Stephen O. Boyo’s The Marionette Adrift is set between November 1974 and January 1976, and focuses on the months preceding the death of the Spanish dictator General Franco.

The author explores and captures the fraught circumstances and militant activities of a hardcore group of Basque freedom fighters in various fractious hotspots across Spain.

The Marionette Adrift portrays an incredible year in the life of America’s famous X-Cult singer Lars Brunner, a 28 year-old man with the world at his feet yet ill-at-ease with sudden fame and exposure. However, tremulous incidents revolutionise his life.

Feeling ‘pulled by the strings of fate’ following the mysterious death of his estranged wife Annie in Texas, Lars’ journey leads to Las Palmas, where he unwittingly becomes a fugitive.

Assuming the alias of Laurel Guzman, he meets the beautiful Basque art student Renee De Haro. Guilty about concealing the truth, Lars and Renee’s relationship deepens in Barcelona and Bilbao. A perpetual victim of circumstance, Lars becomes embroiled in the dangerous world of Basque civic pride and militant terrorist activity..

As violent demonstrations colour the Spanish general elections, Lars confronts lawyer James McFadden about Annie’s murder, X-Cult bassist Pete Hansen’s fatal demise, before concealing McFadden’s death on the Costa Brava.

After Lars confesses his real identity and Renee admits she is an ETA freedom fighter for Basque independence, they plan to marry and live in Bilbao.

However, Franco’s death leads to a Basque declaration of short-lived autonomy from Sain. When the Spanish army retaliate, Renee is killed, and Lars flees but is later captured and tortured in a Castilian war camp.

Shortly before returning to the States and, with the inexplicable trauma of life in Spain about to be left behind him, Lars learns the incredible truth about the identity of his wife’s killer.