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Tannia E. Ortiz-Lopes
, May 29, 2013
(view all comments by Tannia E. Ortiz-Lopes)
Frozen Footprints, penned by Therese Heckenkamp, is a page-turner Catholic thriller for teens 16 and older.
After the death of their father, eighteen-year-old twins Max and Charlene Perigard have been living with their stepmother and stepsister under the protection of their tyrannical, oil-tycoon grandfather, Maxwell Goodwyne Perigard I.
Max is totally discontented with his grandfather's demeanor and decides to confront him. After a heated argument, Max disappears. The next day, Mr. Perigard receives a ransom note demanding two million dollars, in unmarked bills, to be delivered to the Whitecap Mountain Ski Resort lodge, where Max frequently goes skiing. Mr. Perigard is convinced this is a scam by Max and refuses to pay the ransom. However, Charlene's instincts as Max's twin and an brusque telephone conversation with the kidnapper convince her that Max is in real danger. Unable to accept her grandfather's indifference regarding the kidnapper's demands, she decides to investigate. Her findings will bring extremely painful consequences to the twins.
Heckenkamp is a good story teller who keeps the reader engaged throughout the narrative with the exception of some overdramatic and questionable scenes that challenge the laws of physics and biology. The bizarre captivity chapters include one mild satanic cult ceremony and two brief but graphic torture scenes. As the story unfolds, the twins' beliefs will be tested. At the end of the story, however, the author presentsthe reader with an unexpected twist of fate and it is proved that God is always in control.
My favorite two characters were Abner Morrow and Max Perigard. I liked Abner because he was the best-developed character in the book. He was a skillful hunter. A perfect villain: extremely wicked and sarcastic, who liked to inflict pain on others. He represents the stray sheep who have bitterly left the flock and were ensnared by Satan's deceitful schemes. He preyed on and manipulated his younger brother, Clay, who was weak and insecure. Max, on the other hand, was clever, humorous, and extremely protective of his twin sister. He plays the role of the knight in shinning armor defending his beloved one.
I recommend Frozen Footprints to older teens and adults who fancy reading Catholic thrillers. Parental discretion is advised as this book is not suitable for young readers.
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