The Golden Girls became a huge comfort during 2020 so when I saw this was going to be a series, it was a must read for me. Don’t get me wrong, a lot of the nostalgia it brought and being able to reunite with friends wanted me to rate this book higher but there are a few things this cozy mystery could improve on.

This truly felt like I was watching an episode of The Golden Girls. The vibes felt the same, the humor 🤣. It was so easy to step into this world and era.

I could have done without so much St. Olaf. The traditions got so over overwhelming and I just wanted more of the mystery without having something be explained for the wedding. The author truly found the groove of the mystery portion the last 20% of the book and I wish it would have been like that the entire time.

Overall, a perfect cozy read and I’m so happy to revisit these ladies. 🥹 Thank you NetGalley and Hyperion Avenue for the ARC in exchange of an honest review!

Super cute cozy mystery! Loved the banter between the girls, just wish there would have been a little more focus on the mystery instead of the wedding.

Let me preface by saying I was incredibly excited to read this book.

Murder by Cheesecake follows our favorite group of women, Rose, Blanche, Dorothy, and Sophia, as try to figure out who murdered Dorothy's date. It's filled with one-liners and satire that Golden Girls is famous for.

However, I could not finish this book myself. The writing felt very dense and overly detailed. I think I was expecting something like Murder She Wrote. Instead, I received a lot of information regarding this wedding and very little to bring me into this mystery. That left me disappointed.

I believe art is subjective and not everyone is going to love everything. This book might have left me disappointed, but it doesn't mean not everyone will be. I applaud the author for coming up with an original idea. I can see the potential in a series like this.

Let's get three disclaimers out of the way now:

1. I know of the author and her husband (a writer in his own right) through their work as founders and creators of Littsburgh, an incredibly resourceful frequent compilation of events, news, happenings, etc. in and around Pittsburgh's literary community. They're wonderful people who are passionate about and supportive of all things books, writing, and Pittsburgh, and I hope they're not angry with me for this review.

2. Through NetGalley, I received an ARC of this debut novel from Hyperion Press in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for being a friend, NetGalley.

3. I usually don't read cozy mysteries, but I requested this because of Disclaimer #1. Also, I'm doing a bit of work travel lately and tend to prefer lighter reads during those trips, especially when flying. (Indeed, I read this during a flight this week.)

I know, I know -- this review is sounding like one of Rose's rambling monologues about St. Olaf. Which is a major theme of the novel, but we'll get to that in a second.

I'm a proud child of the 80s with a strong appreciation and fondness for The Golden Girls, the acclaimed TV sitcom starring four iconic actresses: Bea Arthur (Dorothy), Rue McClanahan (Blanche), Betty White (Rose), and Estelle Getty (Sophia). I say this because before diving into Murder by Cheesecake, I think it's pretty essential to have a more than working knowledge of the show's plot points, along with these characters' personalities and proclivities.

(Maybe that's a fourth disclaimer.)

What the book is about: Rose's niece is getting married to the son of a Miami hotel owner, and the Golden Girls are thrown into wedding planning mode. But of course, it isn't just any wedding: according to Rose the festivities must have all the requisite St. Olaf traditions and customs -- and there are a LOT of them. Meanwhile, Dorothy uses a video matchmaking service to go on a date that ends mysteriously, which leads to a shocking discovery at the wedding...and worse of all, a ruined cheesecake.

What I liked: The characters. I mean, of course. Rachel Ekstrom Courage remains 110% true and faithful to the four women, capturing all of their quirks and catchphrases. I didn't listen to this on audio but I didn't have to: if you've watched the show, you can hear the ladies' intonations which is good because the dialogue is probably the best thing about the book along with the fun and nostalgic '80s references. And there's a fun little nod to Pittsburgh.

What didn't work as well: The plot and pacing. As other reviewers mentioned, there is entirely too much St. Olaf in this book. It felt like on every page we were introduced to yet another ridiculous ritual (yet whimsical and imaginative, for sure) that Rose insisted on being part of the wedding, to the point well beyond overkill. And I'm sorry but Rose herself is a grown-ass woman who constantly acted like a petulant child by demanding everything be done to St. Olaf specifications. (I'm probably in the minority on this but Rose's St. Olaf shtick always was annoying to me in the show. It's probably fair to say the over emphasis of it in the book impacted my enjoyment and low rating. YMMV.)

I wanted a lighthearted book to occupy me during my flight, which this did, but I'd hoped for more substance. Instead, I found myself skimming through much of the St. Olaf traditions and particularly as I guessed the "mystery" and got towards the end. All in all, just an okay read for me, but others who are more devoted to The Golden Girls fandom might have more of an appreciation.

It’s Golden Girls and cheesecake…what’s not to like! The cover is cute!! I loved the characters. Can’t wait for it to hit the stores!!

