Karl was born in Baltimore, Maryland. During his US Army service, he worked in military intelligence during the Cold War when living in Germany. He worked in the administration of a military intelligence department, interviewing, initiating security clearances, fingerprinting, and MI seminars. That training and his travels throughout Europe helped develop his understanding of espionage tactics and diplomacy. Karl graduated from the University of Maryland, College Park. He majored in political science (international affairs & comparative governments). Karl has spent the last several decades studying Middle East politics and social movements. Karl is a member of the Maryland Writers Association, Eastern Shore Writers Association, the Rehoboth Beach Writers Guild, and Creatures, Crime and Creativity.