What would you do if they took everything you had, your family, your home, your business, your dignity, even - perhaps - your sanity? Ronald S. Barak's latest, The Puppet Master, prequel to The Amendment Killer and the second in the Brooks/Lotello Thriller series, is a gripping story of a political system gone awry - and those who feel compelled to fix it.

"Have you ever killed anyone? I have. I'll do it again. If I need to."

Three prominent political leaders in Washington, DC, murdered in as many days.

Not a plausible story premise? What about the real-world villain who recently mailed a series of pipe bombs to a number of prominent political figures? Ripped from the headlines? Barak gives new meaning to the word "timely". The Puppet Master isn't ripped from the headlines; written first, it forecast the headlines that followed!

The Puppet Master begins with a bang. Literally. Three of them. Not a moment wasted. Capitol Hill panics. Who will be next? Others whisper that our political leaders are only getting what they deserve. Anxious to see who will be next. And why.

Crafty DC homicide Detective Frank Lotello is tasked to find the killer. Cliff Norman, a local businessman with ample motive, is arrested. Politicians breathe a sigh of relief. However, when Lotello discovers a disturbing White House connection, he suspects Norman may not be what he appears to be. Things may not be what they appear to be.

Norman's trial commences in the courtroom of savvy DC trial court judge Cyrus Brooks. An angry nation rallies behind Norman. The jury debates whether Norman's actions may be legally justified by a rampant abuse of political trust and threatens to unravel the very fabric of our dysfunctional government.

In an unprecedented and questionable manner that may destroy their respective careers, Lotello quietly approaches Brooks, and they form a secret alliance to uncover the truth in this classic whodunit mystery. Before it's too late.

Blurring fiction and reality, The Puppet Master will have you dangling from the first moment to the very last.