Author publishes book about Pickerel Lake monster fish The Park Rapids area, as remembered by a writer who spent part of his childhood here, is featured in a trilogy of novels written from a boy's point of view. 10:00 am, Dec. 30, 2020 × Park Rapids native Gary Blackburn, who now lives in California, is releasing "Pickerel Lake 1: Dark Water Secret," the first novel in a trilogy inspired by his childhood experiences in the Emmaville area. (Submitted photos) Park Rapids native Gary Blackburn is publishing a novel inspired by his childhood experiences in Lake Emma Township. Titled “Pickerel Lake 1: Deep Water Secrets,” the book is the first installment of a trilogy whose other titles are “Pickerel Lake 2: Secrets Revealed” and “Pickerel Lake 3: Resolution.”