The Critics Are Raving!
CHASING THE CYCLONE Book Reviews
'Chasing The Cyclone' Review by: Mr. Grady Harp. Review: The unspeakable horror of child abduction in every form that this deplorable crime exists is rarely touched upon by the media. Granted there have been some books and some important films about the subject, but this fine book by Peter Thomas now opens the windows on the magnitude of these tragedies in his excellent CHASING THE CYCLONE – a book which is ‘inspired by a true story’ and the proximity of the novel to the writer appears to come from the heart as well as the skill demonstrated by his craftsmanship as a storyteller. What makes this story so unique is the aspect that the child abduction sequence in this novel is by one of the two parents of a seven-year-old boy named Alex. The story opens in medias res with the narrator Paul Francesco (the father of Alex) in a compassionate scene with one of his friends who is undergoing therapy for cancer. Gradually Thomas unfolds the background of Paul’s plight to recover his beloved son from the restrictions imposed upon his visitation rights by the child’s mother D. And here unfolds yet another aspect of the complexity of this thriller: Paul met D while undergoing treatment for neurofibromatosis and D’s ‘attention’ to him created a too brief association that resulted in a hasty marriage and the birth of Alex soon after. After his ‘recovery’ Paul’s faux marriage collapses and D takes her infant Alex from Paul’s presence, demanding payments from Paul’s ample finances not only for child support but also for multiple questionably valid reasons. Paul discovers that D has abducted Alex to Canada and here begins a drama of Paul’s focused and committed attempts to regain his son, a journey that takes him to such places as New Zealand and other points of terror along the way, struggling with emotional, financial and physical attempts to thwart his success in regaining the son he loves so dearly. As if the fast paced energy of this story weren’t enough to satisfy the reader, Peter Thomas demonstrates his quality as a writer of distinction on many levels. For example, the court proceedings at the beginning of the book –a launching pad for the remainder of the story – are related in as tense and realistic way as any author has written, and all this by telephone between California and Canada! But in addition to his narrative, Thomas pauses here and there for sharing some bits of philosophy that bears special attention. In a section about how we all have allowed reading books to be drowned by the other available sources of information Thomas writes: ‘In essence, we surf or skim for data. This behavior has changed the way our society thinks. Fundamental to this change is the inability or lack of desire for a person to spike for details. The ‘why’ and ‘how’ – the reasoning behind the information is typically barely glimpsed over. Unfortunately, our imaginations are nurtured and prodded when we understand the ‘why’s’ and ‘how’s’. And nothing provides us with a depth of understanding more than reading and books. But so long as society views reading and books as a third class activity, we will continue to lose our competitive global economic advantage by not grasping reasoning, which is the core of our imagination. Ingenuity will further become a word associated with countries like India and China.’ Perhaps this aside was not intended by the author to set the tone of his book as much as it does, but after reading this impossible to put down book, readers will likely return to these moments of intelligence Peter Thomas shares. Another aspect of CHASING THE CYCLONE is a glossary of information about the crime of international child abduction, complete with immediate resources should the reader or friends of the reader need further guidance through the tragedy depicted in this fine novel. A very satisfying novel as a thriller story, and an even more important sounding of the alarm about a crime we understand so vaguely. Review: I almost feel guilty for enjoying Chasing the Cyclone so much because it is borne of the author’s own painful struggle to find and rescue his own son after he was abducted and hidden away in a foreign country. The abductor? The child’s mother. This book was certainly an eye-opener for me, as I never realized the true nature and scope of international parental child abduction. We all know that children can sometimes be used as pawns between one or both parents, but it’s unthinkable – even for an eternal pessimist like me – that a parent would risk the health and welfare of his/her own child for no other reason than to inflict pain and suffering on the other parent. What makes such a tragedy even worse is the fact that international law – or the lack thereof – ties the hands of the American government to help locate and rescue parental child abductees once they are taken out of the country, and foreign courts obviously cannot be depended upon to do the right thing. Chasing the Cyclone isn’t just a powerful novel; it’s a call to arms against a growing epidemic that is tearing lives apart behind the headlines. Despite limited visitation and a consistent effort by his ex-wife (referred to only as D in the novel) to form a wedge between him and his son, Paul Franceso is a loving father. He makes sure that seven-year-old Alex knows how much he loves him, and he pays his vindictive ex-wife far more money than the courts require for child support just to make sure that Alex has everything he needs in life. Even