Mitchell S Karnes Podcast

How does a simple idea become a mystery readers can't put down? In Episode 2 of The Mitchell S. Karnes Podcast, author Mitchell S. Karnes continues his behind-the-scenes series on the writing process, moving beyond inspiration and explaining how he develops an idea into a complete story.

Mitchell begins with a principle he believes every writer should remember: If you're not passionate about your story, how can you expect your readers to be passionate about it? He has folders filled with ideas—some decades old—but only the ideas that continue capturing his imagination earn the time necessary to become books.

Using the Abbey Rhodes Mystery Series as his primary example, Mitchell explains that Abbey actually existed in his imagination before her first mystery did. Her name was partly inspired by the Beatles' Abbey Road, and Mitchell began developing her personality, history, trauma, career, and relationship with faith long before all six novels were mapped out.

Then came Water Grave.

While serving as a pastor, Mitchell was cleaning the church after a Sunday service when he looked toward the baptistry and suddenly pictured a young pastor floating dead in the water. That single image sparked a series of questions: Who killed him? Why? What if the victim was a young pastor attempting to change a traditional church? And what if the detective assigned to investigate had sworn she would never return to a church?

From that image, Water Grave began taking shape.

Mitchell explains how he approaches mystery writing by determining the solution and then working backward. Once he knows who committed the crime, he can strategically plant legitimate clues alongside believable red herrings, allowing Abbey—and the reader—to investigate multiple suspects before discovering the truth.

But Mitchell wasn't simply plotting one murder mystery. He was developing Abbey's larger journey.

Her emotional baggage and traumatic history couldn't realistically disappear after one case. That's why Mitchell envisioned a six-book character arc, with each mystery forcing Abbey to confront another part of her past. Clues and "Easter eggs" planted in early books can connect to events several novels later.

Mitchell also shares the inspiration behind The Least of These. While driving near Nashville, he noticed a large homeless encampment near an area undergoing major development. The contrast between wealth and homelessness immediately captured his imagination. What if two people were murdered—one connected to the homeless community and another connected to wealth and influence? Would society value those lives equally?

That question helped shape a mystery built around the idea that every life matters.

Throughout the episode, Mitchell explains that compelling fiction shouldn't take the shortest route between beginning and ending. In mathematics, the shortest distance between two points may be a straight line. In fiction, a straight line is usually boring.

Characters need obstacles. They need internal struggles, external conflicts, wrong turns, opposition, setbacks, and consequences. Those complications create the journey that keeps readers turning pages.

Mitchell also reflects candidly on his own long road as an author. He remembers dreaming in sixth grade about writing books that would someday become movies. Decades later, after nine books and years of developing his craft, Water Grave is preparing to become a streaming series.

Exciting momentum continues for bestselling author Mitchell S. Karnes as he joins Neil Haley for another episode of The Mitchell S. Karnes Podcast. From major production updates on the upcoming Water Grave streaming series to preparing for one of the country's premier mystery writing conferences, Mitchell shares what's happening behind the scenes as his writing career reaches new milestones.

The episode opens with a look at Mitchell's busy schedule. He discusses an upcoming book signing at Landmark Booksellers in Franklin, Tennessee, where he'll meet readers and sign copies of his novels. Shortly afterward, production officially begins on the highly anticipated Water Grave streaming series, with cameras scheduled to roll on August 10. Casting continues to expand as new actors are added while production crews finalize locations and prepare for filming.

Mitchell also shares exciting news about returning to Killer Nashville, one of the nation's leading conferences for mystery, thriller, and suspense writers. Having participated previously, he's once again been invited to serve as a panelist, this time appearing on three different educational panels designed to help both readers and aspiring authors.

One panel focuses on creating compelling buddy dynamics between protagonists, where Mitchell explains how Abbey Rhodes and Sam complement one another through contrasting personalities while strengthening each other's character development throughout the series.

Another panel explores the process of writing and selling a book series, allowing Mitchell to both share his own experiences and learn from successful authors who have built long-running franchises.

The third panel examines the importance of secondary characters, discussing how supporting characters such as Susan, Dallas, and others don't simply fill pages—they actively drive both the mystery and the emotional growth of the main characters.

