The Girl Who Knew Death by Norm Harris - Book Tour - Book Review - Giveaway - Enter Daily!

Hello, lovelies!!  It gives me great pleasure today to host Norm Harris and his exciting new book, “The Girl Who Knew Death,” here on FAB!!  For other stops on his Goddess Fish Promotions Book Tour, please click on the banner above or any of the images in this post.

Be sure to make it to the end of this post to enter to win a $10 Amazon or Barnes and Noble Gift Card!!  Also, come back daily to interact with Norm and to increase your chances of winning!!

Thanks for stopping by!!  Wishing you all lots of good luck in this fabulous giveaway!!

The Girl Who Knew Death

Spider Green Mystery Thriller Series

Book Four

by Norm Harris

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GENRE: Mystery / Thriller (Legal Military)

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BOOK BLURB:

Princess spy Katrinka Lavrova meets Death in an epic showdown. The classic cat and mouse, but this time the Kat purposely becomes the mouse.

Navy lawyer and former First Daughter Faydra (Fay) Green is no longer haunted by the dark memories of her past, but what about her adopted daughter, Katrinka (Kat)?

Fay's world is once again turned upside down when a shocking secret about her adopted daughter, Katrinka (Kat), is revealed. For Kat, her nightmarish reality is just beginning. Before Fay can help Kat make any decisions about her future, Kat is arrested and thrown into an Egyptian prison. She manages to escape but must flee to safety across Europe, trying to stay one step ahead of numerous mysterious pursuers.

Faydra's grip on certainty distorts as she confronts the angel of death whose interest in Kat is unsettling. Can Faydra and Kat stay one step ahead of Lady Death and demons? Will Kat determine her own future, or will she allow it to choose her?

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EXCERPT ONE:

The tourist dressed in white shorts and running shoes, a tangerine top, a ball cap, sunglasses, and a red backpack descended the gang plank from the ship to the dock at Cruise Ships Dock at Limassol, New Port. Once on the dock, she paused to ensure the two men lurking in the shadows of the terminal building had noticed her. She hailed a cab. Her destination was the Russian Embassy in the nearby capitol of Nicosia. The trip to the embassy would take almost two hours. Occasionally, she checked to be sure the men were keeping up with her. She wanted to know where they were at all times. Each morning, she began her day with but one simple rule Irishka has once taught her: “Every morning in Africa, a gazelle wakes up. It knows it must run faster than the fastest lion or it will be killed. Every morning, a lion wakes up. It knows it must outrun the slowest gazelle or it will starve to death. It doesn't matter whether you're a lion or gazelle. When the sun comes up, you'd better be running.”

I must run today. Every day. Without fail, Kat thought.

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MY BOOK REVIEW:

This book, “The Girl Who Knew Death,” is a captivating read filled with mysterious spy thriller action scenes, suspenseful plot points, intriguing story lines, surprising twists, and perplexing divine, supernatural elements.

Absolutely another topnotch follow-up to the successful Spider Green Mystery Thriller Book Series!!

This is the fourth book I’ve had the pleasure of hosting, reading, and reviewing from the talented author, Norm Harris.

“The Girl Who Knew Death,” is jam-packed full of exciting, but extensive international travel, a suspicious murder, a stealthy prison escape, multiple Embassy bombings, concealed conflict diamonds, buried family secrets, a surprising discovery of a Royal Russian heir, a spiritual deity making deals, new friends with hidden agendas, and so much more!!  Readers are sure find themselves swept away in this fascinating, all-encompassing novel!!

This book presents some strong thought-provoking elements as it crosses over into the supernatural realm.  Over the course of the book, it is eventually revealed that one of the main characters, U.S. Embassy Guard Corporal Lopez, AKA Azrael, is keeping a deep, dark secret about her true identity.  While she may appear to be that of Fay’s new friend/aide/translator/confidant in Cairo, the ever-so sassy, Latina originally from East L.A., is proving that looks can be quite deceiving.  Therefore, it comes as quite a shock when it is discovered that Azrael, is actually a Primordial Being, more specifically, the Archangel of Death.

This book picks up two years after Book Three, “Deception Pass,” the previous book in this book series.  Kat is now twenty-five years old and is studying to be a nurse.  She seems to have become well-adjusted to her new life in the States with adopted parents, Fay, as her mama, and Sasha, as her papa.  While this book only offers a tiny glance into Kat’s current home life, as they are all whisked away to Cairo, Egypt, followed immediately by Kat’s arrest, which all takes place in Chapter One.

While I enjoyed reading this book, my biggest quarrel was with many of the chapter transitional segments.  Several scenes felt unfinished, randomly placed, and occasionally out of left field.  For example, the first chapter feels very awkwardly written and rushed together.  One minute Fay and Sasha are discussing the impending dilemma of telling Kat about her recent inheritance, they compare her options of having a normal life as a nurse, wife, and soccer mom versus becoming the next Princess of Russia.  In that same chapter, now all of a sudden it’s four weeks later, and they’re in Cairo, Egypt, with Sasha finally telling Kat her big family secret.  But Sasha chooses to drop this bombshell in Russian, leaving Fay, who doesn’t speak Russian, completely excluded from this life changing conversation.  Still same chapter, it shifts to a hotel swimming pool scene, the disappearance, arrest, and search for Kat.  How can all that be rolled into one chapter??  While these are all important and valid elements to the story, I wish they would have been developed stronger, more neatly organized, and properly divided up.

