4.5 stars

The Marigold Cottages Murder Collective is a fun whodunit mystery with a combination of mystery, found family, humor and a touch of romance! Literally a little bit of everything and it was wonderful! I loved how we learned about each character primarily through the other character's point of view. The chapters are short and flow perfectly. We are given bits of information throughout, that are easily pieced together to form the bigger picture of this tightknit little community.

The characters are absolutely wonderful. Each one is easy to connect with, and each one brings something unique and messy to the story. They form the most unlikely yet perfect group of neighbors that you will instantly fall in love with and want more of! If you need a light, fun mystery; this is a definite read for you!

Mrs. B, the landlady of the Marigold Cottages, is charming and hilarious! She handpicks her tenants, and you better believe there is a good reason that each one is there! Once you're in her good graces, you can rest assured that you are loved and cared for and that she will have your back! When ex-con, Anthony, is invited to live in the cottages, the group is in shock. Mrs. B insists that they are all being ridiculous and she has all the faith in the world in him. She sticks to this even when a dead body is found outside one of the cottages shortly after Anthony moves in. Because he is the obvious suspect, Anthony is arrested, and no one will listen to Mrs. B when she insists that he is innocent. So, she takes matters into her own hands, and turns herself into the police, confessing her guilt to the murder. As the group works together to help Mrs. B, secrets and clues that will bring the story full circle, are unburied!

Expected release date for this gem is August 26.2025 and I cannot recommend it enough! Thank you NetGalley and Macmillian Audio for these early copies. All opinions are my own.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was a cute little cozy mystery. I loved the kooky cast of characters! This eclectic bunch of neighbors who live at the Marigold Cottages made this book for me. I love them and want to be friends with them. Hamilton above all made me laugh throughout the book. And, I wish I lived next door to Mrs. B!

When a body is found outside of Sophie's cottage at the Marigold, their new neighbor, Anthony, a former convict, is immediately suspected and arrested by an inept detective. So, the neighbors get together to form the Marigold Cottages Murder Collective and set off to solve the murder on their own and get Anthony out of jail.

This was a cute little story that I definitely recommend!

I had an itch for a summery cozy mystery and this one checked all the boxes! Mrs. B only rents out The Marigold Cottages to people she cares for, an eclectic and curious group of people who all have heart and need a place to stay in sunny Santa Barbara for one reason or another. When someone is killed on their collective doorstep, Mrs. B and her unlikely troupe of detectives step in to protect one of their own from a mistaken arrest. These are exactly the kind of books I love to read in between dark thrillers and fantasy adventures. It was full of humour and togetherness with a dash of mystery and I was surprised by how much I didn’t want the story of The Marigold Cottages family to end!

Thank you Netgalley and Minotaur Books for the Advance Readers Copy 🌼

The setting is an absolute dream — think Agatha Raisin meets The Great British Bake Off with murder as the surprise ingredient. There’s an undeniable coziness to the cottages, the cranky-yet-loveable villagers, and of course, the murder club itself (a group of nosy neighbors with an alarming talent for solving crimes over scones). There were moments I wanted to wrap myself in a cardigan, light a cinnamon candle, and never leave.

But — and it’s a but with floral wallpaper — the pacing wobbled like a badly set jelly. Too many characters introduced too quickly, some red herrings that felt more like full-on salmon, and twists that were more confusing than clever. I spent more time flipping back to remember who was who than actually sleuthing along. Also, the collective could’ve used a bit more bite — the stakes felt oddly low even with a body count.

A quirky group of renters form a found family in Santa Barbara. There are real-estate deals in the works, dead bodies on the premises, and mysteries to be solved. A terrific cozy to while away a few summer afternoons.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Cozy and interesting premise. I’m afraid I couldn’t really get into the story. There are way too many points of view for me to really connect with them. Shifting first person and third person narrative also bothered me. If you like all the POVs, then you might really enjoy this book.

Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free, electronic ARC of this novel received in exchange for an honest review.
Expected publication date: Aug. 19, 2025
The tenants of the Marigold Cottages are a tight-knit group for the most part. Mrs. B, the landlady, knows all of the comings-and-goings of the tenants and is known for collecting the stragglers and those down on their luck and giving them an affordable home in her collection of cottages. There’s a single mother with her two children, a recluse, a neurodivergent woman on the verge of a divorce, a finance bro and even a charming ex-con, all of whom manage to live together peacefully—until the night a body is found in the bushes outside Mrs. B’s home. The tenants of the Marigold Cottages team up to solve the mystery when it looks like the police are trying to frame one of their own, but then another dead body turns up and the tenants must decide how well they truly know their neighbours or if one of them could be a murderer.
“The Marigold Cottages Murder Collective” by Jo Nichols is a charming, cozy mystery, overflowing with likable and relatable characters. Each chapter is narrated by one of the tenants, as well as a few segments by the lead detective investigating, so readers get to know the entire collective through each individuals’ perspective. All of the tenants are very different, in age, occupation, sexuality, etc., which ensures that readers will be able to form a quick and easy connection with one, or more, of the Marigold tenants.
The mystery component is well-formulated and creatively written. There are the obvious suspects within the community, of course, but there are also a few highly plausible options outside as well, and Nichols engages her readers in the ultimate guessing game. Even the ending itself leaves a shadow of suspicion and doubt over the outcome as Nichols presents an ending that may or may not be true, depending on what readers believe.
“Marigold” fosters a sense of community, adds heaping spoons of charm and intrigue, and throws some modern-day romance in for extra flavour. The characters are laugh-out-loud funny while also being real and human and Nichols’ ties all of the plot points together in a cohesive and flowing manner. The short chapters make this novel a page-turner while still providing readers with an emotional, immersive and gripping mystery.

