Former Longboat mayor authors first fiction novel

Bob Drohlich has worn many hats throughout his life: radio producer, Air Force pilot, president of a public-relations firm, Longboat Key mayor. And, now, he can add “fiction author” to the list. Drohlich recently published his first fiction novel, “The Finding.”

With years of experience in communications, Drohlich has been writing for most of his life. After publishing technical books, award-winning radio programs and three non-fiction novels, Drohlich felt inspired to try his hand at writing something new and settled on fiction.

“I needed a theme, and one night the idea of a mountain hiker in a cave in Israel came to me,” says Drohlich. “It just took off from there.”

“The Finding,” which reviewers have compared to Dan Brown’s “The Da Vinci Code” and Herman Wouk’s “The Glory,” takes place in London, Israel, Saudi Arabia and Lebanon. The novel tells the story of the discovery of ancient religious markings, which could change history and solve the dispute over the occupation of Jerusalem.

“The Finding” has only been available for purchase for a little more than a month, and already it has sold more than 100 copies. Drohlich decided to donate the book-sale proceeds to an organization close to his heart, Community Video Archives, which was founded by his wife, Annette Scherman.

Community Video Archives is a non-profit organization established in 1991 with the objective of documenting and preserving the living history of the Sarasota community. There are currently more than 125 biographical and thematic videos available to the public at Sarasota County libraries.

Although his cause is a charitable one, Drohlich’s primary motivation for publishing his novel was simple: pure enjoyment.

“This was one of the most pleasant things I have ever done,” says Drohlich. “It was just fun, fun, fun.”

“The Finding” is currently available for purchase at major booksellers, but in order for 100% of proceeds to benefit Community Video Archives, the book can be purchased directly from the author. Contact Drohlich at 954-9999.

Contact Maria Amodio at [email protected]