Calabasa, California is the backdrop for an extraordinary family story. Their father and grandfather were renowned writers for hit television shows. Now, father and son are continuing this family tradition by each penning a new book and releasing them simultaneously. As Peter Berk, author of "First Line of Defense," said, "And we’re doing our best to carry on a family tradition that began with my father, Howard. He wrote many classic TV shows and novels."

Honoring the Late Howard Berk

Howard Berk was a highly accomplished writer for long-running television series such as "Columbo," "Mission Impossible," and "The Rockford Files." He wrote the first "Columbo" episode a remarkable 50 years ago. His legacy lives on through his children and grandchildren.Peter Berk, Howard's son, wrote a novel titled "First Line of Defense" which debuted in October. In this book, the President's son is arrested for murder and the President, who was a star defense attorney, takes on the case. As Peter added, "This is my way of honoring my dad."At the same time, Howard's grandson, Jordan Berk, is introducing his first book, "The Timestream Verdict." As Jordan said, "So I’m a third generation sci-fi author and it’s been great to share this with my dad."

The Influence of Family on Writing

Peter and Jordan admit that their talents could be inherited or simply learned by example. Peter shared, "It was always a huge part of my life, whether it was working with my dad or just really paying attention to movies and television. It’s what I grew up with. My favorite show was the Dick Van Dyke Show, and my dad was a writer for that too."Jordan, on the other hand, initially didn't think he had the skills to be a writer. But during the COVID-19 lockdown when he was spending more time indoors, everything changed. He said, "It’s about a time travel murder and the jury that not only needs to deliberate on it but also try to figure out what happened and potentially even intervene."

Taking Writing to the Next Level

Peter is extremely proud of his son Jordan's brilliant writing. Both have big dreams to take their writing to the next level. They are committed to continuing the family's literary journey and making their mark in the world of writing.Each book offers a unique perspective and value. "First Line of Defense" delves into the legal and moral complexities of a high-profile murder case, while "The Timestream Verdict" explores the fascinating world of time travel and mystery. These books are a testament to the Berk family's talent and dedication to the art of writing.