Interview // Author J.K. Franko


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Not including your wife, what inspiration do you draw from for your writing?

I have a couple of notebooks full of story ideas, character summaries, short scenes, etc. that I’ve collected over the years. Some ideas came from things I lived through when I was a trial lawyer. Others from places I’ve traveled, people I’ve met. Others from classic literature (including comics). Some ideas come from the news.

Could you see yourself writing a book or series outside of the thriller genre? If so, what other genres could you see yourself writing?

Funny you should ask. The Talion Trilogy should be finished and released by Spring 2020. In my spare time, I’ve been looking at “what next?” Two non-thriller trilogy ideas that are in the running are: (1) witches living amongst us, whose powers have been suppressed since the end of WWII, rise up to take over the world; and (2) two kids get sucked into a virtual reality video game that turns out to be a training ground for an alien army preparing to take over our world.

What was your most satisfying moment while writing Eye for Eye

I spent quite a bit of time researching the plan for “the perfect murder” in Eye for Eye. When all the pieces fell into place, and I knew that I had put together a plan that—barring any unforeseeable eventualities—could result in the perfect crime, that was a great moment!

Did you find Eye for Eye stayed along your chosen path or developed into a completely different book once completed?

The plot structure didn’t change much, but the damned characters took on lives of their own! They’ve gone in directions I didn’t expect, and some of them have become very stubborn about it. But, the more they misbehave, the less guilty I feel about killing them off!

An Eye for Eye is the first book in the Talion Series. Which character is your favorite from this book or the series? Why this specific character?

I think Eddie is a great Detective character. He’s a pragmatist. He’s willing to bend the rules if necessary. He’s more intuitive than by-the-books. And he’s got a great sense of humor. He’s a guy I’d love to have a beer with! He may even end up becoming the protagonist of the whole Talion Series—if he survives, of course…



If you only had one sentence to capture a new reader for your books, what would it be?

Franko writes intelligent thrill rides that challenge you to see the twists coming—but you won’t.

What is your biggest writing pet peeve?

When I wrote as a lawyer—legal briefs, law journal articles, academic pieces, etc.—I was a real stickler for grammar and I had tons of pet peeves. But, in my fiction writing, not so much. Anything that helps get the story told and improves the reader’s experience is fair game as far as I’m concerned. I guess my current pet peeve is editors that treat fiction as though it were academic or technical writing.

Do you have a favorite genre you like to read?

I read thrillers a lot. But, I also love historical fiction. There is a part of me that is interested in going that direction at some point.

What author has inspired you the most in your writing?

That’s a HUGE question. I think I read Tom Sawyer eight times when I was ten years old. In seventh grade, I read Shogun in three days—couldn’t put it down. I remember reading The Turn of the Screw and I am the cheese the same week in high school, and liking both for different reasons. The first time a book made me cry—To Kill a Mockingbird. The most fun I’ve had reading recently was The Baroque Cycle. There is no “one” author.

What one book do you recommend that every thriller genre lover read (not including your books)?

The Count of Monte Cristo.

Of course, we have to know, what is in-store next – books, events, etc.?

A prequel novella to the Talion Series called The Trial of Joe Harlan will be coming out in a couple of months. It’s an expansion on the play I wrote that was performed at the opening night launch event for Eye for Eye in Covent Garden, London. We actually filmed the performance that night, so we will also be launching a six-episode video version of The Trial shortly!



Thank you, J.K., for chatting with us for our latest author interview and congratulations on your latest release!



This is a rafflecopter giveaway hosted by Partners in Crime Virtual Book Tours for JK Franko. There will be 6 winners. Two (2) winners will each win (1) Amazon.com Gift Card. Two (2) winners will each win a signed copy of EYE FOR EYE by JK Franko (Open to U.S. addresses only) and Two (2) winners will each win a Knife set (Open to U.S. addresses only). The giveaway begins on July 22, 2019 and runs through September 22, 2019. Void where prohibited.
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Author J.K. Franko

J.K. FRANKO was born and raised in Texas. His Cuban-American parents agreed there were only three acceptable options for a male child: doctor, lawyer, and architect. After a disastrous first year of college pre-Med, he ended up getting a BA in philosophy (not acceptable), then he went to law school (salvaging the family name) and spent many years climbing the big law firm ladder. After ten years, he decided that law and family life weren’t compatible. He went back to school where he got an MBA and pursued a Ph.D. He left law for corporate America, with long stints in Europe and Asia.

His passion was always to be a writer. After publishing a number of non-fiction works, thousands of hours writing, and seven or eight abandoned fictional works over the course of eighteen years, EYE FOR EYE became his first published novel.

J.K. Franko now lives with his wife and children in Florida.

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