Neil and Mitchell also reflect on last year's Killer Nashville experience. Mitchell admits that sitting alongside New York Times bestselling authors was initially intimidating. However, he quickly realized they shared many of the same struggles every writer experiences. Rather than feeling like an outsider, Mitchell discovered that his unique perspective as a faith-adjacent mystery writer allowed him to contribute something distinctive to every conversation.

The discussion explores what "faith-adjacent" storytelling really means. Rather than writing traditional inspirational fiction where every problem is neatly resolved, Mitchell creates realistic mysteries filled with difficult subjects including abuse, murder, human trafficking, trauma, and broken relationships. Faith exists naturally within these stories—not as the central plot—but as the foundation that helps characters endure life's darkest moments.

This approach, Mitchell explains, placed him in a publishing niche that many traditional Christian publishers weren't ready to embrace. Yet today's entertainment landscape is changing rapidly. He points to actors and filmmakers who are creating independent studios and producing thoughtful, faith-centered projects that tackle real-life issues without avoiding difficult conversations. Mitchell hopes that same movement will continue opening doors for projects like Water Grave.

The conversation shifts to the production of the streaming adaptation. Mitchell explains that although filming dates have shifted several times due to scheduling, financing, and location availability, production continues moving forward. Investors remain engaged, cast members have stayed committed, and discussions continue regarding the possibility of expanding beyond a limited streaming series into a feature film before additional episodes are produced.

Where do great stories come from? Is inspiration something that suddenly appears, or is it something writers learn to recognize over time?

In the very first episode of The Mitchell S. Karnes Podcast, bestselling author Mitchell S. Karnes pulls back the curtain on the creative process that has shaped his writing career for more than four decades. Whether you're an aspiring writer, a longtime fan of the Abbey Rhodes Mystery Series, or simply someone with stories of your own to tell, this episode offers a fascinating look inside the mind of an author.

Mitchell begins by answering one of the questions he's asked most often: "Where do you get your ideas?" His answer is surprisingly simple—he has far more ideas than he'll ever have time to write. Over the years, he's filled folders with story concepts, some ordinary, some good, and a select few that simply refuse to let go. Those persistent ideas eventually become novels.

He takes listeners back to 1984, when his first published short story appeared in the Belmont Literary Magazine while he was still a college student at Southern Illinois University. Inspired by a movie, a basketball injury, and a single line he casually spoke to his roommate, Mitchell demonstrates how everyday moments can unexpectedly become powerful works of fiction.

Throughout the episode, Mitchell walks listeners chronologically through his writing career, sharing the real-life inspirations behind many of his published works. He discusses how comic books, dreams, conversations, personal experiences, and even family members' ideas evolved into novels and short stories. Along the way, he openly shares the challenges every writer faces, including rewriting entire manuscripts, abandoning approaches that weren't working, and learning that the story in your imagination rarely arrives perfectly on the page the first time.

Listeners will hear the fascinating origins of Scales of Justice, inspired in part by a Daredevil comic featuring Bullseye and Elektra, as Mitchell explains how one simple revenge concept eventually became his first published novel. He also recounts how his brother's unusual dream inspired the satirical short story A Family Portrait, and how a simple writing prompt eventually became Grandpa Charlie's Ring, a fantasy story exploring the limitless possibilities of imagination.

One of the most compelling sections of the episode explores the origins of the Canaan Shade fantasy series. Drawing from his years playing Dungeons & Dragons, Mitchell explains how personal experiences, broken friendships, and difficult emotions eventually evolved into a four-book series about friendship, betrayal, sacrifice, redemption, and the consequences of entering a fantasy world that becomes all too real.

The conversation eventually turns to Mitchell's most successful work to date—the Abbey Rhodes Mystery Series. Rather than beginning with a plot, Mitchell reveals that the series started with a single character. Before writing Water Grave, he spent nearly sixty pages developing Abbey Rhodes' personal history, emotional wounds, and spiritual journey. Only after fully understanding who she was did the mysteries themselves begin to emerge.

Mitchell explains that the six-book series follows one overarching theme:

"Own the truth... or the truth will own you."

