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Author Interview: C T Mitchell – Fast-Paced Fiction That Keeps You Guessing

We’re excited to feature C T Mitchell in our new author interview series at Creative Paramita. He’s a bestselling author known for gripping short-read mysteries that hook readers from the very first page. With a deep love for classic crime fiction and a powerful writing routine, C T has carved out a space for himself as a master of compact, high-stakes storytelling.

write in passive voice – His latest book, The Vice President Is Missing, blends suspense, sharp plotting, and race-against-the-clock energy that thriller fans won’t want to miss. In this interview, C T shares his journey into writing, what inspires his stories, and how he balances complex plots with page-turning pace.

Let’s jump in!

1. Tell us a little about yourself. How did you get into writing?

I’ve always had a love for crime fiction—growing up, I devoured every Agatha Christie novel I could get my hands on. But while the passion was always there, life had other plans. I spent years writing in other forms—mostly blogs for the real estate industry—but the dream of writing fiction never really left me.

Truth be told, I procrastinated for over 30 years before finally deciding to give it a proper go. In February 2015, I sat down and wrote my first mystery—and I haven’t stopped since. Now, I write fast-paced, short-read mysteries that readers can devour in under two hours, and I’m fortunate to have become a 13-time Amazon bestselling author along the way.

2. What inspired you to write your latest book?

My latest book, The Vice President Is Missing, was inspired by two things: my love of political thrillers and the fact that a large portion of my readers are based in the U.S. I wanted to create a fast-paced, high-stakes story that would resonate with American audiences—something that felt both current and cinematic.

Setting the story in New York gave it instant energy and global relevance. It’s a city full of power, secrets, and possibilities—perfect for a mystery involving political conspiracy, deception, and a ticking-clock investigation. I wanted readers to feel like they were in the middle of it all, racing through the pages to uncover the truth.

3. If you had to describe your book in just three words, what would they be?

Gripping. Twisty. Unstoppable.

4. Do you have a favorite scene or moment in your book?

Definitely, there’s a tense moment about midway through the book where the lead investigator pieces together a seemingly insignificant clue—and suddenly, everything shifts. It’s one of those scenes where the pace slows just enough for the tension to really simmer before everything explodes into action.

I love it because it’s a classic “aha!” moment—quiet, clever, and utterly pivotal. It’s where the mystery deepens and the reader realizes they’re not just dealing with a disappearance… they’re tangled in something much bigger.

5. What’s the biggest challenge you faced while writing the book?

Balancing the pace with the complexity of the plot was probably the biggest challenge. With a title like The Vice President Is Missing, readers expect instant tension and high-stakes twists—and rightly so. But corporate thrillers (it’s not a political thriller) can easily get bogged down in detail, so I had to be ruthless about keeping the story tight while still layering in clues, red herrings, and character depth.

I also wanted to make sure the book felt authentic to American readers, so I spent a lot of time researching business procedures and U.S. law enforcement without turning it into an info dump. Striking that balance between realism and relentless pacing was tough—but totally worth it.

6. What do you hope readers take away from your story?

First and foremost, I hope they’re entertained. I write fast-paced stories designed to hook readers from page one and keep them turning pages late into the night. But beyond the twists and suspense, I want readers to walk away feeling like they’ve been on a ride—one that challenged their assumptions, kept them guessing, and gave them a satisfying payoff.

For non-readers or those short on time, I hope my books (most of them but not this one ) remind them that reading doesn’t have to be a chore. A gripping story under 100 pages can be just as powerful as a 500-page novel—and sometimes, even more intense.

7. Do you have a writing routine, or do you write whenever inspiration strikes?

I’m definitely a routine writer. I write from 5:30 am to 7:30 am, six days a week—no excuses. That early morning quiet is where the magic happens.

In my first year, that discipline paid off—I wrote 17 novellas. Inspiration is great when it shows up, but I’ve learned that showing up consistently is what really gets books written. For me, writing is a habit, not a hobby. And when you treat it like that, the results follow.

8. What’s one piece of advice you’d give to aspiring authors?

You’re not writing for an English professor at Oxford—you’re writing to entertain. Don’t get hung up on perfection or trying to impress with flowery prose. Focus on telling a great story that connects with readers.

Bonus tip: Play to your strengths. I’m not a 100,000-word novelist—I’m a short read/novella writer, and I lean into that lane hard. Know what you’re good at, embrace it, and build your brand around it. There’s a hungry audience out there for every kind of storytelling—find yours and deliver.

9. How important do you think book covers are, and what was your experience working on yours?

Covers are extremely important. They’re the first impression your book makes—and in today’s fast-scrolling world, you’ve got a split second to grab a reader’s attention. A great cover signals genre, tone, and quality instantly.

I work mostly with Creative Paramita’s premade covers. Her work is sharp, professional, and always genre-appropriate, which is exactly what I need for fast-paced mystery and thriller novellas. It’s a smooth process, and I love being able to choose a cover that already captures the vibe I’m going for—then write the story to match.

10. Where can readers connect with you and find your books?

You can find all my books on Amazon worldwide—just search C T Mitchell. And if you’d like to explore my full catalogue, get reading tips, or connect directly, visit my website for free books: https://ctmitchellbooks.com.

I love hearing from readers, so feel free to reach out, sign up for my newsletter, and stay in the loop on new releases and exclusive short reads!

Final Thoughts

A big thank you to C T Mitchell for sharing his journey, routines, and thrilling storytelling style with us!

You’ll love The Vice President Is Missing if you enjoy fast-paced mysteries packed with gripping twists and sharp writing.

I had the pleasure of designing the covers for C T Mitchell’s books, and I always enjoy seeing how visuals can bring a thrilling story to life.

I’m actively looking for more authors to feature in upcoming interviews—reach out if you’d like to be part of it!

Enjoyed this author interview? Explore more inspiring author stories and our gorgeous collection of premade book covers—perfect for your next bestseller.