This book was so cute! I know, weird adjective for a book about a murder, but that's the one that comes to mind. The plot itself moved fairly slowly, but the characters were all so charming I didn't want my time with them to end, so I didn't even care. But yes, eventually the murder got solved, and boy did I enjoy my time spent with these folks while it all unfolded.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This story is about a community of cottages in Santa Barbara! Full of secrets and amusing characters, it gives a sense that they are real.

Mrs. B. is the main figure. Along with her, we discover her eccentric neighbors, who add their unique touch to everything happening. I enjoyed that the chapters are told from different characters' perspectives, which shows the story from various angles. Their friendship and desire to solve a murder make the story quite heartwarming.

It creates a wonderful atmosphere of found family among the cottage residents. Each new perspective highlights how important it is to be friends and support each other, even in wild situations. Despite their differences, they are all a family.

Plus, the book's format is interesting. One character wants to become a playwright, and this adds interactivity; some chapters read like a theatrical performance!

It was a pleasant one-time read; the author's style is light, making it quick to read.

This book broke my streak of mediocre reads—it was, in a word, delightful. Full of humor and lovable misfits, The Marigold Cottages Murder Collective had me laughing out loud multiple times. Nichols is so good at writing characters who aren’t trying to be funny but absolutely are, making their quirks and flaws all the more relatable. The story is aptly compared to Only Murders in the Building, as a group of neighbors bands together to prove one of their own is innocent. It’s a cozy mystery with heart, blending humor, secrets, and a touch of chaos in the best way.

The multi-POV storytelling was easy to follow, gave the characters more depth, and made me feel more connected to the characters as I better understood their motivations. It was not only the POV that shifts in the book, but on occasion, the story is written in a different format. One of the characters wants to be a playwright, and at times the writing in their POV chapter shifts to a play format with scripted lines and stage directions. I found this a really fun way to experience the story.

I’d recommend this to fans of Finlay Donovan for its comical series of unfortunate events, Not a Happy Family for its multi-POV secrets and drama, and Only Murders in the Building for its found-family dynamic wrapped in a neighborhood mystery. I flew through this in just two days and would give it 4 stars overall!

Major thanks to Jo Nichols, St Martin's Publishing, and NetGalley for this ARC.

This is a solid cozy mystery that intertwines a group of people who become involved in a murder investigation.
Mrs. B owns the Marigold Cottages and her colorful personality adds spark to the story.
Her tenants are an odd group, but they care about each other and are willing to work together to solve the mystery.
I give this book a solid 4.5 stars.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for selecting me to read an advanced copy of this book.

I was invited by the publisher to review this book. The setting is Southern California, where Mrs. B is the landlady of The Marigold Cottages and has a peculiar way of renting out her cottages - she only selects people she actually cares about. Her cottages are occupied by an interesting mix of characters in various stages in their lives. When Anthony, an ex-con, moves in things suddenly change and within three weeks of his joining them, a dead body is discovered in their neighborhood. Naturally, it is assumed Anthony is the culprit, but Mrs. B vouches for him that she believes he is innocent - because she did the murder herself. Thus, the tenants of the cottages band together to save Mrs. B.

This was a great mystery with a great plotline. All of the characters were really well-written, and though this book centers on the mystery, the shining point to this book are all of the cottage dwellers. They were so odd, yet so relatable, and mixed together it was such a joy! The setting makes this an excellent read for a hot, steamy summer day.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press/Minotaur Books for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

If you like your mysteries with bite, heart, and a cast of lovable oddballs, The Marigold Cottages Murder Collective is your next obsession. Jo Nichols gives us a charmingly chaotic Santa Barbara bungalow community full of secrets, quirks, and unlikely friendships. Mrs. B, the stubbornly idealistic landlady, steals the show—but every resident brings their own flavor to the narrative. Yes, the rotating POVs are a lot at first, but they pay off in spades, deepening the mystery and enriching the “found family” feel. This is a rare gem that’s funny without being silly, sweet without being saccharine, and twisty enough to keep you turning pages. It’s the perfect mix of cozy, clever, and unexpected. I didn’t want to leave Marigold Court.

I absolutely loved this! It was a Miss Marple-style mystery with a large cast of chaotic people who were all wonderfully flawed and human eccentrics. I loved how homey the setting felt and I had to keep reminding myself it's set in California and not rural England! I had a few guesses on how the mystery would shake out and I enjoyed the ride I was able to take. I would read an entire series of these characters solving murders!

The Marigold Cottages Murder Collective is like stepping into a charming, sunlit corner of California, where quirky neighbors and long-held secrets collide. The mystery has its twists, but it’s the warmth and humor that make this story shine. Every revelation peels back layers of connection and resilience, making it impossible not to root for them all. It’s heartfelt, witty, and the perfect reminder that the people we surround ourselves with can become our greatest strength.

I received an ARC of this ebook from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for my honest review. This book was funny and sweet (I love the found family trope). I also love a zesty elderly character and Mrs. B fits that description perfectly. Just like all cozy mysteries, there are a lot of characters but this is different in that they are all narrators. At first that is a bit confusing and difficult to keep track of but I liked that we got everyone’s thoughts and opinions.