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First Book, Published April 2011: The Expendable Man, A Political Thriller

An American businessman is imprisoned in Turkmenistan for a crime he did not commit. Who was responsible for framing him and will he be able to clear his name?  Read The Expendable Man in print or for your e-reader. Click here to learn more.

Second Book, Published February 2012: Making the Grade, A Murder Mystery

Making the Grade: Shannon Lynch is promoted to detective grade on the Albany Police Department. Then her past catches up with her in ways she never could have foreseen. Available in print and e-book versions. Click here to learn more.

Third Book, Published January 2013: Last Stop on Desolation Ridge

Another suspense novel, Last Stop takes place in Upstate New York–in the Adirondacks and in my home town Gloversville. Copies are available now in digital format from either Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

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About

   

About Peter G. Pollak

What is important for readers to know about me as a writer?

I first thought about writing fiction as a teenager, but for years did nothing to act on that desire, other than take a creative writing elective as an undergraduate. At times I would get an idea for a story or a novel and spend a few hours putting words on paper and later storing words on my computer. When I stopped working fulltime a few years ago, I began to wonder whether any of those fragments were worth trying to finish.

After reviewing several options, I made a commitment to myself to finish the story that now exists as The Expendable Man. It took me six months to complete a first draft and another six months to whip it into its current shape (with the help of 5 volunteer editors).

Some writers spend months and even years trying to reach perfection. I’m not one of those writers. It’s not that I’m anxious to foist onto the world something that could be better, but I think I’m capable of recognizing at what point the price one has to pay to strive for perfection is no longer equal to the value achieved.

Thus, The Expendable Man became available early in 2011 and Making the Grade in the spring of 2012. Meanwhile, I’m working on other projects, including a suspense novel which will be available around December 1, 2012. To keep track of my progress and to read about developments in the world of self-publishing, you can subscribe to a RSS feed of my Blog “Write or Wrong” or follow me on Twitter.

 

Peter G. Pollak, October, 2013

 

Interviews with Peter Pollak

#1: Interview by Morgen Bailey, June 28, 2011/updated 5/10/2012.
#2: Interview by Mike Angley, July 1, 2011.
#3: Interview by Mark Tierno, March 4, 2012.
#4: Interview by Carolyn Arnold, March 25, 2012

News & Events

   

Peter G. Pollak

 

 

 

Looking for a Speaker or Author Interview?

 

Use the contact form on this website to invite Peter to speak to your bookclub or organization. If he can’t come in person, he’ll be there via the Internet.

My Books

Last Stop on Desolation Ridge

Here’s where you can learn about

Last Stop on Desolation Ridge

 

A photographer’s outing to capture a morning sunrise on a desolate road in the Adirondacks takes an unusual twist when he discovers an injured man at the bottom of a roadside gully. The mystery deepens when waking in a local hospital the injured man can’t recall his name or how he ended up in such a life-threatening situation.

Last Stop on Desolation Ridge is the third novel by Peter G. Pollak, a native of Gloversville, New York and long-time Adirondacks summer resident.

“One of my favorite views in the Adirondacks can be found on NYS Route 10 across from where Avery’s Restaurant used to be,” Pollak stated. “You see an open valley with the West Branch of the Sacandaga River meandering through the meadow. With the mountains in the distance, the view is enchanting yet the quiet, the lack of any sign of humanity is intimidating. It was the inspiration for the title of my latest novel.”

Currently available only in e-book format (see links below), Last Stop will be released in paperback edition in February (2013).

Here’s some more information you may find useful:

  • You can read the book’s Prologue by clicking here.
  • Then, if you want to read the entire book on your I-Pad, Kindle or Nook,
  • Watch this page for a listing of bookstores that will be carrying copies.  Please encourage your local bookstore to contact us to obtain copies.
  • Watch this page to learn when you can obtain a paperback copy from Amazon and/or Barnes & Noble.
  • Please LIKE my Facebook page for this book: https://www.facebook.com/LastStopOnDesolationRidge
  • I encourage you to rate the book and even write a reivew if you’re inclined on Amazon or B&N, on Goodreads or any other website that accepts reviews (and there are dozens of them).
  • If you like Last Stop, you may like my other books:  The Expendable Man (2011) and Making the Grade (2012).  Visit their pages to find out how to obtain a copy.
  • Click here to Sign up for my e-newsletter to keep up with all my writing activities, including future book signings and speaking events.

Making the Grade

   

 

Click here to read a review of Making the Grade posted on the Amazon website December 6, 2012.

 

 

Introducing Detective Shannon Lynch, Albany PD:

When Shannon Lynch gets promoted to detective grade in the Albany (NY) Police Department, her past catches up with her in ways she never could have predicted.  Will Shannon be able to keep her job or will a cold-hearted murderer and a felon just out on parole crash her dreams?

