A Sprinkle of Death (A Seaside Ice Cream Shop Mystery, Book 10), Paperback

A Sprinkle of Death is Book Ten in the Seaside Ice Cream Shop Mysteries.

Prefer ebooks? Click here.

A yacht, a murder, and a sprinkle of intrigue…

A sunny day on the water turns deadly when a fast food mogul meets a bitter end on his yacht. Once again, the case hits close to home for Anna when Sonja’s childhood friend and budding crush becomes the prime suspect.

Determined to clear his name—or at least protect her friend from crushing on a killer—Anna jumps into the case, ready to expose whatever secrets lie beneath the surface.

Meanwhile, Jeremy has a revelation about his feelings for Anna, and a figure from Bella’s past returns, giving the team fresh motivation to bring her home.

If you love cozy mysteries with endearing characters and a seaside setting, A Sprinkle of Death is your next must-read. Grab your copy today and set sale on a deliciously suspenseful adventure!

 

"This was an enjoyable cozy mystery with personable characters and a good plotline. I would give this book an A+."
   - Paula C.

"This is one extremely well-written mystery. I was entertained, intrigued and puzzled, all while reading this book. There is subterfuge involved. Yet, there are tender and heart-felt moments also. This is an all around great read!!!!!"
- Antonia J.

"Love the plot, great setting, and strong intense interesting characters. I look forward to reading more from Ms. Angela K. Ryan!!!"
     - Margaret H.

"An intriguing read with an edge-of-the-seat finish."
     - Sharmani J.

"A great cozy with lots of twists and turns that left me guessing throughout the book who was the guilty party. Along with the murder investigation conducted by Anna and her friends, there is the enticing second story of Anna's sister who is in hiding after witnessing a crime. This is definitely a story worth reading."
     - Dianne H.

"This is a fun cozy series that is an enjoyable read! It’s one I think you’ll find enjoyable as well as you get to sift through the suspects to see if you can come up with the killer before he or she is revealed!"
     - Chad B

Prefer ebooks? Click here.

Excerpt

Chapter 1

Anna and her friends stepped off the modest but cozy yacht and onto a steel dock at the Seagull Cove Yacht Club.

After a few hours of breathing fresh ocean air beneath the early June sunshine with Sonja, Ruthie, and Rosie, she felt rejuvenated.

Sonja turned toward Ethan, her handsome longtime friend with thick brown hair and a rich tan that most people didn’t have until late summer. “We’ll get a table and meet you in the restaurant.” 

Ethan gave her a curt wave. “Don’t wait for me to order food. I have to take care of something out on the water real quick, but I’ll be back within a half hour.”

Their footsteps echoed as the women walked down the dock and toward the deck. 

“I can’t thank you enough for inviting us today, Sonja,” Ruthie said. “It’s nice to break away before the tourists and summer residents descend upon Seagull Cove.”

All four women were small business owners in town. Ruthie owned The Book Cove, which was a few doors down from Anna’s ice cream shop, Bella’s Dream; Sonja owned Cove Coffee, just next door; and Rosie ran the Inn at Seagull Cove at the top of the cliff behind Main Street.

“My parents have been friends with Ethan’s family since before we were born, so we go way back. When he invited me out today, I thought you ladies might also enjoy a day on the water.”

Rosie smirked. “I think what Ethan had in mind was to take you out alone. As in, on a date.” 

Anna put a friendly arm around Sonja’s shoulders. “She’s right, you know. It was pretty obvious that he would have preferred to have your attention all for himself.” 

Sonja let out a deep breath. “I know. But we’ve been friends for years, and I don’t know if I’m willing to risk that by dating him. Besides, it could be awkward for our families if things didn’t work out.”

“So, you took us along for the day as a buffer?” Anna asked.

Sonja’s cheeks, which were already pink from the sun, grew brighter. “I suppose you could say that. But I also wanted to spend the day with you three. Don’t hate me because I can multitask.”

Anna playfully punched Sonja’s shoulder.

“She’s right about one thing. We don’t spend enough time together,” Rosie said.

“And this was so fun. Thanks for inviting us,” Ruthie added.

“Can anyone stay for an early dinner?” Sonja asked when they arrived at the wooden staircase that led to a deck dotted with tables, chairs, and blue umbrellas. “The restaurant at the yacht club serves the best lobster rolls, and it looks like there are plenty of outdoor tables available.”

“Ooh, I haven’t had one yet this year,” Anna said. “Count me in.”

“I wish I could join you, but I have to get back to my bookstore,” Ruthie said. “Some of my employees are still new summer hires, so I’m afraid to leave them alone much longer.”

“I have to get back to the inn,” Rosie said. “It’s Friday, and I like to be there when my weekend guests check in. But thank you for a lovely afternoon. We’ll connect again soon.”

Anna and Sonja went inside to change out of their bathing suits and beach cover–ups, and into some sundresses. On their way through the lobby, Anna noticed the hostess bringing a bowl outside and putting it on the ground. 

“It can’t be,” Anna said, following the young woman and peeking outside. Sure enough, her orange feline friend, Casper, was trotting over. “I can’t believe that cat ventures out this far. He has friends everywhere.”

Sonja chuckled. “Now I don’t feel so bad for the days I don’t remember to give him a snack.”

They changed, then got a seat on the deck. Anna leaned back and took a deep breath. “It’s so peaceful by the water. This is one of the biggest perks of living in Seagull Cove.”

They each ordered a lobster roll with French fries and watched the boats coming and going while they waited for their food. Vessels of all sizes dotted the calm waters. Anna pointed to the largest one. “Look at that yacht. The owner must be loaded.”

“It’s owned by a local businessman, Bernard Davenport. He’s super rich. He owns a chain of local fast food restaurants called The Burger Pit. Ethan can’t figure out how the guy runs three restaurants and still finds so much time to sail.” 

