FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The Missing Lieutenant: A Master Conman Meets His Match in Barbara G. Kruk’s Electrifying New Thriller
Suffolk County, New York – April 27, 2026 — He reinvents himself as a Major in the United States Army. He studies his targets with calculated precision. He steals hearts, minds, and millions—then vanishes without a trace.
In The Chameleon Chronicles: Book One – The Missing Lieutenant, author Barbara G. Kruk introduces readers to Michael Pearson, a brilliant and ruthless international conman who believes he is untouchable. He is wrong.
This gripping romantic thriller follows Michael as he infiltrates the elite Hamptons social scene. A newspaper photograph of Abigail Baxter—a striking real estate agent and grieving widow—draws his attention. She becomes his next target. But Abigail is not the fragile victim he anticipates. Beneath her grief lies a resilience that challenges even the most skilled manipulator.
Meanwhile, Commander Jonathan Meyers, working with a global intelligence crime unit, accepts a mission from Scotland Yard to track down the elusive conman. What unfolds is a high-stakes game of strategy and survival, where two formidable minds collide in a race against time.
At its core, The Missing Lieutenant explores resilience and the unexpected strength found in vulnerability. Kruk delivers a powerful message: victims can rise, and even in the darkest moments, hope—and love—can emerge. The novel will resonate with readers of psychological suspense and romantic thrillers, especially fans of Sandra Brown, Karen Robards, and Nora Roberts.
Barbara G. Kruk writes with clarity, intensity, and emotional depth. Her pacing is sharp, her dialogue compelling, and her characters complex and authentic. Drawing from her background in journalism, she brings precision and realism to every scene. Her personal experiences with hardship and recovery add a genuine emotional layer that elevates the story beyond traditional genre fiction.
The Chameleon Chronicles: Book One – The Missing Lieutenant is now available on her website, krukbooks.com, as well as on Amazon and major retail platforms.
Meet a conman you will love to hate.
Meet a woman who refuses to break.
Meet a commander willing to risk everything.
The game has begun.
For more information, review copies, or interview requests, please contact:
Barbara G. Kruk
Author Website: krukbooks.com
About Barbara Guarino Kruk
Barbara Guarino Kruk transformed personal adversity into a powerful literary journey. Following her husband’s traumatic brain injury, she was encouraged to write—and never stopped. Today, she is an award-winning author, newspaper columnist, wife, mother, and grandmother based on Saint Simons Island, Georgia.
Inspired by her Italian grandmother, Lucia, she created the beloved Lucia Mistress of Monteforte series. A graduate of Long Island University and a writing student at Harvard University, Barbara is known for crafting emotionally rich and compelling narratives.
Her accolades include the Distinguished Alumni Award, Outstanding Creator Award, Digital Book Today Award, and Woman of the Year, among others. Beyond writing, she enjoys cooking, painting, swimming, and traveling.
