Tutti Frutti Tragedy (A Seaside Ice Cream Shop Mystery, Book 11), Paperback

Tutti Frutti Tragedy is Book Eleven in the Seaside Ice Cream Shop Mysteries.

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Fireworks light up the sky and spark a murder mystery.
 
Anna expected a festive evening of fireworks and fun with her friend Rosie. But when an unexpected explosion rocks the celebration—one that doesn’t follow the rhythm of the fireworks—it quickly becomes clear something has gone terribly wrong.
 
The victim is someone Anna once counseled during her days as a psychologist in Boston. And now, troubling evidence points to Anna as the prime suspect.
 
As she fights to clear her name, another danger looms. The search for the stalker who’s been tormenting her sister takes a chilling turn. And the timing couldn’t be worse.
 
Can Anna uncover the truth before the killer strikes again, this time closer to home?
 
Don’t miss Tutti Frutti Tragedy, a holiday mystery packed with dazzling fireworks, chilling twists, and a sprinkle of sweetness.

"This was probably the best book by far in this series. Angela Ryan does not disappoint. You really need to read Tutti Frutti Tragedy right now!"
   - Maria BF

" I have been eagerly awaiting this book and it did not disappoint. I am loving the story of Anna searching for the stalker who terrorized her sister, Bella. Ann has surrounded herself with several of her best friends, but needs to cautiously withhold information to keep Bella safe... I highly recommend this book and others in the series."
   - Dijohall

"A delightful read with wonderful characters & original plot. You won’t be disappointed in this read!"
   - Shari

" For those readers looking for clean cozy mysteries, Angela Ryan is a definite winner...
   - Margaret H.

" I absolutely loved Tutti Frutti Tragedy and all of the heart pounding twists! I couldn’t put this one down! The mystery kept me guessing, the suspense had me hooked, and I loved following Anna as she raced to clear her name. This series just keeps getting better, I can’t wait for the next one!"
   - Cara S.

"This is such a good series! The characters are realistic. The storylines are very entertaining. This book is so exciting. A lot going on. An on-going storyline is coming to an end! It was hard to put down!"
   - Debi P.

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Excerpt

Chapter 1

Anna handed a sugar cone packed with two heaping scoops of tutti frutti ice cream to a young man with disheveled sun-bleached hair. He passed it to a slender woman with straight brown hair standing beside him. She wore cutoff jean shorts and a white t-shirt with embroidered gold stars. Then he accepted a second cone for himself.

“Are you headed to the cove for the fireworks?” Anna asked.

“We’re on our way now.” The young man glanced at the strawberry ice cream cone clock on the wall next to the counter. “They’ll be starting in about an hour.” 

The woman took a small stack of napkins from the black metal dispenser. “It’s one of our favorite nights of the whole summer,” she said, handing half of the napkins to the young man. “We’ve been coming to Seagull Cove for the Fourth of July week since we got married three years ago.” She patted her stomach. “Next year, there will be three of us.”

“Congratulations!” Anna said. “Be sure to bring the baby by here next year so I can meet him or her.”

The woman beamed. “Her. And you can count on it.”

As the couple left, Rosie entered Bella’s Dream carrying a red, white, and blue quilt. “Are you ready to go?” 

Anna turned toward her two employees. “Are you two sure you can handle the shop alone tonight?”

“Of course,” Alex said. “Velma told us that there won’t be many customers, since everyone will be at the cove for the fireworks. We’re happy to sit here and serve any stragglers. Besides, we’ll be able to see the fireworks from the edge of the sidewalk, so it’s not like we’ll be missing anything.”

Alex was one of her college student employees and he was working with Lily, a new hire whom Trish, another college student employee, had recommended. Anna and Velma had quickly realized that Alex and Lily enjoyed spending time together, so she was happy to schedule them for the same shift whenever she could. 

“In that case, let’s head to the cove,” Anna said to Rosie. “Would you like an ice cream to go?”

“No, thanks. I had dinner at the inn and ate too much dessert already.” The Inn at Seagull Cove, which Rosie owned and ran, was perched at the top of a nearby hill with many of its rooms overlooking the Atlantic Ocean.

They started to leave when Anna suddenly stopped. “I just had an idea. I think I’ll take some ice cream for a friend.” She scooted behind the counter and grabbed a cup and a stainless-steel ice cream scooper. “Tutti frutti has been popular lately. The bright colors make it the perfect flavor for a Fourth of July celebration.” She put the cup of ice cream into a bag, along with a plastic spoon and some napkins, and they headed out the door.

