In a world where faith and secularism often clash, a new novel by Maryland author Richard D. Greensfelder seeks to bridge the divide with a gripping tale of mystery and suspense. Titled "50 Parachutes for 72 Virgins," the book combines elements of religion, spirituality, and thriller, offering readers a thought-provoking narrative about the battle between good and evil.
The title, as explained by Greensfelder, refers to the number of clerics gathered for a peace summit and a futuristic escape plan for Chicago's Sears Tower, known as "Plan Z." The story centers on Archbishop Rooney, a no-nonsense cleric who organizes a Peace Summit with representatives from various faiths—12 Christians, 12 Hebrews, 12 Muslims, 12 Buddhists, 12 Hindus, and 12 Atheists—scheduled just before Christmas at the Sears Tower's Skydeck. However, terrorists have other plans, and the summit becomes a stage for a classic confrontation between love and hate, forgiveness and revenge.
Archbishop Rooney is portrayed as an "old school" character who laments the world's drift away from God, pointing to 1963 as a pivotal year when prayer was banned from public schools. He poses a rhetorical question to his sidekick, Fr. Tommy Schaefer: "Do you think 13 trillion 'The Lord's Prayers' would have made a difference? Damn right they could have!" The Archbishop's coined phrase, "Evil fills the void whenever God is pushed away," serves as a central theme, underscoring the novel's message that a world without conscience is dangerous.
Greensfelder, a retired Director of Admissions at a private school, holds a B.S. in Business Administration from the University of Baltimore, where he was part of a National Championship soccer team in 1975. A devout Catholic, he hopes his stories will inspire readers to be more caring and make the world a safer place. "I have written the book to remind folks about what made 'The Good Old Days,'" he said. "Love, sound values, the truth, forgiveness, charity, helping others, etc. are virtues that make this world a better place for our children and our children's children. It's a call to move back closer to God where we all are safer."
The novel is available on Amazon in paperback and E-book at Amazon. For more information, visit the author's website at www.50parachutes.com.