when D violates court orders and denies him access to his son in any number of ways, he chooses not to pursue legal recourse for fear that it would upset his son. Everything changes, though, when he suddenly receives word that a Canadian court has given his wife full custody of Alex after he failed to show up for a court appearance he was never told about. Thus begins the greatest trial of his life. As he puts his legal team to work in order to right this legal wrong, he is shocked to learn that D is planning to move his son to New Zealand to live with a man he knows nothing about. In dismay, he watches Canadian justices ignore their own laws to allow what he knows to be the international flight of his ex-wife with his son to the other side of the world. Now fighting an international legal battle on both sides of the globe, Paul is dismayed to learn that the American government is almost powerless to help him in his plight, despite the fact that he has managed to get a Canadian court to give him full custody of Alex. Realizing by this time just how well his ex-wife has planned every step along the way of his son’s abduction, he is forced to deal with a truly nightmarish scenario – the smuggling of his missing son from New Zealand into a South Asian country that has not ratified the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction treaty. Such a move would not only strip him of any real legal recourse for getting his son back, it could also place Alex’s life and liberty in extreme jeopardy. All things considered, Paul is more fortunate than the vast majority of Chasing Parents, for he has the financial resources to pursue his abducted son all the way across the world – and a network of true friends willing and able to support and assist him each step of the way. The lack of any financial support from the American government in international child abduction cases makes it all but impossible for those Chasing Parents lacking the means to finance the search effort themselves to ever succeed in finding and being reunited with their abducted child. Because of the political complexities of international law, the Chasing Parent often has to go it alone, and this is but one of many huge monetary and legal obstacles such a parent faces. The traumatic roller coaster ride of emotional highs and lows is obvious, and you experience these right alongside Paul every step of the way thanks to Thomas’ rich and immersive writing style. Chasing the Cyclone is much more than just a superb, can’t-put-down novel, though; it is a book with a purpose. It was primarily written to draw attention to the importance of the growing problem of international parental child abduction, to expose problems in "the system" that need to be addressed by the American government as well as the international community of nations, and to help those who might also suddenly find themselves in the wholly unexpected position of Chasing Parent. Thomas includes a lot of supplemental factual information at the end of the novel, including contact information for agencies and organizations that can help, his own summation of the systemic and legal changes that need to take place to combat this growing problem, and advice for all parents sharing joint custody of a child – including a list of warning signs indicative of a potential abduction by the other parent. Thomas has become an outspoken advocate on this issue, and Chasing the Cyclone makes for a clear and profoundly effective call to action. I would go so far as to encourage every loving parent to read this book, as the bond between this father and son is one to be emulated. . . . . I highly recommend Chasing the Cyclone as a must-read. You will not be able to put it down. It may very well change the way you look at life, child custody, and interactions with your child's other parent. I cannot endorse this book strongly enough . . . .
Review: First and foremost, Chasing the Cyclone is a story about a father's love for his son, a son's unwavering faith in his father, and promises. The plot is based on the author's own experiences in dealing with international parental abduction but the prevailing theme throughout the book is the bond between father and son. A father who literally goes to the ends of the earth to protect his son and a son who never loses faith that his father will be there for him. Peter Thomas is a gifted storyteller who takes readers on a heart pounding journey around the globe through the eyes of Paul Francesco, a father whose 7-year old son is abducted by his mother. The writing is raw and the emotions are real. The story is filled with twists and turns that will leave readers scratching their heads, seething in anger, and hugging their children a little tighter. Hopefully it will also help readers understand the complicated issues surrounding parental abduction, the flaws in the current system, and the sanctity of the relationship between a child and both parents. I highly recommend Chasing the Cyclone as a must-read. You will not be able to put it down. It may very well change the way you look at life, child custody, and interactions with your child's other parent. I cannot endorse this book strongly enough. I have spoken at great length with Peter Thomas recently and Chasing The Cyclone is an accurate portrayal of international parental child abduction, and the roadblocks that chasing parents encounter. The story is clearly drawn from and inspired by his and his child's experiences. Read more of my interview with Peter Thomas.
