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The Motive For Murder
Do Nothing follows a homicide detective in New York City who is searching for a serial killer.What was the initial idea behind this story, and how did that transform as you were writing the novel?
I wanted to create a copycat killer, and thought that a familiar setting with modern technology would be best for readers. While creating the villain’s persona, I chose New York City to be Griffin’s battlefield.
How did you come up with the idea for the antagonist in this story, and how did it change as you wrote?
I chose revenge to be the motive for murder and I always thought that a hooded villain would be cool. You can thank the Grim Reaper and Death Wish for that.
While working on this novella, I thought about ways I could make it better, even during the writing process.
What kind of research did you do for this novel to ensure you captured the essence of the story’s theme?
Police procedure, New York City, names of different things, etc.
What will the next book in that series be about and when will it be published?
A Colossal Injustice: A Griffin Knight Corporate Murder Mystery is the next novella in this series; it is published on Amazon. Detective Griffin Knight leaves New York City to embark on a new case in Seattle. Along the way, he makes new friends and enemies – outside of his jurisdiction.
Don’t miss out! Grab your copy here: https://amzn.to/3ZO9hxb
Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Website
Winter Pencraft 2023 Seasonal Book Award Winner
Firebird 4th Quarter 2022 Book Award Winner
Feathered Quill 2023 Silver Book Award Winner
Write With Light Publications 2022 Annual Book Award Winner
Incipere 2022 First Place Book Award Winner
Reader Views 2023 Bronze Award Winner
Indies Today 2022Semi-Finalist
A serial killer is on the loose in New York City.
This wasn’t the kind of day Griffin Knight looked forward to when he woke up this morning. Sure, being a homicide detective is never unicorns and rainbows, yet knowing the victim of a murder scene is up there with some of the really bad days.
There’s an avenger on the loose in New York with all the hallmarks of a long-silent serial killer.
But how does this serial killer choose the victims? Do the victims share something in common? How many more names are on his list?Can Griffin Knight cut through the questions this guy is throwing his way, or would there be another murder?
Do Nothing
Miguel Angel Hernandez Jr. takes readers on a thrilling murder mystery in Do Nothing, Book 1 of The Griffin Knight series. We follow the lead detective Griffin Knight as he tries to solve a series of murders in New York City. Beginning with the death of District Attorney Natalie, the killer leaves behind cryptic clues. Then, more murders start to happen, leading Griffin to believe a serial killer is on the loose. Griffin is in a race against time to find the killer and stop him from killing his next victim.
The suspense and mystery build from the start of the chapter making this one book that is hard to put down. The story moves quickly, making this a short read, but the tension steadily builds as the story progresses. Griffin’s character is well-developed and believable. I liked his calm, cool, and collected demeanor and enjoyed getting a closer look at his thinking. I also enjoyed that the reader gets a first-person perspective of the murders, but we do not know who the murderer is. Hernandez cleverly keeps the reader guessing as we are taken on an investigation alongside Griffin. I felt like I was watching a True Crime documentary with the details of evidence collected, down to the murder scene, and interviewing suspects.
Do Nothing is a gripping murder mystery that keeps you guessing until the end. The author’s writing is skillful and engaging, and the plot is cleverly crafted. If you’re a fan of crime fiction and suspenseful thrillers, this book is a must-read. Be prepared to be taken on an emotional rollercoaster filled with twists and turns.
Pages: 82 | ASIN : B0BW6M2TKH
I Could Visualize The Killer
The Nocturnal Devil is the third installment in the Griffin Knight series. What were some new ideas that you wanted to explore in this book that was different from the first two books?
The POV of the killer. In my head, I could see the book lover following the eyes and hearing the thoughts of the killer, without revealing their identity. I thought it would be cool to throw that curveball at my fans and have a full chapter as a journal entry from the killer, rather than just a small soliloquy/excerpt.
A theme related to time. Since I could visualize the killer, I wanted to place the setting in October; a Halloween special.
Griffin Knight’s backstory. Readers have been begging me to give it, and it was finally time to reveal his past and more about his life. I did not give this in the first novella because it was unrealistic for Griffin to sit down and have a flashback in the middle of an investigation where he is trying to catch a killer who is loose in New York City. Currently, I am revisiting Do Nothing to see if I can somehow give readers an insight into Griffin’s past without spoiling the background information given in book two, and this novella. In A Colossal Injustice, I did not reveal much about Griffin’s past due to the steep cliffhanger that I left in my first short story, Griffin suffering pain received from the Judge case, Griffin Knight being lost in thoughts about his upcoming case, and Griffin Knight reminiscing about his former partner Trenton Barnes. Now, do you understand why I did it this way?
A psychopath. The villain in Do Nothing is not crazy but has a clear motive: revenge. Likewise, the baddies in A Colossal Injustice are also not lunatics and have clear aims: freedom, greed, and power. However, in this novella, this devil is nuts.
A video camera. I added a video camera as icing on the cake.
The serial killer in this book is very compelling. Was there anything about that character that revealed itself while writing?
Yes.
- What weapons would the killer use?
