Ok, so I LOVE The Golden Girls and I'm a new-ish fan of cozy mysteries. So, when I saw this title and the description I did a total double-take. This book is a "midnight-cheesecake-snack" of a story that was engaging and made me giggle. Highly recommend to anyone who likes Golden Girls, mysteries, cheesecake or any combo of the three!

This book transports you right into the Golden Girls house! With cheesecake and all! I loved the show Golden Girls. The characters are written on the page and you can see them in the show. I loved that this was a murder mystery woven together with Rose’s stories of St Olaf (my favorite parts of the show!). If you are looking for a murder mystery with humor along the way - dive into this book! Love that this is a series and cant wait to see what the Girls get into next!

Murder by Cheesecake is a delightful cozy mystery that hits all the right notes for fans of character-driven stories with a nostalgic flair. The book delivers great character development, with a cast of charming, witty women who feel like they stepped right out of a Golden Girls episode. Their chemistry is effortless, their banter is laugh-out-loud funny, and their bond adds warmth and heart to the murder mystery at the center of the plot.

The pacing is breezy, the mystery engaging without being overly grim, and the writing has a lightness that makes the pages fly by. If you’re looking for a comforting whodunit with sass, smarts, and cheesecake, this is it. A perfect pick for cozy mystery fans or anyone who misses the magic of Dorothy, Blanche, Rose, and Sophia.

When Rose's cousin decides to elope, Rose convinces her to have the wedding in Miami, with all the traditions of a St. Olaf wedding. Things are going off without a hitch until a body is discovered and Dorothy becom6a suspect. Will the ladies get Dorothy off the hook before the wedding is ruined?

I was super excited for this book as the Golden Girls is one of my comfort shows. This debut was enjoyable, though it did have its issues. First off, I don't feel like the author got a full handle on Dorothy's character; she was too uptight and cranky. Second, I think that there should've been less of Rose's apprehensiveness (is that a word?). It got grating to consistently read that she didn't think she could do whatever thing needed done at that time. Third, there were parts where the jokes just flopped and were excessive. I know it's a cozy, but you can't have that many one-liners. I'd recommend this to fans of the show, but be prepared if you're looking for a good mystery, as that plays second fiddle to the wedding prep.

My thanks to Hyperion Avenue, the author, and NetGalley for gifting me a digital copy of this book. My opinions are my own.

A drop of the Golden Girls is what we all need in this moment. This book delivered better than I expected. The audio rendition was also surprisingly good! I very much had my doubts with such icons already in everyone's heads. I have high hopes that this will improve with subsequent works as the author hits her stride.

Why it isn't 5 stars:

1- people complained of too much wedding, but I think the real issue is too much Rose. I love the character and her contribution to the dynamic, but there is a reason why the audience doesn't spend a ton of time in Rose's head during the show. Because we had so much of Rose's inner monologue we, as an audience, we slow on the uptake.

2- there was way too much "comic relief." We love St. Olaf stories but a whole gaggle of living ones on top of Rose's normal amount is too much. What was handled well here was the point of the St. Olaf's stories. I did enjoy Rose's reflections on her experiences with Charlie and the real point of all the oddball traditions. That didn't need to be all in her head though. These transferred better than the slapstick though, which brings me to

3- they don't have Dorothy's character figured out really. She's too gruff and stodgy. It seems they tried to "fix" it with slapstick. While that worked somewhat on the show, it doesn't transfer well to the written word. The narrator's poor take on Bea Arthur's voice did not help.

Overall, it's like a pilot episode - trying a bit too hard to be all the things, not yet comfortable in its own skin, and a bit longer than it should be. I'm up for the next one!

𝐁𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐡𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐒𝐨𝐩𝐡𝐢𝐚 𝐞𝐱𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐝 𝐚 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐠𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞. 𝐈𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞, 𝐑𝐨𝐬𝐞 𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐥𝐲 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐤𝐞 𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐨𝐟 𝐚𝐧𝐲𝐨𝐧𝐞--𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐬𝐡𝐞 𝐝𝐢𝐝, 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐬 𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐡𝐲, 𝐠𝐮𝐭𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐥, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐯𝐚𝐠𝐮𝐞𝐥𝐲 𝐍𝐨𝐫𝐰𝐞𝐢𝐠𝐚𝐧.

I think we all have a handful of comfort television shows, and The Golden Girls is definitely one of mine. This book was a riot, and I easily read the whole thing in just a few hours, and I also heard each woman's voice in my head.

Rose is trying to plan a traditional St. Olaf wedding for a relative, and Dorothy throws a wrench in her plans when the man she selected from video dating turns up dead in the hotel freezer where Rose is planning the event. Add in Sophia's one-liners and Blanche's Southern drawl, and this was a promising start to a fun new series. I chuckled several times, but when I got to the club scene, Rose's inner monologue nearly took me out, especially when she wondered 'if she could get the DJ to play "I Wanna Thresh with Somebody" by Winifred Houston.'

You need this book in your life. Thank you to NetGalley and Hyperion for this early copy. This book is available now.

3.5 stars

I’m a huge golden girls fan so I was THRILLED to not only learn there was a book being written but that I was also chosen to read an early copy! Overall, this book read almost exactly like an episode of the golden girls and it was easy to picture it as if it were playing on tv. My only complaints are that the story was a little dragged out in comparison to the ending—there was so much build up for it to be over in just a few short pages—& that some of the inner monologues from Dorothy and Rose were either a little more exaggerated than usual or not something I would picture them thinking. Aside from that, it was a cozy book and I look forward to read additional stories if it becomes a series

When Golden Girls gang are helping put together a St. Olaf-themed wedding for one of Rose's relatives at a hotel in Miami, Dorothy's obnoxious date is found dead in the walk-in freezer, forcing the ladies to investigate and clear their friend's name.

I am both a huge Golden Girls fan and a huge cozy mystery fan, so I was SUPER excited for this book. And how beautiful is the cover art? It's perfect. Unfortunately, the book was... not. I ended up not finishing this one. It's just, I'm so sad to say, poorly written. The dialogue doesn't have the same charm in writing as it does on the screen, and I found the characters annoying instead of endearing. Their grating jokes combined with my disinterest in the mystery and the length of time it took to get there made me put this one down. So disappointing.

Thanks to Disney Books Hyperion for my eARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

2 stars - 4/10

I was excited to revisit with the Golden Girls. This was a cozy mystery with the Girls trying to clear Dorothy's name. I thought it had a slow start, but it picks up as the story progresses. It was a cute enjoyable read. I am looking forward to reading the next books.

Unfortunately, I was unable to finish this book in time, before it expired on that galley. So, I do not feel comfortable giving a review since I still had around 25% left to go. I was enjoying what I did read and felt like I was getting to the meat of the mystery!

Thank you to the publisher for the opportunity to read this book, even though it was just part of the book. (I have to give a star rating in order to publish this review... 3.5 stars for 72.3% of the book.)

Murder by Cheesecake is a delightful, fun read that effortlessly combines mystery and humor in a way thatkept me entertained from start to finish. Its lighthearted tone and easy-to-read style make it the perfect choice for a relaxing summer book, ideal for beach days or lazy afternoons with a cold drink in hand.
The quirky characters and witty dialogue bring the story to life, and if you’re a fan of the Golden Girls, you’ll find yourself hearing their iconic voices as you follow the amusing twists and turns. The book captures the charm and hilarity reminiscent of their banter, adding an extra layer of nostalgia to the reading experience.

Honestly, this book was terrible. The personality of the characters didn’t go with the characters that we know and love. It seemed extremely forced and artificial. The author wrote excessive detailed descriptions that distracted and bored me. It felt as if the author was implying her views & opinions on the police when writing in Dorthy’s perspective. The show throughout the seasons did handle a few “serious” issues, but the show never handled it the way the author was portraying.

At times the characters seemed like they were holding a dialogue with themselves in their head, but then another character would answer them or ask questions. The dialogue didn’t flow easily between characters and it seemed all over the place.

The whole bridal shower scene on page 116 left me thinking WTF. I understand that Rose came from a small town full of eccentric people & traditions, but this seemed to be way out in left field. I thought it took the uniqueness & strangeness of Roses hometown & turned it into a kind of kink. It wasn’t the usual type of “St. Olaf” story that was portrayed on the show.

There were a few times that Sophia called Dorthy pumpkin and that unnecessarily irritated me. Sophia always called Dorthy pussycat.

The entirety of chapter 22 was completely ridiculous & unnecessary. I understand that it’s a cozy mystery, but make it something plausible. We are talking about Golden Girls and not some action packed tv show or movie. I really feel like the author missed the mark on the action packed scenes and they left me thinking just how ridiculous this book has become.

I maybe alone in my thoughts and opinions about this book. I grew up watching and rewatching the Golden Girls and went into reading this book expecting the same type of story/writing the show had. Maybe I had too high expectations, but I was extremely disappointed. I did not enjoy reading this and feel Like Sophia, Rose, Dorthy, & Blanche would be disappointed.

