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Haven #1
Fatal Harvest
Teenager Matt Strong discovers a secret that could expose the indiscretions of the conglomerate who controls the world's food supply. Now he's been framed for murder and is on the run. Matt's father, Cole Strong, enlists the help of Matt's teacher Jill Pruitt to find the boy and save his life. Before long, the two are caught up in a dangerous quest with stakes much higher than either is prepared to face.
352 pages, Paperback
First published June 25, 2003
8 people are currently reading
201 people want to read
About the author
Catherine Palmer
83 books286 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Catherine Palmer lives in Atlanta with her husband, Tim, where they serve as missionaries in a refugee community. They have two grown sons. Cathy is a graduate of Southwest Baptist University and holds a master's degree in English from Baylor University. Her first book was published in 1988. Since then she has published over 50 novels, many of them national best sellers. Catherine has won numerous awards for her writing, including the Christy Award, the highest honor in Christian fiction. In 2004, she was given the Career Achievement Award for Inspirational Romance by "Romantic Times" magazine. More than 2 million copies of Catherine's novels are currently in print. The Author's Work With her compelling characters and strong message of Christian faith, Catherine is known for writing fiction that "touches the hearts and souls of readers." Her many collections include A Town Called Hope, Treasures of the Heart, Finders Keepers, English Ivy, and the Miss Pickworth series. Catherine also recently coauthored the Four Seasons fiction series with Gary Chapman, the "New York Times" best-selling author of "The Five Love Languages."
Catherine Palmer lives in Atlanta with her husband, Tim, where they serve as missionaries in a refugee community. They have two grown sons. Cathy is a graduate of Southwest Baptist University and holds a master's degree in English from Baylor University. Her first book was published in 1988. Since then she has published over 50 novels, many of them national best sellers. Catherine has won numerous awards for her writing, including the Christy Award, the highest honor in Christian fiction. In 2004, she was given the Career Achievement Award for Inspirational Romance by "Romantic Times" magazine. More than 2 million copies of Catherine's novels are currently in print. The Author's Work With her compelling characters and strong message of Christian faith, Catherine is known for writing fiction that "touches the hearts and souls of readers." Her many collections include A Town Called Hope, Treasures of the Heart, Finders Keepers, English Ivy, and the Miss Pickworth series. Catherine also recently coauthored the Four Seasons fiction series with Gary Chapman, the "New York Times" best-selling author of "The Five Love Languages."
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
July 10, 2017
I ran across this book at Goodwill, and thought it sounded good..... and was it ever. I didn't intend to read the book in one day, but I did do that. It was full of suspense, and the characters were very likable, especially 16 year old Matt trying to do the right thing, no matter what. I loved the book, and am wanting to read more books by this author.
October 21, 2018
Suppose you are a 16- year old sophomore Geek taking a computer class in high school. You are a Christian and so is the computer teacher. She shares stories of how a huge portion of the world is starving and the missions trips she takes to third world countries to help with feeding stations. You are burdened by the thought of so many starving, and in another class you begin writing a term paper about this problem and a possible solution. Your research leads you to a nearby man who has just retired from one of the three mega corporations who control the majority of the world's genetically engineered seeds, the crops, and in fact pretty much control the world's food supply. The retired employee pirates information from his former company that will destroy his former employer, Agrimax, by exposing a sinister plot, the goal of which is power and vast wealth. They care nothing about people.
What to do? You begin writing to company exec's who respond with threats. Some men claiming to be recruiters from an Ivy League college sign you out of school to talk to you and get ice cream, but they aren't who they say they are. They rough you up and ruthlessly question you, asking how you hacked Agrimax computers, and did you get your information from their former employee. Your new adult friend, the source of and keeper of the secret data, Mr. Banyon is murdered and you become a suspect. Since your Mom died, you and your Dad have drifted far apart... and he indirectly works for this company, Agrimax. Your Dad's livelihood comes from raising beef cattle that he sells to one of their subsidiaries, another subsidiary sells him their Chile pepper seeds and direct him how much to plant and which and how much of their fertilizers to use if he wants them to buy his product. The same goes for his hay crop. Because you and your Dad aren't close, you feel you can't turn to him.
Before you know it you are a fugitive, on the run, trying to get a mini drive containing the secret information to a respected and well know leader of a food relief program, who is in another country.
