ONE FAMILY’S TRIP REVEALS THE DARK UNDERSIDE OF EASTERN EUROPE

Two months after 9/11, an expatriate family takes a road trip to Butrint, a multi-civilisation ruin in Albania. Despite its history at the crossroads between Rome and Greece, Europe’s only Muslim country is largely avoided by foreigners. Albania’s money laundering and reputation as a terrorist haven raises safety concerns, even though multinationals see investment opportunities. Tony’s company is running into operations problems, but he hopes this first overnight escape will be a break from his Austrian employer and restore good will with his teenage daughter, home from a Vienna boarding school. His wife needs reassurance that a new Mediterranean lifestyle is possible in Europe’s poorest country. Their consulate has requested he note illegalities en route, but unbeknownst to Tony, his diplomatic contact becomes a mafia target. While Tony manages family and work issues, the ongoing conflict to control the growing underground economy heats up. Although Albania’s history is everywhere, from classic ruins to the Christian and Ottoman periods, the shadow of the more recent Stalinist paranoia casts a long shadow. And Tony begins to suspect that his sense of adventure is misplaced. Reviews: “That Weekend in Albania is a thoroughly researched and well-written work of travel fiction introducing Albania to readers interested in adventurous travel..."-Audrey Driscoll, author of The Herbert West Series; "energetic intrigue…genre-breaking in many ways…a novel that can carry the complex history in this little-known part of the world...an exploration of family dynamics…with young and old perspectives.” -C. A. Pearson

Born in Northern Ireland, the author’s NATO military family moved constantly. Heading west after graduation, Peter then went to Europe and on to Albania with his family in 2001. They stayed in the Balkans for seven years. He returned to Alberta in 2008 to write fiction based on his travel experiences, alternating this home with the Kootenays of British Columbia. He is still a frequent and observant traveler.