Interview with author Cristina Matta - Cover Story December 2025

Hello Cristina, welcome to The Relatable Voice magazine. Your earthquake experience in Peru was life-changing. How has it influenced your writing?

It was the catalyst for my writing. I have been a voracious reader all my life but only imagined myself writing a book after college. Even then, I never did anything about it until August of 2007. I wrote a brief article about surviving the Pisco/Ica Peru earthquake to avoid speaking about it. That article got so much amazing feedback, including from a couple of PhD’s and journalists, that it gave me confidence to write.

How do you turn real trauma into compelling fiction?

Mystery writing is my way of processing trauma. If I can get a character to have a worse experience than I had, then mine couldn’t have been so bad.

What inspired the interactive, multiple-endings format of Crack the Case?

What a great question! I had such fun writing Pairs, the first in that series, that I just could not decide who actually murdered Susan. That led me to write multiple endings, and I put three in the book so that readers could get involved in the mystery.

Detective Ned has a distinct voice and even a companion blog. How did you create him?

He is a compilation of a friend of mine at the time of writing, and me. Ned has mixed feelings about Florida just as I do, and his satirical voice is my way of finding humor in what can be challenging moments. Find out more with a semi-weekly blog I write: Ned’s Notes. Find it on my website and please like, share, and subscribe!

Your mysteries blend humor and crime. How do you balance comedy with darker themes?

That is the wonderful thing about writing two series. Tremor in the Hills has a little bit of dark humor, but overall it deals with the very serious themes of PTSD, corruption, and what happens to forgotten groups after natural disasters. I am working on book 2 of that series, but I do have to step into my dark space to do so, so I take it little by little. With Crack the Case Books, the stories are focused on the quirky suspects and their eccentricities much more than the murder victims, so it’s easy to focus on the humorous aspect of what a murder mystery can be.

How much of Pairs was inspired by real-life dating experiences?

The characters in my book are inspired by experiences that a good friend had while attempting to find someone on a major dating site. This, in part, is also where the humor comes from. Every night she would text me and we would laugh and laugh. It was much better than crying over the difficulties of online dating, although I want to emphasize that I empathize with everyone who is having difficulties! Online dating is quite a challenge and I wish everyone good luck! I am grateful that this friend shared her very strange stories with me so that I could formulate the basis of what became Pairs: This Dating Site Will Be the Death of You.

How does changing your environment affect your creativity and writing process?

I find that changing my physical location helps me focus on writing, especially if I am suffering a bout of writer’s block. Being out in beautiful weather stimulates the brain. Also, it gives me an opportunity to find new inspiration in what I observe.

What’s the most surprising or meaningful ending a reader has submitted?

What a great question – and one where I would like to take advantage to encourage everyone reading this to submit their own endings! Find out how by reading one of the Crack the Case Books! The biggest surprise I had was when my father contributed an ending. Of course, one would think that a parent would be the biggest support, but I know he is more comfortable with non-fiction, so I appreciated his ending more than I can say.

How do you choose the central “theme of folly” for each book in the series?

The Crack the Case Books series began at the tail end of the Covid pandemic where we all had much to be sad about. I wanted people to find laughter. This sentiment continues, even though we are through the pandemic on the other side, because I know laughing is truly the best medicine.

How do you shift tone when writing your more emotionally intense earthquake-inspired trilogy?

I think this is easy for me because my experience in the earthquake is still heavy on my mind. With even modest success down the line with my books I hope to spend more time with BuildChange.org giving back to natural disaster survivors who were far less lucky than I was.

How do you see your writing contributing to advocacy or healing for disaster-affected communities?

This will be much more relevant when my non-fiction work comes out in 2026. I want to use it as a platform for giving back to disaster affected areas. Stay tuned for more details of the book, and of how I can turn it into something that helps me help others!

What do you hope readers take away from both your playful mysteries and your serious novels?

I would like readers to feel involved. So many people would love to write, so please write an ending! Maybe after you do, you’ll be inspired to begin your novel! Share my website and the reader endings with more people (CrackTheCaseBooks.com) and let’s start a community! With the earthquake books, I hope to bring awareness. Natural disasters are intense, frequent, traumatic experiences and humans should come together to support each other after each occurance.

Cristina Matta is the author of two gripping and uniquely structured mystery series that keep readers on the edge of their seats.

In her Cracked the Case Books series, Cristina brings an innovative twist to the mystery genre. Each book offers readers not just one conclusion but three possible endings. After finishing the story, readers are invited to choose their favorite ending, or better yet, submit their own!  If their ending is selected, it could even be featured on Cristina's website, making readers a part of the creative process. This series is a fun, interactive experience that brings humor, sarcasm, and thrilling plot twists to life.

Visit https://crackthecasebooks.com for more information.

Cristina's second series takes readers to the heart of Peru, where the mysteries are darker and the stakes higher. In this series, the protagonist, Tamara, grapples with the lingering effects of PTSD after surviving a devastating 8.1 magnitude earthquake. Tamara's journey through the rugged landscapes and historical landmarks of Peru is filled with intrigue and danger as she unravels complex mysteries tied to her past and present. Tremor in the Hills (2025) and Tremor on the Pyramid (2027) offer a captivating blend of suspense, rich cultural backdrop, and a deep exploration of trauma and healing.

Whether you're looking for an interactive, satirical adventure or a compelling mystery with emotional depth, Cristina’s stories promise a thrilling read that will keep you turning the pages.

Connect with Cristina:

https://crackthecasebooks.com

Instagram @cristina_matta_k

Threads: Cristina_matta_k

Cover story published in The Relatable Voice Magazine - December 2025. Downolad the full magazine for free at https://www.relatable-media.com/the-relatable-voice-magazine