Frostbite

by Christy Barritt

During this snowstorm, the true danger isn’t the cold—it’s the secrets people keep.

Olive Sterling and Jason Stewart expected Aegis’s Christmas retreat in the Smoky Mountains to be a rare chance to breathe, reconnect, and enjoy a peaceful holiday away from the chaos of their high-risk world. Instead, they discover that even the most picturesque setting can conceal the darkest of intentions.

When Olive finds a teammate’s body frozen in the snow, she instantly knows his death was no accident. As a brutal storm traps the team on the mountain with a killer in their midst, Olive and Jason must uncover the truth before the body count rises.

But when every footprint leads to more questions—and every teammate becomes a suspect—suspicion turns as lethal as the dropping temperatures. With trust eroding and fear closing in, Olive and Jason must decide who they can truly rely on—and who they can’t.

Genres: Contemporary, Mystery

210 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 22, 2025

About the author

Christy Barritt is an author, freelance writer and speaker who lives in Virginia. She’s married to her Prince Charming, a man who thinks she’s hilarious—but only when she’s not trying to be. Christy’s a self-proclaimed klutz, an avid music lover who’s known for spontaneously bursting into song, and a road trip aficionado. She’s only won one contest in her life—and her prize was kissing a pig (okay, okay… actually she did win the Daphne du Maurier Award for Excellence in Suspense and Mystery also). Her current claim to fame is showing off her mother, who looks just like former First Lady Barbara Bush
When she’s not working or spending time with her family, she enjoys singing, playing the guitar, and exploring small, unsuspecting towns where people have no idea how accident prone she is.

Reviews

[Allyson Anthony · Rating 5 out of 5]

What was supposed to be a relaxing retreat for Olive, Jason, and the rest of the team turned out to be anything but This short novella had lots of action, twists and turns, and drama as the team discovers a dead body belonging to one of their own. Throw in no power, unexpected noises, and everyone being suspicious of each other while being snowed in at an inn, and you've got a great mystery. Wonderful fast paced Christmas novella that will leave you guessing.

[Kalyn Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

A bit of a nail biter! Rex does something his team never thought he would do… Lie to them, who’s he protecting and this is no retreat. Stuck in a blizzard in the middle of nowhere and there’s a murder as soon as they get there!

[Beckie Burnham · Rating 4 out of 5]

As I continue my Christmas reading-binge, I have searched out books from a variety of genres. After several historical romances, I was ready for something a little different. I found the novella Frostbite by Christy Barritt. Barritt always delvers edge-of-the seat mystery/romance that keeps me up way past my bedtime. Frostbite is part of the Pros And Cons Mysteries series, and while this book set in the Hallmark-worthy Smoky Mountains can technically be read as a standalone, I must confess I wish I had read at least a few other books in the series. The book features main character Olive Sterling as she and the other members of her team are set to relax and reset in the days leading up to Christmas. But relaxation is not what they find! Instead a snowstorm, a power outage, a mysterious inn, and a dead body all conspire to keep the adrenaline flowing! There are lots of twist and turns that I did not see coming. As suspicion builds, no one can be trusted, even long time friends and colleagues. Frostbite is perfect for a quick winter’s night read. Fans of the Pros and Cons series are in for a treat. And if you are like me and insist on reading it without any other introduction to the characters, you will not be lost. You’ll just be yearning for more from Olive and Barritt.

Recommended (read the other books in the series first).

Audience: Adults.

(I borrowed this book from Kindle Unlimited. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

"This retreat had become an investigation . . . . . People just didn't wander off and die in the snow for no reason."

This story may be considered petite in length, but it most certainly packs a powerful punch in intensity. Being snowbound on the top of a mountain in a beautiful lodge with people you can depend on sounds pretty cozy, until there is no electricity and a dead body in the basement. On second thought, perhaps there was someone among them whom they should never have trusted.

Olive Sterling and her boyfriend Jason Stewart team up to find answers in hopes of exposing a cold blooded killer. It will be a Christmas vacation that they will never forget or may not even want to remember.

[Loraine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fast paced novella that is set in mountainous snowbound territory. It's two weeks before Christmas, and the Aegis’s are headed to a Christmas retreat. This high risk group are assigned projects that may put them in danger; and Rex, their leader, feels they need a break. Little does he know that Wayfarer Inn will put the entire group in more danger than they expect between a heavy snowstorm and a mysterious death. When one of the team members is found dead, can Olive and Jason (two of the team members) figure out what is going on before more die?

Enjoyable novel but only a slight inclusion of Christmas with more of the focus on the events taking place.

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a novella length book that packs a lot of action, suspense, mystery and a lot of interesting characters that keep you glued to your book until the very end! When Olive and Jason join the rest of their team for a Christmas retreat in the snowy mountains but it looks like work has followed them. Cut off from communication with the outside world, they have to figure out how to survive and who they can trust - even their own team. This is "supposedly" the last book in the series but I am hopeful that more books will come featuring the "supporting" characters on the team. I received an advance copy from the author but all opinions are my own.

