.
Patrick has just come home from Afghanistan, and the book tries to convey some of the horror of that setting. A thing as simple as finding it hard to relax, when you've spent the last year hyper-vigilant in combat, is a telling point that most people may never have considered.
Making it worse, he has come home to a family crisis, as wildfires have burned part of the family avocado farm and put the whole family at risk of financial ruin.
The author never uses the term, but Patrick's brother Ted acts like he's high-functioning autistic, with his mechanical responses to situations and his oddly dystunctional interactions with other human beings. Ted is physically and emotionally damaged, and the crisis has only made things worse.
As Patrick tries to find a place to recover and find his place in the world, more things keep getting in the way, from financial disasters to the behavior of his Marine buddies.
The town itself is in crises of its own, both financial and social, and things build toward both literal and figurative storms. Both human nature and physical nature can leave a lot of wreckage behind.
This is a powerful story, but not always a happy one.
This book is unlike most of Parker's fiction, in that it is not exactly a crime novel, although there are several crimes involved. It is not exactly a mystery, even though there are two deadly mysteries which wander through the threads of the story.
Patrick has just come home from Afghanistan, and the book tries to convey some of the horror of that setting. A thing as simple as finding it hard to relax, when you've spent the last year hyper-vigilant in combat, is a telling point that most people may never have considered.
Making it worse, he has come home to a family crisis, as wildfires have burned part of the family avocado farm and put the whole family at risk of financial ruin.
The author never uses the term, but Patrick's brother Ted acts like he's high-functioning autistic, with his mechanical responses to situations and his oddly dystunctional interactions with other human beings. Ted is physically and emotionally damaged, and the crisis has only made things worse.
As Patrick tries to find a place to recover and find his place in the world, more things keep getting in the way, from financial disasters to the behavior of his Marine buddies.
The town itself is in crises of its own, both financial and social, and things build toward both literal and figurative storms. Both human nature and physical nature can leave a lot of wreckage behind.
This is a powerful story, but not always a happy one.
February 16, 2014
This book is due out in September, 2014. A Marine, Patrick, returns home to Fallbrook, CA (where Parker now lives) after a tough deployment in Afghanistan to find his family home almost in ruins-the avocado groves were destroyed by fire. His home still stands thanks to his older brother, Ted, who is a bit of a screw-up. This is more a book about brothers than a book about transition from war to peace. Parker does a good job of painting the canvas about service and camaraderie in the Marines. It has a few minor errors in Marine-speak. I like how Patrick is a strong guy who takes charge and is not portrayed as a helpless victim with PTSD. Yes, he has issues with loud noises and gets into a fight or two but he is a selfless guy who is always trying to do right. He's at a decision point in his life. Should he stay in the Marines or go after his dream of buying a boat and taking fishermen out off Point Loma. But then he has to stop everything and help his dad with the avocado farm. They are in danger of losing it. Plus his brother Ted must be bi-polar and is always making wrong decisions and getting into the wrong crowd. There's a grain of truth in this story as Parker focuses on a family of white supremacists that have returned to Fallbrook-based on the real Metzger family. We have elements of love as well as terrorism in this story. I'm wondering if it will be a stand-alone book or if we have another series like Charlie Hood on its way. It was a good read.
October 26, 2015
I enjoyed this book. A good story about family relationships, and how events in our lives affect us and those we love.
"Patrick Norris has seen the worst that Afghanistan has to offer–excruciating heat, bitter cold, and death waiting behind every rock as comrades are blown to pieces by bombs and snipers. He returns home exhilarated by his new freedom and eager to realize his dream of a sport fishing business. But he is shocked to learn that the avocado ranch his family has owned for generations in the foothills of San Diego has been destroyed by a massive wildfire and the parents he loves are facing ruin.
Ted Norris worships his brother and yearns for his approval. Gentle by nature, but tormented by strange fixations with a dark undercurrent, Ted is drawn into a circle of violent, criminal misfits. His urgent quest to prove himself threatens to put those he loves in peril.Patrick puts his own plans on hold to save the family's home and falls in love with Iris, a beautiful and unusual woman, when disaster strikes. When Ted's plan for redemption goes terribly wrong, he tries to disappear. Desperate to find his brother and salvage what remains of his family, Patrick must make an agonizing choice.Three-time Edgar Award-winner T. Jefferson Parker is known for his many bestselling crime novels, from Laguna Heat to The Famous and the Dead. Full Measure marks a departure; it is a literary novel that explores many subjects, among them the bonds of loyalty between brothers."
"Patrick Norris has seen the worst that Afghanistan has to offer–excruciating heat, bitter cold, and death waiting behind every rock as comrades are blown to pieces by bombs and snipers. He returns home exhilarated by his new freedom and eager to realize his dream of a sport fishing business. But he is shocked to learn that the avocado ranch his family has owned for generations in the foothills of San Diego has been destroyed by a massive wildfire and the parents he loves are facing ruin.
