As a big fan of the Golden Girls television show, I wanted to love this. Reading the characters in print is a different experience than hearing their deadpan delivery and pacing on television. I love the idea in theory, but it did not work for me as I hoped.

Vibes:
➤ Murder Mystery
➤ Golden Girls Cast
➤ Cozy Mystery
➤ Light Humor

Recommended For:
Anyone looking for a cozy murder mystery with a lighthearted plot. Would only recommend for those who have watched and enjoyed The Golden Girls as most of the appeal is in the nostalgia. The humor and voices of these characters was authentic, so if you enjoy The Golden Girls, you’ll love this!

Thoughts:
I personally enjoyed the dialogue so much between these characters, it felt so much like watching an episode of the show. I am personally not much of a cozy mystery fan, they move too slow for me and the stakes feel so low. So although I love The Golden Girls, I am afraid I am not the target audience due to the genre.

I really wanted to love this book, but it was hard to read. I am a huge Golden Girls fan and love reading a good mystery, but this wasn't it. It was written too simplistic for me. Maybe if I wasn't a fan of the show it might have worked for me? There just seemed to be parts of the story that were so slow and the writing was wordy when it wasn't necessary.

I wanted to love this one. Truly. A murder mystery inspired by The Golden Girls? Say less. I’m already picturing myself in a caftan with a cheesecake in one hand and a magnifying glass in the other. I'm pretty sure I’m going to grow up to be Dorothy Zbornak. But alas… this book and I were not meant to be.

I gave it a solid try. But the writing? It just didn’t work for me. It was too simplistic to hold my interest—and at the same time, weirdly trying too hard. Every object in the scene had a name, a color, a fabric type, and maybe a memoir. When I tripped over a sentence that included “coral-upholstered rattan sofa,” “fan-armed chairs,” “cream-colored carpet,” and “low-heeled pumps”—all in one breath—I had to tap out. My brain whispered, “Babe… you don’t have to do this to yourself.”

I’m sure there’s a reader out there who will vibe with this book more than I did. But it’s a DNF for me.

First line: Rose Nylund whispered into the lemon-yellow telephone receiver, twisting the cord tightly between her fingers, her words obscured by the gurgling of the coffee percolator.

Summary: Picture it…Miami. Rose Nylund is planning a beautiful St. Olaf wedding in Miami but things are not going as planned. She is working against the groom’s snobby family and the fact that Dorothy’s date was found face first in a cheesecake in the hotel’s freezer. What else could go wrong? Well it appears that Dorothy may be the prime suspect in the man’s death since their one and only date was disaster. The girls are determined to clear Dorothy’s name, find the killer and make sure the wedding goes off without any more problems.

My Thoughts: Several years ago I binge watched The Golden Girls for the first time and absolutely loved it! Those ladies were witty and the show as completely ridiculous but it is perfection in sitcom TV. When I saw that we were getting a Golden Girls mystery series, I was all in. It was a cute, quirky and silly murder mystery. In all it was exactly what you’d expect from these ladies. The things they did while pursuing the criminal were outlandish and the St. Olaf wedding preparations were beyond kooky. It could easily have been an extended episode of the show. While is it nothing overly fantastic it fits perfectly in The Golden Girls fandom by giving all the silliness and wit of the characters that many of us love. If you love the show you will like the book too.

Thank You Netgalley and the publishers for a copy of an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Firstly, I grew up watching The Golden Girls with my mom. So once I saw that this book in a way revolved around the the girls I instantly wanted to read this and give it a go. Truthfully, I was a bit concerned because I didn't want the show I grew up watching to get misrepresented.... and this didn't do that luckily. I felt like the way the characters was written in a way sums up how the characters are when you watch the actual show. I appreciated the fact that the author, looks like (well in written form) that they are someone who actually spent time watching the show because of the references that was made along the storyline. A nice throwback to the actual show with a bit of a mystery element combined

The reason for my rating is more because I wasn't instantly hooked. I think it's more because of the fact that I wanted it to not replace my love for the show and for it to give me something slightly more different. Nonetheless, it's a good read.

I say if you are someone who loves/loved the show The Golden Girls to give this a try.

I am a huge Golden Girls fan. I re-watch probably every year and I can tell you what an episode will be about within the first five minutes. I even dressed up as Rose for work!

I was apprehensive about this book because the show is a beloved classic and do we really need to try something new with it? I was pleasantly surprised because it was so nice to spend some more time with my girls! It felt like a warm hug.

I could tell that the author watched the show because she referenced several different episodes. I feel like the banter between the girls was so spot on to the show. The book was a perfect mix of the usual GG stuff and a cozy mystery. I can't wait to read more in the series!

Thank you to NetGalley, Rachel Ekstrom Courage, and Hyperion Avenue for the opportunity to read Murder by Cheesecake. I have written this review voluntarily and honestly!

