Caramel Apple Murder: A Bite-sized Bakery Cozy Mystery, #19

By Rosie A. Point

Murder is best served sticky, sweet, and covered in caramel…

When Ruby and Bee, amateur sleuth and baking duo, decide to take a tray of their delicious apple caramel slices to the opening of a local hardware store in small-town, Yesterday, they're happy to contribute. Until they find the body of the store owner lying across the front counter, clutching Bee's top-secret recipe for Delightful Donuts.

It's murder, and with a new detective in Yesterday, Ruby and Bee are due trouble for their sleuthing endeavors. The local sheriff can't protect them, the townsfolk have become decidedly unfriendly, and with Bee as the prime suspect, things are getting sticky for the girls.

Can they figure out whodunit before Bee's arrested for murder? Find out in the latest installment of this cozy series. Grab your copy today!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Rosie A. Point
• Release date: Mar 6, 2024
• ISBN: 9798224970650

Book preview

1

I t’s top secret. Bee patted her recipe book on the counter in the Bite-sized Bakery Food Truck, her grin spreading, showing off the gap between her two front teeth. I’d always thought that Bee had an impish grin, and today’s smile was in a class of its own.

Top secret? I pressed a finger to my lips, scanning the town square in Yesterday, complete with its radish-themed statue, glimmering in the morning sunlight. Then I’d better get off the truck before you start making it.

Oh no, you don’t. Bee caught me by the apron strings before I could skedaddle. I’m not making my super-secret, Delightful Donuts today. Maybe next week some time, for a special occasion. Today we’re serving caramel apple slices, as you well know, so you can get the thought of escaping a workday on the truck out of your head.

Bee, you know I love working on the truck, I said. I was only kidding. But I am intrigued by these… Delightful Donuts. What do they taste like?

It’ll have to remain a mystery for now. Bee returned to her spot at the counter, smiling at her recipe book—it was large, bearing a pastel pink donut and the title Bee’s Recipes embossed in gold on the cover.

Hello! A woman who we hadn’t seen coming—no one could accuse me of being overly observant—popped up in front of the food truck’s window. Are you open? I know it’s kind of early, but I’ve got a hankering for something sweet.

We sure are! The clock next to our specials board on the truck showed that it was 7:30 a.m., much to Bee’s chagrin. I loved to get an early start on the day whereas she preferred snoozing. What can we get for you this morning?

The woman, her ginger hair twirled into two knots on either side of her head, smiled back at me. I’ll take one of those Delightful Donuts you were talking about.

So much for them being top secret, Bee murmured.

Oh, sorry, did I say something wrong? The woman’s green eyes widened. I didn’t mean to—I just⁠—

No, you didn’t say anything wrong. Unfortunately, we don’t have any donuts today, I said, smiling to put her at ease. But we do have caramel apple slices that are to die for.

Not literally, Bee added in. There’s been some confusion over that in recent months.

I’m Susie-Lee, by the way, Susie-Lee Sawyer. The redhead blew right by Bee’s odd comment.

Ruby, I said.

Bee.

It’s lovely to meet you both. I’ve only been back in town about a month, but I’ve got to admit that I’ve been admiring your truck from afar, Susie-Lee said, watching as I prepared her order. I’m opening a bakery in a couple weeks, you see. I, well, I was so curious about what you two serve on your truck, but I didn’t want to interfere or anything.

Interfere? Bee asked, drily. How might you interfere?

You know, I didn’t want you to be suspicious because I came around and ordered a treat. I like baked goods. Susie-Lee gave a deprecatory laugh. That’s why I want to get into this business.

I closed the box with its pastel green and pink stripes and handed it over. I don’t think it’s suspicious.

Oh good. Thank you for this. She paid for her order, cast a final smile Bee’s way and was met with haughty indifference, then walked off, clutching her box. She didn’t glance over her shoulder.

She seemed nice, I said.

Yes, they say that about airplane food, Bee replied.

I’m missing your point.

You sit down, you order your beef and chicken, and then bam! Bee slapped the counter. Next thing you know, there’s turbulence, the captain’s telling you to fasten your seatbelts, and you’re rocketing toward the ground in an aluminum coffin filled with screaming idiots trying to wedge oxygen masks over their faces.

I see we’re in fine form today. I gather you didn’t like her?

It’s not about liking. It’s about trusting.

And this involves airplane food… how?

Think about it. The airplane food and the in-flight movie lull you into a false state of security. Bee shuddered and rubbed her arms. Just when you’re letting your guard down⁠—

Morning. A man had stepped up to the counter, saving me from working through my bestie’s obvious fear of flying. Another thing about her I hadn’t known. I learned something new on the truck everyday—whether that was how to make donut batter, or the amount of insults Bee could handle before she flung said batter at a customer.

Never a dull moment.

Hi, I said, brightly.

The man wore a pair of fresh blue overalls and a smile, his cheeks ruddy and face round. He was probably in his mid-forties, but his blue eyes were so bright they were nearly white. I’d seen him around town a few times, though he’d never come to the truck before.

Joe Jacobsen, right? Bee clicked her fingers and pointed at him.

Well, shoot, how’d you know that? You a mind-reader?

No, Bee said. It’s a small town. And people talk.

Nice to meet you, Joe. I wiped my hand and stuck it out. We shook. I’m Ruby, and this is Bee.

Pleasure’s all mine, ladies. Darn, what are those? They look good. He tapped on the glass case, practically drooling at the sight of the caramel apple slices.

Those are our special this week, I said. Caramel apple slices—dripping in caramel, with an apple filling. What do you say? Want one?

Shoot, give me three. I’ve got a long day ahead of me, and no one good to help me get ready for the big show.

Show? I asked.

Bee took charge of his order, carefully feeding the treats into a box and sealing it with care.

Oh yeah, Joe said. You haven’t heard? I’m opening a hardware store around the corner. Jacobsen’s Hardware Store! Been working on a business plan for two years, and I gotta tell you, it hasn’t been easy.

Opening a business never is. I nodded.

You said it. Well, listen, I’d love it if you ladies stopped by tomorrow. Come take a look around. We’re offering free coffee all day. He accepted a box from Bee and paid for his food. Gotta run. The store isn’t going to prepare itself.

Good luck! I called after him.

Bee, surprisingly, echoed the sentiment. He seemed nice, she said, fluffing her gray hair. Kind of cute.

Bee!

What?

You didn’t see the ring on his finger?

She blushed red as the radish statue should’ve been. They’d gone for silver, oddly enough. I didn’t notice. Goodness, Ruby, I don’t go around staring at people’s fingers.

I laughed. But you’re right. He was nice. Maybe we should take by some caramel apple slices tomorrow morning.

Why?

"Think of it as a