Each novel moves Abbey closer to confronting her past, her faith, and the emotional scars she has carried for years. What begins as a murder mystery ultimately becomes a story of healing, forgiveness, and redemption.

Throughout the episode, Mitchell repeatedly encourages aspiring writers to record every idea, no matter how small it may seem. Inspiration can come from newspapers, dreams, movies, conversations, life experiences, or a single sentence spoken at exactly the right moment. The ideas that continue returning—the ones that simply won't leave you alone—are often the ones worth pursuing.

Big momentum continues for Mitchell S. Karnes as he joins Neil Haley for another exciting episode filled with major updates on the Abbey Rhodes Mystery Series, the upcoming television adaptation of Watergrave, and the creative writing process that continues to inspire readers and aspiring authors alike.

The episode begins with outstanding news as the Watergrave Kickstarter campaign officially closes well above its fundraising goal. Originally seeking $15,000, the campaign finished with more than $20,000 in pledges, exceeding expectations by over 33 percent. Mitchell explains how Kickstarter works, including its all-or-nothing funding model, and discusses the unique rewards offered to supporters, from exclusive movie merchandise and soundtrack access to on-screen appearances, signed memorabilia, and film credits.

With the campaign successfully completed, attention now shifts toward production. Mitchell shares that filming for the Watergrave television pilot is scheduled to begin on August 10, marking another major milestone in bringing the Abbey Rhodes universe to the screen. He also reveals that additional cast members have joined the project while multiple investors have committed funding. A larger investor is currently reviewing the screenplay and considering a significant investment that could further accelerate production.

Beyond the excitement surrounding the television adaptation, Mitchell provides an update on his latest writing projects. After deciding to completely change the direction of a planned novella, inspiration struck immediately. Seeking complete focus, Mitchell checked into a local hotel for a personal writing retreat, disconnecting from everyday distractions and immersing himself entirely in the story. The result was an incredible burst of creativity, producing more than 104 pages in just two days. Returning home with momentum, he quickly completed the manuscript, sent it to beta readers for feedback, and is now preparing it for publication while shifting his attention to writing Book Five in the Abbey Rhodes Mystery Series.

Neil explores what makes a writing retreat so productive, prompting Mitchell to describe how eliminating distractions allows him to fully enter the world of his characters. Rather than simply writing words on a page, Mitchell explains that he experiences the story almost like watching a movie unfold in real time, racing to type quickly enough to capture every scene before it disappears. For him, writing becomes less about creating and more about recording the story as it naturally unfolds.

The conversation also offers fascinating insight into Mitchell's writing methodology. As a dedicated "plotter," he carefully outlines each chapter before writing, determining where readers should enter the story, how clues should be revealed, and how believable red herrings can keep readers guessing without feeling manipulated. His goal is to create mysteries that remain unpredictable while rewarding attentive readers who attempt to solve the case alongside Abbey Rhodes.

Listeners also receive an exclusive update on Book Five, now officially titled Closure, replacing its original working title. Without revealing spoilers, Mitchell hints that the novel will provide multiple layers of emotional resolution, including one surprising conclusion that longtime readers likely won't see coming.

The episode concludes with news about Mitchell's upcoming appearances, including book signings in Smyrna, Landmark Booksellers, and the prestigious Killer Nashville Conference, where he will meet readers, fellow authors, and mystery fans. Mitchell also discusses the overwhelmingly positive response to The Least of These, noting that readers continue discovering the Abbey Rhodes series by purchasing Watergrave, while many devoted fans are already anxiously awaiting the next installment after finishing the latest novel in just a day or two.

Major momentum is building for bestselling author Mitchell S. Karnes as he joins Neil Haley for another exciting episode packed with updates on his writing career, upcoming film adaptation, and the creative process behind crafting unforgettable stories.

The episode begins with a major announcement as The Mitchell S. Karnes Podcast prepares to expand onto streaming television platforms, including Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, and more, allowing even more viewers to follow Mitchell's journey as an author and storyteller.

Mitchell shares exciting news about the upcoming adaptation of his Abbey Rhodes Mystery Series. What was originally planned as a simple soundtrack recording session has grown into a major production event featuring cast members, country music artists, potential investors, and representatives from a major streaming platform. After exceeding the Kickstarter fundraising goal, interest in the project continues to grow as filming prepares to begin in August.

