Cookie Dough Catastrophe (A Seaside Ice Cream Shop Mystery, Book 9), Ebook

Cookie Dough Catastrophe is Book Nine in the Seaside Ice Cream Shop Mysteries.

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Prepare for a scoop of intrigue at the annual town picnic!

Anna and her staff run an ice cream stand at the town picnic. However, things take a chilling turn when the body of the new director of a local children’s camp is found lifeless beneath the carousel. To further complicate things, the victim only recently moved to Seagull Cove, leaving little time to make enemies.

Meanwhile, Anna, Jeremy, and Joe travel to Rhode Island to untangle a web of mysteries that might just help solve Rebecca Crenshaw’s murder and bring Bella home.

If you’re a fan of cozy mysteries set in coastal New England, endearing characters, gripping plots, and of course, ice cream parlors, you’ll love the Seaside Ice Cream Shop Mysteries.

Grab your copy of Cookie Dough Catastrophe and join the picnic today!

 

"As this series has progressed it’s clear that the author took great pleasure in crafting a superb story. This author was new to me but I am grateful I read her first book. To me it’s a must-read series. My blood is pumping knowing that more clues and discoveries are coming! Anxiously awaiting the next book!"
   - Eileen

"This continues to be an entertaining series. It is also an easy read. Looking forward to the next book. Now I think I’ll go get a scoop of chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream!"
   - Rae

"What an exceptional read. The story was told very well and the characters pulled it off. I hope the next book comes out quickly. You will enjoy reading this series."   
   - Mary

"Ms. Ryan has done it again! Cookie Dough Catastrophe is full of interesting characters, a murder or two, and a victim who apparently had no enemies. Who does that?! Angela K. Ryan, that’s who! This book had me guessing until the very end. It also has some good small-town values, including a community picnic/fundraiser that’s all fun and games—until somebody got murdered.

"I promise you won’t regret reading this book; I can’t wait for the next one!"
   - LIN

"Another great murder mystery solve by Anna and her supportive friends." 
   - Kindle Customer

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Excerpt

Chapter 1

“Are you absolutely sure that we have enough ice cream for all the people coming to the town picnic this afternoon?” Anna asked Velma as she eyed the portable freezer, which was plugged into a generator by a long extension cord. “I heard that half the town turns out every year for this event, and the temperature is supposed to climb into the high sixties today.”

“We’ll be fine,” Velma said. “We rented the exact same freezer two years ago, when the previous owners did this event. Alex and Jack will be standing by all afternoon to run back to the store to pick up more containers of ice cream when we start to run low. Try to relax. It’s going to be a fun day.”

Anna scanned the expansive grassy field, which would soon be filled with picnic blankets and lawn chairs. Several other food vendors had also set up stations nearby, and on the opposite side of the field were booths for games. But the most talked about attraction was a small carousel for the youngest residents of Seagull Cove. It was a new addition to the field, located behind Anna and the other food vendors. “It looks like the Fourth of July.”

“Nope, it’s just the first Sunday in May,” Velma said. “Come the Fourth, Seagull Cove will be bursting with tourists and summer residents. That’s why the town hosts this picnic every year for full-time residents. It’s the perfect way to come together as a town and celebrate spring. Think of it as the calm before the storm.”

“It really does sound fun.” She turned her face toward the warm sun, which was shining brightly in the blue sky. “And it’s a beautiful day for it. I guess I’m just nervous, because I’ve never done this.” 

“It will be easy-peasy,” Velma said. “You’ll see. That’s why we’re keeping it simple and only offering two flavors of ice cream—chocolate chip cookie dough and rocky road.” 

Anna had polled customers in the weeks before, and those were the most popular flavors. Chocolate chip cookie dough won by a slim margin, with rocky road a close second. 

“We’ve got this,” Velma said. 

“Do you think I have enough help? There’s the two of us, plus Trish, Alex, and Jack.”

Alex and Trish, two of Anna’s college student employees, were home for the summer. Jack, a high school student, admired Alex, and was thrilled to learn they’d be working together today for the first time since last summer.

“Hey, if you need extra help, just text me.”

Anna turned to find her good friend Todd Devonshire smiling in her direction. He had helped her out in a pinch once before in the fall, when Anna was hosting an ice cream sundae party at a client’s home.

“It’s great to see you, but I thought this picnic was only for residents.” Todd lived in Gloucester, the next town over. 

“I have connections,” he said. “I’m here with my buddy, Jeff. I just came over to say hello, but seriously, if I can help with scooping ice cream, just let me know.”

“Thanks so much. Velma seems to think we’ll be okay, and she’s usually right. But it’s good to know you’re here, just in case. I’m not as confident as she is.”

“My money’s on you.” 

