Hey there, I’m Henny Wiley, and let me tell you—I’m all in a twist today. All I wanted this morning was a quiet breakfast: a slice of pumpkin spice cake, a hot cup of coffee, and some reruns of Law & Order: SVU. Benson and Stabler chasing down bad guys is my idea of comfort, especially on a cold, blustery day like today. The wind’s howling, rain’s tapping on the windows, and autumn leaves are swirling like confetti across my yard. But instead of enjoying my breakfast, I’m out here in the drizzle, cleaning up around my shed because of my nosy-rosy neighbor, Gloria Hatfield. I just know she reported me to Sheriff Basham, who showed up first thing to tell me to tidy up or face Adult Services. I was so mad, the ears on my bunny slippers were twitching.

People in Plumridge whisper that I’m a hoarder. Let me set the record straight: I’m not a hoarder—I’m a collector. I collect treasures. Shiny, glittery, interesting things that make me smile. My pride and joy is my Wizard of Oz collection. I have a whole room dedicated to that special collection. My late husband Walter, who still pops in as a ghost now and then, and my sister Ida Mae, both nag me about decluttering. But they don’t get it. My treasures hold memories. To give them up would be like giving up pieces of myself and the people I love.

Take this old oil can, for example. Walter bought it a decade ago for our tractor. When I see it, I picture him in his bib overalls, red bandana in his back pocket, tinkering away under the hot sun. I’d bring him an iced tea and he’d thank me with a smooch and a playful pat to the bottom as he labeled me the best wife ever.

As I’m debating whether to keep a tire, my brother Cash shows up. Cash Cooper—named after Johnny Cash—looks like a generic version of the Man in Black. He’s dressed head to toe in black, from his slicked-back thinning hair to his bunion-friendly sneakers. He flashes his crooked smile and waves, probably fresh off some harebrained scheme. I love him, but he’s a magnet for trouble. Always chasing the next get-rich-quick idea, cutting corners, and skirting the law just enough to stay out of jail—most of the time.

He’s been staying with me for a couple of weeks, and I’m about ready to lose my mind. Ida Mae warned me not to let him move in, but I couldn’t bear to see him homeless. Now he’s asking for pancakes—mine are the best, he says. I swear, if he stays much longer, one of us might not make it out alive.

So here I am, soaked to the bone, trying to clean up my yard, hold onto my memories, and keep my sanity—all while Gloria spies from her porch and Cash begs for breakfast. Just another day in Plumridge.

KILLER CACHE – A “Hazardous Hoarding” Mystery, Book 2
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Release: December 2025
Format: Print, Digital
Purchase Link

Hoarding Henny Wiley returns in the highly anticipated sequel to Dumpster Dying, a Silver Falchion Finalist!

Henny Wiley isn’t just a collector, she’s a hoarder. And her collection, er, hoard, keeps growing—and attracting all the wrong attention. Her nosy neighbor, her family, the sheriff, and Adult Services are all putting on the pressure for her to clean up her property—but she ain’t cleaning without a fight!

However, her dumpster cache is the least of her concerns when her no-good rotten-to-the-core brother, Cash Cooper, shows up on her crowded doorstep. Wherever Cash appears, trouble is sure to follow. Within days of his arrival, Henny’s friend dies, jewels go missing, a gun store is robbed, and Henny’s own collection is threatened. Most people in the small town of Plumridge, Kentucky, are certain Cash is to blame, but Henny isn’t convinced. Cash may have always had sticky fingers, but there’s no way he’s a murderer! Worse, the sheriff begins to think Henny may be assisting her brother’s criminal activities. With the help of her husband, Walter—rather, his ghost—and her sister, Ida Mae, Henny aims to clear her and her brother’s names. That is, if she isn’t killed first!

About the author
Born and raised in the beautiful Commonwealth of Kentucky, Michelle Bennington developed a passion for books early on that has progressed into a mild hoarding situation and an ever-growing to-read pile. She delights in transporting readers into worlds of mystery, both contemporary and historical. In rare moments of spare time, she can be found engaging in a wide array of arts and crafts, reading, traveling, and attending tours involving ghosts, historical homes, or distilleries.

Find out more on her website: www.michellebennington.com and feel free to connect with her on Facebook, Instagram, and Goodreads.