The Cleansing — Official Release & Reader Response
📘 Big News: The Cleansing Is Officially Out
In this episode, Mitchell S. Karnes celebrates the early release of The Cleansing, the third novel in the Abbey Rhodes Mystery Series.
Originally scheduled for release later in the month, the book arrived early — and readers wasted no time diving in. E-book downloads began immediately, with early readers determined to finish the story in a single sitting.
🔪 What Makes The Cleansing Different
Unlike the first two novels, The Cleansing introduces:
A true serial killer storyline
A chilling murder pattern forming a symbolic “X”
A ritualistic element suggesting sacrifice
A killer whose identity is revealed midway through the book
From that point on, the suspense shifts from who the killer is to:
Can Abbey stop the next murder before it happens?
🧠 Abbey Rhodes Under Fire
As the case escalates:
Abbey’s instincts clash with the homicide unit’s conclusions
A powerful antagonist manipulates events from the shadows
Abbey herself becomes a person of interest
She is removed from the investigation she’s closest to solving
Forced to choose between protocol and intuition, Abbey’s decisions drive the story into a high-stakes cat-and-mouse game that will continue through future books in the series.
📚 Do Readers Need to Start at Book One?
While The Cleansing can stand alone, readers will benefit from starting with:
Watergrave
The Least of These
Reading in order deepens:
Character relationships
Emotional context
Long-term narrative tension
✍️ Behind the Scenes: Writing Challenges
Karnes shares that The Cleansing was his most demanding book to date:
Extensive law enforcement procedural revisions
Guidance from active homicide consultants
Multiple rewrites to maintain realism
Final manuscript expanded to 330 pages
Despite the challenge, early feedback suggests readers feel the growth:
“Each book is better than the last.”
🎬 Film Adaptation Update
Momentum continues beyond publishing:
Lead actors were hand-selected by the director
A professional photo shoot was completed
Full casting begins May 2026
Promotional materials are already in development
📍 Upcoming Book Signings
📅 February 7, 2026
📍 Landmark Booksellers — Franklin, TN
⏰ 6:00–8:00 PM
📅 Late February 2026
📍 Barnes & Noble — Johnson City, TN
📅 March 2026
📍 Library Event — Illinois (details coming soon)
✍️ Autographed Copies & Book Clubs
Signed copies available through the author website
Mitchell is available for in-person or virtual book clubs
Libraries and bookstores welcome appearances
Virtual book club sessions will be posted to YouTube soon
🔗 Official Website
👉 MitchellSKarnesAuthor.com