As Todd left to rejoin his friend, Joe Wiggins made his way across the field toward Anna’s ice cream stand, with his metal detector in tow. “Any chance I could store this contraption here for safe keeping? I want to be able to hit the ground running—literally—as soon as everyone leaves.”

Velma chuckled. “He’s addicted to that contraption.”

“Of course,” Anna said, moving aside so he could stash it under one of the folding tables. “I’ll be curious to see if you find anything after the crowds leave.”

A woman with smooth dark brown hair and an athletic build walked with purpose to Anna and extended her hand. She wore blue jeans and a long-sleeved t-shirt that read Coastal Explorers Youth Camp. “I didn’t mean to interrupt, but I wanted to see if you needed anything. I’m Leah Weston,” she said.

“Right, the new director of the camp,” Anna said. “You did a wonderful job organizing this event.”

“I’m so glad you were able to come. I hear last year wasn’t the same without ice cream.”

“Bella’s Dream wasn’t up and running yet this time last year, and I was preparing for my grand opening. But I’m thrilled to be here today. I think we have everything we need.”

“This is my first year, too,” Leah said. “I just started the job in January. I can’t wait to meet more of the families in town, especially now that our first session is only a month away.”

“Let me get you an ice cream on the house. It’s the least I can do to thank you for your hard work organizing this event. Cookie dough or rocky road?”

“Cookie dough, please.”

Anna pressed an extra scoop of ice cream into Leah’s cup. “Enjoy.”

“Thank you.” Laugh lines appeared around her eyes as she smiled broadly. “The sugar will help keep me energized.”

Right at noon, families began descending on the field. The grounds were owned by the town and were used for the camp in the summertime, but they also served as the venue for the town’s annual picnic. 

Anna joined her staff, who were serving ice cream to enthusiastic youngsters. 

Within no time, the field was bustling with activity. It was an even larger turnout than Anna had expected, and Velma was right. There simply wouldn’t have been enough room on the property to hold all the tourists and summer residents that would soon flock to Seagull Cove. 

Jeremy Russo waved at Anna from halfway across the field. He was snapping photos with a camera that hung around his neck.

He made his way over to greet Anna and her staff, chatted for a few minutes, then strolled over to the carousel to snap some photos of squealing children enjoying the new attraction.

Detective Charlie Doyle came over with his oldest child, Madison, and got six ice creams for himself, his wife Patty, and his four children, who ranged in age from seven to seventeen.

Alex and Jack made quick work of scooping four cups of cookie dough ice cream and two cups of rocky road. An hour later, after a steady flow of customers, the young men announced that they were going back to the shop to pick up some more containers.

Anna and Trish took over scooping, while Velma handled the cash register. Anna smiled as she pushed a strand of her long brown hair away from her face. The ice cream stand was running like a well-oiled machine.

Mary, one of Anna’s employees who wasn’t working that day, came over with her two sons, Darren and Dylan. “How are you doing?”

“So far, so good,” Anna said.

“Thanks for giving me the day off so I could enjoy the picnic with my family.”

“Can I get you boys an ice cream?” Anna asked the middle school-aged boys.

“Rocky road,” Darren said.

Dylan put his hands in his pockets. “Me, too, please.” 

“James and I will take a cup of chocolate chip cookie dough.”

Velma handed the boys their ice creams, while Trish filled the other two cups for their parents.  

“I was hoping to introduce the boys to Leah Weston,” Mary said. “They are looking forward to their fourth summer as ‘Coastal Explorers.’”

Anna glanced around the field and pointed to Charlie’s blanket. “There she is. She’s talking to Charlie and Patty Doyle. I met her earlier. She’ll be making the rounds all afternoon.”

“Great, thanks. I’ll bring the boys over to say hello.” Mary reached for her wallet, but Anna held up her hand. “Don’t you dare. It’s on the house.”

Mary smiled warmly. “What do you say, boys?”

“Thanks, Anna,” Darren said with a playful salute.

“Yeah, thanks,” Dylan said, with a mouthful of ice cream. 

She laughed and handed him some napkins. “Better take these.”

Ruthie, Anna’s friend and the owner of The Book Cove, also came over to say hello. She was with a woman Anna had never met. “This is Vicky, an old friend who is visiting for the day.”

Anna extended her hand to the woman, but she was looking across the field and barely noticed. Anna looked at Ruthie, who shrugged her shoulders.

“Oh, I’m sorry,” Vicky said, turning her attention to Anna and Ruthie. “It’s lovely to meet you. This is such a wonderful event. I own two camps in the area, and I love the idea of using the grounds for a community event in the off-season. I’m just taking it all in.”

After Anna’s line began to die down, Jeremy came back over. 

“Ice cream?” Anna asked. 

“No, thanks. I haven’t eaten lunch yet. Can you take a break and join me? I packed extra food,” he said to Anna. 

“I wish I could, but I don’t want to leave my post.” Anna gestured toward Joe, who was making his way through the crowd as if he were the mayor. “I’ll bet he would, though.”