Murder by Cheesecake by Rachel Ekstrom Courage is the first book in the Golden Girls Cozy Mystery Series. The story was a cute cozy mystery as Dorothy, Rose, Blanche, and Sophia navigate a murder investigation intertwined with a St. Olaf-themed wedding. Which any GG fan would know about the St. Olaf bits Rose talked about frequently. But in the book it was just too much. I would have liked more mystery in the wedding shenanigans. It needed more balance.
Was it a cute read yes. Would I reccommend this to someone who wanted to dabble in a light cozy mystery sure. The nostalgia saved this one. But I dont know if I'd go back and pick up the second book?

Rachel Ekstrom Courage’s Murder by Cheesecake is an absolute treat for fans of cozy mysteries, nostalgia, and plenty of laughs! Set in the beloved world of the Golden Girls, this first installment of the Golden Girls Cozy Mystery Series is as warm and delightful as a late-night chat over a slice of cheesecake—just with an extra dose of murder and mayhem.

The story perfectly captures the essence of Dorothy, Blanche, Rose, and Sophia, bringing their humor, quirks, and undeniable chemistry to life. The mix of a St. Olaf-themed wedding, a VHS dating mishap, and a murder mystery involving a cheesecake is pure comedic gold. Each of the Girls shines as they band together to solve the mystery, blending their wit, charm, and loyalty in a way that feels true to the iconic characters we love.

Courage’s writing is sharp, engaging, and full of the humor and heart that made the Golden Girls a cultural treasure. The mystery keeps you guessing, with every guest a suspect, while the entertaining subplots add richness to the story. Fans of the show will adore the nods to classic moments, and new readers will find themselves charmed by these clever, dynamic women.

Murder by Cheesecake is a fun, lighthearted read with plenty of twists and laughs along the way. Perfect for cozy mystery enthusiasts and anyone who loves the idea of murder served with a side of friendship (and, of course, cheesecake).

Murder by Cheesecake was an incredibly enjoyable cozy mystery! While reading, I could clearly hear the voices of the Golden Girls and vividly imagine their antics! The author did an amazing job capturing their essence! It felt like I was right there with them in the middle of a Golden Girls episode! The book blended humor with suspense, making it a delightful read!

As a devoted fan of The Golden Girls, I was eager to dive into this book. I thoroughly enjoyed being swept into Dorothy’s journey as she reenters the dating world. Only she discovers that it’s not quite the romantic adventure Blanche makes it out to be. And soon things take an unexpected turn when Dorothy’s disastrous date turns up dead at Rose’s cousin’s wedding. How did he end up there and who’s responsible?
While the mystery was fun, I did find myself missing some of the show’s signature charm. Rose’s whimsical stories about Olaf and Sophia’s sharp tongued wit were noticeably absent, and I felt there were missed opportunities to truly capture the essence of these beloved characters. The connection to the show’s original magic didn’t fully land for me.
That said, I appreciated the continued theme of deep female friendship and found family, which is at the heart of what makes The Golden Girls so special. I’m looking forward to the next installment and hope it brings more of that classic dynamic we know and love.

*Thank you to Rachel Ekstrom Courage, Hyperion Avenue and Netgalley for the ARC copy. I am freely leaving my honest review.

DNF @50%
In the beginning, I felt like this definitely gave the signature Golden Girls vibe; however, as the story progressed, I found myself not really enjoying anything that was going on and disengaging from the story.

Thank you to Netgalley, publishing house and author for the opportunity to read this book.
It was such a a fun and silly read, definitely refreshing after all the thrillers I’ve been binging.

I preface this by saying I adore the golden girls, and this truly feels like an episode that was never written. the author has done such a great job of making the characters authentic and real. As I read I could picture it all, and hear it.

I think anyone would adore this book but especially thinking of might nana for it, it follows the show to a tee, set in the 80s, and characters have not changed at all.
I really enjoyed this golden girls murder mystery and look forward to the others to follow this series

What a fun book to read! I felt like the golden girls were back again. Story is solid and this is a series to look forward to. I love these characters come to life. Rose is especially enjoyable, and we feel like we are getting to kniw her better. Comedy is hard to wrote in a book. Rachel seems to have it down so well. It's hard to kniw everything that should be said. So enjoyable to read! Can't wait for more

Fun take on the TV show if you're a fan. Mystery was cozy and played our as expected. A simple enjoyable read