Author Q&A – Marius van Tonder

 

🔹 Q1: What inspired you to write Pax Merrick?

 

Marius: I’ve always been drawn to the idea that justice isn’t black and white — it lives in the grey. Pax Merrick was born out of a fascination with that grey area. I wanted to create a character who wasn’t a perfect hero, but someone you could relate to — someone real. The world we live in is complex, and I wanted to explore how far a person might go in search of the truth.

 

🔹 Q2: Where did the idea for the character Pax Merrick come from?

 

Marius: Pax is a mixture of people I’ve known, stories I’ve heard, and the kind of man I’d want on my side if things went wrong. He’s sharp, flawed, relentless — and at times, dangerously human. I see him as a reflection of what happens when you care too much in a world that doesn’t care enough.

 

🔹 Q3: How do you balance running a business and writing novels?

 

Marius: With discipline, support, and a lot of late nights! Running a construction company keeps me grounded in the real world — people, challenges, deadlines — while writing allows me to escape and explore. My wife and kids are incredibly supportive, and I carve out pockets of time to write, even if it’s just an hour before sunrise.

🔹 Q4: What sets Pax Merrick apart from other thrillers?

 

Marius: It’s raw and rooted in emotional truth. It’s not just about solving a crime — it’s about the personal cost of pursuing justice. The story plays off in the USA, which adds a unique atmosphere, tension, and realism to the narrative. Readers will feel the grit, the heat, the pressure — and the weight of choices Pax makes.

 

🔹 Q5: Do you have plans for a sequel or a series?

 

Marius: Absolutely. Pax Merrick is just the beginning. I’ve already started outlining the next book, which will take him even deeper into a case that’s far more personal. My vision is for this to become a full series — each book revealing more layers of Pax and the world he operates in.

 

🔹 Q6: What do you hope readers take away from your writing?

 

Marius: I want them to feel something — tension, empathy, even discomfort. If Pax Merrick makes you think twice about right and wrong, or gets under your skin in the best way, then I’ve done my job. More than anything, I want readers to finish the book and immediately want the next one.

 

🔹 Q7: If Pax Merrick were sitting across from you in a bar, what would you two talk about?

 

Marius: Pax doesn’t announce himself when he walks in—he doesn’t need to. At first glance, he could be any guy at the bar. Well-dressed, relaxed, and completely at ease in his own skin. The kind of man who listens more than he speaks, yet somehow knows exactly how to draw you in. His words are measured, his sharp humour, and his eyes… always watching, always calculating, but he knows a little bit of everything and that makes the conversations easy as time chases for the next day. 

As the night wears on, a different side might surface. The party spark in him is infectious, until it burns a little too hot. By the time you realize it, the night’s a blur and the morning’s a mistake, a tiger in a bathroom party with a room filled with strangers. 

One thing is for sure; you would never forget that night, or maybe you wish you could forget that night. 

 

🔹 Q8: What’s your go-to writing snack or drink?

 

Marius: Strong coffee, without a doubt. And when I need something to chew on while I’m stuck on a plot twist — biltong. It’s got just enough bite to keep me thinking like Pax.

 

🔹 Q9: If you could cast any actor to play Pax Merrick in a movie, who would it be?

 

Marius: That’s a tough one. I’ve imagined a few, but someone like Cillian Murphy comes to mind — intense, emotionally complex, and able to carry the weight of a thousand unsaid words.  I’d say there are a lot of talented actors out there who aren’t household names, often playing smaller roles, who could easily take on a part like this. It reminds me of Gabriel Macht, before Suits, he wasn’t widely known. The same goes for Simon Baker, who only became a familiar name after The Mentalist. The right Pax Merrick is out there.