Unlock The Future: New Action/Sci-Fi Novel “TimeLock” is First in Series Co-Authored By Award-Winning “Mission: Impossible” Writer Howard Berk

In 2032, Inmates Are Instantly Aged The Number Of Years Of Their Sentence. But What Happens If You’re Innocent? 

By: IngramElliott Publishing

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Sept. 250, 2022 – Award-winning publisher IngramElliott is excited to release a boldly original new novel – “TimeLock,” written by father and son Howard Berk and Peter Berk. An award-winning novelist and film and television writer, Howard Berk’s credits include “Columbo,” “Mission: Impossible,” “The Rockford Files,” and the feature film, “Target,” starring Gene Hackman and Matt Dillon.

Set in a near future defined by terrifying new technology, rampant crime, prison overcrowding and an unbalanced Governor likely to become our next President, “TimeLock” is the first in an ambitious series of action and sci-fi short fiction designed for quick reading and ideal translation into film or television.   

A fast-paced thriller with romance and humor that evokes such films as “The Fugitive,” “In Time,” and “Logan’s Run,” “TimeLock” revolves around a highly controversial cellular acceleration process that instantly ages prisoners the total number of years of their sentence. In other words – three strikes and you’re old . . . very old. Just one problem – what happens if you’re innocent?

Falsely convicted of murder, 23-year-old Morgan Eberly is sentenced to be aged 40 years in a TimeLock capsule. When a riot interrupts his processing halfway through, Morgan – suddenly a middle-aged man of 43 – manages to escape. With powerful forces on his trail, Morgan enlists the help of the initially-resistant Janine Price, the FBI agent who arrested him. Together, they investigate the murders of ex-prisoners who were transformed by TimeLock and soon discover why Morgan is certain to be the program’s next victim. Can Morgan and Janine unlock the truth about TimeLock before it’s too late?

“TimeLock” will be sold in print and e-book at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, IndieBound, and anywhere books are sold. For the latest updates, events, and reviews, connect with the authors on Facebook and Instagram @timelocknovel and follow the “TimeLock” book page at www.ingramelliott.com/timelock.

From The Page To The Screen?

Given IngramElliott’s mission to bring great stories to light in print and on-screen, the company will be actively exploring opportunities to develop “TimeLock” and its sequels as feature films or limited series. As it happens, “TimeLock” was in fact first written as a screenplay before being more recently novelized. At present, a total of five “TimeLock” novels are planned. Details about “TimeLock 2: The Kyoto Conspiracy” will be announced shortly.

About The Authors

An award-winning novelist and screenwriter, Howard Berk’s credits include memorable episodes of such classic TV series as “Columbo,” (including “By Dawn’s Early Light,” for which guest star Patrick McGoohan won an Emmy), “Mission: Impossible,” “The Rockford Files,” “The Fall Guy,” “The New Mike Hammer” and “The Contender,” starring “V” and “The Beastmaster” lead Marc Singer. Howard Berk also wrote the feature film, “Target,” starring Gene Hackman and Matt Dillon.

Peter Berk has written four novels, an entertainment industry non-fiction book co-authored by “Eight Is Enough” star Dick Van Patten, three TV pilots and a dozen screenplays, including several with his father which became the basis for the “TimeLock” series of novellas.  

Commenting on the imminent publication of “TimeLock,” Peter Berk said, “My father was the best writer I’ve ever known. I’ll forever cherish the countless hours we spent writing together and now I can honestly say that thanks to the IngramElliott team, bringing so many of the projects my dad and I wrote together to fruition in this series of novellas is easily the most gratifying work I’ve ever done in my life.”