FROZEN FELONIES

by Patti Benning

Bridget Rowan is finally finding her footing in charming Mill Creek, Michigan. With a quirky circle of loyal friends, the town’s first-ever neighborhood watch meeting on the horizon, and a second chance at turning her late aunt’s struggling novelty shop into a thriving Main Street gem, life at Nightsmith Novelties is starting to feel almost… perfect.

For the first time in months, Bridget is content. Maybe even ready to call this cozy small town home.

Until a body turns up in the freezer of the deli next door.

Suddenly, Main Street is buzzing for all the wrong reasons. As police scramble to solve the suspicious death, rumors spread faster than freshly baked bread. Every shop owner has a theory. Every employee has a secret. And as the newest business owner in town, Bridget finds herself squarely in the spotlight, and not in a good way.

With her reputation on thin ice and her fledgling business at risk, Bridget has no choice but to dig into the chilling mystery herself. But in a town where everyone knows your name, and your business, uncovering the truth might cost her more than she bargained for.

75 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 19, 2026

About the author

https://www.facebook.com/Patti-Bennin...

When Cozy Mystery author, Patti Benning, isn’t busy plotting the deaths of multiple fictitious characters, she loves to spend time hiking with her rescue dog, Max, who is her bestest writing buddy.

​Patti loves to cook and the food in her books has been tried and tested in her very own kitchen. She’s technologically shy, and stays away from social media a great deal, because it makes her feel more awkward and introverted than meeting someone face to face.

​Writing is the perfect job for her because in her books, she gets to explore all the topics she loves, food, animals, crafts and reading. She loves her readers dearly, and is thankful for the opportunity to share with them through her work.

Reviews

[Debbi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is next in the continuing Nightsmith Novelties series, by Patti Benning. The body of an employee at the deli is found in it’s freezer. Bridget happens to have stopped in just when it is found. A nosy shopkeeper tries to put the blame on Bridget as the killer. Will she ever really feel a part of Mill Creek? So she figures she needs to help find out who really did it. Was it the deli’s owner or one of the other employees? Can this mystery be figured out? A perfect quick cozy mystery. On to reading the next in the series.

[Marissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Even with a neighborhood watch club thins turn deadly. A body s found n a refrigerator as Bridget thought things were settling down. Rumors spread and the shop owners all seem to be hiding secrets that will not remain quiet. Will she be able to find the truth before another victim is found? St back and enjoy this chilling cozy.

[Tari · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another murder hit Mill Creek, this time at the deli that everyone in town loved especially Bridget and her friends. It wasn’t too hard to figure out whodunit, then Bridget and her friends faced off with the perp and might’ve prevented another killing. Meanwhile Bridget's aunt ended with an email telling about something that’s probably part of the next book, so now I’m curious!

[Sally Antoinette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Walk in frig. you might not walk out

So much for using the walk in cooler for just cold cuts. And then let's just have another issue to look at. Maybe more than one. But at least the end gives her a little time to rest.

[Nana Fields · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it!!!

[E · Rating 5 out of 5]

loved it

I’m enjoying this new series a lot. The characters are interesting and the novelty shops sounds fun. I look forward to reading the next one.

[Shannon Binegar-Foster · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series just keeps getting better and better. I absolutely love the characters. The storyline’s are so intriguing. Kept me guessing. I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book.