This one was even better than I expected! Smartly written, close to the vest, and I didn’t guess the ending. The dialogue was quick and straightforward, and I especially loved the sly voice of Mrs. B, who had some great lines.

The characters were the quirky bunch you’d expect from a book like this, and it was interesting to see their motivations unfold. 4.5 stars!

Thanks to Minotaur Books and NetGalley for the ARC!

I'm so, so happy to have read this book. I laughed, I cried, I kept guessing until the end.

This is a cozy mystery set in a small community in Santa Barbara, CA. The residents all have some idiosyncracies, but they all have big hearts. When a murder occurs in the midst of their cottages, they need to figure out who the killer is before the newest neighbor (and recently paroled ex-con) can be railroaded.

This story was so full of hope and love even in the midst of some of the dark parts of life. I don't know if this will be a series, but I do know that if it is, I will definitely be reading all future installments. This was such a pleasure.

Thanks to Net Galley for the book to review.

This was pure cozy murder mystery gold. Think The Thursday Murder Club meets Only Murders in the Building but make it beachy, warm, and wonderfully weird. Speaking of I can see this making a great series on Hulu, Netflix, or Prime.

Every character is delightfully annoying and lovable, and I swear I’ve lived next to each of them at some point in my life. The rotating POVs actually worked (shocking, I know), and I never once felt lost or bored.

I fell for every red herring, questioned everyone, and still couldn’t solve the case which, in my opinion, is exactly how a good mystery should go. Cozy? Absolutely. Predictable? Not at all.

Someone please give this book a full cast audio adaptation. (4.5 rounded up to 5)

Imagine a small town where everyone knows your name... and your business. Now, add in a group of unlikely amateur detectives, a charming neighborhood full of secrets, and a murder mystery that just won’t stay buried. Welcome to The Marigold Cottages Murder Collective.

Jo Nichols crafts a delightfully quirky, suspenseful tale that had me hooked from the first chapter. The characters are an absolute joy—each one bringing their own flair to the group of would-be sleuths, who manage to make even the darkest mysteries feel lighthearted and fun. There’s a perfect balance of cozy vibes and thrilling intrigue, making this one of those books you’ll want to curl up with and devour in one sitting.

If you love small-town charm, a good whodunit, and characters who feel like they could be your neighbors (or your best friends), then this is your next must-read. It’s a heartwarming and thrilling ride all rolled into one.

The Marigold Cottages Murder Collective is a solkid bit of fun reading.

A corpse is found on the grounds of their small bungalow community & the residents are suspects and suspicious of their fellow neighbors. This was a quick & easy read that kept my interest throughout. I enjoyed the quirky (but not too quirky) characters and their interactions. The mystery was well done & I'm hopeful that Jo Nichols will give us a new story with this same cast.

I was not expecting to love this cozy mystery! It kept me guessing - great writing style and good pacing! Loved the multi POV. Overall, a great read!!

I so thoroughly enjoyed this whodunnit, cozy mystery style story. This was such a fun and sweet story, and I enjoyed the multi-person POV more than I expected! You'll get to know these lovable characters at the same time the story and mystery is unfolded, and if you're in need of a beach read you can't put down, pick this book up!

So different! I have to admit, it took me a good bit of the book to get a handle on all of the different perspectives, and the fact that this didn’t follow “the formula.” But it was fresh and kept me on the edge of my seat!

this was a fun, cozy mystery book. It gave off vibes of the thursday night murder club. It had a few twists and was a enjoyable read.

The cast of characters who live in Mrs B's cottages are a rag tag bunch, who all clearly love the older woman. Through their stories as they come together to solve not one, but two murders, as well as save one of their own, they grow on you. They are committed to saving their little neighborhood and each other. An engaging story with an ending that ties the story together nicely. Thanks to Net Galley, Ms Nichols, and St Martin's Publishing for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was a fantastic cozy mystery with a found family feel to it! Loved the writing style with multiple points of view. Funny dialog but also serious topics because… you know, someone was murdered.

Thanks to St. Martin’s Press/Minotaur Books for this ARC in exchange for my honest review. Watch for The Marigold Cottages Murder Collective to come out August 19, 2025.