- How could I give the villain an edge over our hero?
- How can I increase the suspense of the story?
- The killer’s hair color.
What scene in the book was the most challenging but rewarding for you to write?
Chapter 9.
When and where will your book be available?
It will be published on Amazon this month.
Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Website
“Miguel Angel Hernandez Jr. is an award-winning published author who specializes in murder and mystery novellas. However, he loves to keep things fresh and interesting by dabbling in suspense, humor, horror, action, and even Sci-Fi.
His bestselling series, Griffin Knight centers around the adventures of renowned New York City detective Griffin Knight, a lone wolf who has a penchant for dangerous situations — even those beyond his jurisdiction.
As a writer, Hernandez aims to please. That is why, as one of his favorite pastimes, he scours the internet for reviews on his books so he can spin stories that truly resonate with his readers.
His influence goes beyond literature and taps into the world of TV, with favorites such as Perry Mason, Sherlock Holmes, James Bond, Jack Reacher, Dirty Harry, Paul Kersey, and Ace Attorney.
Hernandez earned his bachelor’s degree from the University at Buffalo and likes to go to church with family, watch anime, and work out during his downtime. He is the winner of:
Literary Titan December 2022 Silver Book Award Winner
Literary Titan January 2023 Silver Book Award Winner
Winter Pencraft 2023 Seasonal Book Award Winner
Firebird 4th Quarter 2022 Book Award Winner
Feathered Quill 2023 Silver Book Award Winner
Write With Light Publications 2022 Annual Book Award Winner
Indies Today 2022 Finalist, Semi-Finalist, and Honorable Mention
Sign up to Hernandez’s mailing list to stay up-to-date on future releases and awards on his website: https://iammahjr.com“
The Nocturnal Devil: A Griffin Knight Mystery Thriller
The third installation in the Griffin Knight series is the best yet! Griffin and his friends are faced with hunting down a serial killer in New York City before he claims his next victim. As two women from a New York City neighborhood are reported missing, the only clue linking the disappearances is that they frequent the same stretch of blocks making up an east-side neighborhood. Griffin, currently on leave due to his injuries from the Seattle adventures, is called back into action to help Noah, his closest thing to a partner, solve the crimes. The story is steeped in intrigue right from the beginning, which is one thing the author is very good at doing. There’s rarely a dull moment in Miguel Angel Hernandez Jr.’s books and that is plain to see in The Nocturnal Devil.
Although Griffin is still dealing with the trauma of the events of taking down Colossus, and losing his friend Felix, he finds comfort in a new love interest, Samira. She is a doctor who works with the police department and she helps to heal his body and calm his mind. I enjoyed the throughline in this series because of its consistency and long time fans will be able to pick this book up and find it even more intriguing because of it.
When the case hits several dead ends, Griffin reaches out to Ashe to use her hacking abilities to help solve the crimes. Ashe is also keeping a watchful eye over Griffin as Sapphire hires assassins to ambush Griffin at his home. Ashe proves to be very helpful in using technology to identify the potential serial killer. I enjoyed the multiple layers to the mystery and the technical aspects of unravelling it. The killer is a character that was fascinating and he is definitely one that readers will not soon forget, especially the twisted and deadly fight that Griffin is lured into.
I was happy to learn more about Griffin and his background. I also enjoyed the integration of advanced technology into the story. I have no idea if something like Smart Goggles and the Theia drone exists, but they are interesting and well-thought-out tech that adds a James Bond or Jason Bourne quality to the story. From the suspense, the chilling account of the killer, the use of technology, and the background of Griffin, The Nocturnal Devil is a sensational crime thriller that delivered excitement and intrigue in equal measure.
ISBN: 978-1-959354-04-8
I Can Make It Happen
A Colossal Injustice follows a homicide detective who is investigating a murder that leads to bigger questions and bigger crimes. What was your inspiration for the mystery that must be unraveled?
Judge Dredd, The Matrix, Robocop, The Terminator, Death Wish, and Shadowrun.
How do you balance story development with shocking plot twists? Or can they be the same thing?
The key to victory is the brainstorming and outline process. I can turn an idea into something concrete by writing it down. If I know what I want to happen, then I can make it happen.
There are a lot of things that are not directly answered in the book. Was it your intention to leave so many mysteries in the story?
Yes.
What is the next book that you are working on for Detective Griffin Knight, and when will it be available?
You’ll see. I don’t like spoiling surprises. 🙂
Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Website
I haven’t even been in the city for 48 hours, and it’s already obvious that the information in front of me doesn’t add up.
As a homicide detective, I’ve seen it all, but this murder is different.
To kill someone in this manner is often a crime of passion or a deeply personal attack, and yet the evidence suggests otherwise.
Why was he targeted? How is it connected to Seattle’s biggest megacorp? Was it someone he already knew? What if this is the start of something so much bigger?
The only thing I do know is that I need to find out who did this fast in case others are also at risk!
