Chaney Bridges and the Christmas Cold Case
Book 1 of the Chaney Bridges Detective Adventures Series
By: Kaye Brownstone
A decades-old mystery. A heartbroken old man. And a ten-year-old detective with a ninety-pound sidekick who’s scared of his own shadow.
Ten-year-old Chaney Bridges isn’t your average kid. He’s a detective-in-training, inspired by Sherlock Holmes and armed with a notebook, a thirst for justice, and a very secret weapon: his Great Pyrenees, Gabe. The only problem? Gabe is a ninety-pound chicken who’s more likely to be scared into hiding by a plastic bag than to sniff out a clue. He’s the Watson to Chaney’s Sherlock… if Watson spent most of his time barking at laundry and hiding from cats.
In Chaney Bridges and The Christmas Cold Case, Chaney takes on the coldest case in Cowherd, Mississippi’s history—the mysterious disappearance of the town’s beloved Christmas snowman from over forty years ago. But this isn’t just about a missing decoration. His new client is the town grump, Mr. Jenkins, a lonely old man who lost his Christmas spirit long ago. The snowman was a cherished memory of his late son, and its disappearance was the last straw that stole his holiday joy for good.
With only a few days until Christmas, Chaney and Gabe must follow a trail that’s gone colder than a Mississippi winter night. As they dig through town records, interview quirky old-timers, and brave a haunted courthouse basement, they uncover a story of loss, love, and a community that moved on, leaving one man behind.
Perfect for fans of Encyclopedia Brown and heartwarming stories like Because of Winn-Dixie, Chaney Bridges And The Christmas Cold Case is a cozy holiday mystery that wraps humor, heart, and a touch of Christmas magic into one unforgettable adventure. It’s a powerful reminder that the greatest gifts aren’t found under the tree, and that sometimes, the most important mysteries to solve are the ones hidden in the human heart.
Can one boy and his cowardly canine crack a case everyone else forgot and bring a miracle home for Christmas?
One of the sweetest parts of this project is that my niece, Emilie Fuhr, has agreed to do the interior illustrations for the full published book in November, 2026. From the moment I started dreaming about writing stories for younger readers, I knew she was the one I hoped would draw them. She has talent, creativity and a wonderful child-like imagination, and seeing her very first sketch of Chaney felt like opening an early Christmas present. Here’s a short video of her sketch so you can watch him appear on the page right along with me.