William Cutrer

Christy nominee Lethal Harvest by Sandra Gahn and the late William Cutrer was first released sixteen years ago. But its emphasis on the gap between medical technology and ethics is still relevant today. A page-turning look into what can go wrong when moral values are disregarded, this novel is a good choice for fans of medical suspense. It also has a unique romance thread that also emphasizes God’s will over human desires.

A mix-up in the fertility clinic owned by partners Luc Morgan, Tim show more Sullivan and Ben McKay precipitates a lawsuit with far-reaching implications. Adding to the tension is the disappearance and presumed death of Dr. Sullivan. As the weeks progress, more and more information becomes available, but nothing is clear, except some strange things were going on at the clinic. As government agencies and shady operatives become involved, the danger increases, causing Marnie Sullivan, Dr. Sullivan’s surviving spouse, and Dr. McKay to look into secrets that more than one person wants left alone.

Cutting edge medical procedures are examined by the authors in the light of God’s moral laws. Several discussions, both pro and con, for the free exercise of research in order to promote the greater good are presented within the fictional framework. Never preachy, they do give the reader a lot to think about. As a suspense novel, Lethal Harvest succeeds in keeping the reader guessing. A romance between Marnie and Ben develops, but the characters act in the light of their Christian worldview, rather than what the world would deem acceptable. That is the heart of the novel — God’s view vs. the world’s view — in ethics, love and life in general. Characters are presented with God’s truth and freely accept or refuse the offers of grace, peace and salvation.

If you are looking for a novel that will keep you on the edge of your seat as well as giving you much to ponder, then check out Lethal Harvest.

Recommended.

Audience: adults.

(Thanks to Kregel for a review copy. All opinions expressed are mine alone.) show less

I found this book a bit too much. Too much bad guys vs good guys, too much technical medical research, too much evangelical Christianity, too much of bad things keep happening to good people... However it was well written, which kept me reading, but I feel no need to ever read another by these authors.

As a Pastor and Licensed counselor for over 30 years. This is one of my top books on Sexuality and Marriage. Great for every couple to read from the premarital to the long term marriage and having questions.

Plot Summary: What happens, When & Where, Central Characters, Major Conflicts
In the midst of an incendiary malpractice lawsuit, the Center for Fertility and Enhancement loses its brightest embryologist, Dr. Tim Sullivan, in a freak traffic accident. When a bomb destroys the lab and almost kills one of Sullivan's partners, Dr. Luc Morgan, remaining partner Dr. Ben McKay, an ordained minister, and Marnie Sullivan, Tim's widow, begin to piece together discrepancies involving Tim's show more determination to cure akenosis, a disease affecting his uncle, the President of the United States. As a Machiavellian plot comes to light, everyone connected to the clinic is in danger. (from L.J. Review




Style Characterisics: Pacing, clarity, structure, narrative devices, etc.
The authors makes the story plausible enough, depsite the disease that Tim and the president suffer from being made up. The medical/ethical issues are a great hook. The characters are not greatly developed, seeming somewhat stereotypical. I really had trouble with Tim "dying" and then later contacting his wife via istant message. And his wife's reactions didn't seem to reflect the emotion that that would put someone through (though I wasn't duped that he was dead). Ben, the Christian, and the conversion scenes seem a little too pollyannna, as does the whirlwind romance.


How Good is it?
Nice exploration of a medical/ethical dilemma, but lacks somewhat in character devlopment. show less