[Sandra Hartzel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had an ARC for this book, but this is my voluntary and honest opinion. I had an ARC for this book, but this is my voluntary and honest opinion. Olive Sterling and Jason Stewart join the Aegis Christmas retreat in the Smoky Mountains during a snowstorm. When they arrive they find one of their operatives dead in the snow and later his body is missing. They find one reason they are there is to protect a witness, but they don’t know who to trust. A riveting story of intrigue and story line surprises.

[Mary Hake · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s great to see Olive and Jason and the team back in action in this drama-filled Christmastime suspense story. What was to be a relaxing retreat turns into a nightmare of danger and mystery at the remote snow-in inn. The action keeps a fast pace, and the plot keeps readers guessing and surprised at the twists. This short novella offers an exciting winter escape as you try to figure out who is behind the attacks. I received a copy from the author. All opinions are my own.

[Tammy L. Bethune · Rating 5 out of 5]

Is this the end??

Oh no say it’s not so! The end of the Pros and Cons Mysteries - each read full of mystery and suspense - Frostbite maybe the best yet! Is there a traitor in the midst? Murder, mayhem and plot twists - will you figure this one out? Olive and Jason return - will they finally get some R&R? Why is the team called to a remote lodge in the midst of a winter blizzard? Frostbite indeed!

[Sherry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nailbiter

The Aegis crew goes to a mountain lodge for some rest and relaxation -- but instead found a dead body and later a stowaway, followed by assassins. A very tense situation that is finally r3solved. My only complaint was the shortness (148 pages). I don't usually pay for such short books, but Christy Barritt is one of my favorite writers so I bought it. She packed a lot of action into those few pages. So i can fully recommend.

[Lyn Herbohn · Rating 5 out of 5]

A real whodunnit!

For a short story, it packed a lot of punch! There was a body, there were strange noises in the inn, no power and a snowstorm. Added to that was everyone’s suspicions of each other and seeing guilt in every action. There were also a bunch of twists to keep the reader guessing. Highly recommended!

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great read that will keep you guessing until the end. It was good to be back with the Aegis group and connect with Olive and Jason again. This time, they are isolated with their group in a snowstorm in the mountains. A dead body, a mysterious boss, and strange happenings all around. And a great ending.

[Jan LeBaron · Rating 5 out of 5]

another great mystery👏

Just finished #7 Frostbite. Totally recommend this book and the whole series. Each is their own story but it is worth reading in order. I love a good read and wasn’t disappointed with Christy Barritt’s mystery series. I’m a great-grandma three times so I’ve been around a while😅👍👏

[Robyn Seitzler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some Retreat!

Come away for a retreat, he said. Mandatory rest and relaxation, he said. Now someone is dead! Some retreat! How bad can it get?
Bad. It can get pretty bad.
This is a great read! Grab a cup of hot chocolate and enjoy!

[Deborah Riley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another excellent mystery

Just as all the other books in this series, Frostbite has all the elements needed for a great mystery. Christy Barrett has the gift of writing excellent stories.

[Heather Mitchell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well, that's some kind of "retreat..."

Not the kind planned, but the events that DID happen are pulse-pounding, on-the-edge-of-your-seat events that keep you guessing! I definitely wouldn't have enjoyed that retreat! Great book! Highly recommend!

[Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read

I started reading this book and it caught my attention right away. The ending doesn’t end like I thought it would…kept me guessing but you will enjoy reading this book.

[MileHighSunshine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another excellent book!

An Aegis retreat in the mountains at a Hallmark-looking inn. Sounds relaxing. NOT!

This book has lots of suspense, nasty twists, and secrets. You’ll want to finish it in one sitting.

[Bonnie L Blanka · Rating 5 out of 5]

heart stopping mystery

Awesome series!! Loved every minute reading them! I highly recommend it. Christy Barrett is an amazing author. Please continue, even this series if there’s more! 😊

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Company retreat gone wrong.

Very suspenseful. The story keeps you reading to see what happened next and who done it. It had a surprise twist that I wasn't expecting. I definitely recommend reading this book.

[Lynne Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Frost-ing

Christy has the reputation (upheld again) to bring even to most complicated mysteries to peaceful blessed endings. I have never found her to fail. I think I will keep seeking and praying she never does!

[Anna Kaaiakamanu · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this read. I did have some problem with the fact that they are all operatives yet they did not figure out a very simple trick of the villains (I don’t want to say too much as it can give away the end). Overall this was a great story of mystery in a snowstorm.

[Deborah K DeLaVina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Frostbite

An exciting and intriguing story! A retreat turns out to be anything but. The mystery of what happened to the team is a fascinating story.

[Melanie Koewing · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exciting series!

I love all your books, Christy! I've found this series to be very suspenseful. This was a great story! Thank youl

[John Mayberry · Rating 4 out of 5]

exciting ending

The first 2/3 was redundant, a bit predictable
and slow, but the last third was exciting. So overall it was worth reading.

[Jaime Nietering · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing

Christy Barritt did again. This book did not disappoint. I read it in one day, I could not put done. Action packed with plenty of suspense. I highly recommend!!

[SUSAN SKOGLUND · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great mystery! Short & sweet with many surprising twists.

[Holly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a great story!

[Beverly Duell-Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh, my! What a great book! I could not put it down.

[Helen Mateo · Rating 5 out of 5]

great read

I was disappointed there were no more pros and cons books when this popped up. Great story with many twists.