Amazon # 3 Top Reviewer.
.... Peter Thomas now opens the windows on the magnitude of these tragedies in his excellent CHASING THE CYCLONE ... As if the fast paced energy of this story weren’t enough to satisfy the reader, Peter Thomas demonstrates his quality as a writer of distinction on many levels .... this impossible to put down book ....
A Thriller and a Call to Arms
*************************************************************************
'Chasing The Cyclone' Review by: Mr. Daniel Jolley.
Amazon # 14 Top Reviewer.
. . . . Chasing the Cyclone isn’t just a powerful novel; it’s a call to arms against a growing epidemic that is tearing lives apart behind the headlines . . . . Chasing the Cyclone is much more than just a superb, can’t-put-down novel, though; it is a book with a purpose . . . . Thomas has become an outspoken advocate on this issue, and Chasing the Cyclone makes for a clear and profoundly effective call to action. I would go so far as to encourage every loving parent to read this book, as the bond between this father and son is one to be emulated.
A father's love knows no bounds -- or international boundaries.
************************************************************************
'Chasing The Cyclone' Review by: . Harriet Klausner
Amazon # 1 Top Reviewer.
. . . Inspired by a true story that will shake the audience further, this is an exciting cautionary thriller that grips readers from the onset . . .
Review
An eye opening chilling thriller based on fact.
Paul Francesco has been successful in business, well liked by friends, and adored by his family. However, several years ago when Paul suffered from neurofibromatosis, he met D. Her nurturing led to a short marriage and Alex. After the divorce, D and Alex moved to Vancouver while Paul remained in Los Angeles.
Following a visit with a dying friend in Northern California, Paul tries to reach Alex but fails to make contact. He soon learns of a court date in British Columbia in which he failed to attend because he was unaware of it. D perjured herself to gain full custody. He begins an effort to regain access to his seven years old son only to find the Canadian court and police systems at best are indifferent. Instead of D being the criminal, they prefer to continue to label Paul as a dead beat absentee father. He soon meets other parents suffering from international apathy after the illegal abduction of an offspring left them legally with rights, morally with rights, and parentally with rights; but realistically with no rights. Paul is a hunter hunting the predators who took his child for he will never give up until he catches the cyclone he chases internationally even as he is made further to look like the insane criminal by
the abducting party who actually are the one's who committed an assortment of crimes against both Paul and his victimized child.
Inspired by a true story that will shake the audience further, this is an exciting cautionary thriller that grips readers from the onset with the call Paul makes to the Vancouver Registry. From there, Paul falls apart as he has a new issue to contend with, the international abduction of his child by the
kid's mom. Overall fast-paced, there are some related advocating that somewhat slows down the incredible pace yet enhances the moral fiber of Paul's quest. With tips to avoid such a calamity, readers will be stunned by Peter Thomas' powerful condemnation of governments who ignore the global child abduction lucrative market.
***********************************************************************************
The Examiner.
Review by Barbara Thompson.
Peter Thomas never intended to become an expert on international parental abduction or an advocate for abducted children and chasing parents. Still, he has stepped up to that role in hopes of preventing other children from enduring what his son experienced and helping other parents to battle the storm that is parental abduction.
Peter is currently working with director JJ Rogers and a seasoned group of filmmakers to produce a documentary titled Chasing Parents: Racing Into The Storms of International Parental Child Abduction which they hope to show at several prestigious film festivals in 2010.
Chasing the Cyclone is currently available for pre-order at Amazon.com and will be available in bookstores in October, 2009. For more information on international parental abduction, please visit the Chasing the Cyclone website.
**********************************************************************
Chasing The Cyclone Review by: Maureen Dabbagh.
Founder: PARENT INTERNATIONAL.
. . . . Peter Thomas masterfully reveals the disturbing world of an abducted child . . . .
