Interview with Alexander Mukte, author of The Rewired Series (scifi thriller-mysteries)
This is a fantastic, genre-bending series that weaves together the best mystery, visionary, and speculative fiction elements. With characters that span across books and time, The Rewired Series explores what plagues humanity and the impact each person can have while leaving you with the promise of a better tomorrow. Alexander Mukte wraps all of these themes inside edge-of-your-seat, engaging mysteries with larger-than-life characters you’ll want to revisit again and again.
A fast-paced and thought-provoking mystery that will keep you on your toes until the very end. The Recruiter is an entertaining and thoroughly enjoyable start to the series, full of intriguing twists and turns.
Leslie may be an idealist, but she’s no fool. She trusts her boss, Ori, implicitly. He has vision, principles, and a way with people. When a bomb is detonated at work, she finds herself caught up in a whirlwind of events. All of a sudden, their lives are on the line, and every choice matters.
Is Ori who she thinks he is? Why would anyone want to hurt him? And how do they get out of this mess? Leslie doesn’t have it all figured out, but what becomes clear is that there’s a lot the world doesn’t know about Ori Clayborn.
Jessica is driven to make a difference by uncovering the truth. Investigative reporting is her life. One day she gets a unique assignment that leads her back to her hometown and into Ori’s orbit. What will she find, and what’s her role in this?
The Recruiter is a captivating, imaginative story that draws you in deeper and deeper, page-by-page. Alexander Mukte creates a universe that pulls you in and doesn’t let you go.
This bold and compelling sequel is an evocative page-turner on the journey to a better future.
Since her encounter with Ori years ago, Jessica, an investigative journalist, has continued her mission to print the truth that the world needs to hear. Her pursuit has led her to meet with a source, Zach Carver, a leading mind at Singularity Group. The meeting goes awry, and Jessica awakens to find that she has a gap in time and memory and that Zach is now missing.
What happened? Who is responsible? And how can she help Zach? It is imperative that Jessica find out, and to her surprise, Ori has reappeared to help her do just that.
Malik, an intelligent and inventive young man, is determined to find a way to overcome the virus that has impacted the world. When he crosses paths with powerful people at Confidence Biotech, the leading treatment and contact tracing company, they take an unusual interest in him. Then, all of a sudden, they paint Malik as public enemy number one, forcing him to go on the run.
What do they want from him, and does this mean that he is close to discovering something they couldn’t?
Deeply Rooted Dreams is the second installment of The Rewired Series, unveiling more of the universal trial that Ori alluded to in The Recruiter. Alexander Mukte’s second novel creates an even more intricate world, striking an engaging balance of mystery and wonder.
Excerpt from The Recruiter
Ori had a weekly briefing meeting with his leadership team. After they wrapped up, he and Roger walked out at the same time. Ori turned to Roger. “What are you doing for lunch today?”
“No plans,” Roger said as they turned and walked toward their offices.
“Let’s go grab some Korean tacos,” Ori said.
“Sounds good,” Roger replied.
“Leslie,” Ori called over his shoulder, before turning to look at her, “are you down for some Korean tacos too?”
“I’m always game,” Leslie said. “I just need to send one more e-mail, and then I’ll meet you downstairs.”
While downstairs, Roger and Ori waited at Ms. Hetty’s station for Leslie. “Ms. Hetty, we’re going to get some Korean tacos. Do you want me to pick up some for you too?” Ori asked.
“From which spot, the place down the street or the one across town?” Ms. Hetty asked with a suspicious look.
“The place across town, of course,” Ori said.
“Well, Mr. Roger likes to go to the other place sometimes,” Ms. Hetty replied.
“Ha, well not on my watch,” Ori said as he smirked. “So, should I get your usual?”
“Yes, please,” Ms. Hetty said as she started pulling money out of her purse.
Ori looked at Ms. Hetty. “You’ll need to let me pay one of these days.”
“Baby, I don’t want to owe anyone anything,” Ms. Hetty said with feeling. “Making debt a habit is how they get you.”