When your Dad finds out you are missing, he strong arms the
computer teacher, Miss Pruitt into helping him find you. Though your Dad comes across as abrasive and uncaring, Miss Pruitt agrees to help because you are a talented, very intelligent but socially inept student, and also a fellow Christian who shares your passion.
What follows next is a bit over the top-- chasing around the world, threats, violence attempted murder, sneaking across borders, conspiracy...
Just when Matt and Billy get to Mr. Karume in Sudan and they place the mini drive in a computer to show him, Agrimax people shoot the computer and Mr Karume, melting the mini drive. Is the information lost? Will the leaders at Agrimax succeed with their evil plans?
Through all this, the characters' faith is put to the test-- they trust, they doubt, they get discouraged, they are bold and gutsy, and each of them comes to realize things about themselves that they didn't know. They grow closer to God and each other. I especially liked the friendship between Matthew and Billy, a real, true friendship in every way, and the loyalty of Matt's father's employees, to the job and to Matt and his Dad. That is something rare today.
This book was written almost 20 years ago but it still packs a powerful punch today because we can see the effects of these mega corporations, the genetically engineered seeds, and the disappearing of small ranchers and farmers. They must join up with the big guys-- they simply cannot make it without them. With the dwindling supply and use of heirloom seeds in favor of using all the same seed, all it would take is one pesticide- resistant insect, or one disease that fails to respond to treatment, and the masses will plunge into hunger. "What if"is a question I asked often while reading this book.
It's a good read.
What to do? You begin writing to company exec's who respond with threats. Some men claiming to be recruiters from an Ivy League college sign you out of school to talk to you and get ice cream, but they aren't who they say they are. They rough you up and ruthlessly question you, asking how you hacked Agrimax computers, and did you get your information from their former employee. Your new adult friend, the source of and keeper of the secret data, Mr. Banyon is murdered and you become a suspect. Since your Mom died, you and your Dad have drifted far apart... and he indirectly works for this company, Agrimax. Your Dad's livelihood comes from raising beef cattle that he sells to one of their subsidiaries, another subsidiary sells him their Chile pepper seeds and direct him how much to plant and which and how much of their fertilizers to use if he wants them to buy his product. The same goes for his hay crop. Because you and your Dad aren't close, you feel you can't turn to him.
Before you know it you are a fugitive, on the run, trying to get a mini drive containing the secret information to a respected and well know leader of a food relief program, who is in another country.
When your Dad finds out you are missing, he strong arms the
computer teacher, Miss Pruitt into helping him find you. Though your Dad comes across as abrasive and uncaring, Miss Pruitt agrees to help because you are a talented, very intelligent but socially inept student, and also a fellow Christian who shares your passion.
What follows next is a bit over the top-- chasing around the world, threats, violence attempted murder, sneaking across borders, conspiracy...
Just when Matt and Billy get to Mr. Karume in Sudan and they place the mini drive in a computer to show him, Agrimax people shoot the computer and Mr Karume, melting the mini drive. Is the information lost? Will the leaders at Agrimax succeed with their evil plans?
Through all this, the characters' faith is put to the test-- they trust, they doubt, they get discouraged, they are bold and gutsy, and each of them comes to realize things about themselves that they didn't know. They grow closer to God and each other. I especially liked the friendship between Matthew and Billy, a real, true friendship in every way, and the loyalty of Matt's father's employees, to the job and to Matt and his Dad. That is something rare today.
This book was written almost 20 years ago but it still packs a powerful punch today because we can see the effects of these mega corporations, the genetically engineered seeds, and the disappearing of small ranchers and farmers. They must join up with the big guys-- they simply cannot make it without them. With the dwindling supply and use of heirloom seeds in favor of using all the same seed, all it would take is one pesticide- resistant insect, or one disease that fails to respond to treatment, and the masses will plunge into hunger. "What if"is a question I asked often while reading this book.
It's a good read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 28, 2025
When my mom recommended Fatal Harvest by Catherine Palmer to me, at first I was unsure. I thought it would be set in the 1800s, but it really surprised me by being set in the early-mid 2000s! I was about to go to camp for 5 days straight, and wanted to bring a good, Christian book with me to help me remember and focus on God. And since the book seemed to be the perfect size, and it was one of the books on my TBR, AND my mom said I would like it, I brought it. And let me tell you, by chapter one I was hooked! Catherine Palmer really dove into the story line and action, learning who the characters are and what their part is in the book wasn't so complicated to understand like some other books I have read. The end of the book snuck up on me, and I felt like I needed at least 1 more chapter to clear up what happened to everyone and everything in the last chapter--so kinda disappointed. But I have to say, it is a 4.8 star rating for me. It wasn't the best book I have ever read, but definitely not the worst! I recommend reading if you're looking for an intense ( but somehow still cozy) read.