Review: Chasing the Cyclone delivers as the reader follows Paul into the seedy and complex world of international abduction.Traveling and navigating the complex legal systems of countries that participate in The Hague Convention on International Parental Child Abduction, and then being tossed into the dangers of countries that do not uphold or participate in international law, the reader spirals into the insanity of what a parent must do in order to reunite with their child. Review: As Peter Thomas so brilliantly conveys, a parent trying to prevent abduction threatened by the other parent, or to recover an abducted child, finds himself in an unbelievable hell with little to no help. Unfortunately, courts – the first line of defense for children – have, for the most part, failed to sufficiently assist children at risk of abduction. Consequently, parents in this situation are forced to expend all their own resources, time and money to protect or recover their child. Peter Thomas does a masterful job at describing the experiences of a child and a loving parent dealing with the torturous experience of parental child abduction. The action-packed novel takes the reader on the roller coaster highs and lows of a parent having to deal with an unsympathetic family court and other harsh realities of international abduction, while having to worry about the intensely destructive impact on finances, work, and simply living one’s life. Thomas accurately compares it to being in the middle of a horrific storm, over which the parent has no control and somehow has to figure out how to survive and make it out whole with his child. Throughout that process, neither the child nor the parent knows how the story will end, which makes the experience all the more difficult and anxiety-filled. It’s a vivid reminder that there can be very serious ramifications when an international relationship involving a child goes wrong. I wholeheartedly recommend this book not only to readers who are interested in the topic of abduction, but simply in reading a brilliantly written thriller. Review: Review: Chasing The Cyclone' Review by: Lee Harrision Review: We’re swept from country to country depending on where D, Alex’s mother, tries to hide. Alex is left confused: will he ever see his father or friends again? D’s only interest is to devalue and discard the previous life that Alex shared with his father, Paul. Paul suddenly finds himself as a ‘Chasing Parent’. He follows D’s trail of lies and deception that had been prearranged with the help of her lawyers. His previous life is now frozen as his only focus is reuniting with his son. With the help of a good team, friends and some pretty snazzy footwork on the soccer field, Paul and Alex are able to share a moment to carry them through the next phase of the cyclone. Alex now knows his father is going to keep his promise, and Paul pulls out all the stops to do so. Peter Thomas has written a powerful and engrossing story that crosses over the genres: autobiographical, thriller and crime whilst also educating the reader on the pandemic that has been and is affecting 1,000’s of children and families worldwide. A very useful resource guide on International Parent Abduction that also accompanies the book. Highly recommended.
Riveting, Powerful, a Must Read!
Enter the complex, disturbing world of international parental kidnapping, where the child becomes a tool of revenge, spite, and control.
Chasing The Cyclone by Peter Thomas masterfully reveals the disturbing world of an abducted child, Alex. Forced to keep his love for his father secret from his manipulative mother, whose goal is to severe, forever, the relationship the two have, Alex speaks to his father in 'code" as his mother monitors telephones calls, violates visitation orders, and finally, spirits young Alex around the world, exposing him to her new lover, a man she met on the Internet, with a very disturbing past. Alex's father, Paul, searches frantically for him, constantly reminded of the promise he made to Alex. Paul endures the most profound fear a parent can experience, and has to find his son before it is too late.
Paul knows that Alex can be anywhere in the world. With his "team", Paul begins a thrilling, suspenseful quest that will either lead him to Alex, or kill him. Brilliantly moving from the legal complexities of manipulated courtroom custody battles and misdeeds that take place in North America, to a global search that reaches the disgusting underworld of China and the skin trade market, Peter Thomas paints a vivid yet gloomy picture of Hague signatory and Hague non-signatory hardships a parent must face in search of trying to locate their kidnapped child.
Searching from continent to continent, the reader is taken into the not uncommon world of ruthless legal maneuvers, the child sex slave market, and the "underground" world of an abductor on the run. Chasing The Cyclone reveals the not-uncommon prejudices of courts biased against fathers and foreigners, often ignoring the law. Facing the loss of his livelihood, financial security, reputation, and his own life, Paul refuses to give up on the only thing that really matters in his life--his son.