NETGALLEY REVIEW: 4.5 stars for me! Wow oh wow, LOVED this book. A good light hearted murder mystery that kept you guessing who did it! Good pacing and writing style. Get to experience all the neighbors POV, which is cool for a murder mystery. Gives murder she wrote meets Gilmore girls vibes. Would definitely recommend

The author did a great job in delivering a solid story with a nicely executed mystery where nothing is left to chance. There were a few twists and turns that enhanced how well this book was being told. The setting felt comfortable, and I enjoyed the multiple points of view, especially when the truth began to disseminate in this drama, and it was enjoyable watching it all play out. Overall, this book was delightfully funny and at the same time warm and heartfelt.

This was a fun ensemble cast mystery as we follow the residents of Marigold Cottages as they navigate life and the aftermath of a Murder on their property. With the many different resident POVs, plus the Detective, it can take a while to settle into the dynamics of this eclectic group of people. In the end though, we see them pull together to support not only their beloved landlady, Mrs B, but also integrating their lives together into a community. Both mysterious and heartfelt, this was a nice cozy mystery to unravel along with them.

Thanks to Minotaur Books and NetGalley for the ARC for my review.

I. AM. OBSESSED.

this was everything i could have hoped for in a cozy mystery novel. the romance! the suspense! the DRAMA! i want a series. i want to know every mundane detail about these character's lives because i loved every single on of them. i need more. i didn't want to put it down. i read it in one sitting because i was so invested in the drama!

it was pretty predictable but it was FUN and i laughed out loud multiple times and honestly what more could i ask for?? i recommend this to everyone who needs a break from the awful realities of life. take a few hours to get lost in the Marigold Cottages world. you won't regret it.


thank you minotaur (sara my bestie) and netgalley for gifting me an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review and opinions.

Reading The Marigold Cottages Murder Collective by Jo Nichols was an incredibly enjoyable experience. The novel takes place in the charming community of Marigold Cottages in Santa Barbara, where a diverse group of residents call home. At the heart of it all is Mrs. B, a landlady with a strong sense of idealism, who has cultivated a close-knit and welcoming environment.

That sense of peace is shattered when a murder occurs, leading to the shocking arrest of one of the newer tenants, Anthony. Though many doubt his innocence, Mrs. B is so convinced of it that she takes matters into her own hands by claiming responsibility for the crime. This unexpected move inspires the other residents to band together, forming an unlikely investigative group with the goal of uncovering the truth and clearing Mrs. B’s name.

One of the most compelling aspects of the book is the depth of its characters. The group of amateur sleuths—Sophie, Hamilton, Ocean, Lily-Ann, and Nicholas—each bring their own personalities, experiences, and motivations to the table. Their interactions provide both humor and heart, making them feel real and endearing. There’s a wonderful balance between lighthearted moments and genuine emotional depth, as the story delves into themes of trust, redemption, and the power of community.

The mystery itself is well-paced and full of surprises. Just when it feels like the truth is within reach, new twists emerge, keeping the tension high. The discovery of a second body adds even more complexity, ensuring the suspense never lets up. The novel carries the same cozy yet intriguing energy as The Thursday Murder Club and Only Murders in the Building, but with its own unique Southern California charm.

This book was so much fun to read. It's a cozy mystery with interesting and varied characters with unique personalities sharing a space and forming a community. It had more twists and turns than expected, the relationships ebbed and flowed and felt realistic. The dialogue all worked for me and felt true to each character. I would read 20 more of these. It really was so charming.

What a fun, quirky cast of characters. I really enjoyed The Marigolds Cottages Murder Collective. Fun character development and great story.

Loved, loved, loved it!! The characters, the setting, the relationships-everything about this was perfect! This cozy mystery was a page turner that kept me reading even when I should have been doing something else! I was surprised at the end but completely satisfied with how it finished. Found families, real estate woes, unsympathetic police, pleasant setting, and burgeoning love plus the multiple viewpoints and the ‘writing a play’ action made this so interesting. If there is a sequel (yes, please) with these characters I will definitely want to read it.

Thanks to Netgalley, Minotaur Books and the author, Jo Nichols for this ebook arc to read. All opinions are my

A quirky set of characters live in the Marigold Cottages. When a dead body is found outside one of the cottages and one of the residents is arrested., the group bands together to prove his innocence and to solve the murder. But then a second dead body is found. Will they be able to solve the murder and go back to their happy existence? A fun read with twists and turns and secrets to be revealed.