The Kenyan runner was the favorite to win this year’s Boston Marathon. At least that’s what the sports broadcaster blurted on Ben’s car radio. He was on the Mass Pike, making his way through heavy traffic. Just a few more miles to go. Suddenly a shockwave of energy burst through the air. Ben’s car shut down.

Dumbfounded, he held tight to the steering wheel. What the fuck, he thought. His Honda Accord was new. He turned the ignition switch over, but there was nothing. He tried the lights, windows, and door, but again nothing. It was just dead as a doornail. “Damn,” he muttered and grinned. After a minute he looked around him. It wasn’t rush-hour traffic. He was in a huge parking lot.

Jessica, Ben’s daughter, was in her classroom. As a high school student, she was coming down the home stretch. Her whole life was ahead of her. The teacher was beginning the first lesson. Click the lights, and computers went off. “Stay calm” the teacher said. Seconds turned into minutes. A student raised his hand.

He had to go to the bathroom. Confusion and anxiety set in. The principal was beside himself. What was the protocol for this? There was no cell phone reception, and the police or fire departments weren’t showing up. Minutes turned into hours. Action was required. Would he make the wrong decision? Would he endanger lives? Would he be sued? His pay grade was high but not high enough for this.

Ben, Alice (his wife), Randy (his son), and Jessica were living the American dream. They were now confronted by an evil act of aggression, a life-changing event for this wholesome family, their neighbors, and everyone within hundreds of miles. This drama portrays a family’s efforts to survive. In their struggle, they are joined together by an unlikely collection of heroes—Ben, his shy teenage daughter, Jessica, and her friend Vivian. He has a rebellious son named Randy and an eccentric recluse of a neighbor who’s an intellectually challenged adult. There is a neighborhood construction contractor, a keen, quiet-spoken hip Native American father a fair-play, Easy Rider biker dude, a couple of “fly by the seat of their pants” local cops, the Massachusetts Turnpike, and of course Randy’s lovingly restored classic: a 1958 Buick. You’ll have to read it to believe it.

Jessica had been bicycling hard for two hours in a desperate attempt to be with her boyfriend Joshua. Her father had basically forbidden any further contact. With nothing else to live for, she was on a dangerous journey. It was bad enough to drive through this lawless countryside in a vintage car. Alone, on a bicycle, it was almost unthinkable. Exhausted, she laid down on the side of the road and made peace with the Lord.

An EMP blast has littered most roads in the eastern U.S. with stalled cars, their modern computer-based ignitions fried beyond repair. Ben Randall had formed a survival collaborative with his neighbors. They had to venture out for food, water and medicines while trying to avoid local gangs of thugs. Local governments were operating with skeletons crews at best. Officer Ryan was one of the few Massachusetts State Police officers who had transportation and was able to remain at his post. As a member of Ben’s collaborative, he coordinated the formation of a new collaborative. It took an hour’s drive with the non-computerized antique Buick that Ben’s son Randy had lovingly restored.

Daniel was the leader of the new collaborative. He was a talented man who spoke a number of languages, was a decent musician, and had the natural gift to be a good salesman. Trouble is, he is not a hands-on guy. Starting in the mix in the new collaborative was Daniel’s wife, who is often at odds with him, and his son Joshua. Ah, Joshua, the apple does not fall far from the tree. Leaving college early, Joshua’s dreams were like those of his dad. He was also gifted with the gab, loved sales and meeting people. He too was worldly, spoke several languages, and come across as a handsome, confident young man.

When the two collaborative meet, it is the encounter of Jessica and Joshua that sets off a tangled journey through danger, survival and love. It inflicts family wounds and eventually pushes the two lovers to leave for “tent city”. Like the first book, “Boston Darkens”, you will find this story fast paced, and captivating to the end.

“Boston Flickers” is a story of family conflict, friends, and romance, mixed-in with the wit of a unique cast of characters.