Also, like with the other books in this book series, this book features characters that have multiple names/nicknames that are frequently used interchangeably.  Unfortunately, this is often quite confusing.  For example, the main character is referred to as “Fay,” “Faya,” “Faydra,” “Spider,” “The First Daughter,” “Commander,” “Commander Green,” "Miss Green," and so on.  Then there’s “Kat,” who also is referred to as “Katrinka,” “Lady Katrinka,” “Lady K,” “Yekaterina Larova,” “Lady Larova,” “Miss Larova,” “Markova,” “Grand Duchess of Russia,” “Princess of Russia,” “Lady Yekaterina,” “Princess Yekaterina,” and so on.  Then there’s “Azrael,” who also goes by “Corporal Lopez,” "Corporal," “Lopez,” “Jimmi,” “Angel of Death,” “Az,” and so forth.  While some nicknames seem obvious, many others are more complex.

Although, I do want to mention that I thoroughly enjoyed the many sightseeing adventures featured over the course of this book.  Especially the hilarious camel double scam scene in the taxi!!  If I ever visit Cairo I will have to remember that one LOL!!  Also, the loved the fun, strong, deep-rooted, girl power theme that was well represented.  I also really liked the inspiring and motivating quote about the lion and the gazelle that is featured twice in this book.

I also must admit I think this was main character Fay’s best book so far in the series.  While I have routinely pointed out that while I do like her, I found her overt usage of Southern twang a bit annoying and distracting.  So, I was very pleased (and yes, thankful) to find her drawl significantly toned down in this book.  Furthermore, Fay’s character has impressively grown over the course of this book series.  Fay has tapped into her natural motherly instincts, with love, and support for Kat, as she shows her daily commitment, dedication, and sacrifice to keep Kat safe, cared for, forever by her side.

I think my favorite thing about this book series and Norm Harris’s writing style is his cleverly crafted story lines filled with engaging plot points and surprising twists and turns!!

I truly appreciated the author’s well-researched and knowledgeable legal military writing style that felt authentic and accurate.

This book is Book Four of Five in the "Spider Green Mystery Thriller Book Series."  This book can be read as a standalone, however readers will gain a deeper appreciation and understanding of this book series if they read them in order.

All in all, I really enjoyed reading this book and would absolutely recommend it!!  I think all mystery, suspense, thriller book readers, and legal military book fans will like this book too!!  So, add it to your TBR List and get to reading – you won’t be disappointed!!

**Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this book and have voluntarily provided an honest and unbiased review in accordance with FTC regulations**

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THE SPIDER GREEN MYSTERY THRILLER BOOK SERIES:

This book, “The Girl Who Knew Death,” is Book Four of Five in “The Spider Green Mystery Thriller Book Series,” by Norm Harris.  For more info on this exciting new book series check out my blog post that covers all the details – including book buy links here:

https://fabulousandbrunette.blogspot.com/2022/03/spider-green-mystery-book-series-by.html

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MY OTHER BOOK SERIES REVIEWS:

The Fruit of the Poisonous Tree

Book One

https://fabulousandbrunette.blogspot.com/2022/04/fruit-of-poisonous-tree-by-norm-harris.html

 

Arid Sea

Book Two

https://fabulousandbrunette.blogspot.com/2022/06/arid-sea-by-norm-harris-book-tour-book.html

 

Deception Pass

Book Three

https://fabulousandbrunette.blogspot.com/2022/07/deception-pass-by-norm-harris-book-tour.html

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AUTHOR BIO:

Norm Harris' first novel debuted on an Amazon bestseller list in 2002. It was a one-and-done, but now he's back with a plan to publish a couple of sequels to that first mystery/thriller of days gone by. Except for time spent in military service, he is a second-generation Seattleite (that's what they call those who dwell in the shadow of Mt. Rainier), with his legal beagle son, K-K, and five giant tropical fish. His upcoming release, Arid Sea, is the third book in what he hopes to be an award-winning Spider Green Mystery Story series.

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CONNECT WITH NORM:

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/norm.harris.3386

BookBub Author Page:

https://www.bookbub.com/authors/norm-harris

BookBub Book Page:

https://www.bookbub.com/books/the-girl-who-knew-death-spider-green-mystery-thriller-series-book-4-by-norm-harris

Goodreads Author Page:

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/780557.Norm_Harris

Goodreads Book Page:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/60299778-the-girl-who-knew-death

Amazon Author Page:

https://amzn.to/3Jrbd77

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BOOK BUY LINKS:

Amazon US Kindle eBook:

https://amzn.to/37Bfmr8

Amazon US Paperback:

https://amzn.to/3CVGP2y

Amazon CA Kindle eBook:

https://www.amazon.ca/Death-Spider-Green-Mystery-Thriller-ebook/dp/B09SVF6XVJ

Amazon CA Paperback:

https://www.amazon.ca/Girl-Who-Knew-Death/dp/1509242317

Barnes and Noble NOOK eBook:

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-girl-who-knew-death-norm-harris/1141068073?ean=2940161058695

Barnes and Noble Paperback:

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-girl-who-knew-death-norm-harris/1141068073?ean=9781509242313

Book Depository Paperback:

https://www.bookdepository.com/Girl-Who-Knew-Death-Norm-Harris/9781509242313

Books-A-Million Paperback:

https://www.booksamillion.com/p/Girl-Who-Knew-Death/Norm-Harris/9781509242313

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GIVEAWAY INFO:

Norm will be awarding a $10 Amazon OR Barnes and Noble Gift Card (Winner’s Choice!!!) to a randomly drawn winner via Rafflecopter during the tour.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

**This post contains affiliate links and if clicked and a purchase is made, I may receive a small commission to help support this blog.  This does not cost you anything, it just helps pay for all those fabulous community outreach projects and awesome giveaways on here**

This contest is sponsored by a third party. Fabulous and Brunette is a registered host of Goddess Fish Promotions.  Prizes are given away by the sponsors and not Fabulous and Brunette. The featured author and Goddess Fish Promotions are solely responsible for the giveaway prize.