While the mis-conceptions about parental kidnapping being "just a nasty custody dispute" abound, children, parents, and those working on their behalf will continue to lose their lives. Criminal and civil laws, as well as international treaties have been put into place in an effort to provide remedy. Unfortunately, the aggressive efforts of the late 80's and 90's have ended, and without research to better understand the dynamics associated with parental kidnapping, the numbers of victim children continue to increase, as reported by the U.S. Department of State, Office of Children's Issues. New and cutting edge advances, such as cross border mediation, have paved a way for an additional remedy. Unfortunately, such services are offered by only a handful of competent professionals in the USA.
Peter has taken the tragedy of his child's abduction and the remarkable efforts he implemented in order to reunite with his child, and worked to not only share it in a manner that seeks to educate the reader, but has embraced his experience to provide relief for other families caught in this global epidemic. This is a well written, entertaining, fascinating legal thriller I am sure the author wishes he never had the ability to write. I highly recommend it.
***********************************************************************
'Chasing The Cyclone' Review by: Teresa Lauderdale.
Co-Founder: PIPCA (Prevent International Parental Child Abduction).
... Peter Thomas does a masterful job at describing the experiences of a child and a loving parent dealing with the torturous experience of parental child abduction ... a brilliantly written thriller...
If you think parental child abduction cannot happen to you, or a loved one…think again. Peter Thomas’ Chasing the Cyclone will give you vivid insight into the harsh reality faced by an American boy and his loving father thrown into this living nightmare.
******************************************************************
'Chasing The Cyclone' Review by: Larry Synclair:
Author: Synclair-Cannon Law, and, The PARENT Act.
. . . . Thomas' book also hits an emotional nerve . . . .
A former New York Supreme Court justice noted out of 350,000 child abduction cases in the U.S. each year, ten thousand of them are international parental abductions. He calls it an epidemic of child abuse that greatly traumatizes these children. Chasing the Cyclone reaches the core of what a parent of an abducted child is faced with: judges ignorant about the severity of international child abduction, dysfunctional federal resources apathetic to this crime, and ineffective foreign bureaucracies that often exacerbate the problem or become a haven for parental abductors.
Thomas' book also hits an emotional nerve. It’s a window to the harrowing pain, anxiety, frustration, and anger for a parent searching for his or her child. I read it and I could relate to it.
******************************************************************
'Chasing The Cyclone' Review by: Valerie Matteson:
Amazon Star Reviewer.
. . . . Fascinating to read . . . .Highly recommended reading . . . .
Heart-wrenching, frustrating and touching account of a terrifying event in a parent's life.
Peter Thomas uses a first-person, diary-like style to tell us the account of a father who has a very successful film and publishing career and is embarking on a new TV series to help with literacy when, not for the first time, he is unable to reach his son through his ex-wife. Since six years before when his son was first born, Paul Francesco has spent thousands of dollars "supporting" his ex-wife and son not only in regular child support but also any time "D" asked for the monies to help with rent, new car, etc. Paul obviously loves his son very much but his ex-wife who is Canadian and lives in Vancouver has often "missed" bringing his son to the US for visits or being available for phone calls.
Worse, Paul begins to find that D has been very underhanded in lying to the Canadian courts about Paul and making child support payments and his attitude toward his son. Anyone who has friends or has been divorced with children knows that you can never totally "divorce" the ex-spouse as you need to be in contact for the good of your children. However, Paul's ex-wife, D, has done nothing but milk Paul for money and slander and libel him with worse to come.
Reading the story of how Paul has to hire investigators, security protection, lawyers and so on to fight court battles in Canada, US, and New Zealand plus chase after and find D, his son and D's boyfriend, is a complex and terrifying account of one father's determination to have the best for his son. I was especially impressed that Paul does not talk bad about his ex-wife to his son. I'm not sure I could do the same. I was also awed by the support Paul received from his many friends who helped make his long search more endurable and possible.
One of the things I have learned in reviewing this book is that parental international child abduction is a very severe form of child abuse by one parent against the child. In many, too many cases, either the child, the Chasing Parent, or members of the team trying to reunite with he child are murdered.
Fascinating to read particularly knowing the novel is based on the author's own experiences.
Highly recommended reading.
******************************************************************
'Chasing The Cyclone' Review by: Stewart Meisner
Child Advocate.