I absolutely love The Golden Girls, and I was in awe and shock when I saw this book. I immediately had to look it up to see when it would be released. I'm so glad I was able to read it early. Having been a fan for many years and having seen every episode probably 1000 times, it was so much fun to read this. I could picture everything they were describing from clothes to what the rooms look like. I was able to know what their voices sounded like, and I even knew how to pronounce St. Olafian words. I also appreciated how things from the tv show were mentioned and I recognized characters talked about. I can't believe it's taken this long for someone to come up with this idea. It will be so hard to have to wait for more books to be published. I don't buy too many books these days, and even though I already read this book, I will still be buying it!

Thank you NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for the ARC.

I loved this book! Full disclosure - I honestly did not know what I was getting into with the 'Golden Girls' theme. I watch very little television and was not aware of the connection. I was looking for a fun read, and this one filled the bill. The characters were a pleasure and while the whole St. Olaf wedding tradition thing got VERY OLD, very fast, it was impossible, by the end, to not be rooting for Rose. Four elderly ladies, roommates and friends, work together to solve a murder. What could go wrong?! I think the plot was well thought out although I thought the police really glommed on to Dorothy a little too quickly. Even though I'm not a Golden Girls fan, I will definitely be looking for the next installment in this series.

This ARC was provided by the publisher and NetGalley, the opinions expressed herein are strictly my own.

3 stars. 🌟 Huge thanks to Hyperion Avenue for the ARC via NetGalley! 💌

Okay, confession time: I have never watched Golden Girls. I KNOW, I KNOW—how dare I?! But listen, when I requested this book, I had no clue it was actually tied to Golden Girls. Now, after reading this? I might watch it someday... just not, like, any day soon.

So what’s the tea (and cheesecake)? Dorothy’s awful date winds up dead in a freezer, ruining both the dessert and Rose’s elaborate St. Olaf-themed wedding plans. (Tragic, really.) Enter: Blanche, Sophia, and the sassiest amateur sleuthing squad Miami has ever seen. They’ve got wisecracks, VHS dating, wedding drama, and a mystery to solve.

Sounds fun, right? And honestly, it kinda was! The humor? Spot-on. The vibes? Pure nostalgia. The characters? Nailed. Dorothy’s sarcasm? Chef’s kiss. Sophia’s one-liners? GOLD. If you love the show, you’ll probably enjoy this cozy little trip down memory lane.

Buuut here’s the thing. The mystery? Weak. Like, “blink and you’ll miss the murderer” weak. The big reveal had me sitting there like… who? 🤨 It felt like the book was more focused on wedding shenanigans than, you know, the actual murder. And while St. Olaf traditions are quirky and all, I didn’t need that much detail about herring shortages.

Would I read the sequel? Maybe. It was fun, light, nostalgic, and definitely entertaining. But if you're in it just for the mystery? Might wanna lower your expectations.

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I suddenly have an intense craving for cheesecake. 🍰

Well, this was a hoot!

Based on the "Golden Girls" TV show, we have the four friends living in Miami in the 1980s, when Rose's cousin Nettie decides to elope to Florida for her wedding.

Nettie's fiance Jason wants them to be welcome back in St Olaf, and in order for that to happen, they need to follow all the St Olaf wedding traditions - from the silly to the downright crazy! Rose works very hard to try and give her cousin the perfect wedding, while the groom's rich and snobby family want to take it over. When Dorothy chooses a VHS dating service to find a date for the wedding, the man she meets seems nice until he leaves her at the restaurant.

When a man is found murdered in the freezer at the wedding venue hotel, one of our four friends is suspected of being the murderer.

All four become amateur detectives, to save the wedding and their friend.

The author got the characters just right, and I enjoyed reading the book whilst hearing the familiar voices in my head. There was probably more wedding fun and foolery than there was mystery, but I enjoyed the balance in this quick fun read.

Perfect for fans of the TV series.

If you loved watching the Golden Girls you will absolutely enjoy reading this book!

Rose is in a pickle as she tries to prove to everyone in her hometown that she can pull off a wedding for her dear cousin following all the traditions of St. Olaf. Things are going as planned until a dead body shows up and one of the girls is a suspect!

Can Rose pull this wedding off? Can the girls solve the murder before one of them is falsely accused? Can Blanche think of anything besides men?!

This book was just like watching an episode on tv. I could hear and visualize all the characters in my head. All of Rose’s silly phrases did not disappoint. The story was bonkers- in a good way! The cozy mystery vibes added a fun layer to the story. I would definitely read more in this series.

Sadly I could not finish this book. I am reluctant to give it a 3 star rating, but since I am unable to finish it I believe that's fair.
While I was excited to receive this as an ARC, I was soon disappointed with the writing and how slow it seemed to read. There is not flow to the writing. The sentences felt stiff and poorly structured leading it to be a difficult to continue read. The Golden Girls tv show had heart and flow, sadly this book did not capture that essence. I was over halfway finished, and while yes I want to know how it will end and who is the killer, it is not worth continuing with so many other books and ARCs to read.
Thank you to Hyperion Avenue and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

The Golden Girls are back!

