I really loved the idea of a Golden Girls book. Unfortunately, this book just did not live up to my expectations. Ultimately as I read, I felt that Rose was made into this really insufferable character and she very clearly did not listen to her cousin about many things regarding to the wedding. There was so much about St. Olaf and their traditions that it felt overwhelming to read, and I didn’t feel like enough attention was being placed on the murder. In the show it worked because of the delivery, but on paper it just didn’t flow well. If the book is supposed to be a cozy mystery, I expected more mystery.

That being said, I really do love the Golden Girls and have been a huge fan of the show. I do feel like for the most part. The girls were well represented except for when Rose became a little unlikable I will go back and watch some golden girls episodes just to feed into the nostalgia.

Overall, this was a three stars for me maybe in the future with later books I’ll be able to enjoy them a little bit more but this one just did not stick.

Picture It: Miami, murder, and mischief.
As a big Golden Girls fan, this book was basically a dream come true! Set in 1980s Miami with all the sass, charm, and cheesecake you could want, Murder by Cheesecake had me smiling from the first page.
When Dorothy’s date ends up face first in a cheesecake and very, very dead, the girls get pulled into the chaos. Between Rose’s over the top St. Olaf themed wedding for her cousin, Blanche being PEAK Blanche, and Sophia just existing in all her glory, this mystery was a wild, hilarious, and nostalgic ride.
It felt like slipping into an episode, but with more murder. If you love cozy mysteries and the Golden Girls, be sure to check this one out.

While Murder by Cheesecake had some positives — I enjoyed the short chapters and found the storyline promising — the book as a whole just didn’t capture me. Despite its potential, it lacked the engagement I was hoping for, and I struggled to stay invested. That said, fans of The Golden Girls might have a better experience, as the cozy vibe and quirky characters could appeal more to that audience.

Many thanks to NetGalley for the Advance Reader's Copy.

What a delightful read. I really enjoyed this book! It reminded me very much of a show. Readers will enjoy it.

A delightful nostalgic cozy mystery involving a favorite fictional Floridian foursome! If you have always wondered what Dorothy, Rose, Blanche, and Sophia, solving a mystery would look like well here it is. Filled with all of the charm of the television series, callbacks to epic episodes, St. Olaf stories, but some new faces too. Picture it…Murder by Cheesecake. I only hope there are more adventures with the girls ahead.

As a huge Golden Girls fan, this book totally hit the spot! The humor, the friendship, the sass—everything I adore about Blanche, Dorothy, Rose, and Sophia was spot on. The wedding chaos mixed with a quirky mystery had me hooked from the start, and the girls’ antics were pure gold. The banter between them was just as hilarious as I hoped, and the added whodunit twist made it even more fun. If you love the Golden Girls (and who doesn’t?), this is an absolute must-read for some lighthearted, murder-mystery-filled nostalgia.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the early copy of this book, all opinions are my own!

I really enjoyed this! The book played out in my head like the show, and I pictured each character saying the things in the book! Very lighthearted and enjoyable, and great first book in the new series! I’ll Lee going! 4 stars!!!

I have been SO excited to read this book since I first saw it announced and it did not disappoint! If you love Golden Girls, this is a must read. The references to St. Olaf, Shady Pines and all the nostalgia is there! This isn't an edge of your seat thriller but I wasn't expecting that. I wanted something to remind me of watching the show with my own grandmother when I was little and it was perfect!

This book was alright. Feels like an extended episode of the Golden Girls but a little over done on their personality traits. We know that Rose and St. Olaf are a bit eccentric but this felt so exaggerated and ridiculous but on the other hand I get it. The story was just a little over the top for me but I can't say I didn't enjoy the descriptions and the sharp wit in it. I wouldn't run out and tell all my friends they've just got to read it but probably wouldn't discourage my friends who are GG fans from reading it either.

This was such a fun read. I loved that I could envision each of the characters throughout the story, and the fact that they were involved in a murder mystery!!! It was easy to follow, yet engaging and quirky. I enjoyed the mystery and the overall story as well. A super fun read for anyone who is a golden girls fan for sure!

This whole book played in my mind like an episode of the Golden Girls. If you’re a fan of the show, you’ll love this book. It’s GG with a mysterious twist.

It’s an easy, fun read that you’ll get through in a day or two. Definitely recommend if you need a light read between books.

