In this stunning work chronicling the author’s exploration of his own past—and the lives of many hundreds of thousands of nameless immigrants who struggled alongside his own ancestors—Peter Quinn paints a brilliant new portrait of the Irish-American men and women whose evolving culture and values continue to play such a central role in all of our identities as Americans. In Quinn’s hands, the Irish stereotype of “Paddy” gives way to an image of “Jimmy”—an archetypal Irish-American. From Irish immigration to modern politics, Quinn vibrantly weaves together the story of a remarkable people and their immeasurable contribution to American history and culture.

Twenty-two-year-old University of Orono law student Jimmy Bentley is pleasantly surprised when he receives a summons to attend the reading of his uncle's will. Jimmy wasn't aware that Orland Forster Gray had died a year earlier since he hadn't seen his uncle in many years. He's anxious to learn what old Orland has left him. Jimmy's parents caution him not to accept anything from his uncle, as he had a reputation for shady dealings. A fortune teller has also warned Jimmy to stay away from anything related to Orland Gray. Jimmy is determined to accept the offering, which turns out to be a dilapidated cabin and its surrounding ten acres on Black Lake in northern Maine. When Jimmy and his friends arrive at the cabin, they discover that it is already inhabited. The residents are ready to fight for the property, and they are willing to kill for it.

Meghan McCarthy is out for a good time in Manhattan when fate leads her to meet Roc, a charismatic accountant who immediately captures her attention. As the two part ways with a promise to meet again, the young Catholic women of Irish decent has no idea that Roc is harboring a secret that will change everything. An unplanned pregnancy has pulled Roc into the dark depths of a mafia family. After he impregnates the Godfather's daughter, his only choice is to marry her or end up in the landfill. Meghan, who is clueless of his marital status, is seemingly the solution to his unhappiness. Despite an undeniable chemistry, major problems eventually cause a decades-long separation. The Source shares a tale of forbidden love between a married man and an woman that leads them to discover that even well-intended actions can have dire consequences.

In a lily-white northeastern city of Pittsfield, sixteen-year-old Jimmy Robinson (quarterback), and Billy Mack (fullback) are national high school all-American football players. They have been teammates since Pop Warner football. Billy is black and Jimmy is white. A racial tragedy occurs in this lily-white city. The tragedy is not done by a racist or a bigot that will destroy Billy and Jimmy’s deep brotherly relationship but from an unexpected source—a tragedy so horrific that no parent would ever think it could happen to their child.

Looking at life: Stories It Took Me 70 years to Write, is a collection of plays or screen plays that I have adventurously written over the years. It is the first of many books to come. So please, enjoy reading it and experience my imagination.

When I was in high school my parents used to go out to dinner leaving me with my two younger brothers. They would often say tell us a story. So began the tales of Jimmy Jumpferjoy. I would ask them what kind of adventures he would have and they would tell me, it was interactive fun for all of us. I took creative writing in high school and began to write down the stories. In college I took English Composition where I improved in my writing, and during a lonely year I spent on Marthas Vineyard without any friends, I began to step inside Jimmy Jumpferjoys world. A two dimensional character became three dimensional. I hope you have as much fun reading these stories as I had writing them!!!!!!!!!!

In 1949, an architect and amateur magician named George Fenwick was to leap from an apartment building that he had designed and first occupied when it opened in 1936. Twenty six years later, John and Patricia Delaney rented the same apartment that George Fenwick had occupied. For reasons that neither of them were ever able to determine, the mystery of Mr. Fenwick’s suicide appeared to have something to do with certain photographs found in their apartment, photographs an obsession shared by George Fenwick and his father, Richard. Their pursuit of this puzzle would led John and Patricia Delaney through all manner of investigation, from peculiar neighbours, newspaper reporters, policemen, a private detective, magicians, libraries, bookstore owners, and even each other.