LAKE RONKONKOMA, NY – A new book is engaging in the deepest dive ever taken into the spine-tingling legends and myths of Lake Ronkonkoma.

The self-published book, titled “The Lake of Legends,” is a first-of-its-kind exploration into the notorious legends of Long Island’s largest lake, which some people believe is home to the ghost of a Native American princess who has cursed the mile-wide water and drowned scores of young men over the centuries.  It was penned and published by Newsday researcher Michael R. Ebert. 

“As a lifelong resident of Ronkonkoma, I have always been interested in the legends of the lake, but there was never a book or anything else that addressed all of the questions I had,” Ebert said.  “This book answers those questions, and I’m grateful to everyone who took the time to share their information with me.  When I began my exploration of the legends, I didn’t know where it would take me, but I collected more material than I ever imagined due to their thoughtful contributions.”

In the book, Ebert shares his years-long research into the lake’s myths and truths – ranging from the old tales of a bottomless lake that is haunted by a lovesick princess to its volume of victims and the circumstances of some of their drownings.  He also interviewed everyone from local historians to people who believe they have had paranormal experiences in or around the water.

Some of the more jaw-dropping accounts include a former Sachem teacher who once observed a bowing apparition over the lake and a local marine biologist who believes she may have encountered the princess at the bottom of the lake during a scuba-diving expedition a decade ago.

“My goal in writing this was to tell the stories of these community members and leave them behind for future generations who might be interested in the legends of Lake Ronkonkoma,” Ebert said.

Lake Ronkonkoma was named as the nation’s #1 most terrifying place by the Travel Channel’s “Most Terrifying Places in America” during the program’s Halloween special in 2010.  The lake’s legends have also been the basis of numerous novels and movies – including the recently released psychological thriller, “The Lady of Lake,” featuring Seth Gilliam of AMC’s “The Walking Dead.”

The “The Lake of Legends” is available for purchase in hardcover, paperback and Kindle formats.  To order the book, please visit Amazon or www.thelakeoflegends.net.