“If I can pry him away from his adoring public. I swear, he’s the most popular guy in Seagull Cove.”

“Maybe he should run for mayor,” Anna joked.

“Are you kidding? Nothing could pull him away from retired life, especially not a high-pressure job.” Jeremy leaned in closer. “We’ll talk soon about planning that day trip to Rhode Island,” he said in a low voice.

She nodded. “All I can think about is catching Rebecca’s killer so we can bring Bella home,” she said in an equally quiet voice. “Thanks again for the offer for lunch, but I just wouldn’t feel right abandoning my post.”

“I understand. It’s a good networking opportunity for you, as well.” 

Alex and Jack returned with more ice cream and replaced the near-empty tubs in the portable freezer. 

Jeremy stepped back and raised his camera. “Let me get a picture of all of you.” Anna stood with her staff. Jack and Alex each picked up an ice cream scoop and posed for the photo.

“Great shot,” Jeremy said. “I’ll send it to Anna.”

As Jeremy was leaving, Mallory, an attractive brunette woman who also happened to be his former girlfriend, caught up with him. Anna couldn’t hear what she said, but after a few seconds, Jeremy followed her to a blanket.

“Isn’t that Jeremy’s ex? She sure is positioning herself for a reconciliation,” Velma said, flashing Anna a reprimanding look.

“Yes, that’s Mallory. Why are you looking at me like that?” 

“You’d better do something so that reconciliation she’s gunning for doesn’t happen,” Velma said. “Jeremy likes you, but if you keep him at a distance for much longer, he might just return to the open arms of his ex.”

Fortunately, Anna was rescued by an exuberant little girl in pigtails running toward the ice cream stand, with her father jogging behind to keep up.

At 3:00, the games closed, and by 3:30, folks were beginning to pack up and trickle out of the field. A half hour later, it was time to close down.

“I’m going to bring the cash and receipts to the safe in the shop until the bank opens tomorrow,” Anna said to Trish and Velma.

“I’ll come with you,” Trish said. “The guys can help us load your car, and I’ll help you bring everything inside.”

“Great. How about we all take an ice cream break first. It looks like there’s just enough left for us to all have a cup.”

“We’ll do it, but just to save you from having to carry it back to Bella’s Dream,” Alex said.

Anna laughed. “It’s good to know I can count on you for the tough jobs.” 

The younger employees sat on the grass, while Anna and Velma made use of two plastic chairs behind the tables. Just as they sat down, Todd came over. “I’m about to leave, but I wanted to say goodbye. Now that the warmer weather is coming, you’ll be seeing more of me at Bella’s Dream.”

“We’ll be looking forward to that,” Velma said. “It’s always nice to see you, Todd.”

Joe returned and reached under the table for his metal detector. “You guys look bushed.”

“Some of us were working all afternoon and not socializing,” Anna said. “Good luck with that metal detector.”

“I’ll hang back with you guys for a little while. People are still clearing out, and I don’t want to look too eager.”

Mary also returned. “James took the boys home so I could help you break things down.”

“You’re the best. The more the merrier.”

“Have you seen Leah?” Mary asked. “I never did get a chance to introduce the boys to her. She was here at the beginning of the afternoon, and then she suddenly disappeared.” 

Anna glanced around. “I haven’t seen her since earlier. Maybe she left.”

“I guess I’ll catch up with her another time.”

The sound of a barking dog startled them. Anna turned and saw a cocker spaniel barking at the carousel, which had been quiet and still since the games closed an hour ago.

Anna chuckled when she saw Casper perched on the carousel, unintimidated by the dog.

“I’m not surprised to see Casper here. He seems to show up everywhere. But where did that dog come from?” Anna asked. 

“I think that’s George Randolph’s dog, Biscuit. George is the president of the board of directors for Coastal Explorers. He probably came from the office. It’s just through that path in the woods.” 

Mary went toward the carousel and grabbed the dog by the collar, but he wouldn’t budge. 

Anna began walking toward Mary to give her a hand, since the dog wouldn’t stop barking. He pulled Mary to the other side of the carousel. She stopped suddenly, bent over, and let out a piercing scream. 

Anna jogged to Mary, who was standing there with her hands on her head while the dog continued to bark. 

It didn’t take long for Anna to understand why Mary was upset. There were two pale legs sticking out from under the carousel. Anna bent to look more closely. It was Leah Weston. Her neck was bruised, and her lips were blue.

Hearing Mary’s scream, Joe and Todd also took off in the direction of the carousel. As soon as he saw Leah’s lifeless body underneath, Joe called 9-1-1. Charlie and his family had just left, so Anna texted him, telling him to return right away without his children.

“I guess I won’t be using my metal detector here anytime soon,” Joe said. “It looks like this field is now a crime scene.”