“Who’s the lucky recipient?” Rosie asked as they walked down Main Street toward the cove. 

“Rodney Cummings.”

“The firework technician?”

Anna nodded. “He’s been working hard lately at all these summer events, so I wanted to do something to brighten his evening.” Rodney had come to Anna for counseling a couple of years ago, back when she had her practice in Boston, but she didn’t want to mention that to Rosie in order to protect his privacy. “I befriended him at a private party I worked at last year. He provided the fireworks, and I supplied the hot fudge sundaes.” 

“We should get the ice cream to him before it melts,” Rosie said, picking up her speed.

Anna was struggling to keep up with Rosie’s pace when her heart suddenly began to pound and the hair on her arms stood up. She stopped abruptly and glanced behind her. There were more people out and about than usual, but she didn’t see anyone who looked out of the ordinary.

“Are you all right?” Rosie asked. “You look pale.”

“I just got this eerie feeling, as if someone was following me. I’m sure it was my imagination.”

Rosie turned and scanned the crowd of people all around them. “I don’t see anyone who looks suspicious. Are you investigating any cases that could upset someone?” 

Anna shook her head, even though that wasn’t entirely true. She, Jeremy, and Joe were trying to find Rebecca Crenshaw’s and Benjamin Fordham’s killer, and they had good reason to believe they were on the right track. This same killer was the one who terrorized her sister, Bella, which drove her to stage her own death in order to protect herself and her loved ones from him. Bella had fled town nearly two weeks ago after being contacted by her stalker, who now obviously knew she was still alive. It was quite possible that he also knew that Anna was looking for him. Since she couldn’t get Rosie involved in any of that, she did her best to shake the feeling. 

When they arrived at the cove, they found a spot to settle in, and Rosie spread her blanket on the sand. She pointed to an area nestled on the side of the beach that was cordoned off with bright orange safety fencing. “There’s Rodney’s fireworks station.” 

It looked more like a construction zone than a celebration hub. A wide, flat area of sand had been carefully raked and cleared, with metal racks and mortar tubes arranged in neat rows, half-buried to secure them against the wind and tides. Thick black cables snaked through the sand, leading to a sturdy launch console sheltered beneath a pop-up canopy. It was the night before the Fourth, which was traditionally when Seagull Cove had its public fireworks display, and the beach was jam-packed with residents and tourists. 

When they arrived at the fireworks station to bring Rodney his ice cream, he wasn’t there.

“That’s odd. I wonder why he left things unattended,” Rosie said.

“He couldn’t have gone too far. I’ll leave the ice cream where he’ll be able to see it when he returns. 

Someone called Rosie’s name, and she turned and waved. “I want to say hello to some friends. I’ll be right over there.” She pointed to a couple with a toddler and a baby.

“I’ll catch up with you in a few minutes,” Anna said before Rosie dashed off.

She walked through the tape and placed the cup of ice cream and spoon on a rock next to a black duffle bag. She decided not to leave a note, assuming that Rodney would know who it was from.

Once Anna had dropped off the ice cream, she rejoined Rosie, and they returned to their blanket to wait for the festivities to begin. 

That feeling that she was being watched suddenly returned. She glanced around at her surroundings, but once again, she didn’t see anyone who appeared out of the ordinary.

Detective Charlie Doyle was in attendance with his wife, Patty, and their four children. The couple waved at Anna and Rosie, and Anna immediately felt better knowing he was nearby.

They had a clear view of Rodney’s fireworks station from the blanket where they were sitting. When Rodney returned, he walked over to the ice cream Anna had left, checked his watch, and sat on a stool to eat it. 

A woman with porcelain skin and wavy blond hair approached Rodney, and they chatted for a few minutes. He didn’t put his ice cream down, even when she turned and stormed off. 

“Wasn’t that Tina Morales?” Anna asked. 

Rosie nodded. “She hires Rodney whenever she needs fireworks at one of her events. She’s the best event planner in town. She helped organize tonight’s festivities. Say, I should give her your business card in case she can ever use your services. You never know. She might want a hot fudge sundae bar at one of her events.”

“Thanks, but no need. I’ve already worked with her a few times providing ice cream at some of her summer events.”

Anna again felt somebody staring at her, but this time when she turned around, she found Jeremy’s warm smile. He waved as he snapped some photos of the crowd, which she assumed was for the Seagull Cove Chronicle, the local newspaper where Jeremy was a reporter. After snapping a few more photos, he headed in their direction. 

