The Ascendant

Memorial Day had always been a special occasion for Dr. Sandford (Sandy) Beech and his precious family, filled with innocent pleasures like ice cream, clowns, and street performers in the warm Boston sunshine. Most heartwarming of all were the smiles of his lovely wife and two children as they joined together to celebrate one of the most sacred of American holidays.

But one fateful Memorial Day Sandy learns first-hand how a blessed life can transform to horror in the blink of an eye.

Forced to look at his life through a different lens, Sandy is surprised to find the lens itself changing focus after an unexpected encounter with a former classmate and nemesis, now a prominent politician edging closer and closer to the Oval Office.

As Sandy begins to connect the dots in a mystery that puts his friends in grave danger and threatens his own life, his need for revenge and justice evolves into something he never could have imagined.

Sandy’s life becomes a chess game, careening perilously towards a chilling and insidious checkmate that might not actually be the end of the game.          

Peter Parkin of Calgary, AB

Peter Parkin was born in Toronto, Ontario. After a thirty-four year career in the business world, Peter turned to writing. He has written six novels, the last four co-authored with Alison Darby. Peter lives near Calgary, Alberta and the Rocky Mountains.