Palisadian Author Publishes Second Political Page-Turner

By GABRIELLA BOCK | Contributing Writer

Following the success of his debut indie-produced novel, “The Amendment Killer,” Palisadian author Ronald S. Barak has returned for an encore.

Scheduled for a New Year’s release, Barak’s latest book,“The Puppet Master,” is a politically charged mystery and the next installment in the Brooks/Lotello anthology thriller series.

Described by his readers as a cross between Agatha Christie, Lee Child and John Lescroart, Barak’s well-received series is known to explore the many ramifications of politics while blurring the lines between reality and fiction.

Set in the nation’s capital, “The Puppet Master” follows Frank Lotello, a homicide detective assigned to investigate a string of vigilante killings of prominent, but corrupt, D.C. politicians.

In true Barak form, the author turns due process into another enthralling wild goose chase as his hero follows a trail of breadcrumbs from an affluent businessman all the way to the White House—a revelation that unleashes a firestorm of fury, and doubt, across an already divided county.

Barak, a seasoned estate attorney and past NCAA national champion, told the Palisadian-Post that his love of the law and reading the daily newspaper provides him with an ample well of compelling source material.

“The things happening in Washington are sometimes more entertaining than anything you can think up,” he explained. “I’d say that many of the themes that happen to spring up in this story are unbelievably timely in today’s political climate.”

The author, who penned the novel on a dare by his friends, is already in the process of writing the third Lotello/Brooks novel, which he plans to release sometime next year.

After that comes the deal with Netflix, hopefully.

“I’ve heard that you need at least three books to get an adapted series going,” Barak said with a twinkle in his voice. “It looks like I am already more than halfway there.”

Although “The Puppet Master” won’t be available for wide release until after the holidays, fans who are dying to know “whodunit” are invited to join Barak for a pre-launch party at Diesel, A Bookstore at the Brentwood Country Mart on Sunday, Oct. 14.

The event will kick off at 3 p.m. and will include a reading by guest narrators and a limited edition book signing with the author.

“It’s going to be fun and come with, perhaps, a few twists,” he said. “If you’re in the neighborhood, my wife [Barbie] and I would love to have you stop by, say hello and help us celebrate.”

For more information, visit ronaldsbarak.com.