Listeners also hear about Mitchell's upcoming author appearances and book signings throughout Tennessee before production officially begins on the television series.

The conversation then turns toward Mitchell's writing process and why he recently made the difficult decision to completely abandon one novella in favor of another. After realizing a story centered on sex trafficking wasn't flowing naturally, he chose to begin writing a deeply personal novella inspired by his family's experiences with adoption, addiction, brokenness, faith, and redemption.

Mitchell explains how adopting five children whose biological parents struggled with addiction provided the emotional foundation for this new fictional story. Although the characters and events are fictionalized, the themes of healing, forgiveness, perseverance, and hope are rooted in real-life experiences that transformed his family.

Neil and Mitchell also discuss what makes great storytelling. Mitchell explains how writers must decide on point of view, timeline, flashbacks, and narrative structure before a story can truly come alive. He shares why finding your authentic voice is far more important than trying to imitate bestselling authors like John Grisham, Tom Clancy, or James Patterson.

The discussion also explores the growing role of artificial intelligence in publishing. Neil shares his work developing AI-powered editing tools that assist writers with developmental editing, line editing, and copy editing, while Mitchell emphasizes that technology should support creativity—not replace the unique voice of an author.

One of the episode's biggest takeaways is Mitchell's advice for aspiring writers: write the story you're passionate about. If writing feels forced, readers will sense it. When you're excited to tell the story, that enthusiasm transfers to every page, creating books readers simply can't put down.

Mitchell also discusses knowing your audience, naturally weaving faith into fiction without becoming preachy, and balancing entertainment with meaningful life lessons that resonate long after the final chapter.

Whether you're a writer, an aspiring author, or simply enjoy hearing how great stories are created, this episode offers valuable insight into creativity, perseverance, and staying true to your calling.

Author Mitchell S. Karnes returns for another special simulcast of The Neil Haley Show and The Mitchell S. Karnes Podcast with major updates surrounding the Water Grave television adaptation, exciting casting developments, a surprise book release timeline change, upcoming interviews, future events, and a deeper look into where the Abbey Rhodes mystery universe is heading next.

What started as a quiet week quickly turned into major momentum across multiple projects.

One of the biggest developments involves the television adaptation tied to Mitchell’s mystery series. Production continues moving rapidly toward filming, with casting discussions actively moving forward. Mitchell shares that the series director and casting director continue building out the remaining characters while primary casting remains in place.

Production preparations continue accelerating.

August 2nd remains the official filming start date.

Additional crew members are also coming onboard.

Mitchell reveals production recently secured a set medic with experience working on major productions including Avengers and Fantastic Four, further highlighting the professional talent assembling behind the scenes.

Momentum surrounding Water Grave continues building.

The Kickstarter campaign supporting production has experienced another delay, but Mitchell hints there may be exciting developments happening behind the scenes that could ultimately strengthen the launch.

Fans should continue watching closely for updates.

Another major production meeting is also approaching as leadership prepares discussions involving cinematography, sound design, and creative vision elements shaping the television adaptation.

For longtime readers following Abbey Rhodes from the beginning, seeing the mystery universe move from page to screen continues becoming increasingly real.

Another exciting update centers around Mitchell’s upcoming interview lineup.

Country music singer and songwriter Phil Vassar, who will portray detective Sam Tidwell in the upcoming adaptation, will soon join Mitchell for a special interview discussing both his acting role and broader entertainment career.

Sam Tidwell serves as one of the central detective characters within the series, making the casting especially exciting for longtime readers.

Mitchell also delivers major publishing news.

Book Four arrives earlier than expected.

Abbey’s Road now moves from its original July release timeline into a planned mid-June release.

Pre-orders are expected soon.

Cover reveal announcements could also arrive shortly.

The newest installment represents a significant shift for readers familiar with the earlier books.

While crime and detective elements remain present, Abbey’s Road leans more heavily into suspense thriller territory.

Instead of solving murders after they happen, Abbey faces an entirely different challenge.

Stopping them before they occur.

Skylar returns.