A Colossal Injustice
Miguel Angel Hernandez Jr. does it again with another heart-pounding ride along with the incomparable Detective Griffin Knight. A Colossal Injustice, a sequel to his first story Do Nothing, Griffin takes a trip to Seattle to help out Kalyx, the anonymous hacker who helped him to solve his last murder case. Kalyx’s fiance, Dylan Walker, was murdered after discovering someone stole money from his high-profile tech company.
Kalyx sets Griffin up with the tools and access he needs for his investigation and with help from two sidekicks, Felix and his sister Aurora. Felix was a close friend of the murdered Dylan Walker and a personal bodyguard. Aurora, his sister, is Seattle PD and helps to ensure that even though Griffin is outside of his jurisdiction and only acting as a civilian, he has police backup. Together, and with the assistance of information cleverly left behind by Dylan Walker, they discover who stole millions of dollars from the company and what other crimes they were using the money for.
The plot twists and turns as they first confront a mob boss, only to find they are following a dead end. The novel concludes in an epic way you will have to read to find out about. Hernandez keeps the door open to a follow-up story and leaves us wondering if justice will be served in the end.
I genuinely enjoy reading about Griffin Knight. He is part detective and part superhero, which is both realistic and fun to read. These two stories from Hernandez Jr. have been easy to follow without being boring or predictable. They are a proper mix of suspense and are easy to read. I would like a little more background on Griffin. We learned a little more about his life in this book, and I will be soaking up the more Hernandez Jr. can deliver!
A Colossal Injustice is a fast-paced and exciting murder mystery. While short in page count, there is no lack of thrills and suspense in this story. Readers are given a compelling mix of fantasy and science fiction in their crime mystery, leaving them wondering what could possibly happen next.
Pages: 94 | ASIN : B0BLT6VB3N
The Beauty About Being A Wordsmith
Do Nothing follows a detective who has to investigate the murder of someone he knows and determine if they have a serial killer on their hands. What was the inspiration for the setup to your story?
Law Abiding Citizen, Death Wish, and Judge Dredd.
Griffin Knight is a homicide detective in New York. What were some driving ideals behind your character’s development?
I could see the characters in my head. I chose not to include a backstory for Griffin Knight in this novella because it would slow down the thrilling aspect of my book. My aim was to have the book lover focus on following Griffin in this fast-paced adventure, and discover who the killer is before someone else gets murdered.
When you meet someone for the first time in real life, you do not find out about their past right away. It takes time getting to know that person, before they start to open up about their past. A lot of authors choose to include a backstory right away, but in my opinion it is unrealistic (unless they’re using flashbacks). One thing you will notice about my book, is how practical, and unique it is. The beauty about being a wordsmith is that I can include bits and pieces later on about Griffin’s past in future books. Ultimately, it leaves the reader thirsting for more, as Griffin himself is somewhat of a mystery.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
Revenge, hatred, indignation, and courage.
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
The sequel to ‘Do Nothing‘ will be available soon. I am just waiting for the book cover to be completed before I publish it.
Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter | Facebook | Website
When I woke up this morning, I hadn’t counted on this. I mean, sure, the life of a homicide detective will never be unicorns and rainbows, but any time where I’m called to a scene where the crime techs know the victim, it’s going to rank up there with some of the seriously bad days.
Someone in New York has a vendetta and they have all the hallmarks of a long silent serial killer.
But where does this serial killer cross over with our victims? How are they related? How many more names are on his list?
If I can’t cut through the questions this guy is throwing my way, it’s only going to be a matter of time before someone else ends up murdered.
Do Nothing
The door is open, but you swear you closed it. Something – one small thing – is moved into your house, and you know it wasn’t you or anyone you know. You feel a chill across your body that notifies your brain – danger!
Author Miguel Angel Hernandez Jr. knows how to recreate this feeling for the reader and delivers a hair-raising suspenseful thriller. Hernandez Jr. takes his audience on a ride as the main character, gruff and gritty Griffin Knight, attempts to find the murderer of New York City’s District Attorney Natalie Costa. The evidence and another similar murder point to the reemergence of a serial killer returning after 10 years. Known as “The Judge,” he’s handing out death sentences to people he feels did nothing when justice needs to be served. Griffin has help from the previous detective on the cold case and a mysterious benevolent hacker. It points to a negligence lawsuit where a significant corporation bribed witnesses to make one man fall for the company’s illegal practices.
I thoroughly enjoyed this novel as the plot moved along quickly, and the character-hopping chapters kept me engaged as I figured out who this was and how they fit into the story. However, I would’ve liked Griffin Knight to have more character development. As a reader, I want to fall in love with the main character, and with very little background information on Griffin, we only see him as he is now. Detectives in stories like these are either the new hotshot or the seasoned and jaded type. I’m not sure where Griffin falls in this spectrum, but as the reader, I would have liked a chance to get to know him and care more about him when he is fighting for his life. Overall, the story was entertaining, fun to read, and still has me looking over my shoulder in a dark room.
Do Nothing is a thrilling hard-boiled mystery that will have readers in suspense from the opening pages through the exciting conclusion. This short police procedural novel is perfect for a weekend read when you want to get your blood pumping.
Pages 76: | ASIN : B0BDJ8LZY8
LITERARY TITAN 