Looking Toward 2026: The Cleansing, Film Production, and the Growing Abbey Rhodes Journey

As 2025 comes to a close, I find myself both grateful and a little overwhelmed—in the best possible way.

This past year has been one of steady growth, unexpected opportunities, and a lot of learning. What started as a book release has now expanded into something much larger: a developing film project, a growing reader community, and a clear sense of where the Abbey Rhodes Mysteries are headed next.

The Cleansing Is Almost Here

Book Three in the Abbey Rhodes Mysteries, The Cleansing, is scheduled to release at the end of January 2026.

That still feels surreal to write.

Once the book is out, I’ll be hitting the road again for signings and conversations:

• February: Events in East Tennessee and Middle Tennessee

• March: An event in Illinois

• Book clubs: One in-person and one virtual already scheduled

If your book club would like to participate—whether live or via Zoom—I’d love to join you. These discussions have become some of the most meaningful parts of this journey.

Behind the Scenes of the Watergrave Film

One of the biggest developments this year has been watching Watergrave move from idea to active production planning.

Recently, I met on-site with:

• The lead actors

• The director

• The cinematographer

• The sound coordinator

• The stunt coordinator

We walked through Valley View Church, where I once served as pastor—and the very place that inspired the setting for Watergrave. Standing in the sanctuary and looking at the baptistry, discussing camera angles and staging, made everything feel incredibly real.

Filming is still scheduled for July, with legal work and fundraising currently underway. Seeing the coordination, scheduling, and investment happening behind the scenes has given me a new appreciation for how much work happens long before a camera ever rolls.

Stepping Into the Story

Another unexpected twist: I’ll also appear briefly in the film.

I’ll be playing Susan Ripley’s father—a small role at the end of Watergrave that has the potential to grow if the series continues. Susan, as readers know, is the widow of the pastor whose murder opens the story.

It’s a humbling experience to step into the world I created and see it take on a life of its own.

Perspective on Sales and Growth

As writers, it’s easy to measure success only by numbers—and I’ll admit, patience doesn’t always come naturally to me.

Here’s where things stand:

• Watergrave is approaching 500 copies sold

• The Least of These has crossed 200 copies sold

• I’ve ranked as high as #34–45 in category, which officially qualifies as an Amazon Bestselling Author

My agent and publisher keep reminding me of something important: this series is still new. Word-of-mouth is strong. Reviews are consistently four and five stars. The foundation is being built the right way.

Who These Books Are For

Over time, my audience has become clearer.

The core readership is:

• Primarily women

• Ages 20–50, with growth upward

• Readers who appreciate faith-based stories that don’t shy away from hard realities

What I hear most often is that readers connect deeply with Abbey’s struggle with the church, her trauma, and her slow journey toward reconciliation. Many have been hurt by church experiences themselves—and they see parts of their own story in hers.

That’s exactly who I hoped these books would reach.

Ministry Through Fiction

One of my personal goals for 2026 is to lean more intentionally into the ministry side of this work.

I want to reach people who’ve been hurt, sidelined, or disillusioned by the church—and help them see that the individuals who caused that pain don’t represent the whole church, or God in His fullness.

That message is personal for me. I’ve seen church conflict from the inside, and I’ve watched how it affected my own family. Writing Abby’s story has been a way to process that honestly, without sugarcoating it.

What’s Coming in 2026

The calendar is already filling up:

• At least two events per month scheduled through June

• Continued book clubs (both virtual and in-person)

• The expansion of The Mitchell S. Karnes Podcast into interview-driven episodes, produced by Media Giant Productions

• Acceptance into Brave Authors (2026)—a group of Christian authors who tackle difficult, real-world issues

It feels like everything is converging at once—and while it’s a lot to manage, it’s also deeply encouraging.

Staying Connected

If you’d like to stay in the loop—about The Cleansing, film updates, signings, book clubs, and behind-the-scenes moments—you can visit:

👉 https://mitchellskarnesauthor.comand sign up for the email list.

As we step into 2026, I’m reminded that none of this happens overnight. It’s built one conversation, one reader, one step at a time.

Thank you for being part of the journey.

— Mitchell S. Karnes