I am currently working on my second novel. The synopsis follows:
The Poppy Field
Jeremy Fitzpatrick and his family move to a remote mountainous region of western Guatemala, close to the Mexican border, to evangelize the indigenous Mam population. The former missionary’s death was in dispute; his wife never believed he committed suicide, but the locals and the government covered it up for fear of possible consequences.
The Fitzpatrick family is befriended by a wealthy Mexican neighbor, Alfonso, never suspecting him to be a member of the dangerous Mexican Zetas, the militant branch of the Mexican Gulf Cartel. Alfonso allows them use of his cell phones and computers, and even donates money toward the construction of a church with the condition that they ignore any suspicious activity in the area.
Their twelve-year-old son, Justin, and his sister, Katy, discover Mayan ruins in the hills and realize Alfonso has set himself up as a Mayan priest, controlling the indigenous population through religion. Under his guidance, these subsistence farmers learn to cultivate opium poppies, thus improving their standard of living. Alfonso processes the resin at his villa, and later exports it to Mexico where it is turned into heroin. When other drug-lords come into the area, a bloody territorial battle is waged and Mayan sacrifices become all too realistic.
Alfonso’s right hand man, Chato, discovers how much the children know about the operation and kidnaps them with murderous intent. Alfonso learns of their abduction, has them released, but on the streets of Guatemala City, where they must learn to defend themselves and find their way back to their parents.