More dangerous.

More powerful.

More strategic.

Abbey finds herself pushed emotionally, spiritually, and psychologically in ways readers have not yet experienced.

Mitchell explains that Abbey’s Road represents a major turning point in Abbey Rhodes’ personal evolution.

Her vulnerabilities become exposed.

Her past resurfaces.

Difficult truths demand confrontation.

A theme introduced early in the series becomes central:

“Own the truth or the truth will own you.”

That internal struggle drives much of Abbey’s emotional journey.

The title itself carries multiple layers.

Inspired partly by The Beatles’ Abbey Road, the book also reflects Abbey Rhodes’ spiritual growth, emotional transformation, and personal crossroads.

Music plays an important role.

Emotional growth drives the story.

Danger escalates.

One shocking storyline centers around seven murders.

Seven days.

In this compelling episode of The Mitchell S. Karnes Podcast, Mitchell sits down with Matthew Sears, a veteran law enforcement officer with more than two decades of experience, to discuss faith, policing, personal wellness, family, trauma, and the realities of serving others through one of society's most demanding professions. The conversation also explores Matthew's role as a consultant for the Abbey Rhodes Mystery Series and how real-life policing shapes fiction.

Matthew's path into law enforcement wasn't the one he originally expected. His first calling was ministry. Holding a Master of Arts in Religion, he initially planned to become a youth pastor. But while working campus security at a Christian university and attending graduate school, life began steering him in a new direction. The events of September 11, 2001, combined with his growing exposure to local officers, sparked a desire to serve his community in a different way. What began as curiosity eventually became a calling.

Over a 23-year career, Matthew has served in patrol, field training, honor guard, investigations, supervision, academy instruction, administration, and officer wellness programs, giving him a rare perspective on both the rewards and the burdens of police work. One of the most fascinating parts of the discussion centers on his current assignment in a law enforcement wellness division. Matthew explains that modern policing increasingly recognizes the mental, emotional, spiritual, and relational toll first responders carry. While the average citizen may encounter only a handful of traumatic events in a lifetime, many officers, firefighters, EMS personnel, and dispatchers experience hundreds over the course of their careers.

That reality drives his work. Matthew now helps oversee programs designed to support officers through life's hardest moments, part of a comprehensive wellness system that includes licensed counselors, peer support specialists, chaplains, mentors, family support resources, and veteran initiatives. What started decades ago as a small counseling effort has grown into a nationally recognized model that other departments regularly seek to replicate. He describes the role as coming full circle: though he never entered traditional ministry, he now ministers to officers and first responders during some of the darkest moments of their lives, blending his faith background with his law enforcement experience.

The conversation turns deeply personal when Mitchell asks about the calls that have stayed with him. Matthew shares the heartbreaking story of responding to a vehicle accident involving a family of four, when a fallen tree crushed their car as they returned home from vacation. The father was trapped and died at the scene, and Matthew still recalls the young son crying out for his father. More than twenty years later, the sounds, emotions, and sense of helplessness remain with him.

But he also shares the moments that remind him why he chose this work. One of his favorite memories involves locating a missing autistic child who had wandered from home. Spotting the boy by chance near a university campus, Matthew reunited him safely with his family, a moment he sees as God placing him exactly where he needed to be at exactly the right time.

Throughout, Matthew returns to faith, family, and wellness. His advice to young officers is straightforward: build a strong foundation before the job begins. Physical fitness matters, but emotional health, spiritual maturity, healthy relationships, and strong coping skills matter just as much. Without them, the cumulative stress of the job can damage careers, marriages, and well-being.

Learn more about Mitchell S. Karnes and the Abbey Rhodes Mystery Series at MitchellSKarnesAuthor.com.

Author Mitchell S. Karnes returns for another special simulcast of The Neil Haley Show and The Mitchell S. Karnes Podcast with exciting updates surrounding his growing mystery series, television production developments, upcoming book signings, major interviews, and important writing projects tackling difficult real-world topics through faith-centered storytelling.

One of the biggest updates in this episode centers around the upcoming television adaptation connected to Mitchell’s mystery universe. Casting continues moving forward this month, with production momentum building rapidly as filming prepares to officially begin August 2nd.