3.75
Rose’s cousin Nettie is getting married to Jason. Her parents aren’t involved so Rose volunteered to plan the wedding. The venue burned down in St. Olaf so they have decided to have it in Miami. Rose wants to have include all of the St. Olaf traditions included. Dorothy doesn’t want to go to another wedding alone so she decides to go in a date with a man she finds thru video dating service. They decide to meet at a diner and they haven’t even gotten the meal before Henry doesn’t the restroom and never comes back. He tells the waitress to let her know the bill is payed and he had to run off.
A few days later they go Jason’s parents hotel to start the wedding festivities. When Rose is taking the cheesecakes out of the freezer she finds a dead body that happens to be the man Dorothy went on a date with. Later the police find a note his is pocket with Dorothy’s name on it. She is now a suspect in a murder. The murder is ruining the wedding festivities. The ladies decide they need to solve the murder to save Dorothy from going to jail and to save the rest of the wedding.

This book really did feel like a long episode of the Golden Girls. The author really captures each of the characters language and mannerisms. Her GG knowledge runs deeps. I like the way the mystery unfolded. This is a perfect read for GG fans that love a mystery.

Murder By Cheesecake is the first book in a new cozy mystery series starring The Golden Girls. I wanted to read this book because I love The Golden Girls and also love cozy mysteries. It was a delight from the first page to the last.

Rose is planning a wedding in Miami for her beloved niece from St. Olaf. Her niece is engaged to a young man from a prominent Miami hotelier family, and there are clashes about the wedding plans. Dorothy wants a date to the wedding and decides to try computer dating. She meets a handsome man from the dating service for lunch and they hit it off ... until he pays the bill and vanishes mid-meal. Later he turns up in a hotel freezer, and Dorothy becomes a suspect in his murder. The Golden Girls work together to solve the mystery, while also helping Rose with her family wedding dilemma.

This mystery is well paced, with short chapters and lots of twists and turn. The author captures the personalities of Rose, Dorothy, Blanche, and Sophia perfectly. Murder By Cheesecake is so fresh and different. I can't wait for the next book in the series! Five enthusiastic stars from me.

This was an adorable read filled with characters we all know and love. This story is a deliciously clever cozy mystery that blends sass, suspense, and just the right amount of sweetness. When a wedding week turns deadly and a date ends face-first in dessert, it’s up to four fierce, fabulous ladies to crack the case. With sharp wit and lovable chaos, this story is a golden treat for mystery lovers and fans of friendship-fueled hijinks. Funny, fast-paced, and totally bingeable!

Thank you NetGalley & Hyperion Avenue for the ARC.
3 stars!

Loved it! It was fun to be able to dive back into the world of THE GOLDEN GIRLS. We have already purchased copies for our branches and I know that our customers will adore them.

I began this book with so much excitement as I am a long time fan of The Golden Girls television show. And I started to lose interest about 30% in. I went back to give it another try and then realized this just may not be for me right now.

There was no real need for character development here as the show has done that part for the author and I knew I would love the characters. However, I just wasn't feeling as though things were moving at a pace that worked for me. I also thought that the St. Olaf words and traditions became such a redundant part of the plot. It was almost as if the murder wasn't a pivotal part of the story, and the wedding planning took over everything.

The writing was solid and I wouldn't not recommend it to fans of The Golden Girls. It just didn't work well for me in the way that I expected it would.

Also FYI - there were so many issues with the kindle file I received that it made the reading that much more difficult.

We all stan Dorothy, Sophia, Blanche, and Rose—and this cozy mystery brings their classic antics to the page as they stumble into a murder investigation! Rose is planning a St. Olaf-style wedding for her cousin in Miami, but things spiral fast: the groom’s family is a nightmare, there’s a herring shortage, and a dead body turns up in the cheesecake cooler. When one of their own is accused, the Girls team up to crack the case.

The author really nails their voices, and there are lots of fun callbacks for fans of the show. It honestly felt like a super long episode of The Golden Girls, which was charming at first. But Rose’s St. Olaf stories—hilarious in small doses—started to wear thin, and the mystery itself felt a bit too light and scattered.

A fun read for die-hard fans, but I think I still prefer the Girls on screen where their humor shines brightest.

I am a huge Golden Girl fan and was so excited to read this! I felt like I jumped into another episode with the girls and since I have watched the show over and over it was nice to pretend this was a never released episode. I laughed so much during this book and loved each second I was able to spend with the girls! I highly recommend to all the Golden fans out there!

I loved this book! So cozy and funny, riddled with sass and wit just like our favorite ladies. I already love cozy mysteries, and I was excited for the nostalgia that would come along with The Golden Girls in one of my favorite genres.

The author did an amazing job capturing the personalities and humor of the ladies and also writing a cute story. I do wish that the pacing was a little better, and that there was more focus on the mystery than on planning for the wedding.