I received a free DRC of this book through Netgalley. I have to start by saying that this is the first book in a long time that has made me LOL and not just once, but multiple times. That is sorely needed in today's world. The characters are interesting, but most are not really explained as thoroughly as I would like. I enjoyed the tenants' interactions with each other as they play detective. I did not guess the ending either so that was great.

3.75 stars

This unusual mystery has a great plot, but is really character-driven. An elderly and eccentric widow owns a collection of cottages in a small enclave in California. She has plenty of money, so she can charge whatever rent she likes and make adjustments if her renters need some help. She is an outrageously nosy and managing woman, but so well-motivated and caring that everyone not only puts up with her meddling, but they conspire to take care of her and make sure she's ok.

The community is a collection of oddballs: one man who refuses to leave his house, another who won't have anything to do with his landlady Mrs. B although there is clearly a connection, a gay single mom sculptor and artist, a wealthy somewhat compulsive woman who is separated from her husband, a young woman crippled by her fears after a stalking experience, and a recently released from prison felon.

There are some friendships and interactions among the group, but they are not thrilled with the felon moving in. When a dead body is found in the bushes, the police instantly focus on him and Mrs. B is so adamant about his innocence that they band together to see what they can find out.

The nervous young woman is a playwright, and some of the book is presented as scenes in a play. An interesting and unusual book and quite readable. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This was a feel-good cozy mystery with a wonderful cast of quirky characters.

Widowed Mrs. B. owns the Marigold Cottages which lie just minutes from the Pacific coastline. She has a tendency to lease a few of her units at below market rates as she is more concerned that her tenants are sympatico than she is about raking in the profits. Outside the enclave of cottages, there are folks who covet its parcel and location and are continuously pressuring Mrs. B. to sell up, which is not likely to happen anytime soon.

Shortly after her newest tenant, a recently released ex-con, settles into the smallest studio, a body is discovered in the courtyard. Immediately, the local constabulary presumes the excon's guilt. Mrs. B. is adamant that he is not the perpetrator. The passel of quirky tenants gather their wits and reasoning skills in order to seek answers and solve a most circuitous mystery.

Ms. Nichols has crafted sweet and endearing mystery. The writing is solid. The scene settings are well described. Each character is unique and well developed. The idiosyncrasies of each character are rather amusing and warm one's heart. The mystery is richly layered with a number of red herrings. This was definitely a delightful summer diversion.

I am grateful to Minotaur Books for having provided a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. Their generosity, however, has not influenced this review - the words of which are mine alone.


Publisher: Minotaur Books
Publication date: August 19, 2025
Number of Pages: 352
ISBN: 978-1250356543

Definitely a 'cozy' mystery, this novel hits all the required marks; quirky characters (including the prerequisite feisty little old lady), an un-gruesome murder. a couple of love interests. All that was missing was an adorable dog/cat.

The writing was good, but I am not a fan of alternating between 'first person' narration and 'third person' narration. The bland Sophie's talks to us in first person. All the other characters narratives are told in third person. Chapters alternate between people and it got a little confusing at times. The mystery was okay but we spend a lot of time wandering off on other subjects. I got pretty bored about a third of the way through but powered on and am happy to report it does finally pick up around the halfway mark. The ending was muddled and rushed, but satisfactory, I guess. I didn't like the final chapter reading as if it was a final act in a play (Sophie secretly wants to be a playwright), it felt clumsy and I turned the final page thinking there must be a clearer explanation, but sadly, no, that was it.

If you love cozy mysteries, you may enjoy this. I don't dislike them, but this one was a miss for me.

Jo Nichols has assembled a group of engaging and quirky characters in this smart and cozy mystery. A discovered body interrupts the separate lives of a ragtag group of misfit neighbors who scheme together to exonerate the prime suspect among them. Working through the twists and turns of the motivations, secrets and hidden agendas, these characters slowly become a family.

I don’t often use the word delightful, but this story was delightfully funny and intriguing. Highly recommend this for your enjoyment.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the complimentary eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

This book was pretty good but the plot really was all over the place .

