Murder by Cheesecake

A Golden Girls Cozy Mystery

By: Rachel Ekstrom Courage

Narrated by: Yvonne Newman

The first novel in the all-new Golden Girls Cozy Mystery series!

When Dorothy’s obnoxious date is found dead in a hotel freezer, it not only ruins a gorgeous cheesecake but threatens the elaborate St. Olaf-themed wedding Rose is hosting.

Things are heating up, and not just because of Blanche’s hot flashes. Rose’s cousin is eloping to Miami, and Rose is playing host. If she can't balance the groom’s family’s snobbery against the traditional St. Olaf wedding week guidelines, her hometown may never accept her cousin again!

Dorothy quickly realizes she needs a date with whom she can exchange wedding-related wisecracks. Turning to a newfangled VHS dating service, she believes she’s found the ideal conversationalist. Unfortunately, what looks good on TV can actually be a total jerk in real life. It seems she’ll just have to enjoy the company of Sophia, Blanche, and whomever Blanche has targeted for a hookup.

As the girls all pitch in, Rose is thrilled that the tea-and-fish-themed kickoff event is perfect, not a herring out of place. That is until Dorothy’s date is found dead—face-planted in an otherwise scrumptious-looking cheesecake. With every guest a suspect (especially Dorothy) and a marriage on the line, the four besties must ID the real killer, get the should-be-happy couple down the aisle, and make sure nobody from St. Olaf gets lost in the wilds of Miami. It’s up to the Golden Girls to sleuth out a way for friendship and love to win the day!

©2025 ABC Signature (P)2025 Audible, Inc.

The Golden Girls Meet Cozy Mystery Magic!

If you’re a Golden Girls fan, stop what you’re doing and listen to Murder by Cheesecake! It’s like watching a new episode—cozy, clever, and full of that classic charm. I’ve loved every single minute. The characters are so true to the original show, it felt like coming home to old friends. The dialogue, the sass, the jokes - perfection!

And the narrator? She is hands-down one of the best I’ve ever heard. Every accent is on point, and she brings each character to life with such flair and personality that I kept laughing out loud. It’s like she channeled the original cast.

Every time the scenes change, I can practically hear the old Golden Girls transition music in my head—it’s that spot-on. The whole thing just oozes nostalgic fun in the best way.

I know there are a few reviews calling this book “meh,” but I wholeheartedly disagree. Not everything needs to be gritty or dramatic. This book is sweet, smart, nostalgic, and full of heart—the perfect cozy mystery with a Golden Girls twist. I truly hope this becomes a full series because we need more joy like this in the world.

Highly, highly recommend for fans of fun, friendship, and murder with a wink.

Really solid

Loved the story and getting fresh stories that the writers of Golden Girls would be happy to read.

Loved

Loved this! Can’t wait for the next one!! Hopefully the wait won’t be too long

Love it!

I’ve been a golden girls fan since grade school. And watch it anytime it’s on tv. This book was written well, I was picturing it all in my mind. The ladies and all!

Perfect audio for lovers of the TV show!

In this cozy mystery, Rose is orchestrating an over-the-top St. Olaf-themed wedding while Dorothy wades (disastrously) into the dating pool. When Dorothy’s blind date ends up dead in the hotel freezer, face-first in the cheesecake made for the wedding, she becomes the prime suspect. Naturally, Rose, Blanche and Sophia jump in to help clear her name… even though none of them have any idea how to solve a murder. Meanwhile, the entire town of St. Olaf is still in Miami expecting a wedding! Can the gang pull off a St. Olaf-worthy wedding AND clear Dorothy’s name? Of course they can!

This one is an adorable, low-stakes cozy mystery that’s absolutely brimming with nostalgia. Honestly, it’s not the mystery itself that drew me in or kept me turning the pages - it’s the fun, comedic tone and how well the author captures the vibe of these beloved characters. I had a blast reading it and will definitely keep going with the series, especially on audio (see below)!

🎧 Audiobook Notes 🎧
I highly recommend the audiobook! Yvonne Newman nails the voices of all four Golden Girls, adding an extra layer of charm and nostalgia that makes this story even more delightful. (7h 52m)