Jennifer K. Morita

wanted to be like the authors I read. It’s raining as I write this, and now all I want to do is curl up and reread all my favorite childhood books!”

“My parents inadvertently influenced my desire to be a writer. In the hierarchy of career paths, ‘writer’ ranks pretty low as far as what most Asian American parents hope for their children. But they always encouraged me to read. Every time we moved, one of the first places we scoped out was the local library.”

“My mom, in particular, got me hooked on Nancy Drew stories and later classic mystery authors like Phyllis A. Whitney, Velda Johnston, Doris Miles Disney, and Mary Higgins Clark.”

“My dad had two book recommendations for me when I was growing up —Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee and Journey to Topaz by Yoshiko Uchida. (Uchida’s book) is a middle-grade/YA book about the incarceration of Japanese Americans during World War II. I still haven’t read Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee, but Journey to Topaz had a big impact on my writing.”

Jennifer’s recently released mystery, GHOSTS OF WAIKĪKĪ, draws on her journalistic past and her Asian American heritage. The novel features a strong protagonist, a fast-paced plot, and the wonderful islands of Hawaiʻi.
“After the newspaper she works for folds and the freelance assignments no longer pay the bills, Maya Wong reluctantly returns to her native Hawaiʻi to ghostwrite controversial land developer Parker Hamilton’s biography. But when the Hamilton patriarch is found dead under suspicious circumstances, Maya is unwittingly drawn into the investigation,” Jennifer explained.
“And now, with Detective Koa Yamada—the homicide detective who broke her heart—on the case, she’s forced to contend with the very person she was determined to avoid. They have to cipher out a murder before the clock runs out.”
“Maya is dodging assailants and digging for clues while juggling girls’ nights out with her old BFFs and weekly family dinners. Convinced the police are after the wrong man, Maya is determined to stop the killer before it’s too late.”
The fast-paced whodunit has been applauded for being a “mystery with plenty of twists, turns and danger” as well as for Jennifer’s “stellar talent” and her rich portrayal of the tropical setting, while at the same time, exploring timely issues in Hawaiʻi, including locals getting priced out of paradise.

In addition to being chosen as Editor’s Pick for Best Mystery, Thriller & Suspense by Amazon in December, GHOSTS OF WAIKĪKĪ, has garnered critical praise, consistent five-star reviews, and innumerable reader accolades, including from bestselling authors.

Edgar Award and Mary Higgins Clark Award-winner, Naomi Hirahara applauded the engrossing mystery and the skillful way Jennifer wove the true essence of Hawai’i into the background saying, “GHOSTS OF WAIKĪKĪ captures the vibrancy of the islands in a way rarely seen in genre fiction.”

Jennifer has more books on the horizon. “I’m writing another Maya Wong book, although I’m not sure yet if it will be a series. I’m taking a leap of faith here.”

“I have a couple of other ideas in mind, too. One is set in a fictionalized version of Sacramento’s Japantown, where the protagonist runs a mochi shop with her grandmother and ends up solving a murder. The other is about a bartender at a restaurant in San Francisco Chinatown whose customer is found dead in Portsmouth Square after drunkenly confessing a terrible secret.”

Her calendar reflects a wide scope of activities. She writes for a university in Northern California, where she lives with her husband and two daughters. When she isn’t writing, hiking, reading, or experimenting with recipes, the energetic author can often be found “pushing Girl Scout cookies” or doing Zumba and Hot Hula.

Jennifer’s interest in dancing began at a young age. “Writing was not my first love. While I can’t remember when I first realized I wanted to be a writer, I do remember my first career goal was to be a ballerina. I never even made it to pointe shoes. But I got into Zumba when my girls were little and taking ballet at the local dance studio. I wanted to join the fun, so I started going to Zumba classes at my gym. It helped me realize I’m a creative person, which I think eventually got me to write my book.”

“I’m very religious about going to my Zumba classes and have even added Hot Hula to the mix. I often get great ideas for my book driving home after class.”

Belonging to writers’ organizations is a priority for Jennifer. She’s a member of Crime Writers of Color, Mystery Writers of America, International Thriller Writers, and several chapters of Sisters in Crime, including Sisters in Crime Grand Canyon Writers.

“I’m most active with my local SinC chapter, Capitol Crimes, where I served as vice president and president. I recently ended my last year on the board as president emeritus and edited the 2024 Farm to Foul Play anthology.”

The newly published novelist also appreciates the opportunities various organizations offer, including award competitions and guidance. “I applied for the Sisters in Crime Eleanor Taylor Bland Award for Emerging Writers of Color twice,” she said. “The first time I applied I had just started querying, and I wasn’t chosen as a finalist. The second time I applied, I was revising my manuscript and was a runner-up. It was a big win for me because it meant my manuscript was better. Plus, I got a free year of Sisters in Crime membership!”

Writers’ conferences and author events play an important role in her career. “I’m going to Left Coast Crime, Bouchercon, and Thriller Fest this year, so if anyone is planning to be there I’d love to meet up. We’re planning to have a reading at the Tattered Cover in Denver during Left Coast with several Crooked Lane authors, so check my Instagram or Facebook for more details.”

Jennifer has a full list of other events lined up for 2025: at the Friends of Sutter County Library Main Library, the Alta Mira Mystery Writers Luncheon Alta Mira Club, the Folsom Public Library, and the Sacramento Book Festival. She will be a panelist featured in a Zoom event sponsored by the International Thriller Writers discussing the Evolution of a Writing Career. In February, she will appear on the panel at the Sisters in Crime Grand Canyon Writers Fireside Chat via Zoom, discussing her journey to getting published.

Her enthusiasm for her career and the support she enjoys shows. “It’s important for writers to join writing organizations and get involved. I don’t know if I would’ve finished revising my book if it wasn’t for all the webinars, online classes. and advice I got through these groups.”

“But you get what you put in. Being an active member builds more connections, and you learn so much by observing and talking to your fellow writers as well as the friendships you gain along the way.”