⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5/5 Stars

There are books that immediately make you smile the moment you hear about them, and then there is Murder by Cheesecake. As a lifelong Golden Girls fan, I honestly couldn’t believe this book even existed. A cozy mystery starring Dorothy, Rose, Blanche, and Sophia? It felt like someone had reached into my brain and created the exact kind of book I never knew I needed.

The first novel in the new Golden Girls Cozy Mystery series drops readers back into Miami just as Rose is hosting an elaborate St. Olaf-themed wedding for her cousin. Between quirky wedding traditions, clashing families, and Dorothy’s disastrous attempt at modern dating through a VHS matchmaking service, everything seems delightfully chaotic, until Dorothy’s terrible date is discovered dead, face-first in a cheesecake hidden away in a hotel freezer.

Naturally, suspicion falls on everyone attending the wedding festivities, including Dorothy herself. With the police investigating and the wedding hanging in the balance, the four friends set out to uncover the truth before another celebration is ruined.

What impressed me most wasn’t actually the mystery, it was how authentically Rachel Ekstrom Courage captured the voices of these iconic women. By the end of the first chapter, I could already hear each line exactly as if I were watching an episode of the television series. Dorothy’s dry wit, Blanche’s flirtatious confidence, Rose’s earnest innocence, and Sophia’s razor-sharp one-liners all felt incredibly natural. It was impossible not to hear their voices and picture every expression and comedic pause while reading.

The mystery itself was enjoyable, although I occasionally wished it had taken center stage more often. At times, the drama surrounding Nettie’s wedding overshadowed the actual investigation. That said, it also felt remarkably true to the spirit of The Golden Girls. Episodes of the show were rarely just about one thing; they blended humor, friendship, family drama, romance, and heartfelt moments together. In many ways, this novel follows that same formula.

Like many first books in a cozy mystery series, I think this one is laying the groundwork for something even better. Most cozy series become stronger as the author settles into the format and readers become invested in recurring mysteries. While it’s impossible for me to become any more attached to Dorothy, Rose, Blanche, and Sophia than I already am, I can absolutely see myself becoming more attached to the rhythm of this mystery series as it continues.

More than anything, Murder by Cheesecake was simply fun. It was nostalgic, comforting, and genuinely made me laugh. Reading it felt like sitting down to watch a lost episode of The Golden Girls, complete with witty banter, heartfelt friendship, and just enough murder to satisfy every cozy mystery lover.

If you’re a devoted Golden Girls fan, I think you’ll have an absolute blast with this book. You’ll catch the references, hear the dialogue exactly as the actresses delivered it, and appreciate how lovingly these beloved characters were brought back to life. If you’ve never watched the show, I don’t know that the experience will have quite the same magic, although the mystery itself is still entertaining enough to stand on its own.

For me, this was everything I hoped it would be: charming, nostalgic, cozy, and wonderfully familiar. It may not be a perfect mystery, but it didn’t need to be. It captured the heart of four television icons, and that alone made it a joy to read.

Quick Thoughts

⭐ Rating: ★★★★★ (5/5)

📚 Genre: Cozy Mystery, Mystery, Humor, Television Tie-In

📖 Series: The Golden Girls Cozy Mystery #1

📅 Read: July 2026

☕ Perfect For:

• Fans of The Golden Girls
• Cozy mystery lovers
• Readers looking for a nostalgic comfort read
• Anyone who enjoys character-driven mysteries with plenty of humor

✨ Themes:

• Friendship
• Found family
• Nostalgia
• Wedding chaos
• Community
• Humor
• Murder with a side of cheesecake

❤️ What I Loved:

• The author absolutely nailed the personalities and dialogue of Dorothy, Rose, Blanche, and Sophia.
• It genuinely felt like watching a lost episode of The Golden Girls.
• The humor and nostalgic references made it impossible not to smile.
• A cozy mystery that never takes itself too seriously.

🤔 A Few Minor Quibbles:

• I would have loved the mystery itself to be a little more front-and-center.
• Sophia using a cane felt out of character based on the television series.
• As with many first books in a cozy mystery series, I think future installments will only get stronger.

📚 Read This If You Love:

• Character-driven cozy mysteries
• Amateur sleuths
• Classic sitcoms
• Murder mysteries with humor
• Books that feel like comfort television

🥧 Favorite Moment:
Honestly? The moment I realized I could hear every single line in each character’s voice. That’s when I knew this book had won me over.

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Final Verdict

Murder by Cheesecake was everything I hoped it would be: funny, comforting, nostalgic, and full of the warmth that made The Golden Girls such a beloved show. While the mystery occasionally took a back seat to the wedding festivities, the heart of the story was always the friendship between these four incredible women and that’s exactly why I loved it.

Final Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