The characters were well written and interesting but hard to follow.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for my copy, I should also say that I also have the audio so thank you to MacMillan for that!

I enjoyed this cozy mystery, but it definitely read like a screenplay (it’s supposed to), and I have never been very good with reading screenplays.

The story and cliched cast of characters were intriguing enough for me to finish the book but I also got a bit turned around with it all. That made it hard for me to love it.

I think if you are a die hard cozy fan and don’t have issues with a screenplay feel and a million POVs the. You’ll love this one. The audio is also pretty good and worth it if you prefer audio!

This is an entertaining, well-written, mystery novel. It has eccentric, likable, engaging and diverse characters, relatable teenagers, humor, a touch of romance, murder, secrets, an intriguing mystery, unexpected twists, and a surprising conclusion. Many thanks to St. Martin's Press/Minotaur books, Ms. Nichols, and NetGalley, who provided me with an advanced reader copy of this delightful novel. This is my honest opinion.

This is a cozy mystery with a cast of quirky characters who have nothing in common except where they live. When a dead body is found outside of the tenants apartments and the newly moved in ex-con tenant is arrested for the murder they decide to work together to discover who the killer is, even if it's one of them. While solving the murder is the main theme, I liked how the story was told by multiple POVs and how cohesive they became in their quest to find the killer.

I received this advance review copy from NetGalley & the publisher for my honest review.

Mrs. Roper meets Only Murders in the Building!

“I can’t believe you’re doing this.” “At my age, it’s important to keep active.” “By investigating a murder?” “It beats bingo,” Mrs. B said...

I fell in love with this delightful and quirky cast of characters! Mrs. B is a charming caftan-wearing landlord with an eccentric group of tenants. When one of them finds a body, they must band together to protect one of their own.

Charming, Twisty, and Utterly Enjoyable: A Cozy Mystery Worth Diving Into
Jo Nichols’ The Marigold Cottages Murder Collective is an engaging, fast-paced mystery brimming with quirky charm and unexpected depth. When a man is found dead outside the quaint Marigold Cottages, the most unlikely resident becomes the prime suspect—setting off a cascade of secrets and revelations among the small circle of tenants.
Owned by the enigmatic Golda, the cottages house six distinctive renters, each with their own complicated past. Told from multiple points of view—including an investigating police detective—this novel weaves an entertaining web of unreliable narrators and clever misdirection. The storytelling technique adds layers of intrigue without ever losing clarity or pace.
With short, snappy chapters and an ensemble that feels straight out of an eccentric sitcom (in the best possible way), I found myself invested in every character. Their quirks, histories, and evolving dynamics pulled me in completely. By the end, I was genuinely sad to turn the last page—I wanted justice to be served, but didn’t want to say goodbye.
The resolution is satisfying, tying up loose ends while leaving you with just enough wonder to keep thinking about it long after finishing. Whether you enjoy complex character-driven plots or cozy mysteries with heart and humor, The Marigold Cottages Murder Collective is a delightful read I wholeheartedly recommend.

The Marigold Cottages Murder Collective is a charming and clever cozy mystery with a lot of heart. When someone is murdered at the usually peaceful Marigold Cottages, a group of quirky tenants bands together to figure out what really happened. Each character feels distinct and real, and their unlikely friendships give the story its emotional core.

Jo Nichols balances humor, mystery, and warmth beautifully, with fun twists and some surprisingly touching moments. It’s not just about solving a crime, it’s about community, second chances, and finding connection in unexpected places. A feel-good read with just the right amount of suspense.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Mrs. B. is the landlord of the Marigold Cottages in Santa Barbara. The group of cottages form a circle with a courtyard in between. It’s a cozy place to live where everyone pitches in and it shows. Purchasing the cottages was the best thing Mrs. B’s deceased husband had ever done.

Mrs. B. is elderly, and she is picky about who she rents to. Her tenants are a rag tag group who she charges only what she knows they can afford. Sophie is a young woman who has had a scare in her past. Hamilton is agoraphobic, Nicholas is a young financier, Ocean is a lesbian artist and mother of two, Lily-Ann is a wealthy woman separated from her husband.

Anthony, the latest tenant who shows up at the same time as a corpse is a big guy with lots of tattoos. The other tenants are sure he’s spent time in prison. When the police take him in for questioning, everyone except Mrs. B thinks he is guilty.

Because everyone loves Mrs. B., they take it upon themselves to investigate.

It takes the murder, for the neighbors to take the time to get to know each other better.

This is a story about friendships, teamwork, and sacrifices. What would you do to protect someone you cared for?

This was well written. I loved the characters and the setting and hope that it is a series. The characters are quirky and they grow on you. I would read more.

This is a new release scheduled for August 19th.

Thanks to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for giving me an advanced readers copy for my honest review.