Harvest

By: Tess Gerritsen

Narrated by: George Guidall

Length: 12 hrs and 30 mins

Publisher's Summary

In Harvest, the book that introduced us to Tess Gerritsen's unique blend of medical expertise, harrowing suspense, and brilliantly crafted plot twists, the dark side of medical research is exposed. Harvest vividly portrays a young woman doctor challenging a world where medical miracles and greed fuel a lethal conspiracy - and the bright lights of the O.R. conceal the ultimate corruption of genius.

©1996 Tess Gerritsen (P)2011 Simon & Schuster Audio

Critic Reviews

" Harvest is the best medical thriller I've read since Coma." (James B. Patterson)

" Harvest is a nonstop, terrifying read and Tess Gerritsen is a real find." (Michael Palmer)

When things aren't as they seem...

STORY (medical thriller) - Abbe is a young surgical intern with a bright future and a great guy. Everything is going perfectly until she starts to wonder about certain things going on in the operating room. The publisher's summary doesn't give much away, so I won't either. I'll just say that some of this book takes place on an ocean-going vessel, but most of it takes place in and around a Chicago hospital. Abbe has stumbled onto something that's as dangerous as it is suspicious. As she struggles to learn what's going on in the OR, she is pressured by those who want to keep things secret. Her career and her very life are at stake.

There's interesting medical situations and lots of suspense in this book. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

PERFORMANCE - George Guidall does a very good job reading this book.

OVERALL (Actual rating 4.5) - Moderate violence and some cursing. Recommended for mature listeners(male or female) due to the subject matter.

7 of 7 people found this review helpful

Far Fetched

I am a big fan of medical thrillers. I love the Kay Scarpetta series. I realize that there is some suspension of disbelief necessary to enjoy this genre, but this book was so far fetched that I found myself rolling my eyes several times.

Although the narrator was not bad per se, he seemed like an akward fit for a female protagonist. I just could not reconcile the mature gentleman's voice with the 28 year female character he was trying to capture.

I was enthralled by Gerritsen's The Bone Garden, and would hope to see another historical/medical thriller like that from her in the future. Harvest just fell short of the expectations I had built up after being so impressed with The Bone Garden.

8 of 11 people found this review helpful

Very good listen!

Any additional comments?

This was a great book. Having been in the medical field as well as being involved with organ and tissue donation I was very interested in this story. I liked that the medical info was fairly accurate for the most part. There were a few things that made me think "that isnt right" but if you arent in the medical field you would not likely even notice them.

The possibility of this type of organ donation scam is often discussed by people that dont have any idea of how things work in this country. I cant believe that this could actually happen here but the idea of it happening makes for a great story.

Overall I thought this was very well written and am definitely going to listen to more from this author.

My only issue with the narrator is that in some parts of the book he was just too quiet. There were parts that I had to go back and turn the volume up for a minute.

3 of 4 people found this review helpful

I like the book

This was my third Tess Gerritsen novel and I like her style. The details are accurate without going into too much depth so it stayed interesting. I was afraid it might get too gruesome, but she takes you to the edge without going too far. The character development is great and the narrator excellent. You can really visualise what is happening.

10 of 15 people found this review helpful

TRUST ME

I HATE WHEN PEOPLE TELL ME THAT
Gerritsen has soul and she pours a little of it in each of her books. This was her debut novel of a career that has skyrocketed. I believe it was also the first book of hers I ever listened too and the one that got me hooked on her writings. Written in 1996, I was glad that Audible made it possible for me to go back and listen to it again. I found I enjoyed it even more the second time around.

A LITTLE BLASPHEMY IS A HEATHY THING
Most of Gerritsen's writings are not as scary as King or as crazy as Koontz, but they are on the edge. They seem unbelievable, but than again, just maybe? Like King and Koontz, she is sees, hears and feels and she knows how to write, so you do to. Gerritsen always entertains, you will not be bored.

Guidall is about as high caliber narrator that you can get.