“Do you have any plans for the Fourth of July tomorrow?” Rosie asked him. The town’s Fourth of July celebration always took place on the third, since the neighboring towns had their holiday events on the Fourth.

He glanced at Anna, then back at Rosie. “I’m just planning to relax and maybe head to the beach for the day.” 

Anna was glad that Jeremy gave Rosie a cover story and didn’t mention their plans for the following day. Along with Joe Wiggins, they would be heading to Bella’s apartment in Camden, Maine to pack her belongings. She couldn’t tell Rosie, since only a few people knew that her sister was alive, so she was glad that he didn’t mention that they would be together. She wasn’t in the mood to make up an excuse as to why they were spending the Fourth together. All the lies were becoming exhausting, even if they were necessary.

Anna’s mind wandered toward her sister. She wondered what she was doing at that moment. The last time she saw Bella was at Camden Manor, an assisted living facility in Maine where the two sisters had been meeting on the first Sunday of each month. That day, Bella informed her that she had been contacted again by her stalker and that she had to flee town. It was a visit filled with mixed emotions. Grayson, who had been Bella’s devoted boyfriend before she disappeared, had joined Anna on the trip, along with Jeremy and Joe. Anna witnessed the bittersweet reunion between the two, only for Bella to tell them she needed to disappear again. 

Joe accompanied her out of Massachusetts to be sure she wasn’t being followed, then he returned to Seagull Cove. Nobody knew where Bella was, for everyone’s safety. It was now Thursday, nearly two weeks later, and Bella was due to call from a burner phone for the first time on Sunday.

“Anna?” Rosie asked, snapping her back to the present conversation.

“I’m sorry. What did you say?” 

“I was just asking if you had any plans for tomorrow,” Rosie said.

“Oh, nothing in particular. I’m taking the day off, so I’ll probably just hang out in my garden.” Anna’s English Garden, which Wanda, her neighbor and friend, had helped her to plant the year before, was blooming even more beautifully than last year.

Rosie held Anna’s gaze. “Are you okay? It looks like there’s something on your mind.”

Anna put on her most convincing smile. “Really, I’m fine. I’m just a little tired.” She turned her attention to Rodney’s fireworks station. “It looks like the fireworks are about to begin. Is Joe here?” she asked Jeremy.

“No. He has a view of the fireworks from his apartment, so he and a couple of his buddies ordered pizza and will watch them from there. He gets a lot of visitors this time of year.”

“Good for him,” Anna said. “Now that I think about it, you probably have a great view from your sunroom,” she said to Rosie. 

“I do. I often watch them from the inn, but I felt like getting out tonight.”

“I should go,” Jeremy said. “I want to take a few more pictures. I’ll see you both soon.” 

Anna watched as Jeremy moved about snapping candid photos and jotting down names on a notepad. When he finished, he walked over to Charlie, and the two appeared to be having a friendly conversation. Ten minutes later, the sound of static came over the loudspeaker, followed by a familiar voice. “Welcome everyone to Seagull Cove’s annual Independence Day fireworks display.” It was Carl Higgins, the director of the chamber of commerce.

A gentle applause filled the cove. People who had been playing music on their boomboxes turned them off. The warm scent of coconut sunscreen mingled with the salty sea breeze, instantly transporting Anna back to a Fourth of July celebration from her childhood, and once again, her thoughts drifted to Bella. She was certain that her sister would know exactly where she was tonight. 

“Are you ready, Seagull Cove?” Carl asked. 

The crowd answered with applause and cheering. “Rodney Cummings from Brighter Skies has a very special evening planned for us tonight. Take it away, Rodney.”

Another round of applause erupted as everyone’s attention turned toward the sky.

Rodney gave a signal to a man standing next to a sound system, and patriotic music blared throughout the cove. The cheerful chatter of the crowd was interrupted by a loud crashing noise. It sounded more like an explosion than fireworks. Anna wondered if it was part of the show until it was followed by a shrill screech and some screams. 

Charlie stood and ran in the direction of Rodney’s setup station while the music continued playing. Anna stood, and her curiosity almost got the best of her. She instinctively started to run toward the station but stopped herself. She’d only be in the way. There was chatter among the crowd, and a few minutes later, sirens approached. 

“That can’t be good,” Rosie said. “I wonder what’s going on.”

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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.”