This cozy book felt just like watching the tv show. The characters fit their same personas, the humor is spot on. Really enjoyed and can't wait to see what other adventures and situations the characters find themselves in.

This lighthearted mystery novel kicks up the nostalgia. Taking place in 1980 Miami, these characters are a delight to read. The style of writing matches the television show and the characters fall right in line with their tv personas. I would recommend to a reader looking for a palate cleanser after a thriller or emotionally draining book. This book is a quick and very cozy read with a heartwarming resolution.

I went into this with high expectations and came out a bit disappointed. I guess I had hoped it would be reminiscent and feel nostalgic, but it was kind of just frustrating. I do appreciate the author and publisher for providing this ARC!

I thought this was a really cute idea and it stayed true to the characters throughout. Now, could I binge this in one sitting? No, I had to treat these as little episodes and read a few a day. But it was very enjoyable in that way. Had all the nostalgia I've come to want from these gals and plenty of references. It was helpful to keep me in that world, so I appreciated the throwbacks. If you're a fan of the Golden Girls you'll be a fan of this book. If not though, it will be completely lost on you. It's very steeped in the knowledge and history of the show.

This is a book for true Golden Girls fans. If you're craving MORE GG content or are curious about the world of fan fiction, read this. It reads a lot like an episode though it is notably longer and more meandering.

I want to thank Hyperion Avenue for this ARC in exchange for an honest review. I thought this was a super cute concept for a new cozy mystery series so I was, initially, interested in reading it. However, I felt like the whole time the story was fighting to keep both the mystery part and the Golden Girls theme of it on an equal playing field and I feel like it all the momentum of the story just fizzled out.

Ooo! Get your cheesecake ready, people! Thanks to Rachel Ekstrom Courage, we get to enjoy the new Golden Girls Mystery series!! The first installment is titled Murder By Cheesecake, and it is quite the cozy mystery! (And I could almost hear the inter-scene music from the TV show when a break came in the book).

In this first novel, Rose’s cousin, Nettie, has announced that she and her boyfriend, Jason, are eloping; which really goes against the traditions from St. Olaf, all of which Rose still holds dear. Recognizing that Jason’s not being a native of St. Olaf might be better accepted into society up there if they complete the wedding traditions of St. Olaf, Rose convinces them both to let her take care of all of the wedding preparations. Nettie and Jason eventually agree, but warn Rose about the opposition that she might encounter from Jason’s parents, who are used to their way being the only way.

To find a date to the wedding, Dorothy decides to use the very new video-dating service available in Miami. She watched so many introductions of men on VHS tapes until she found one that she wanted to get to know. She lets him know that she has a wedding to go to shortly, and that’s why she was in a rush to meet someone to be her date. They agree to meet in real life, and it was an eye-opening date.

As the Golden Girls go to help Rose set up for the wedding activities, they stumble upon a dead body, which of course leads to the interrogations of several of the wedding party, including Dorothy. To prove her innocence, she and the Girls investigate to clear her name from the investigation. Mayhem and hilarity ensue.

You’ll totally want to pick up this book and be transported back to the days when the Golden Girls were still part of our lives, with their humor, shenanigans, and the tales of St. Olaf. I can’t wait for the next installment in this series!

Thank you to NetGalley and Hyperion Avenue for this ARC!!!

How can you not love a cozy mystery? Then throw in the Golden Girls who get involved in this cozy mystery. Who wouldn’t love this who done it.

Roses niece Nettie is getting married to Miami born Jason. Jason’s family think over the top wedding Jason and Nettie think small but with St. Olaf traditions which Jason wants. Plus they must have the elders blessings to be married. Rose goes full blast to make this wedding perfect until there is trouble.

Dorothy is feeling the single woman blues. She would love a date for the wedding so she tuns to video dating and makes a match. She meets Henry but feels something is off. Why does Henry leave her stranded, something isn’t right. With Dorothy being furious she dives into helping Rose with the wedding. Then tragedy strikes someone is murdered , stuffed in the hotel freezer with Rose’s homemade cheesecakes. Who is this ma and why was he here. Next thing you know Dorothy is a suspect because the victim is Henry. He was Dorothy’s date gone wrong. Why are they arresting her?

As you read this book you feel like you are watching one of the episodes of the show. You can picture each character and play it all in your mind. I truly enjoyed it. Very enjoyable and it brought back many Saturday memories.

So thank youNetGalley and Hyperion Avenue for the ARC, and I truly hope there is more in this series. I would definitely read them and would certainly recommend them.4.5 stars

"The first novel in the all-new Golden Girls Cozy Mystery Series!

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!"

WHY HAS NO ONE THOUGHT OF THIS BEFORE!?! Seriously brilliant. Like a perfect cheesecake.