Mitchell shares excitement surrounding the casting process and anticipation for seeing actors officially step into key character roles that readers have connected with throughout the series.

A major announcement includes country music artist and songwriter Phil Vassar joining the production to portray Sam, one of the central detectives and key characters within the series. Mitchell discusses upcoming interview plans with Phil Vassar, where listeners will have opportunities to hear more about both his acting role and his career journey in music and entertainment.

Momentum continues building around the series adaptation, creating excitement not only for longtime readers but also for audiences discovering Mitchell’s work for the first time.

The conversation also highlights several upcoming opportunities for readers and fans to connect with Mitchell in person.

Upcoming appearances include:

• Book Authors Publishers Fair in Nashville — May 30th
• Spine Bookshop in Smyrna — July 18th
• Killer Nashville Conference — August 20th through August 23rd

Mitchell discusses how much he enjoys book signings and reader interactions, explaining that connecting directly with readers remains one of the most rewarding aspects of being an author.

Book clubs continue becoming another major focus.

Whether meeting in person or virtually, Mitchell shares how meaningful those conversations become. Small group discussions allow readers to dive deeper into characters, themes, mysteries, and faith elements woven throughout the stories.

Groups ranging from five readers to thirty readers have created memorable experiences and strong reader relationships.

The discussion then shifts toward one of Mitchell’s newest writing projects.

A novella connected to the Brave Authors collaboration.

The subject matter is difficult.

Human trafficking.

Mitchell explains that extensive research continues shaping the story, requiring deep investigation into statistics, survivor stories, warning signs, and educational efforts surrounding trafficking awareness.

The emotional weight of the topic has made research especially challenging.

Learning firsthand accounts.

Studying vulnerabilities.

Understanding how individuals become trapped.

Examining failures that allow trafficking to continue.

Mitchell explains that vulnerable populations often become targets, making awareness and education critically important.

The discussion emphasizes that trafficking affects communities people might never expect.

Affluent communities.

Large cities.

Entertainment centers.

Transportation hubs.

Places many assume remain protected.

Mitchell specifically highlights how cities with major airports, entertainment industries, conventions, and interstate access can create environments traffickers exploit.

Education remains one of the strongest tools available.

Mitchell discusses increasing efforts by school systems and educators to identify warning signs and recognize indicators that students may need intervention or support.

Training teachers.

Creating awareness.

Recognizing vulnerabilities.

Refusing to ignore difficult realities.

Those efforts continue becoming increasingly important.

The conversation also explores faith’s role in addressing difficult issues.

In this special episode of The Mitchell S. Karnes Podcast, bestselling author Mitchell S. Karnes sits down with legendary country music singer-songwriter Phil Vassar for an engaging conversation spanning music, songwriting, faith, second chances, and Phil's exciting new role in the upcoming Water Grave streaming series adaptation.

Most fans know Phil Vassar as one of country music's most accomplished performers and songwriters, with multiple Number One hits, countless chart successes, and decades of touring. Yet behind the awards and sold-out shows is a man whose journey has been defined by persistence, faith, and an unwavering commitment to his craft. Phil shares that music has been his calling for as long as he can remember. Growing up in Virginia, he always felt drawn toward songwriting and performing, and while he briefly explored other paths in college, music kept pulling him back to Nashville, where he faced years of rejection before finally breaking through.

His road to success was anything but easy. As a piano-driven artist in a guitar-dominated industry, Phil was often dismissed by labels and publishers who didn't understand his style. For years he wrote songs insiders insisted would never become hits. Then something remarkable happened: the very songs Nashville rejected began becoming major hits for other artists. One after another, his compositions climbed the charts, producing a string of Number One songs, and the industry that had ignored him suddenly took notice. What looked like overnight success was really the product of more than a decade of perseverance.

One of the most fascinating moments centers on Phil's songwriting process. Rather than waiting for inspiration, he compares songwriting to physical exercise: writers must show up consistently, work daily, and trust the process. Ideas can come from anywhere, a birthday, a conversation, a memory. He shares the story behind one of his most beloved songs, "My Next Thirty Years," written on his birthday in just a few minutes and inspired by his own reflections on entering a new chapter of life. A personal moment became a career-defining hit.