Thanks NetGalley for the ARC of this book!

A wild, wacky, fun time. A major win for fans of the Golden Girls and equally as fun for fans of cozy mysteries.

Thank you to NetGalley, Hyperion Avenue, and Rachel Ekstrom Courage, for this ARC of Murder By Cheesecake; A Golden Girls Cozy Mystery out April 25, 2025!

📝Quick Summary: If you’re a Golden Girls fan, this was a cute little mystery (think Nancy Drew ish) that was nostalgic to the characters. I found myself thinking on their voices in my head while reading it 😂.

⭐️Overall Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

This novel was provided by the publisher, via Net Galley, in exchange for my honest review.

I really enjoyed reading Murder By Cheesecake!! It was a cozy mystery, but I enjoyed the banter between the characters the most. For those who love the golden girls, it will feel so nostalgic! The humor and wittiness was on point!!

My only complaint is the pacing of the book. I still really enjoyed it!! Thank you NetGalley for this eARC!!

What a delightful dive back into the 80s with the crew. Book 1 of this series has set a high bar, as we follow Rose through a recreation of St Olaf's myriad quirky wedding traditions and Dorothy enters the dating scene with tragic results.

Rachel Ekstrom Courage has developed the gang from their TV show personas and placed them into a cozy mystery. The humor - and shoulder pads - are as big as I remember, and the twist of them becoming amateur detectives is a hoot. The references to things quintessentially 80s are a fun throwback, yet the book holds a modern sensibility.

I'm eager to read the next "episode" and hope to have Sophia and Blanche featured more. And of course, lots more Dorothy - she is and will always be my favorite.

⭐️⭐ Murder by Cheesecake by Rachel Ekstrom Courage

Things that make the Golden Girls so fun and funny just didn’t hit the same in book form. They just have to be said by the actresses themselves. And if you didn’t know the characters before reading the book, I fear the jokes would really fall flat.

I guess this book was really about as expected though. Silly, all over the place, and very sitcom-like. The writing style and storytelling were simple which made it a very quick read. The majority of the story surrounded around Rose trying to pull off a traditional St. Olaf wedding for her cousin. In the midst of last minute wedding planning, a murder hinders their arrangements and none other than Dorothy is the main suspect! So, they’re off trying to clear Dorothy’s name.

So if you like The Golden Girls, sure give it a try, why-not. If you’re in it for the mystery, you’re gonna be severely disappointed. One other thing that bothered me was this was set in the 80’s and there was a snippet that brought nothing to the story but was very today.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this title for review.

I really enjoyed this book. Every character was spot on with the show's personality of the Golden Girls
Rachel did a great job of bringing their characters to book form. The murder mystery took a shocking turn that I didn't expect, and although lengthy, the descriptions of the investigation were lacking. I wish I had learned more about the investigation. Then there are way too many rules for the wedding, but this is Rose's family we are talking about, the ditzy ones came across. We're talking about. If I had learned more about the investigation, I would have given this five stars, but due to the lengthy explanation of the wedding, it fizzled out for me. The best part was the sassy comments from Sophia , Dorthy and Blanche captured from the show, and that had me laughing and highlighting phrases
#Cheesecake #GoldenGirls #mstery #Girlsnight

I did not finish this book. I couldn't get past the head hopping and the ridiculous dialogue. I had high hopes for a fun little cozy but this just wasn't it for me.

2.75⭐️: Man I was excited for this one but it just ended up being okay. The mystery was very lack luster and boring. The writing also just felt like things/chapters were missing. Over detailed parts of putting on shoes but then just skips things to progress the story.

Now onto the real reason you would pick this up: THE GOLDEN GIRLS. I am not a die hard fan. I’ve seen episodes here and there. I know enough to judge the vibes but not enough to judge how lore accurate this book is. With that being said, everyone but Rose felt very on brand to me. I could picture all the girls acting/saying these things, besides Rose.

Overall, I say it’s worth reading if you’re a Golden Girls fan but don’t expect some major twists and turns. Enjoy it for the nostalgia.

I enjoyed this quirky cozy mystery. The author did a great job of capturing the Golden Girls in a different context. It was like they moved off the sound stage of the show and into various locations around Miami. Their dialogue was familiar and fun. There were lots of quirky side characters, too. I am looking forward to more of these stories.