A delightful cozy mystery filled with nostalgia from our favorite senior citizens!

Rose is helping plan the wedding of her niece and must get all the St. Olaf traditions just perfect. But what they find in the frozen cheesecake will put everything out of sorts… Dorothy’s wedding date, frozen solid and deceased. What follows is a fun ride through 1980’s Miami and all the St. Olafian silliness you can imagine.

I thoroughly enjoyed reliving these characters again and loved that I could picture them in my head exactly as they were in the show, down to the outfit details. Looking forward to the next in this series.

Thanks to #NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for my review.

3 ⭐️

This was pretty silly.

The author did a good job capturing the familiar essence and dialogue of these characters, especially Sophia.

Lots of Easter eggs.

Predictable, as expected.

I think this would’ve excelled as a series of short stories rather than a novel.

A cozy mystery with the Golden Girls, what more could you ask for?! I loved the banter but felt like a lot of the charm was simply because I knew the characters. I wish the mystery was more front and center. I'll definitely read future books but I felt this one was just an okay start to the series.

Thank you to the publisher for allowing me the chance to read and review the ARC copy of Murder by Cheesecake. Rachel Ekstrom Courage did a ton of research for writing this book and it shows. Her characters and dialogue were spot on with the Golden Girls TV show. It took me back to watching it. I felt the storyline moved a little slower than I would've liked it too and at times it was bogged down with extra details, but the story was a good one. Fans of the show will love this story! 3.5 stars!

I am a Golden Girls lover at heart, so I had to read this book! I really loved the atmosphere of the book - I felt like I was a part of the crew! This was really a fun read to see how Roses' side of the family works and all of their quirky traditions. This book really put 2 of my favorite things together - Golden Girls and True Crime! What a fun read! This really felt like I was following a long with a Golden Girls episode, but we got to see so much more. There were lots of wedding planning and murder investigations going on. I really enjoyed this and would tell any other Golden Girls fans to give this fun book a read!

Thanks to NetGalley and Hyperion Avenue for the eARC!

I liked this book, but not quite as much as I wanted to. The parts that were good were REALLY good - I think Courage really captured each woman's voice well; in certain places I could even hear them saying the words she put in their mouths! But there was a bit too much focus on St. Olaf and the wedding. And occasionally the characters sniped at each other in ways I thought were out of character.
HOWEVER, that being said, most of the story is very cute and well done. I thought the way the mystery was solved was clever. I think Courage did a great job of evoking the 80s and Miami. She created a great set of side characters, and she included some incredibly funny moments - some of Sophia's one-liners were so great!
Overall, I think this book got better as it went along, and I would check out a second mystery if it comes out.

“She wondered what she should write down for Nettie. Never go to bed angry? Say I love you at least once a day? Don’t worry about the dead body? It really was hard to narrow down.”

Murder by Cheesecake is a cozy mystery set in the world of 80’s American sitcom Golden Girls with familiar characters and settings. Rachel Ekstrom Courage really nails the voices for all four of the main cast members, making the reading experience feel more like watching an extended episode than anything else. I will say, though, that if I had to give the book one criticism it would be that the ending did feel a bit rushed. Despite that, I really look forward to the continuation of this series.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

When I found out that there was going to be a Golden Girls book series, and a cozy mystery series to boot, I went as fast as I could to NetGalley to see if I'd be able to get a copy... and I did. The cover/title only intensified that for me. The nostalgia is strong, especially since none of the Golden Girls are with us anymore so new adventures from them is a strong draw.

So I rate this one 3 stars, middle of the road. The strong nostalgia both helps and hurts this book. It helps for all of the obvious reasons. However, I had some issues with it. And maybe it's just me but it prevented me from giving the book a higher rating. I almost think it tried a little TOO hard with the nostalgia factor. I know that it's the first in a series and that some might not have watched the TV show. However, I'll also admit that I got a little annoyed at all of the descriptions at the beginning of the book. I know what their living room looks like and I don't need a description of it. I can picture it all and hear their voices as I read. I do get that if someone has never watched the show, those descriptions are kind of necessary... so that didn't really play into my rating. But...

For a murder mystery that centered on a hotel freezer, we had surprisingly little storyline with the hotel itself. The book was so focused on the wedding and the St. Olaf traditions that I think it detracted from the story, especially since in the end it had nothing to do with the murder. At one point I did think Cousin Gustave was the culprit... the story was so focused on the St. Olaf traditions and the trust that I really thought briefly that Cousin Gustave was trying to prevent the couple from getting their share of the trust for some nefarious reason. Not even remotely close. It was an interesting distraction but it also shows just how much the book was focused on St. Olaf and its traditions. I felt like the story needed more focus on the murdered man and the groom's family. Also, does anyone else want more on Miss Sugar or is that just me?

Despite my middle of the road rating, I am looking forward to book 2 and am hoping that as the series goes on, it settles more into nostalgia without trying so hard.

Thank you to NetGalley, Rachel Ekstrom Courage, and Hyperion Avenue for this Advanced Reading Copy of Murder by Cheesecake.

As someone who loved watching Golden Girls when I was younger, I looked forward to reading this cozy murder mystery. Reading this book is like watching an episode of the beloved sitcom. It hits you with tons of nostalgia and classic Golden Girls humor.

The author did a fantastic job paying tribute to the show while creating a "whodunit" scenario. Dorothy had her sarcasm, Blanche had her feminine ways, Rose with her St. Olaf love, and Sofia with her quick, harsh comments. You will laugh out loud at least once while reading. Also, all the 1980s references were delightful.

The story itself was a little lacking at times. There were some high actions, funny, and even tense moments but there were some parts where the story seem to stall. I didn't see the ending coming or suspect who the murderer was until the end. That's a good mystery!

Overall, I think this book is great for anyone who loves Golden Girls or a cozy murder mystery. Think Murder She Wrote with snarky main characters. If this author writes another Golden Girls mystery book I will be reading it!

What an entertaining trip back into one of my favorite childhood TV shows!

This cozy mystery was an easy read and a fun who-done-it. The author really tried to capture the feeling of The Golden Girls and included lots of nuances that only fans of the show would know. The mystery was well plotted and the action wasn't too gruesome. Of course, our friends solve the murder in the nick of time.

The plot twist about the victim seemed too easy, and I wish there was a better explanation (sorry - don't want any spoilers here!) The secondary characters were good, but I wish they were a little more rounded out.

However - overall, this book was a success, and I can't wait to see if there's a sequel!

I would recommend this book to mystery lovers who would laugh at remembering Rose's St. Olaf stories, or Sofia saying "Picture it. Sicily, 1909".

Thank you NetGalley and publisher. I grew up watching the Golden Girls and when I saw someone wrote a mystery with them I was excited. It took me a bit to get into it but it was a fun read. Rose is planning her cousin Nettie’s wedding with all of the St Olaf”s traditions. Dorothy is still looking for love, Blanch is having the time of her life and Sophia is as sassy as ever. I loved how references from the show were brought up and incorporated into the story. Weddings are stressful by themselves but throw in a murder, family, and St. Olaf traditions poor Rose is reaching her limit.

It is a cozy mystery that pays homage to the beloved Golden Girls TV show. It has all the banter and snarky remakes that made the show. When Dorothy's date goes awry, and her date ends up dead, the girls try to figure out the case. All of this while Rose has planned a traditional St. Olaf-themed wedding for her cousin, that the groom is not a fan of. The Girls rally to clear Dorothy's name; they uncover a web of motives among the wedding guests who might have wanted Dorothy's date dead for good.

The author nails the voices and mannerisms of Dorothy, Rose, Blanche, and Sophia. From Dorothy's sarcasm to Sophia's brutal honesty, each character feels like they've stepped right off the TV screen and into the book's pages, providing a steady stream of humor even amidst a murder investigation. The end had a great twist that I did not see coming, and the mix of clever puns and Blanche's innuendos provides a dose of laughter. While the banter is spot-on, some scenes drag due to repetitive dialogue, meandering, and excessive focus on minor details. Trimming these sections could have tightened the plot without sacrificing the humor. As this is the first in the series, I am sure the writing and pacing will be polished in the following books. It was fun to reminisce and perfect for any fan of the show.

Thank you, NetGalley and Hyperion Avenue, for the opportunity to review and provide my honest feedback

I absolutely love The Golden Girls so there was no way I wasn’t going to read this book. That being said, I am disappointed. I love the four main girls, obviously, but if it weren’t for them, I wouldn’t have enjoyed this story. It was too much wedding and not enough murder mystery. I was even bored at several parts of this book. The police were insufferable, even when the detective was apologizing at the end. The only thing that kept me going was my nostalgic love for the characters, even that was getting iffy with how Rose behaved sometimes. I must say, my 3 stars is generous but the idea of having these ladies go through a murder mystery is still so fun.

I was really excited to get this book! Thanks for the ARC! I'm currently in a cozy mystery reading mood and I love Golden Girls. What a perfect combination!

Sadly, I stopped reading. I don't know how far in I was, but I got bored. Some positives: It started out very strong. The beginning felt like the start of an episode. Throughout all that I read, I felt the author had a great grasp on the personalities and voices of our main characters.

What I didn't care for: I thought too much time was spent on the wedding festivities of Rose's cousin rather than having it as a setting. Perhaps the timing was off. Maybe I'll revisit this and will change my opinion. For now, it's a DNF (did not finish) for me.

Thank you to Netgalley and Hyperion Avenue for this ARC.

Rose is planning an authentic St. Olaf wedding for her niece and traditions will need to be followed. Some of those things include a clown at the bachelorette party, actual showers taken at the bridal shower, a donkey walking down the aisle, and a ridiculous amount of herring.

Meanwhile, Dorothy needs a date for the wedding so she signs up for a video dating service. She hits it off with a man who agrees to be her date. Things happen. Later, they find this guy murdered and Dorothy becomes the main suspect by the police. So, the ladies decide they need to solve the murder to clear Dorothy and pave the way for a smooth wedding. Let the shenanigans begin...

I enjoyed reading this. I loved the fact that I didn't have to imagine what the characters looked or sounded like because I already know. The author did such a great job with their personalities like Dorothy's sarcastic wit and Sophia's comedic insults. There's also a plot twist that I didn't see coming.

If you enjoy cozy mysteries and love the Golden Girls, you must give this a read.

As a fan of both The Golden Girls and classic whodunits, I was excited to give this book a read. The premise—a cozy murder mystery with witty, seasoned protagonists—felt like a perfect recipe for an engaging read.

There are definitely some fun moments. The humor occasionally shines through, and the idea of a group of sharp, older women solving a crime is delightful. The author clearly has a love for the genre and tries to create a warm, nostalgic atmosphere.

There was a nod to the original show, with Roses’ St Olaf phrases, Sofia’s zingers, Dorthy’s sarcastic retorts, and Blanches’ blanch-ismss. I appreciate what it was going for. If you love lighthearted mysteries and don’t mind a slower-paced read, you might still enjoy it.

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC opportunity.

#netgallet #arc

So incredibly funny and nostalgic. It's just like watching the beloved sitcom! I had so much fun with this book and will definitely be recommending it to everyone!

Such a fun, entertaining, fast read that brings all the nostalgia if you are a golden girls fan! I will be re-reading all of the time!

If you’re a fan of The Golden Girls and cozy mysteries, Rachel Ekstrom Courage’s Murder by Cheesecake is an absolute treat. The audiobook whisks you away to a world where Dorothy, Rose, Blanche, and Sophia find themselves at the center of a murder mystery during a wedding weekend. The twist? The victim turns up frozen in a hotel freezer—an incident as outrageous as it is hilarious.

The narrators really brought the fun. They captured the essence of each character so well—Dorothy’s sarcasm, Rose’s earnestness, Blanche’s charm, and Sophia’s sharp wit. It felt like I was hanging out with the ladies themselves, only this time, they’re solving a murder instead of sipping cocktails. It was such a fun vibe, like listening to a new episode of The Golden Girls with a cozy, mystery-filled spin.

I’ll be honest, though, the pacing was a bit off at times. The wedding planning and all the St. Olaf traditions kind of took center stage for a while, and it felt like the mystery took a backseat. There were moments where I was like, "Okay, can we get back to the crime?" But once the investigation started picking up steam, I was all in.

If you’re in the mood for a lighthearted, quirky mystery that’s heavy on the laughs and low on the suspense, Murder by Cheesecake is a perfect listen. It’s not your typical dark, twisty whodunit, but if you want something fun, full of friendship, and with just the right amount of mystery, you’ll enjoy this one. Plus, it’s the perfect audiobook to listen to while sipping your own slice of cheesecake.

I can’t write a review of this novel without disclosing that I am a huge fan of The Golden Girls. I requested this book immediately because it’s a cozy mystery with characters I already love. It earns a couple of stars just for that, but the author’s ability to breathe life into characters I already love in new stories really made this enjoyable for me.

Reading this story felt like a longer, new episode of a beloved show. The characters were exactly as I remembered them. It really felt like being immersed in the tv show again.

The mystery centred around Rose’s niece who had come to Miami to get married. Her fiancé’s family is from Miami and they want to take over the planning from Rose, who wants her niece to have a full St. Olaf-style wedding. Hijinks and death ensue.

Nothing about this novel was flat for me, but the mystery was a bit far-fetched. The motives seemed like they couldn’t quite hold water. If I have any criticism it’s that; the bones of the mystery weren’t strong. How it was woven into the story and the new characters all felt very real.

I loved reading this and I enjoyed it immensely even with the strange mystery. If you love The Golden Girls, I’d highly recommend this. I hope there are more. I definitely want to read them!