A young boy learns to deal with the loss of his father
Losing his father at a young age is almost more than Mark Fortier can handle, especially when he feels partly responsible for his father’s death.
His life takes many twists and turns on his road to adulthood as he struggles to understand whether or not his life matters and what it means to be a man in today’s world.
Excerpt
July 16, 1957. He approached the New Haven Green, an idyllic oasis of grass and walkways, surrounded by tall steel buildings. His steps were erratic, his eyes glazed over, and the hood of his sweatshirt covered his head even on this hot July day. Around the Green, a few office workers sat on benches while others sprawled on the grass enjoying their lunch break. Those sitting together were engaged in quiet conversations. No one saw him coming, or if they did, they chose to ignore him, until a shot rang out.
The peace and quiet of the New Haven Green was shattered as people scurried in all directions desperately trying to find a place to hide. The bearded hot dog vendor cried out then crumpled to the freshly-cut grass, relish dripping into his puddle of blood. A woman, dressed in a navy blue suit and heels, fell backwards, her briefcase scattering its contents on the Green. Attorney Leonard Fortier, who had left his office in the Fisher Building to grab a quick lunch, was shot as soon as he stepped outside. The wild-eyed hooded gunman then aimed the gun at himself and pulled the trigger.
Professional Reviews
A story of tragedy, despair and the salvation that hope brings.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading Leaving Mark. Loegel has captured the time and era--not as a dry history--but as one might remember being in the moment.
In Leaving Mark, Loegel has created a formidable young person who would have to learn to pardon and befriend a family whose father had killed his own. Although Mark will have to endure some tough challenges, each with the power to ruin him, loving and caring friends helped turn the tide of destruction into hope. Watching Mark work through his anger and turn it into something forgiving and caring is deeply moving. He became a better young man for it. In the end, the good man—the one he was destined to be—came through. He found the meaning and purpose he had longed for. This is an uplifting story for adults and young readers.
I highly recommend "Leaving Mark" to others who enjoy moving stories found in novels
I highly recommend "Leaving Mark" to others who enjoy moving stories found in novels. This story is very interesting as it unfolds, telling about the childhood and early adulthood of the young man, Mark, his family and friendships, and difficulties he faced in his growing-up years. His best friend, Gary, is the title character of Linda Loegel's next book, "Finding Gary" which I am eager to start reading next.
It's a wonderful book
Having just finished reading Willard Manor, I was thrilled to find another novel by Linda Loegel. Leaving Mark is a story we can relate to with so many tragic events happening in our society. We find two families struggling to cope with a moment from their past that changed their lives forever. Mark is a young boy when the tragedy occurs. He has to grow up fast to help with his siblings. Mark becomes a troubled youth. One day he meets Bobby Nichols. Both boys had lost their fathers. At first, no one make the connection between the two families. It’s a story of understanding, forgiveness and how families cope with tragedy. Linda has done it again! It's a wonderful book.
Based on the memoirs of a Pearl Harbor survivor. Letters from two pen pals take the reader on a journey into the past, a past where nightmares came true, and when hatred reigned.
Tralee, Ireland. September 1948.
An arrogant, and highly agitated, priest arrives home after 40 years.
Days later he's dead. Suicide? Or did his past catch up with him?