I will definitely continue this series for the humor and nostalgia alone!

This was a solid 3.5-star read for me! As a longtime Golden Girls fan, I couldn’t resist diving into this cozy mystery, and overall, it was an adorable and heartwarming experience. The charm of the characters we all know and love truly shines through, and the author did a lovely job capturing their personalities and quirks in a way that felt both nostalgic and fresh.

That said, there were moments when I felt the central murder mystery faded a bit into the background. The pacing occasionally wandered, and some parts leaned more into quirky side quests than building suspense. While that might be a downside for some readers looking for a more tightly woven mystery, I actually found the detours endearing. They added a layer of fun and gave us a more intimate look into the lives and friendships of these iconic women.

The writing was light and easy to follow, making it a perfect weekend or vacation read. It made me smile more than once, and I appreciated the way it balanced humor, heart, and just enough intrigue to keep me turning the pages.

I'm thankful to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC—it was a delightful blend of nostalgia and cozy mystery comfort. If you're a fan of the Golden Girls and enjoy a low-stakes, character-driven whodunit, this one’s worth checking out!

Murder By Cheesecake is the first book in the new Golden Girls Mystery Series by Rachel Ekstrom Courage. The book features the four female characters from The Golden Girls television show: Dorothy, Rose, Blanche, and Sophia.

The story is told from Rose and Dorothy's point of view. Rose is planning a St. Olaf themed wedding in Miami for her niece and her niece's fiance. Dorothy is trying to get back into the dating scene using a new VHS dating service.

When Dorothy's date is found face down in a cheesecake at the wedding venue, it throws a wrench in the wedding planning and makes Dorothy the number one suspect.

To save the wedding and keep Dorothy out of jail, the Golden Girls have to overcome a number of challenges involving the bride and groom's family and solve a mystery.

I really loved this mystery. Author Rachel Ekstrom Courage nails the voices. I felt like I was reading an episode of the television show. There were lots of witty jokes. It was fun reading about familiar characters in a mystery setting.

I liked that we got alternating POVs. I would have liked to read chapters from Blanche and Sophia's perspectives as well, but that may be something we get in future books since this book is just the first in a series.

There were a ton of 80s references, which really added to the fun. If you grew up in the 80s and watched the Golden Girls when it originally aired on television, you will get a lot of these references.

It was easy to relate to the characters and their plights: Dorothy wondering if she will ever find true love and Rose wondering if she can pull off a St Olaf wedding in Miami.

The book ends with a yummy cheesecake recipe.

I adored Murder By Cheesecake and can't wait to read the next one in the series when it comes out. In the meantime, I will be rewatching the television series!

Thanks to Hyperion Avenue and Net Galley for the ARC.

To this day, The Golden Girls remains one of my all-time favorite TV shows. As a child of the 80s, I grew up with Rose, Blanche, Dorothy, and Sophia. I knew I was a Dorothy from the first moment. Now, as an adult I my late 40s, I have a new appreciation for my favorite re-runs as I approach the age of these hilarious ladies. Of course, I leapt at the chance to read the first in a new cozy super-fan fiction mystery series involving these beloved characters! Overall, I will say it was well-done. The banter and the one-liners were on point. Each of the characters was truly captured by the story and felt authentic to the TV series. I literally heard the voices of each of the characters as I was reading and saw each of the characters as they were. The mystery unfolded in a way I could very much see the characters reacting to... almost like an extended sitcom episode or Golden Girls movie.

If there is a downside, I think readers who are not as familiar with the show may be a bit lost. If you aren't familiar with Rose's St. Olaf stories, it will seem very bizarre. But for those of us who love them, they are pure nostalgia.

I read the electronic text version, and I am not sure how the audiobook would work. Hearing the character's voices in my head as I read the text was what made the story extra special. Hearing someone else read the characters would take away from the experience in my opinion. But, I cannot fully say as I did not have the listening experience.
 
Thank you to NetGalley and Hyperion Avenue for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.

Fans of the Golden Girls will love this! I could hear each of the voices of the characters as if I was watching an episode of the show. While I’ve never been a huge fan of the show, I thought this was fun. The mystery was interesting and I loved the references to life in the 80s. I enjoyed investigating with Dorothy, who is competent as an amateur sleuth, but just as I was getting into the mystery each time, Rose and her St. Olaf traditions would be thrown at me and take me out of the mystery. This was fun but I am not sure if I will read another one.

As soon as I saw this cover I knew I needed to read it. The Golden Girls were a big staple of my childhood and adding some crime solving made this a true delight. Ekstrom Courage showed her deep knowledge of the GG lore as there are so many show shout outs throughout that fans will get but also readers who have never seen a single episode can also have a good time! This book is the perfect escape read…and will definitely have you craving so me cheesecake so I was thankful it came with a recipe at the end!