The sleek yacht disappeared behind some rocks that jutted out from the coast to their right.

“Maybe he has a large staff,” Anna said. 

“Look, there’s Ethan’s right behind him,” Sonja said, as they watched his boat disappear behind the rocks a short distance behind the larger one.

“He’s cute,” Anna said. “He’s got that carefree surfer vibe going on. But I can understand why you’d be hesitant to start anything if you’ve been friends since childhood. That’s a tough call.”

“It would be so awkward if something went wrong, especially now that we’re both back in town to stay.”

“How come you never dated before?” Anna asked.

Sonja shrugged. “We both lived out of town for years, so we didn’t see each other much.” She smiled. “And I guess you could say that he took a while to grow up. I always thought he was kind of a playboy and not really dating material.”

“Was he?”

“Probably not. He did drop out of college to sail around the world, which I thought was a red flag at the time. But according to my parents, he just took a while to figure out what he wanted to do with his life.”

“College isn’t for everyone,” Anna said. 

“That’s true. A few years ago, he bought a small yacht and started a day charter business. He’s hoping to eventually purchase a larger boat and expand his operations.”

“It sounds like he’s living his best life,” Anna said. “I like him. If you have feelings for him, I think you should give him a chance.”

Sonja smirked. “Look who’s calling the kettle black. You have two handsome men interested in you, and you haven’t done a thing about it. And don’t tell me that you don’t have time because of your new business. You’ve had your ice cream shop for more than a year now.”

It was true that Anna used her business as her excuse for not dating. But it was mainly just a cover story. The real reason was that she wanted to focus her energy on bringing her sister, Bella, home. She couldn’t tell her friend that her sister was alive, and she had to admit, her opportunities did seem to be slipping away. Jeremy was considering dating his ex, Mallory. As far as she knew, Todd Devonshire was still available, but he wouldn’t wait around forever. He was handsome and sweet, not to mention wealthy. She did sometimes wonder if down the line she would regret letting both opportunities pass her by.

“I promise I’ll think about it if you will,” Anna said. 

Sonja smiled triumphantly. “Deal.”

“Although, in your case, I think you’ve already made up your mind. I just think you’re afraid to act on your feelings.”

Sonja smiled broadly. “You’re right. I think I have. How about some dessert? They make a fabulous cheesecake here.”

“Why not?” 

The women ordered two slices of blueberry cheesecake and coffee. When the server left, Anna leaned back in her chair. “I could get used to this lifestyle.”

“You and me both.”

“Yoo-hoo. Excuse me.”

A woman wearing pink shorts and a white V-neck t-shirt with a large, beaded image of a Yorkshire Terrier on the front, was barreling toward them.

Anna looked at Sonja, who shrugged.

“Can I help you?” Anna asked.

“I sure hope so.” She made an exaggerated gesture for another woman to join her. The second woman smirked as she stood up and made her way over. The two appeared to be about the same age, in their mid-sixties. 

“I’m Babs, and this is my friend, Lizzie. Don’t you own the ice cream shop down the street?”

“Yes. Bella’s Dream.”

“I was hoping you could resolve something for us once and for all.” Babs fished her phone from her pocket and tapped on the screen a few times. She handed it to Anna while Sonja looked over Anna’s shoulder.

“It’s a picture of a vanilla ice cream cone,” Anna said. 

“And what are those brown things on top?” Babs asked.

Anna and Sonja exchanged an amused glance. She understood where this was going. “I’d call them jimmies.”

“Aha,” Babs said with a victorious smile. “See, Lizzie? They are not sprinkles, they are jimmies.”

“Everywhere else in the country they’re called sprinkles,” Lizzie said. “I was a caterer for thirty-five years in Chicago. I should know.”

“Well, now that you’ve retired to Seagull Cove, you have to get it right. You know what they say: ‘When in Rome.’”

Lizzie rolled her eyes. “Come on, Babs. We’ve taken up enough of these ladies’ time.”

“They are adorable,” Sonja said to Anna after they left. 

Ethan returned his boat to his slip, which was located in the middle of one of two long steel docks that jutted out from the shore. He took a hose from a nearby rinsing station and began to rinse the hull of his boat.

Their young server, Trevor, brought two cups of coffee with cream and sugar on the side. “The cheesecake will be right up.”

As Anna lifted her cup to take a sip, the sound of a scream drifted in from the distance. 

The restaurant patrons, as well as the boaters on the dock, turned in the direction of the intrusive noise.

Anna pushed her sunglasses up onto her head for a better view. To her right, she could see for about a quarter mile before the rock formations blocked her line of sight. Though the scream seemed to come from that direction, she glanced to the left, as well, where Mile-Long Beach stretched out, leading to the town’s largest cove—the one it was named after. Nothing unusual stood out on either side.

Ethan and two other boaters immediately untied their vessels, backed their boats out of their slips, and sped toward the smaller cove on the right. A few other boats already on the water also headed in that direction.

The waitstaff tried to reassure the customers who were eating on the patio, but since Trevor forgot to bring them their cheesecake, she had a feeling they were more shaken than they let on.

Ten minutes later, Ethan and most of the other boats returned. 

Judging from their solemn expressions, something was terribly wrong. 

Ethan hastily tied up his boat, jogged down the dock, and raced into the building. He spoke with an older man, whose concerned expression turned to panic. The man immediately made a phone call.

There was a dull murmur among the guests. Ethan joined Anna and Sonja at their table, looking as pale as one could with a golden tan.

“What happened?” Anna asked.

“Bernard Davenport is dead. We found him lying on his back on the bow of his boat with a bullet in his chest. The manager is calling 9-1-1 right now.”