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FAMILIAR FEROCITY
Life in Mill Creek is finally settling into the cozy rhythm Bridget Rowan hoped for. With no recent emergencies, two new employees helping keep Nightsmith Novelties afloat, and the charm of small-town living growing on her, things are, dare she say it, peaceful.
The calm shatters, however, when an old friend from her college days shows up without warning, shaken and claiming to have witnessed a murder.
Still processing the sudden reappearance of someone she never expected to see again, Bridget finds herself pulled into another investigation before she can talk herself out of it. At first, the case seems straightforward; a mugging gone wrong. But as Bridget digs deeper into the victim’s past, unsettling truths emerge. This wasn’t a random crime, and money had nothing to do with it.
With secrets unraveling, familiar faces hiding uncomfortable truths, and a killer who knew their victim all too well, Bridget must sort through lies, loyalties, and long-buried motives to uncover the truth. Because in a town as quaint as Mill Creek, danger doesn’t always come from strangers, it sometimes wears a friendly smile.
The calm shatters, however, when an old friend from her college days shows up without warning, shaken and claiming to have witnessed a murder.
Still processing the sudden reappearance of someone she never expected to see again, Bridget finds herself pulled into another investigation before she can talk herself out of it. At first, the case seems straightforward; a mugging gone wrong. But as Bridget digs deeper into the victim’s past, unsettling truths emerge. This wasn’t a random crime, and money had nothing to do with it.
With secrets unraveling, familiar faces hiding uncomfortable truths, and a killer who knew their victim all too well, Bridget must sort through lies, loyalties, and long-buried motives to uncover the truth. Because in a town as quaint as Mill Creek, danger doesn’t always come from strangers, it sometimes wears a friendly smile.
73 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 22, 2026
23 people are currently reading
5 people want to read
About the author
Patti Benning
356 books224 followershttps://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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
March 26, 2026
This is next in a new series, Nightsmith Novelties, by Patti Benning. Bridget Rowan is finally getting used to running her aunt’s store and fitting into small town Mill Creek. But just out the backdoor of the shop someone gets shot. Is there a mugger/murderer running around town or is this a specific incident? She also surprisingly ran into a friend from her college days. Such a small world. Can this mystery be figured out so she can feel safe again? A perfect quick cozy mystery. Looking forward to reading more in the series.
February 22, 2026
A murder behind the stores brought an old friend running to Bridget for support, and Bridget found herself helping with another case whether she wanted to or not. Meanwhile I was happy to see that a certain mill owner still seems interested in Bridget. She definitely deserves some happiness after her breakup before she came to the store. I’m eager to see what waits for Bridget and crew in the next book.
March 2, 2026
this was a fun read. Now I need number three
This is a fun, cozy mystery that continues the story about the narrator becoming more familiar with her area and the store. I’m enjoying the mysterious aunt storyline a lot. I still have a few reservations about the the murder mystery part of the book but that writing may mature as the books of progress. I am going to read the next book in this series. I’ll let you know how I feel about it.
This is a fun, cozy mystery that continues the story about the narrator becoming more familiar with her area and the store. I’m enjoying the mysterious aunt storyline a lot. I still have a few reservations about the the murder mystery part of the book but that writing may mature as the books of progress. I am going to read the next book in this series. I’ll let you know how I feel about it.
February 14, 2026
Who really shot Mike?
So many clues and so many possible suspects. But also new friendships made and old ones renewed. Now if she can just get the info from her aunt on the money issues..
So many clues and so many possible suspects. But also new friendships made and old ones renewed. Now if she can just get the info from her aunt on the money issues..
January 26, 2026
Small town cozy that s ht with murder.. A fast paced read that has potential n this new seres, A quack delcihtful indulgence.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews