What a joy!!! My dear aunt was a huge Golden Girls fan and the show will always remind me of her. I’ve watched every episode so many times as comfort tv. This book was damn near perfect. Matched the tone of the show in every way. Character voices shone through completely for me. The plot is a little far fetched but I think it worked. I hope we get more of these books. It’s a great way to keep the show alive

I do not think this is the book for me. It was OK. Though I enjoyed The Golden Girls and picked this up for nostalgia, I think I am in a different place in life where the dynamics didn't appeal to me like I was hoping they would. The book was cute, and I definitely think it will find its audience; it just wasn't for me.

I was hesitant to pick up Murder by Cheesecake by Rachel Ekstrom Courage--it sounds like (and, I suppose, essentially is) Golden Girls fan fic. After some initial hiccups, though, I was sold.

The plotline is soooo Golden Girls: Dorothy's blind date is found dead in the cheesecake-laden cooler of a hotel where Rose is hosting a good old-fashioned Saint Olaf wedding. Mayhem and hilarity ensue. Courage has nailed nearly all of the details, though there is an awful lot of inner monologues that may not be loved by die-hard fans of the award-winning show. Personally, I could have done with more Sophia action, but hopefully there's another book.

Yes, there are shades of Murder, She Wrote here, but if you're looking for a bit of fluff and a reunion with your favorite ladies, I think that Murder by Cheesecake is a good bet. You'll get through it almost as quickly as Blanche goes through men.

I’ve been wanting to read something light and funny, and I’ve been seeing a lot of posts about Murder by Cheesecake on Instagram.

This book was very light and silly. It captured the Golden Girls, and 80s sitcoms in general, perfectly. The characters were spot on, and it did make me want a slice of (vegan) cheesecake.

I think this could have been one of those 2-parter “very special episodes” that shows used to do back in the day, when we had appointment TV.

This book made me feel nostalgic for 80s TV. It satisfied my need for something light and funny, but it seemed a little too silly for my tastes.

3 1/2 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley and Hyperion Avenue for the opportunity to read Murder by Cheesecake by Rachel Ekstrom Courage.

I’m thoroughly impressed with the lengths of detail this author wrote of St. Olaf characters, language and the town information. She did a great job bringing the 4 main characters to life in this story. Capturing the chemistry and camaraderie of their day to day, as well as handling a big event.

I felt as if the scenes were unfolding before my eyes as I read. Truly recommend for anyone who loved the Golden Girls.

Publish to Goodreads on 4/9/25

This is an ARC review thanks to Netgalley and Hyperion Avenue

I have to be honest, this book was a STRUGGLE to get through and I almost DNF’d it. I am glad to be given the opportunity to read this but it just fell flat for me. The story development just wasn’t there. The ONLY thing that made it worth reading was the fact that it was based on the Golden Girls.

Rose, Dorothy, Sophia, and Blanche are visiting Miami for Rose’s niece’s wedding. Rose’s niece’s fiancée’s family, however, are snobs and must have everything done a particular way. But, in order to get her inheritance, her niece must follow the St. Olaf wedding traditions. Meanwhile, Rose realizes she needs a date for the wedding and signs up for a dating service. When her jerk of date is found murdered with his head in the cheesecake, Dorothy finds herself arrested. Now it’s up to the other golden girls to solve the mystery and save Rose’s niece’s wedding before it’s too late. Will they succeed?

The plot is engaging, and humorous. The characters are authentic, true to the original characters, and draw the readers into the story. Readers who like the Golden Girls tv show, humor, mystery, and cozy fiction will want to pick this one up. Recommended for most library collections. 5 stars, ADULT

This was such a cute and cozy little mystery. This is exactly how I would think the Golden Girls would work a murder mystery. The nostalgia was all there as if I stepped in a novelization of a few episodes. The only thing really missing was a little bit more of the zings Sophia and Dorothy belted out. There were some missed opportunities but at the same time, this was high stress with a wedding of Rose's niece Nettie and her fiance Jason, all of St Olaf traditions and good grief were there a lot, the murder and a horrible overbearing future in laws grouping.
It read quick and wrapped up neat and tidy the way one would expect.

Oh mercy! Murder by Cheesecake is a must read for anyone who is a Golden Girls fan. This book puts the four ladies in a sticky situation that involves a wedding in Miami St Olaf style and a dead body. I could picture the characters, their voices and the setting. The dialogue flowed just like it did on the show. Sophia got some zingers and Blanche was her usual flirty self. Rose told her St Olaf stories and Dorothy kept wrangling Sophia when she’d get out of hand. “Shady Pines, Ma.” I really enjoyed this book. It was nostalgic for me. Thank you Netgalley and Hyperion Avenue for the advanced eARC.

DNF at 40% 2 1/2 stars rounded to 3

I tried really hard to love this, but it was just too over-the-top with the St. Olaf wedding traditions. I mean, I love Rose. My BFFs in college (back when this show was actually on) called me Rose because I was so innocent lol. I liked hearing Rose, Blanche, Dorothy, and Sofia in my mind as I was reading this, but then it just got too ridiculous. Too much St. Olaf and not enough mystery take up too much space in the first 40%. I had a feeling these traditions were just going to keep going when we were having the "shower before the shower." I know that not everyone will share my opinion, so you may really like it. I just couldn't handle the multiple zany St. Olaf wedding traditions.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

A mystery starring the Golden Girls? Who wouldn’t want to read that?

It’s not the best mystery you’ll ever read but it’s fun being able to picture so much of the story so easily. This would’ve made a great TV movie back in the day.

I loved it being centered around Rose to get a deeper look into the strange world of St. Olaf.

Worth picking up if you love the Girls and/or a breezy mystery.

Thank you to NetGalley and Hyperion Avenue for the opportunity to read and review.

★★★½ (rounding up to 4)

This is a cozy mystery with a big nostalgic heart. If you grew up watching the Golden Girls, it’s fun seeing them dropped into the middle of a murder investigation involving a very themed wedding, a body in a freezer, and plenty of side commentary. It’s over-the-top in a very intentional way, and the tone stays light even when someone turns up dead.

The mystery itself isn’t especially twisty, and the pacing gets a little uneven in the middle, but the charm is in the setup. The characters feel like the versions you remember from the show, and the author clearly had fun imagining how they’d respond to a murder in a hotel full of costumed guests.

It’s not reinventing anything, but it doesn’t need to. It’s nostalgic, a little absurd, and a solid pick if you want something cozy and familiar with a few fun surprises along the way.

This was a great little shot of nostalgia. I read the entire book in the characters voices, while envisioning them in their house in Florida. The mystery itself was very good, as well as the story line for Dorothy. I really did get a bit tired of the St Olaf bit for Rose, and her overall story line. A quick, enjoyable, beach read that took me back to a kinder, gentler time.

This was a fun cozy mystery wrapped up with the banter that Golden Girls fans know and love. It was like getting spoiled with a LONG episode of the show, but obviously in book format.

Murder by Cheesecake
By Rachel Ekstrom Courage

Ahhh, calling all Golden Girls lovers! This one is for you! When I saw this arc available on NetGalley, I ran as fast as I could. 🏃🏻‍♀️ And it did not disappoint!!

Murder by Cheesecake is a fun cozy horror / thriller and all your favorite characters are involved. This story was done really well and such a fun read. If you’ve watched all the episodes like me, you’ll be able to see the whole story play out in your head like you’re watching the show and hear their voices etc—it’s a good one for sure!

I don’t usually put the synopsis in my review, but for this one I’m going to:

When Dorothy's obnoxious date is found dead in a hotel freezer, it not only ruins a gorgeous cheesecake but threatens the elaborate St. Olaf-themed wedding Rose is hosting.

Things are heating up, and not just because of Blanche's hot flashes. Rose's cousin is eloping to Miami, and Rose is playing host. If she can't balance the groom's family's snobbery against the traditional St. Olaf wedding week guidelines, her hometown may never accept her cousin again. Dorothy quickly realizes she needs a date with whom she can exchange wedding-related wisecracks.

Turning to a newfangled VHS dating service, she believes she's found the ideal conversationalist.

Unfortunately, what looks good on TV can actually be a total jerk in real life. It seems she'll just have to enjoy the company of Sophia, Blanche, and whomever Blanche has targeted for a hookup. As the Girls all pitch in, Rose is thrilled that the tea-and-fish-themed kickoff event is perfect, not a herring out of place. That is until Dorothy's date is found dead-face-planted in an otherwise scrumptious-looking cheesecake.

With every guest a suspect (especially Dorothy) and a marriage on the line, the four besties must ID the real killer, get the should-be-happy couple down the aisle, and make sure nobody from St. Olaf gets lost in the wilds of Miami. It's up to the Golden Girls to sleuth out a way for friendship and love to win the day!

This book releases on April 15th but is available for preorder now!

*arc from NetGalley.

A solid start to a new cozy mystery series featuring the Golden Girls who you know and love. Dorothy goes on a blind date and he later winds up dead face first in Rose’s cheesecake at a posh Miami hotel where they are hosting a wedding for Rose’s cousin. The banter is great, can’t wait to see what’s next for the Golden Girls. Thanks to NetGalley and Hyperion Press for an advance copy for an honest review.

This book was such a fun ride. From start to finish, it felt like I was watching an episode of The Golden Girls! I could visualize the whole thing in my head and hear the dialogue in the character’s noteable voices. There were moments that made me audibly laugh and it was just the perfect, cozy mystery. If this becomes a series, I will happily read them all!

I have never read a book that came with an earworm or song that gets stuck in your head but this one did. The more I read the more the song "Thank you for being a friend" played on a loop in my head. I suppose that tells you the author did a nice job of taking the reader back to that old sitcom many of us watched growing up. As I read the dialogue between the characters I could helped but picture the characters from the show. The author kept so true to what we know with the quirks and idiosyncrasies on every page. The story was an absolute hoot and a fun trip into the past. I will admit to being a little thrown every time St Olaf was mentioned, I kept picturing a little snowman which did not match my Golden Girls memories. If you remember the show then I recommend giving this book a read. You won't regret, it is the perfect cozy with just a touch of nostalgia. Now, if I could only find a way to get rid of the song in my head. LOL
Thanks to NetGalley and Hyperion Avenue for the opportunity to read this ARC.

Overall, this was a fun read! There were so many moments when I could hear the lines being spoken as if it was the show. However, I think the characters became caricatures of themselves at times and didn't feel as authentic or whole as they could be. While characteristics such as Rose's St. Olaf reminiscences or Sophia's biting one-liners are loveable parts of the characters, when these are repeated too many times, they just become tiresome. While this is the danger of writing any beloved character, I think Rachel Ekstrom Courage did generally do a good job with the characters and it was enjoyable to read the hijinks that happened throughout.

I received this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. ARC provided by Hyperion Avenue.

When Dorothy’s obnoxious date is found dead in a hotel freezer, it not only ruins a gorgeous cheesecake but threatens the elaborate St. Olaf–themed wedding Rose is hosting.

Things are heating up, and not just because of Blanche’s hot flashes. Rose’s cousin is eloping to Miami, and Rose is playing host. If she can not balance the groom’s family’s snobbery against the traditional St. Olaf wedding week guidelines, her hometown may never accept her cousin again!

Dorothy quickly realizes she needs a date with whom she can exchange wedding-related wisecracks. Turning to a newfangled VHS dating service, she believes she is found the ideal conversationalist. Unfortunately, what looks good on TV can actually be a total jerk in real life. It seems she will just have to enjoy the company of Sophia, Blanche, and whomever Blanche has targeted for a hookup.

As the Girls all pitch in, Rose is thrilled that the tea-and-fish-themed kickoff event is perfect, not a herring out of place. That is until Dorothy’s date is found dead—face-planted in an otherwise scrumptious-looking cheesecake. With every guest a suspect (especially Dorothy) and a marriage on the line, the four besties must ID the real killer, get the should-be-happy couple down the aisle, and make sure nobody from St. Olaf gets lost in the wilds of Miami. It is up to the Golden Girls to sleuth out a way for friendship and love to win the day!

Murder by Cheesecake is the first novel in the new Golden Girls series. So when I requested the book, I did not know it was gonna be fully based on Golden Girls and now I might need to watch it some day. Because I have never watched it. This book had the humour. It was fun and there was so much nostalgia, but the mystery was weak. The big reveal had me reading like who? They did throw a couple of things to throw you off the path of figuring out what really happened but you really had to think who this person even was. I just wished for more of a mystery for a mystery book. I cannot compare it to the Golden Girls and how spot on it was because, I personally have never watched it. But, however, I would recommend to read this one if you love the Golden Girls.