How to Obtain a Copy of Making the Grade

Bookstores carrying copies of Making the Grade:

  • The Book House, Styvesant Plaza, Albany, NY
  • Greetings and Readings, Hunt Valley Towne Center, Hunt Valley, MD
  • Mysteries on Main Street, 144 West Main St., Johnstown, NY
  • The Open Door, 128 Jay Street, Schenectady, NY
  • Ukazoo Books, 730 Delaney Valley Rd., Towson, MD

You can also obtain print or e-book versions from:

In Print or e-book, order your copy from:

Read the Prologue of Making the Grade. Click here to download.

The Expendable Man

   

 

 

“Cancer may have been his only salvation. The Expendable Man is a novel from Peter G. Pollak as he writes of a wrongfully accused businessman who on medical leave from the Turkish prison he was doomed to, finds that he may just have a chance to find the truth. But there are those content with him being the fall man, and will do whatever it takes to keep it as such. The Expendable Man is a fine and much recommended addition to international political thriller fans.”

Review by Able Greenspan, June 2012 issue, MBR Book Watch

 

 

What is The Expendable Man about?

The Expendable Man tells the story of an American businessman who runs afoul of ruthless government officials who are not above sacrificing his liberty to cover up their mistakes.

It’s easy to obtain a copy of The Expendable Man for your IPad, Kindle, Nook or to read on your computer.

You can obtain a copy for the IPad by searching on the book’s title in the IPad library. Same for Kindle on Amazon.com and for the Nook at BarnesandNoble.com.

To obtain a print copy from Amazon or Barnes & Noble, search on the title, The Expendable Man or on Peter G. Pollak.

You can also purchase a print copy from the CreateSpace E-Store @ https://www.createspace.com/3537375

Or, you can purchase the novel in any of half a dozen digital formats on my Smashwords page.

 

 

Bookstores carrying The Expendable Man:

Do you frequent an independent bookstore? Ask the store owners to use the contact page to obtain copies for and/or to invite Peter to speak to your book club, organization or meeting.

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Check out the first Chapter of The Expendable Man. Click here to download.

 

 

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REVIEWS
 

The Expendable Man has received more than a dozen positive reviews on Amazon.com. Here are a few quotes:
  • This book moves along, keeping the reader engaged throughout. I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys books about espionage and intrigue.”

 

  • “Pollak’s novel led me along quietly until I found myself completely involved in the characters and the outcome.”

 

  • “As a thriller enthusiast, I found The Expendable Man to be a “great read”. It has an intriguing plot and fast-paced action – just the right ingredients to keep you hooked on the story.”

 

  • “I was hooked by page 3 and making comparisons to John LeCarre. Fast-paced, very believable dialogue, intriguing concept, especially about the gene therapy. I liked the many levels and layers of involvement, from government, to the medical community. Highly recommend it.”

 

  • “There’s something in here for everyone. It’s a combination of a political thriller and international spy novel with a touch of science fiction. The plot is complex, with a fair amount of twists and turns, but the author does a great job of making it easy to follow. A great book for your next vacation or summer reading.”

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I encourage all readers to rate and review The Expendable Man at the Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Goodreads and other websites.

Thank you.

Peter G. Pollak

 

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Wanted 1,000 Readers

I read recently that to be successful an author needs 1,000 fans. Accurate or not, that seems to be a worthy goal.

If you become one of my 1,000 fans, I promise to keep you abreast of my writing projects, but not overwhelm your email box with trivia or self-serving appeals…

Well, I suppose I might send out self-serving trivia once in a while, but you’ll hardly notice.  You’ll be busy enjoying my book reviews, comments on writing and news about my own writing projects.

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Thank you and Happy Reading
Peter G. Pollak

 

Where to buy…

Copies of novels by Peter G. Pollak can be found in the following book stores:

The Book House, Styvesant Plaza, Albany, NY | 518.489.4761 — SIGNED COPIES
The Open Door, 128 Jay Street, Schenectady, NY | 518.346.2719 — SIGNED COPIES
Mysteries on Main Street, 144 W. Main, Johnstown, NY | 518.736.2665
Ukazoo Books 730 Delaney Valley Rd., Towson, MD 21204 | 410-832-2665
Greetings & Readings Hunt Valley Towne Center, Hunt Valley MD 21030 | 410-771-3022

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If your favorite independently owned bookstore doesn’t carry Peter Pollak’s books, ask them to order them using the contact form on this website.

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Prefer to read books on an e-reader?

Pollak’s novels are available for the Kindle, Nook, IPad, Sony Reader, Kobo and in other formats.

For the Kindle, visit Amazon.com and search on Peter Pollak.

For the Nook, visit BarnesandNoble.com and search on Peter Pollak.

To read The Expendable Man or Last Stop on Desolation Ridge on the Sony Reader, Kobo or other formats, visit the Smashwords website and search on Peter Pollak. Making the Grade is only available for the Kindle or Nook. I-Pad owners can read it using the Kindle Ap.

Contact Me

   

I welcome your comments and questions and will reply promptly.

 

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