The Nocturnal Devil - Book Review

The Nocturnal Devil by Miguel Angel Hernandez Jr. brings Griffin Knight back facing his toughest challenge yet! In the latest installment of this beloved series, our hero has been called into action to hunt down a diabolical killer in New York City. Two women have gone missing from an east-side neighborhood – their only link at first was that they each frequented the same areas. The opening chapter locks you in as Hernandez starts off full steam ahead, never slowing its pace or dulling its intrigue right up until its riveting finish. It is a story that crime story aficionados can "sink their teeth into." 

An enigmatic killer lurks within the shadows, devising heinous plans in a bid to join his heroes of horror. The killer has studied and based his despicable craft off some of history's most notorious villains - from Hannibal Lecter and The Tooth Fairy to Jack The Ripper. So who is this devilish killer that Griffin needs to find and stop?   Hernandez expertly guides readers through a suspenseful journey of mystery and murder, building anticipation with each chapter of finding and apprehending the killer. 

Detective Griffin Knight has faced a relentless onslaught of criminality in his line of work. As a result, his mental health has been taxed to its limits until the arrival of Samira—she becomes his newfound source of optimism and hope. As such, their relationship is significant for him personally and a ray of light and a reminder of the importance of law enforcement's struggle to maintain their mental health in dealing with killers, thieves, and the criminally insane.

With a kaleidoscope of perspectives, Hernandez dives deep into the darkness of human nature - exploring both fear and gratification through vivid accounts from victim to killer. The unfortunate victim's perspective presents the shocking and demoralizing view of the emotional final torturous minutes before their life's end. Hernandez also transports readers into the killer's twisted mind, displaying the killer's sinister appreciation for the agony and terror he inflicts on his unfortunate victims. Readers are given glimpses of how he preys on his victims and relishes in their terror with sickening pleasure - painting a horrifying portrait of his insidious, escalating malice.

The Nocturnal Devil takes the psychological horror genre in a dark and intense direction, where fast-paced action, compellingly developed characters, and an eerie villain draw you deep into Griffin Knight's dark world. Prepare yourself for something with more than the average shock value.

Reading this book is an unsettling venture where readers are forced to acknowledge the prevalence of evil that exists in our world. We come face-to-face with the harsh reality that an unforgiving darkness exists in our world that casts its malicious shadow on us all. 

If you like murder mysteries like the Hannibal Lecter series, you will love The Nocturnal Devil by Miguel Angel Hernandez Jr. a well-written, gripping mystery thriller; then this is it.