“Who is ‘they’?” Roger asked.
Ori and Ms. Hetty smiled and just shook their heads. Roger shrugged and decided to let it go. The elevator dinged, and Leslie walked out to join them.
They turned to walk out of the building with Ori leading the way. Roger asked, “Ori, are you actually going to drive us today?”
Ori said with a laugh in his voice, “Of course not. I just know you’re parked in the same spot as always.” They then heard Ms. Hetty call after them. “Ori! Someone is on the phone for you. They say it’s urgent.”
“It can’t be that urgent if they didn’t call your cell, right?” Roger said.
“They’re saying it can’t wait,” Ms. Hetty said.
“Everything is always urgent,” Ori said, “but it’s never the end of the world. Please get their number and tell them I’ll call them back. I need to eat.”
As the group turned to continue walking to the parking lot, they felt a rough vibration, milliseconds before they heard a loud and profound boom. The windows on the ground floor of the building shattered, and the fire alarm started blaring.
An Interview with Alexander Mukte
-What is something you’ve lied about?
I’ve allowed my toddler to think that my bedtime is the same as his and that there is no more television watching after he goes to sleep.
-Who is the last person you hugged?
My six-month-old. He lets me hug him more than my toddler.
-What are you reading now?
I’m currently reading The Pentagon’s Brain by Annie Jacobsen, The Body A Guide for Occupants by Bill Bryson, and The Green Mile by Stephen King. I like to read two or three books at once—one audiobook, and one or two hardback/paperback books.
-How do you come up with the titles to your books?
My wife and I usually have a couple of brainstorming sessions. My wife is a big fiction fan, and my goal is always for her to love my books. Plus, I find her perspective super helpful. We build out a list and then refine it until we have something concise, relevant, and memorable.
-Share your dream cast for your book.
Ooooh, I am having too much fun answering this one! We’re really talking the stuff of dreams here.
Ori – Aldis Hodge
Leslie – Gina Rodriguez
Jessica – Gugu Mbatha-Raw
Evelyn – Emma Stone
Jordan – Zoe Kravitz
Carlos – Oscar Isaac
Tony – Donald Glover
Vau – Jason Momoa
Silas – Rupert Friend
Zach Carver – LaKeith Stanfield
Malik – Kelvin Harrison Jr.
Magaly – Jurnee Smollett
Aja – Lupita Nyong’o
About Alexander Mukte
Alexander had an active imagination his whole life, but it wasn’t until the birth of his son that he began putting the stories in his mind on paper. He wanted to be an example of someone pursuing his passion, dreaming big, and taking chances.
Alexander loves people, their stories, and their backgrounds as well as what shapes them, how they think, and what they dream about. He has a passion for learning and is known by most as an intensely curious person who eagerly soaks up anything and everything he can. He dreamt of a career that allowed him to learn new things every day. In writing, he has found a life that allows him to do just that.
After graduating with a degree in business, Alexander volunteered in the U.S. Peace Corps where he aided in creating sustainable small business ventures in Central America. Before taking this leap of faith, Alexander did Business Development and Consulting for large domestic and international companies. These experiences weave themselves into the characters, places and stories he creates.
An avid traveler, Alexander enjoys exploring new places with his family. He was raised in Southeastern Arizona, and now calls Georgia home, along with his wife and two sons.
The Recruiter is Alexander’s first novel, though perhaps the 39th in his mind. We hope you enjoy it, and Deeply Rooted Dreams, as much as we have.
Author Links:
Giveaway
One randomly chosen winner via rafflecopter will win a $50 Amazon/BN.com gift card.
Follow Kit ‘N Kabookle
Posts in your inbox so you never miss one.
Thanks for hosting!
Thank you for hosting me today! This interview was a fun one!
Sounds great, thank you for sharing.
This sounds awesome thanks for sharing!
This sounds like a great book and I’m really looking forward to reading it!
I like the cover. It sets the tone for the book.