Date: October 11, 2014 Time: 2 p.m. (Pacific) What: Phil Champagne, the main character in Edgar Award winning author Burl Barer's 20th Anniversary Special Edition of MAN OVERBOARD recently released by WildBlue Press, will be regaling Burl with tales of his adventures (and misadventures) on True Crime Uncensored. … [Read more...]
Man Overboard – Introduction to the 20th Anniversary Edition
My first foray into true crime, MAN OVERBOARD: The Counterfeit Resurrection of Phil Champagne, was a surprise hit, achieved universal rave reviews, and was nominated for an Anthony Award at the Bouchercon World Mystery Convention as “Best True Crime Book of the Year.” “Oh, Burl,” said true-crime author Ann Rule, “I just know you’re going to win.” I didn’t. Ann won for Dead by Sunset. Ann Rule actually appears in Man Overboard and was the … [Read more...]
MAN OVERBOARD: The Counterfeit Resurrection of Phil Champagne
A WildBlue Press True Crime Classic 20th Anniversary Special Edition A mind-boggling blend of fraud, deception, trickery, lies, and fine prime rib, MAN OVERBOARD was nominated Best True Crime Book of the Year by the World Mystery Convention-and universally praised as the most laugh-filled book in the genre's history. 1982: Oregon businessman Phil Champagne died in a tragic boating accident off Lopez Island, Washington. He was survived by one … [Read more...]
Burl Barer Goes Behind the Making of the Book About the Family Behind America’s Greatest Heists, STEALING MANHATTAN!
Writing STEALING MANHATTAN fulfills any true crime writer's dream, capturing an exclusive account of one of the greatest crime stories of the 20th Century. Having access to information, confessions, and first-person recollections long withheld from public knowledge is a spectacular thrill. While I realize that STEALING MANHATTAN isn't destined to have the potential socio-political impact of the recent discovery of Muhammad's actual covenants … [Read more...]
[Re-Post] Author Burl Barer Recalls his First Meeting with Con Man Phil Champagne
Originally Posted October 7, 2014 By Burl Barer Author Burl Barer discusses his first meeting with the conman/counterfeiter that led to the writing of MAN OVERBOARD: The Counterfeit Resurrection of Phil Champagne I wasn't the first author to approach Mr. Champagne about a book, and the fact that he hadn't said "yes" to any of them encouraged rather than discouraged me. I fired up my Volvo 1800E, aimed it at Spokane, and passed through security … [Read more...]
[Re-Post] Burl Barer Tells Another Wild Harold Stegeman Story
I was cleaning the garage today, and I found a CD with no label, no nothing. You know, the kind you use to make your own music mixes. I popped it into my cd player, and there was not a single note of music – but there was Secret Service Special Agent Lyle Workman having a conversation with me, over twenty years ago, in which he tells me ANOTHER wild Harold Stegeman story. I recognized Lyle’s voice right away, but it took me a few minutes to grasp … [Read more...]
[Re-Post] Who is the Real Harold Richard Stegeman? Or is it Phil Champagne? Read More in Burl Barer’s MAN OVERBOARD.
Originally posted in 2015 By Burl Barer Phil Champagne, the main character in MAN OVERBOARD, is every bit the rascal at eighty-four years of age as he was when he died in 1982-of course, Phil didn't know he was dead until he read it in the newspaper. Those of you who were born in the '80s or later probably can't imagine it being so easy to make fake driver's licenses with press-on letters you buy at the stationary store, but back in the "old … [Read more...]
[Re-Post] Burl Barer Tells Readers About the Unique Collaboration That Made BETRAYAL IN BLUE
While I've collaborated on writing projects previously, BETRAYAL IN BLUE was a unique experience because not only would this be written with Frank C. Girardot with whom I have an established professional relationship, but also Ken Eurell who is a primary character in the story of police corruption in the NYPD. I knew Ken was a strong personality, and a man who had been through things most of us cannot even begin to imagine. I also knew from … [Read more...]
[Re-Post] In Love With a Dead Man? The True Love Story in Burl Barer’s MAN OVERBOARD
Originally posted June 29, 2015 by Burl Barer Barb Fraley fell in love with Harold Stegeman, who treated her like a queen, provided for her six kids, and built her a new home and her own restaurant. The restaurant went bust, the couple went broke, and then one day at a pancake house, Barb was arrested for passing a counterfeit $100 bill. The next thing she knew, Harold was arrested. Then she discovered that Harold wasn't really Harold-he … [Read more...]
Announcing the Audiobook Edition of Burl Barer’s and Fred Wolfson’s SECRETS OF A HOLLYWOOD PRIVATE EYE, Narrated by Tom Lennon!
Are you ready to embark on an extraordinary journey into the world of Hollywood's dark secrets and intriguing mysteries? We are thrilled to announce the highly anticipated audiobook edition of SECRETS OF A HOLLYWOOD PRIVATE EYE by Fred Wolfson, where award-winning narrator Tom Lennon brings these thrilling stories to life. Join Fred Wolfson, renowned private investigator, and international hero in the fight against terrorism and human … [Read more...]
