Hi everyone! I hope you’re all well. Today is Friday, and it’s time for another review. Today, I’m sharing my review of Rachel Ekstrom Courage’s Murder by Cheesecake: A Golden Girls Cozy Mystery.
Murder by Cheesecake: A Golden Girls Cozy Mystery was published in 2025 by Hyperion Avenue and is 304 pages long.
The Plot
In this cosy mystery, we join Dorothy, Rose, Blanche, and Sophia as they find themselves entangled in a murder investigation. While Rose is orchestrating a traditional St. Olaf-themed wedding for her niece, Dorothy ventures into the world of VHS dating services to find a companion for the day. Her date, however, turns out to be less than charming and is later discovered dead in a hotel freezer, face-down in a cheesecake. With Dorothy as the prime suspect, the women set about trying to clear her name.
Characters
Dorothy
The wise-cracking and pragmatic rock of the group, Dorothy’s sceptical nature often serves as the group’s compass in navigating clues. Courage captures her deadpan delivery so perfectly that you can almost hear Bea Arthur’s voice as you read. Dorothy’s ability to ground the group while reluctantly getting drawn into the absurdities keeps her true to form and makes her investigative instincts feel authentic.
Rose
Sweet, naïve Rose somehow finds herself the accidental centre of the entire mystery. Her Midwestern charm and penchant for St. Olaf anecdotes are just as endearing (and ridiculous) as they are on screen. Courage gives Rose moments of surprising depth when her cheerful demeanour masks her distress at being wrongfully accused of murder.
Blanche
Blanche brings her Southern charm and bold flirtations into the mix with gusto. Her vanity and flair for the dramatic lend some wonderfully over-the-top moments that lighten even the novel’s most suspenseful scenes. Her personality sparkles on the page.
Sophia
Last but never least, Sophia. The sharp-tongued, sharp-as-a-tac matriarch of the group is a scene stealer. Courage perfectly nails her no-nonsense wisdom and acerbic wit, often delivering the best one-liners in the book. True to form, Sophia has her moments of surprising insight, often breaking key elements of the mystery wide open when no one else is paying attention.
Writing Style
Rachel Ekstrom Courage’s writing paints a vivid picture of sunny Miami. Her love for the Golden Girls is evident, and her attempts to fuse their iconic humour with an unfolding mystery are admirable; it feels like she sat down with seven seasons worth of Golden Girls reruns to ensure every quirk and mannerism stayed true to the characters.
However, that said, the writing can feel formulaic. I suppose cosy mysteries do have a particular formula, but I hate spotting it; I like to read a book and be totally swept away by the story.
The narrative often gets bogged down by overly detailed explanations or forced humour that doesn’t quite land. On top of this, the mystery itself is pretty straightforward, which may leave the more experienced readers of cosy mysteries craving more complexity.
A stand out of the book, for me, was the inclusion of small nostalgic nods to the TV show. Whether it’s Sophia slyly slipping a Sicilian proverb into a conversation or Blanche insisting on wearing heels no matter the situation, these moments will make fans smile—even if they’re fleeting.
Final Thoughts
Murder by Cheesecake is a fun book if you’re a Golden Girls fan looking for a light read that brings Dorothy, Blanche, Sophia, and Rose into a fresh, new setting. The nostalgic charm of these beloved characters is enough to carry you through the novel’s weaker moments. However, for those who prioritize the mystery itself, the predictability of the narrative and occasional pacing issues might be a drawback.
I am giving Murder by Cheesecake: A Golden Girls Cozy Mystery a disappointing 4/10.
Have you read this one? I’d love to know what you think.
Thank you, as ever, for stopping by to read my review. It really means a lot.
Until next time,
George
© 2025 GLT
Categories: Book Reviews, Reading
GEORGE L THOMAS 
Leave a comment