The discussion then turns to faith. Phil speaks openly about growing up in Lynchburg, Virginia, attending Christian schools, and living near Thomas Road Baptist Church. Faith has always been foundational for him, providing stability through the lean years when success felt out of reach, and shaping the values that guided him through personal and professional challenges.

Perhaps the most powerful portion of the interview focuses on Phil's health journey. Several years ago, after unknowingly living with a genetic heart condition, he suffered a life-threatening cardiac event involving multiple cardiac arrests and extensive emergency intervention. His survival was nothing short of remarkable. Looking back, Phil describes the ordeal as transformative, teaching him patience, gratitude, and a deeper appreciation for each day. Today he feels healthier, stronger, and more focused than he has in years.

That renewed energy leads into Phil's growing interest in acting. Long intrigued by film and stage, he had studied with professionals and considered projects from Broadway to television, but touring schedules kept getting in the way. Now he finds himself at a point in life where he can finally explore new creative avenues, which brings the conversation to one of the most exciting developments for Mitchell and the Abbey Rhodes Mystery Series. Phil Vassar has been cast as Detective Sam Tidwell in the upcoming adaptation of Water Grave.

Learn more about Mitchell S. Karnes and the Abbey Rhodes Mystery Series at MitchellSKarnesAuthor.com.

In this latest episode of The Mitchell S. Carnes Podcast simulcast with The Neil Haley Show, bestselling mystery author and pastor Mitchell S. Karnes returns with exciting updates surrounding his books, upcoming television adaptation, writing projects, and the growing momentum behind his expanding author platform.

From meeting readers face-to-face at one of Tennessee’s largest festivals to preparing for major casting announcements for his upcoming television series, Mitchell opens up about the journey of building a successful author career while staying committed to telling meaningful stories that combine mystery, faith, redemption, and difficult real-world topics.

The episode begins with Mitchell sharing details from his recent appearance at the Franklin Main Street Festival in Franklin, Tennessee, where he participated alongside fellow authors through Landmark Booksellers. The event brought readers, families, and book lovers together for an opportunity to connect directly with authors and discover new stories.

Mitchell reflects on how valuable these in-person experiences continue to be. While book sales matter, he explains that some of the biggest victories come through conversations—meeting readers, hearing feedback, building relationships, and introducing new audiences to his work.

One surprising trend Mitchell noticed during the festival was growing interest in eBooks and audiobooks. Readers increasingly want flexible ways to enjoy stories, whether reading digitally or listening on the go. As Mitchell continues expanding his audience, offering multiple formats creates additional ways for readers to engage with his mystery novels.

Festival conversations also helped generate awareness surrounding his upcoming television adaptation and future projects.

Mitchell shares one of his favorite event strategies—creating memorable interactions for families. By offering simple giveaways and engaging children, he creates opportunities to naturally introduce parents to his books and discuss the mystery genre. The approach not only sparks curiosity but creates authentic connections with potential readers.

As Mitchell explains, festivals are never just about immediate sales.

They're about building relationships.

Creating awareness.

Starting conversations.

Generating long-term momentum.

One particularly encouraging moment came when attendees approached Mitchell to say they had already purchased and read all three books currently available in the series. Those moments reinforce the growing community surrounding his stories and remind him how important reader engagement has become.

The conversation then shifts toward one of the biggest updates fans have been waiting for:

Book Four is officially complete.

Mitchell confirms the next installment will release July 1st, positioning it perfectly ahead of upcoming summer events and book appearances.

But even with Book Four complete, there is no slowing down.

Mitchell reveals he is already pivoting into another major writing project—contributing to a collaborative novella alongside fellow members of the Brave Authors group.

The topic this time is one of the most difficult he has tackled:

Human trafficking awareness and identification.

Mitchell explains that his novella focuses specifically on early warning signs and identification within a school setting. The story centers around educators recognizing subtle indicators that a young student may be experiencing abuse or exploitation.

The approach allows Mitchell to continue writing within what he often describes as a "gritty Christian" storytelling space—fiction that does not avoid painful realities but instead seeks redemption, hope, and awareness.