A review by oceanwriter
Murder by Cheesecake by Rachel Ekstrom Courage

funny lighthearted mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.75

If you’ve ever watched The Golden Girls, it’s hard to resist picking this up. Though it’s not a show I’ve watched regularly, I’ve enjoyed every episode I’ve watched and have been fond of Betty White in particular. If you’re looking for Golden Girls nostalgia, this is the book for you. If you’re looking for a mystery, this may fall a bit flat. 
 
When Rose’s cousin gets married, Dorothy needs a date. In a pinch, she tries out a dating service. If it wasn’t bad enough that her date isn’t what he seemed in his tape, he winds up dead and found in a freezer. The potential culprit? Cheesecake. 
 
Again, this book hit all the right notes in the nostalgia department. It felt like I was reading a Golden Girls script. Unfortunately, this came at the cost of a substantial mystery. 80% of the focus is on the wedding planning and floats in and out of the mystery. It was fun, but I wish there had been a better balance of the two. 
 
Thanks to Hyperion and NetGalley for providing me with a free digital ARC of the book. 
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