Cape native a great author

I read with interest the recent fine article by the Southeast Missourian regarding Richard Flentge and his book relative to the mule being named our state animal. It brought to mind another author of the same generation as Richard with local roots who has recently authored a couple of novels that are now being read on Amazon Kindle.

Soren Paul Petrek is a practicing attorney in Grey Eagle, Minn., who attended the now-closed College High School and graduated in 1982. His father, William Petrek, was the vice president of academic affairs at Southeast Missouri State University until he took the presidency of a university in London, England. Soren elected to stay in Cape Girardeau to complete his senior year of high school and stayed with our family that year. He went on to graduate from the University of Minnesota and got his law degree at the William Mitchell Law School in St. Paul, Minn.

His first novel, "Cold Lonely Courage," was inspired by the true story of a young Belgian woman who helped countless Jewish children escape the terrors of the Nazi regime. He has received critical acclaim for this work. A second novel, "Patience County War," has several identifiable characters who live in Cape County.

I believe that all who peruse his works will find them to be an enjoyable read.

JOHN K. HOLCOMB, Cape Girardeau