15 of 23 people found this review helpful

Thrilling

Any additional comments?

Gripping and gruesome. Some think it is unrealistic... possibly.. but, in smaller scales, rather telling.

2 of 3 people found this review helpful

Loved this book!!!

This book kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time!! MUCH better than I expected!!

2 of 3 people found this review helpful

Great book

Story stared with two subjects you thought could not be the same story. Kept you guessing and wondering through the whole book.....was a very exciting book, loved it!

2 of 3 people found this review helpful

very timely and well written

I enjoyed this book immensely - great story line, enjoyed George Guidall's reading of this story, very timely subject and just a very entertaining captivating and great book.

2 of 3 people found this review helpful

The Harvest

Once you read Tess Gerritsen you will search for other books she’s written. They will never be derivative or imitative of any other author or of book either she or any other author has written. She is one of my favorite authors. Her books never disappoint; riveting, novel, creative, and inventive.

Her stories are richly woven and tight . Her Character development is finely layered. Her characters and stories stay with you long after the story ends, leaving you wondering how they are doing in spite of knowing they are fictional.

Not for the faint-hearted!

I first came across this author with her enjoyable Rizzoli and Maura series, which combine detective fiction with a medical slant. Harvest is a bit different in that it has a heavy dose of medical detail with graphic accounts of heart surgery, so if you're squeamish about blood and guts: be warned! A detective does come into the story in the later part of the book. It's an alarming and intriguing story about the subversion of a heart transplant team. The narrative centres on a young woman medical intern who joins the transplant team as a trainee and thereafter her nightmare begins. The story is full of surprises and, though not her best book, is certainly one that kept me listening.
The reader is excellent.

9 of 9 people found this review helpful

Keeps you guessing!

This is a great listen from Tess Gerritsen! The characters are well drawn and the plot will have you on the edge of your seat. Beware if you listen and drive! The plot contains some thought provoking themes regarding organ transplants and donations too. It is read clearly and thoughtfully and you are completely drawn into the story and the characters' lives.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

Good entertainment with up to date topic

To be honest I first chose this book I had a £10 voucher and didn't want to spend any additional money. A few years ago I had read a book of Tess Gerritson in the Rizzoli series and thought it was okay, so I wanted to try an older book.... The story of harvest is gripping and interesting (I just thought sometimes in the beginning, Abbey is a little naive, about the consequences of her actions, that doesn't fit whith a surgeon...) and problems with donor systems is still a very difficult topic.
The story wasn't too long and I was always interested to pick it up again after having to stop, the different storylines are good as well, but it is very obvious how they interlink with each other. All in all anice thriller

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Brilliant!

Very real. Very worrying. Narrator fits the story well. Tess Gerritson is my favourite author

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Good for the price

Although the book is very medical term based the story is good If you like Tess Gerritsen books then although this wouldn't be the first I'd recommend it has a really good plot and twist to keep you listening.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

From DJ 090811

A book that kept me gripped and staved off the boredom while waiting for delayed planes, without having to read through bleary eyes! Apart from the twists and turns of a crime story, it was appalling to think that, in reality, there could be unsuspecting organ donors.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Tess Gerritsen - Harvest

Good read, kept me wanting to listen all the way through - a bit predictable, but still very enjoyable.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

An excellent story, in book or audio form!

I both read this and listened to the excellent audiobook (using sync function), and really enjoyed it. Arising from real-life stories of organ trafficking, it was an intriguing mystery and full of tension, drama, and had an absolutely thrilling climax. I really loved it, and really look forward to reading more of the books involving these characters. If you like the Rizzoli and Isles series, this earlier book will be right up your street, and is a great read for all mystery and thriller lovers, especially if they love medical-themed ones. Thanks for another great read Tess!

Good but

Its a brilliant story line- credible and scares you silly that this could happen. Only one criticism its too long. It procrastinates and if it was shorter it would be sharper and would of impacted harder on the listener.