. . . . Chasing The Cyclone is a timeless masterpiece . . . . Chasing The Cyclone is a wonderfully written story combining all the elements of great storytelling: a compelling plot, unique characters, excellence in the use of language, and a highly educated and easily accessible display of important information that becomes relevant to the reader . . . is a wonderfully written story combining all the elements of great storytelling: a compelling plot, unique characters, excellence in the use of language, and a highly educated and easily accessible display of important information that becomes relevant to the reader . . . .
Review:
An Incredible Display of What is A Great Legal Thriller
Peter Thomas has written one of the most profound, interesting, complex, and engaging books I have ever read in his story of international parental child abduction "Chasing The Cyclone".
I will warn you now that this book is not for the faint-of-heart, or for those of you, who like me, may become deeply enmeshed with a well-written story's main character that you will feel the anger, pain, and overwhelming frustration caused by the chaotic storms a parent must race into in trying to rescue their abducted child. One of the highest complements, and perhaps oddest as well that I can give to Peter Thomas is that I must have thrown your book at the wall or a piece of furniture on at least five or six occasions! Yes, I felt became one with your protagonist Paul Francesco as he was Chasing The Cyclone. (Incidentally, this is the perfect title for this book).
Paul Francesco portrays himself to be somebody who keeps others at a distance as he privately keeps the pain of his former wife's ongoing violations of access and visitation court orders concerning his seven-year old son, Alex. Despite the behavior of Francesco's ex, the wanton 'D', Paul never stops trying to be part of his son's life. Unfortunately for Alex and Paul, 'D', aided by her newest of what appears to be a long string of boyfriends, has set into place what simply amounts to be a diabolical and evil plan that includes a purposeful abduction and kidnapping of the child of the marriage - all with the intent to cause Paul irreparable pain while also scheming to steal significant assets of the unsuspecting father.
Writing in the first person, Thomas uses a very clever writing technique of putting one of his friends, the irreproachable Jim Eastern (a senior officer of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police) on the courtroom stand in order to further each of the story's main characters, and creatively and compellingly provide important background for the story.
There, in the courtroom, Thomas executes a near flawless, fast-paced series of barbs that culminate with the unthinkable! A Court Order that essentially helps facilitate the cunning plan of D, and her scamming New Zealand boyfriend, Lester.
With courtroom action taking place in Vancouver, Peter Thomas pushes the reader with a sense of purpose into the world of deceit and foul intent; the painful world of parental international child abduction, landing in all places in a place where 'the world is turned upside down: Sheepville' (New Zealand).
From the shores of Wellington, we see a tireless efforts of Paul, aided by some really fun and clever characters (Benny, Boa, Jim, Lydia - they make up an odd, entertaining supporting ensemble)as he attempts to recover his abducted son. Unfortunately, things go from bad to worse for young Alex, as he is secretively whisked away from Sheepville, and somehow disappears despite Paul and his crew's best efforts to keep tabs on him.
With great urgency, the reader's heart screams in pain and anger, as this young child is stolen once again ... this time, unknown to Paul, into areas of China where children are purchased under the blind eyes of law enforcement.
Landing in Macau, "Chasing The Cyclone" explodes into an incredible thriller of a father willing to do anything possible required to save his son from the most horrific of evils: a world and a fate none of us would ever want to think about for our own children.
"Chasing The Cyclone" is a wonderfully written story combining all the elements of great storytelling: a compelling plot, unique characters, excellence in the use of language, and a highly educated and easily accessible display of important information that becomes relevant to the reader, even if the reader does not know how important the material is when they first open the book.
During the two days that I sat to read this story of incredible love of father and son, I felt my chest panting, my arms straining, my teeth clenching, and ... smiles, warm, loving, dotting smiles of reflection. "Chasing The Cyclone" is a timeless masterpiece I strongly suggest every parent read: it will remind you just how important and precious your own child it.
*************************************************************************
Child Advocate & Chasing Family Member
. . . . Peter Thomas has written a powerful and engrossing story that crosses over the genres: autobiographical, thriller and crime whilst also educating the reader on the pandemic that has been and is affecting 1,000’s of children and families worldwide . . . .
Chasing the Cyclone by Peter Thomas takes the reader of through the unenviable challenges that children and chasing parents face when confronted with the nightmare of parental abduction.