Donald E. Pearse Sr., the author of "FATAL PLUNGES", is an octogenarian writing his first novel. He was inspired when he attended Creative Writing classes at a local Senior Center. One of his optional homework assignments was to create a fictional character. He created an Irish orphan boy, and as he continued to write about the boy's adventures, he morphed into that boy. Eventually the story grew into a full length novel. "FATAL PLUNGES" Is packed with mystery, adventure, and romance from start to finish. Pat, an Irish boy who grew up in a Manhattan orphanage, had frequent nightmares of tumbling into the ocean from a very high cliff in a fatal plunge. He ran away at the age of sixteen, joined the military, and fought in WWI. After the war, he went to Ireland to search for his ancestry. One day he stumbled upon the ruins of a castle previously owned by his father, who died in a fatal plunge decades earlier. He labored to solve the mystery of how his father died and how to end the horrible recurring nightmares. Pat discovered a gang of whiskey thieves and was engaged in a shoot-with them. He also had conflicts with a crooked town constable and his son. Pat and Shay had two sons and two daughters. One day Pat visited the orphanage where he was raised and discovered a son he never knew about. The castle was attacked by remnants of the local militia Pat dismantled years earlier. Fires erupted and lives were lost. Pat and Shay's three sons endured multiple misadventures while growing up, including a kidnapping and discovery of sacks of stolen money in cave filling with tidal waters at the bottom of a seaside cliff. The three sons all became fighter pilots and were downed over France during WWII. They faced almost insurmountable challenges as they endeavored to elude German soldiers. Pat and Shay's sons each endured numerous trials and tribulations in their romantic endeavors. It almost seemed a peaceful existence might never be attained by the family living in the restored castle. --------------------------------------------------------- If you enjoy reading this novel, be on the lookout for a soon to be published second novel by Mr. Pearse, entitled, "A GRAVESIDE PROMISE". This novel takes place deep in a South American jungle. Adventures, romances, and mysteries galore as the characters attempt to explore ancient archaeological sites.