Richard D. Greensfelder, a first-time author from Maryland, has published a new suspense novel titled "50 Parachutes for 72 Virgins," blending religion, spirituality, and mystery. The title references a futuristic escape plan for the Sears Tower in Chicago, dubbed "Plan Z," which involves 50 parachutes for 72 virgins—a metaphor for a final contingency when all else fails.
The story centers on Archbishop Rooney, a blunt and traditional cleric who organizes a Peace Summit in Chicago at the Sears Tower's Skydeck just before Christmas. The summit brings together 12 representatives each from Christian, Hebrew, Muslim, Buddhist, Hindu, and Atheist communities, aiming to foster global peace. However, terrorists have other plans, setting the stage for a classic battle between good and evil, love and revenge.
Archbishop Rooney is deeply concerned about the world drifting away from God, a trend he believes leads to a dangerous lack of conscience. He points to 1963 as a pivotal year when prayer was banned from public schools, asking his sidekick, Fr. Tommy Schaefer, "Do you think 13 trillion 'The Lord's Prayers' would have made a difference? Damn right they could have!" His coined phrase, "Evil fills the void whenever God is pushed away," underscores the novel's urgent message.
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 wrote the book to remind readers of the virtues that made "The Good Old Days"—love, sound values, truth, forgiveness, charity, and helping others. He hopes the story will inspire readers to be more caring and to move closer to God for a safer world.
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.