Ted Norris worships his brother and yearns for his approval. Gentle by nature, but tormented by strange fixations with a dark undercurrent, Ted is drawn into a circle of violent, criminal misfits. His urgent quest to prove himself threatens to put those he loves in peril.Patrick puts his own plans on hold to save the family's home and falls in love with Iris, a beautiful and unusual woman, when disaster strikes. When Ted's plan for redemption goes terribly wrong, he tries to disappear. Desperate to find his brother and salvage what remains of his family, Patrick must make an agonizing choice.Three-time Edgar Award-winner T. Jefferson Parker is known for his many bestselling crime novels, from Laguna Heat to The Famous and the Dead. Full Measure marks a departure; it is a literary novel that explores many subjects, among them the bonds of loyalty between brothers."
August 29, 2014
22-year old Patrick Norris returns home from his military service in Afghanistan to southern California to assist in the family business – or as his mother aptly states – “Leaving one war to fight another”. The family battling a crisis and on the verge of bankruptcy due to a wildfire that devastated their 80-acre avocado farm. Patrick is also keeping an eye on his “troubled” older brother, balancing family expectations versus personal dreams, stumbling into a few alcohol fueled brawls and falling in love.
Bigger picture, Patrick is also dealing with PTSD while he re-acclimates to “normal” American life – the latter including hyper-partisan politics, the economy and bail-outs, US citizenship, the “role” of government, gun control and “random” violence, i.e. current-day issues/headlines, which all somehow impinge on his daily life.
Thus much is covered here in Full Measure – in fact too much. All of these topics – important as they may be – are dealt with superficially, including the minimal story-line here and almost as an afterthought – a fairly transparent mystery. The author’s usual depth, subtlety and nuance missing here, resulting in a quick but average read.
Last but not least – the Steinbeck blurb/reference on the cover. Mr. Parker’s work stands on its own/speaks for itself – the nonsensical marketing hyperbole not only ridiculous, but simply unnecessary.
Bigger picture, Patrick is also dealing with PTSD while he re-acclimates to “normal” American life – the latter including hyper-partisan politics, the economy and bail-outs, US citizenship, the “role” of government, gun control and “random” violence, i.e. current-day issues/headlines, which all somehow impinge on his daily life.
Thus much is covered here in Full Measure – in fact too much. All of these topics – important as they may be – are dealt with superficially, including the minimal story-line here and almost as an afterthought – a fairly transparent mystery. The author’s usual depth, subtlety and nuance missing here, resulting in a quick but average read.
Last but not least – the Steinbeck blurb/reference on the cover. Mr. Parker’s work stands on its own/speaks for itself – the nonsensical marketing hyperbole not only ridiculous, but simply unnecessary.
June 27, 2014
I got this book from goodreads giveaways and I'm really glad I did. I loved this story. I thought it was comtemporary in dealing with issues that many are dealing with today. I loved Patrick, the marine back from Afghanistan and trying to adjust to normal life again. I like the way his character seemed a normal guy trying to deal with the last year of his life and how he seemed to have a bit of PTSD but he didn't go crazy and just needed to release some emotion, not always in a good way, but he didn't hurt anyone else. The storyline between him and his brother Ted is very moving and you can tell there is a lot of love there, but the brothers are polar opposites. The family knows there are problems with Ted, but with a fire destroying the families Avocado farm, they are trying to save the farm and are not sure how to help Ted. I love the ending, how the family is coming through and healing from all the trauma of the fire and Ted. I've probably said too much and will need to hide for spoilers. I've never read this author before and know I'm anxious to read his other books. This one will go down as one of my favorites and I would reread this in the future.
June 19, 2020
I've always liked T. Jefferson Parker, so even after the underwhelming Charlie Hood series I had hopes for his standalone followup, "Full Measure" (2014). Finally back home in California, Patrick Norris is still haunted by his Marines tour in Afghanistan. Plus, his brother has psychological problems of his own. And their parents are dealing with the aftermath of a deadly fire -- arson? -- that's all but destroyed the family avocado farm. Sadly, it's all pretty meh. None of the main characters is especially compelling and subplots involving Patrick's reporter girlfriend, a mayor seeking reelection and even a white supremacist seem slapped together. Parker has won three Edgar awards but the Hood books and this underdeveloped mishmash make you wonder if he's lost a little something off his fastball.
June 20, 2015
A real change of pace for Parker, who moves from the crime genre to a story about family. The author devotes the serene first half of the book to setting the scene for a rousing finish. While I enjoyed the story, I hope that Parker returns to his roots as the writer of literate yet action-packed crime thrillers.
August 30, 2018
There was a lot of descriptive, non-relative material making the book boring. Things that could be said in 2 sentences were dragged out into 2 pages. Too much fill-in material that had nothing to do with the plot or characters
April 27, 2016
Haunting and heartbreaking.
June 19, 2014
Wanted very much to like and enjoy this book. The author had such glowing reviews. But I found it to be rather boring and terribly depressing.
February 14, 2018
Honestly, I didn’t finish this book.
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