July 11, 2022
Typical Christian fiction. I found it to be rather preachy. Rather than telling the reader that a character prayed, the entire prayer is written. Much of the story was not very believable. Sixteen year olds outsmarting highly paid security forces just does not fly. The security guys came across as bumbling idiots. Also, all of these people flying without luggage would have raised all kinds of alerts with airport security. And the adults would have known they couldn’t fly into a foreign country without visas.
December 27, 2023
Book is a bit draggy in the middle but smacks of the reality of the corruption of our food supply by greed. The love interest is predictable. The boys are endearing. Perhaps a bit much on the “pray and everything will turn out fine” theology but I enjoyed the emphasis on God’s leading and our need to be obedient.
November 25, 2018
Though it’s an over the top action filled adventure, you will be entertained. A young Christian boy has proof of a major food company planning to control the world’s food supply....they are big, powerful, vindictive and on to him...
Could be appropriate for YA
Could be appropriate for YA
February 4, 2023
A very good novel of suspense.
May 23, 2011
Goons from a huge food conglomerate who deal with genetically-modified seeds, are after the Mattman. He has some information they don't want leaked. Matt's only wanting the poor in starving countries, to be fed.
It's a race across countries in this first book in the "Fatal Harvest" series. Matt lacks social skills and Billy is too trusting. Cole is headstrong with Jill trying to teach him to trust God. As Matt and Billy attempt to hand over information to the right people, Cole and Jill are trying to find Matt and Billy. So is the head of Agrimax.
Cole is engaged to another woman who is jealous of his time with Jill.
It's a race across countries in this first book in the "Fatal Harvest" series. Matt lacks social skills and Billy is too trusting. Cole is headstrong with Jill trying to teach him to trust God. As Matt and Billy attempt to hand over information to the right people, Cole and Jill are trying to find Matt and Billy. So is the head of Agrimax.
Cole is engaged to another woman who is jealous of his time with Jill.
January 30, 2011
I really enjoyed this book. It started out slowly and I was not sure but then picked up to keep me interested through to the end. There is a very strong Christian message throughout about feeding the hungry and trusting God to keep him safe, that has a 16 year old boy travelling from the U.S. to Mexico and then Sudan to expose a dark secret, as well as his father and high school teacher who are trying to find him.
February 25, 2011
Matt researches a paper, and finds out secrets about one of the worlds largest food suppliers, and then is implicated in a murder. He sets off running from the bad guys, and his father and teacher set out to find him.
I liked this book, but didn't LOVE it. I do like Catherine Palmers style, but her books are a little preachy. I didn't love the ending of this book. I thought the ending was a little abrupt. She could have wrapped things up a bit cleaner, and added another chapter or two.
I liked this book, but didn't LOVE it. I do like Catherine Palmers style, but her books are a little preachy. I didn't love the ending of this book. I thought the ending was a little abrupt. She could have wrapped things up a bit cleaner, and added another chapter or two.
October 24, 2013
This story reminds me of a documentary my youngest son, Kevin, sent to me several years ago, and also book I read years ago about our threatened food supply caused by losing the stock that current hybrids were developed from. I wish there had been a bit more of this danger included in the story. This seemed to be an ideal vehicle to raise awareness of this potential danger to the world's food supply.
October 6, 2010
Quick, easy read. Entertaining but not believable.
December 5, 2010
At first I thought it would be a fast paced page turner. Turned out I was wrong. Easy read with a few exciting moments but on the whole a dull book.
May 30, 2012
With the fast-paced adventure of an Indiana Jones movie, heart-pounding romance and faith-filled inspiration, Catherine Palmer's Fatal Harvest cannot be topped.
Read
November 17, 2012Fans of Debra White Smith’s Christian suspense may also enjoy Catherine Palmer. The combination of mystery and inspirational fiction may appeal to you. This is the first in the Haven series.
June 12, 2013
Very intriguing. Slow to start but once it did, I had a difficult time stopping. Almost completed in one sitting.
June 11, 2015
good read
November 18, 2015
Couldn't book the book down. Read it one day.
August 1, 2010
clean, but slow.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews