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Always Bet on Death: The Griffin Knight Rises follows a sharp new detective transferred from Chicago to Long Island, who is thrown into a tangled web of casino politics, shady business deals, and buried secrets. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
I wanted Griffin Knight to investigate a case in a different location. While I was inspired to create a book in a casino after having been in one myself multiple times, Casino Royale was another motivator to create this book. Rather than use Texas Hold ‘Em, I chose blackjack.
What were some of the emotional and moral guidelines you followed when developing Griffin Knight?
Griffin Knight is a morally good person. As a detective, he plays by the book and wants justice to be served. He’s not emotionally perfect, but he improves and adapts as he progresses in his career.
What were some of your inspirations as a writer?
A lot of movies and anime inspired me (old and new), such as Dirty Harry, Sherlock Holmes, Ace Attorney, and Solo Leveling.
What is the next book that you are working on, and when can your fans expect it to be out?
Tangled Fates: An Ellie Graves Arcane Mystery will be released May 31st, 2025.
Author Links: GoodReads | BookFunnel | LinkTree | Instagram | Facebook | Website
After a woman is killed at the controversial Golden Avian Casino & Hotel, Griffin is pulled into a world of glitz, glamor, lust, and lies. The veneer of money and success hides the fact that behind-the-scenes, there are secrets, cover-ups, and illegal actions at every turn. Luckily, he’s not working this case alone. At his side, helping him navigate through the treacherous waters is Detective Trenton Barnes. During the course of the investigation, Trenton steps into the role of Griffin’s mentor, initiating a friendship that will last a lifetime.
If they can’t solve this case soon, there will be even more victims left in the killer’s bloody wake.
Always Bet on Death: The Griffin Knight Rises
Always Bet on Death: The Griffin Knight Rises kicks off with a bloody murder in a half-renovated casino and doesn’t slow down from there. The book follows Griffin Knight, a sharp new detective transferred from Chicago to Long Island, as he’s thrown into a tangled web of casino politics, shady business deals, and buried secrets. With his grizzled partner, Trenton Barnes, by his side, Griffin unravels a death that’s anything but accidental. The deeper they dig, the more corruption bubbles to the surface, and nobody, not even the casino’s power players, nor Griffin himself, is safe from suspicion.
What immediately stood out to me was the tone of the writing. It is sharp, cinematic, and highly effective, particularly in the prologue. The opening scene, depicting a woman fleeing barefoot through an unfinished construction floor, wounded and pursued by a masked assailant, is gripping and visceral. It evokes the urgency and tension of a Bond film, though with a darker, more grounded edge. The atmosphere is palpable; the blood on the concrete and the fear driving the woman’s flight are rendered with striking clarity. Miguel Angel Hernandez Jr. wastes no time establishing momentum, and his ability to craft intense, visually charged moments speaks to a strong command of narrative pacing and mood.
Where the book shines brightest is in the banter between Griffin and Trenton. Their chemistry is hilarious and tense in equal parts. Take the early scene at the crime scene, where Trenton disarms the smug casino head of security with sarcastic wit and a fake Pop-Tart emergency. It’s ridiculous and perfect. These moments give the book heart, making it more than just a gritty mystery. It’s not all laughs, though. Trenton shares a heartbreaking story about a former partner ruined by a corrupt elite. It gave weight to the whole investigation. The book’s got teeth, and it bites when you least expect it.
That said, the plot is rich with twists and turns, offering a complex web of intrigue that rewards close attention. Particularly in the middle chapters, the narrative demands an engaged reader, as layers of deception unfold and motivations shift. While some of the secondary characters serve more as moving parts within the broader mystery, they contribute to the sense of a larger, bustling world surrounding the central investigation. Jennifer Grimwald, the shady executive, is a standout, though cold, clever, and clearly hiding something from the moment she dumps a suspicious trash bag into the Long Island Sound. Her scenes added a delicious layer of villainy that kept me turning pages, but I wish a few of the others were drawn with the same flair.
If you appreciate crime fiction that blends the sharp wit of Knives Out, the gritty energy of Lethal Weapon, and the atmospheric depth of L.A. Confidential, Always Bet on Death: The Griffin Knight Rises will likely resonate with you. It offers a compelling mix of suspense, moral ambiguity, dark humor, and emotional weight. This novel is particularly well-suited for readers who enjoy noir-inflected detective stories with brisk pacing and vividly drawn characters. The setting, an opulent casino shadowed by violence, adds an irresistible layer of intrigue. Be advised, however: once you begin, it becomes remarkably difficult to put down.
Pages: 105 | ASIN : B0DMJQB746
Paranormal and Supernatural
Twilight’s Veil follows two detectives investigating a series of gruesome killings who wind up descending into the darkness, where reality and time become blurred. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
The inspiration for this story was the premade book cover and the main character, Ellie Graves. I saw a premade book cover I liked, so I decided to make an entire series out of that book cover. This means that the first five book covers for the series have been made. Unlike the Griffin Knight series, I wanted to focus more on the paranormal and supernatural from the get-go. The premade book cover helped me do this because I had to fit it into the story about why a werewolf is on the front cover. Ellie Graves’ name also fits into this because I like wordplay.
Ellie and Phil are both interesting and unique characters. What character did you enjoy writing for? Was there one that was more challenging to write for?
I enjoyed creating all the characters and developing them was a pleasure. I didn’t find one more challenging to write than others.
You flawlessly blend mystery and dark fantasy in this book. It takes exceptional talent to do this. How did you go about blending the two genres without disrupting the story?
Reading other books helps a lot with creating a story. I found bits and pieces in the story that I could add here and there, so I just did it.
Is this the first book in the series? If so, when is the next book coming out, and what can your fans expect in the next story?
Yes, this is the first book in the Ellie Graves series. The next book, Tangled Fates, has been written. It will continue where Ellie left off.
Author Links: GoodReads | Instagram | Facebook | Website | Linktree | Amazon
What if there is more to the world than meets the eye?
In the dark alleys of London, Detective Ellie Graves is on a mission to bring justice to the city. Her relentless pursuit of truth leads her into a string of gruesome killings that have left the streets trembling in fear. With her partner, Phil Woods, by her side, Ellie must navigate through a dangerous game of cat and mouse as they race against the clock to stop the chaos unraveling before them.
As the body count rises, Ellie and Phil uncover a sinister web of ancient evil lurking beneath the surface. With every clue leading them deeper into darkness, the detectives must confront the malevolent forces at play before it’s too late. But as time slips away and reality becomes blurred, Ellie and Phil must make tough choices that blur the line between hunter and hunted. Amidst the chaos, one question remains: will Ellie and Phil emerge victorious or will they become victims of the very darkness they seek to defeat?
This gripping tale of crime and ancient evil will captivate fans of suspenseful thrillers such as The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.
Don’t miss out—grab your copy now before the price changes!
A Better Reading Experience
Lashings of Hunger follows two people on a family vacation in Alaska who wind up in the middle of a terrifying mystery involving a sting of disappearance and wolf attacks. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
The premade book cover was my muse.
How did you balance the action scenes with the story elements and still keep a fast pace in the story?
I prefer making novellas over novels, which helps create a faster pace in the story. For the action scenes, I try not to rush them to create a better reading experience.
I really enjoyed the character development in this story. What character did you enjoy writing for? Was there one that was more challenging to write for?
I enjoyed creating the villains the most. After reading this story, book lovers can guess my two favorite baddies. It also was fun making Tyrese.
What is the next book that you are working on, and when can your fans expect it to be out?
The next book, Nightfall Nightmares: Twelve Mysterious Tales, is already on pre-order and will be released on 10/1/24. It is the official sequel to Twilight Perils. You can find it on Amazon.
Author Links: GoodReads | Instagram | X (Twitter) | Website | Facebook | Amazon
Get ready for a thrilling ride through the icy wilderness of Juneau, Alaska.
Private investigator Tyrese Randolph and his forensic investigator girlfriend Nicole White are heading to her hometown for a holiday with her eccentric family. But as soon as they arrive, things take a sinister turn. A ferocious wolf attacks them, and they learn about a string of disappearances in the area. Nicole goes missing in the snowy woods when they think it cannot get any worse.
With his love in danger, Tyrese must unravel Juneau’s dark secrets and navigate Nicole’s complicated family dynamics. But as he delves deeper into the mystery, he realizes he might be over his head. Will he be able to find Nicole and bring her home safely, or will he become the next victim of the ravenous wolves? And will Tyrese uncover the truth behind the disappearances?
Fans of heart-pounding suspense and chilling mysteries will love this book. If you enjoyed The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, you’ll want to read this one. So don’t wait any longer. Buy now before the price changes!
Lashings of Hunger
Lashings of Hunger follows Tyrese Randolph and Nikki White on what should have been a relaxing vacation with Nikki’s family in Alaska. Things quickly take a dark turn when people start disappearing, and it’s discovered that the local wolves have been infected with a parasite, making them dangerously aggressive and unafraid of humans or their weapons. As if that weren’t enough, Tyrese and Nikki find themselves up against something even worse: a group of men with sinister intentions, operating in the shadows of the Alaskan wilderness.
Miguel Angel Hernandez, Jr., author of Lashings of Hunger, does an impressive job of balancing character development and world-building. The story grips you from the start and keeps you hooked until the final page. The conflict unfolds as a three-way struggle between Tyrese and his allies, the vicious wolves, and the ruthless men exploiting the wilds for their illegal trade.
One impressive feature of Hernandez’s writing is how he never reduces female characters to mere damsels in distress. Nikki is a standout, strong, capable, and compelling in every scene. Her relationship with Tyrese is well-crafted, lending depth and heart to the story, making their dynamic as engaging as the action. The pacing of the story is wonderfully relentless, and it keeps you on the edge of your seat, especially as the stakes continue to rise with the introduction of the human traffickers.
In a genre where many mysteries bog down with overly elaborate plots or heavy-handed exposition, Lashings of Hunger stands out for its straightforward yet gripping storytelling. Miguel Angel Hernandez, Jr. offers a solid mystery, a fast-paced plot, and action scenes that are thoughtfully woven into the narrative. If you’re looking for a sharp, engaging read that won’t take days to finish, this book is a must-read for fans of mystery and thriller genres.
Pages: 151 | ASIN : B0DH69FFFY
Alister in Action
In Spider’s Bait, a man known for helping others finds justice when the law fails to uncover corruption in the police department when he investigates a police sergeant’s deadly accident. Where did the idea for this novel come from?
The idea came from the fourth book in the Griffin Knight series, The Windy City Terror. I decided to create a side story where readers can see Alister in action.
What was the hardest part about writing a mystery story; where you constantly have to give just enough to keep the mystery alive until the big reveal?
For me, it’s coming up with ideas to keep readers invested in the story. The more books you make, the harder it becomes.
Do you have a favorite scene in this story? One that was fun to write?
The final scene between Alister Knight and the killer is my favorite. Another scene that was fun to create was when Xavier was in the Cyberverse.
What is the next book you are working on, and when will it be available?
Lashings of Hunger is the next thrilling mystery novella that I made. It is about Tyrese Randolph, an African American private detective who travels to Alaska for a winter vacation with his Caucasian girlfriend, Nicole White. He meets her family there and gets wrapped up in a new investigation as Nicole goes missing. Also, disappearances have happened before Nicole’s, and something sinister seems to be taking place, as the wolves in Juneau are acting strange. As soon as I receive an endorsement, I’ll let my book cover designer know to add it to the front cover, and then I’ll post it on Amazon.
Author Links: GoodReads | Instagram | Facebook | Website | Amazon
While Griffin Knight is away on a case in Miami, his brother Alister takes on the responsibility of solving the death of Seattle Police Sergeant Valentina Romero. With the Killer Owls gang replaced by the even more ruthless Webheads, Alister must navigate the treacherous Seattle underworld to find the killer and put a stop to the Webheads before their power grows. But as he delves deeper into the case, he realizes there is a more dangerous enemy than he could have imagined – himself.
If you enjoyed this thrilling mystery, you’ll love Miguel Angel Hernandez Jr.’s other books, filled with complex characters and heart-pounding suspense.
Spider’s Bait: A Risky Alister Knight Mystery
Alister Knight and Griffin Knight, dubbed “the Knight Chasers,” are renowned for enforcing justice when the law fails. When Seattle Police Sergeant Valentina Romero dies in a suspicious car accident conveniently dismissed, Alister is tasked with thoroughly investigating the circumstances surrounding her death. Seattle is rife with drug trafficking, dangerous gang wars, corrupt officials, and covert illegal transactions. The Webhead gang is quickly gaining control of Seattle’s dark underground drug dealing after defeating other rival gangs. Alister’s investigation uncovers a web of connections between corrupt police officers, dangerous Webheads, and a web of lies. The path to justice is treacherous and serpentine, but he will not stop until the Webheads are no more and Valentina’s case is solved.
From the get-go, Spider’s Bait, by Miguel Angel Hernandez Jr., grips you with its fast-paced action and complex characters. Hernandez does an excellent job setting the scene in the Prologue, where bullets fly, and gang loyalties are tested. Max’s leadership and ruthless tactics come alive, especially in moments that reveal both his strategic mind and his cold-blooded nature. An especially brutal introduction sets the tone for the relentless pace of the book.
One of the strengths of the novel is its character development. Alister Knight, the other protagonist, brings a contrasting perspective to the chaotic world of the Webheads. His moral ambiguity and relentless pursuit of the truth add layers to the narrative. The scene where Alister navigates the Cyberverse to track illicit financial transactions showcases his intelligence and determination, providing a stark contrast to the raw aggression of the gang members. These dual narratives enrich the story, offering readers multiple angles on the central conflict. I do feel the dialogue in some high-tension scenes is less intense where a natural flow is crucial. I am a fan of raw authenticity when it comes to characters’ conversations. I would like to have seen a bit more from some of the exchanges between the hardened criminals. However, this does not take away from Hernandez’s well-crafted and immersive reading experience.
Hernandez’s ability to weave intricate plots and develop compelling characters makes Spider’s Bait a standout read, especially for fans of gritty, action-packed stories. It’s perfect for readers who enjoy intense, fast-paced narratives with a mix of street-level crime and cyber intrigue.
Pages: 120 | ASIN : B0CTXVR5RV
The Nocturnal Devil: A Griffin Knight Mystery Thriller
Literary Titan 2023 Gold BookAward Winner
Firebird 1st Quarter 2023 First-Place BookAward Winner
Pencraft 2023 First-Place Annual BookAward Winner
2023 Outstanding Creator Award Winner
2024 Reader Ready Awards Top Pick
Indies Today 2022Honorable Mention
2023 Best Thriller Book Awards Finalist
2023 American Writing Awards Finalist
When two women mysteriously disappear within a few days of each other, is it random, or is there something–or someone–more sinister at play?
Detective Griffin Knight was supposed to be at home recovering from the events of his recent investigation in Seattle, but his captain and police colleagues needed his help to find out what happened to the two missing women.
In New York City, there could be any number of explanations.
Did they run away? Were they kidnapped? Are they still alive, or is it too late?
Worst of all, could there be a dangerous new prowler in the city?
The clock is ticking; Griffin Knight must act quickly before someone else becomes a victim.
LITERARY TITAN 