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Marigold Cottages Murders #1
The Marigold Cottages Murder Collective: The warm and witty cozy crime novel
Mrs B, landlady of the Marigold Cottages, only rents to favoured tenants, and they're an eccentric ( odd, slightly broken) bunch. There's anxious playwright Sophie, agoraphobe over-sharer Hamilton, single mum and sculptor Ocean, perfectionist Lily-Ann, and the ever-mysterious Nicholas. Life in the cottages is peaceful though, until hulking, fresh-out-of-prison Anthony moves in and a dead body turns up.
Anthony is arrested and Mrs B, convinced of his innocence, promptly confesses to the crime herself. Horrified, her tenants band together to clear her name, forming the somewhat haphazard 'Marigold Cottages Murder Collective'. But as they dig deeper and a second body is discovered, further secrets are unearthed.
Can this motley collection of amateur sleuths solve the case before one of them becomes the next victim?
Anthony is arrested and Mrs B, convinced of his innocence, promptly confesses to the crime herself. Horrified, her tenants band together to clear her name, forming the somewhat haphazard 'Marigold Cottages Murder Collective'. But as they dig deeper and a second body is discovered, further secrets are unearthed.
Can this motley collection of amateur sleuths solve the case before one of them becomes the next victim?
353 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 19, 2025
326 people are currently reading
26340 people want to read
About the author
Jo Nichols
4 books66 followersFrom the book cover:
"Jo Nichols is the pen name of a wife-and-husband team who've published thirty-one books in five genres, written an animated series for Netflix, and spent a combined thirty-six years in Santa Barbara, where they've lived in eleven places. Their hobby is reminiscing about restaurants that no longer exist."
"Jo Nichols is the pen name of a wife-and-husband team who've published thirty-one books in five genres, written an animated series for Netflix, and spent a combined thirty-six years in Santa Barbara, where they've lived in eleven places. Their hobby is reminiscing about restaurants that no longer exist."
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 819 reviews
October 31, 2025
**4.5-stars**
With a story as fun and cozy as this cover, The Marigold Cottages Murder Collective gave me everything I was hoping for and then some. I did not expect to love this as much as I did, but I was pulled in and held so tightly.
The audiobook is a fabulous way to go with this one, as the dual narration of Meg Price and Jim Meskimen helped fuse humor and heart even more so into the story.
The comp to The Thursday Murder Club in the publisher's synopsis is definitely apt, but whereas with those books, the main characters are all mostly elderly, this story features more of a range of ages and backgrounds.
I feel like their differences, firstly, make them easier to remember, but also made the dynamics among them so heart-warming, interesting and funny.
I adore the Thursday Murder Club series, don't get me wrong, but I actually think it took me less time to learn this cast of characters and to fall in love with them. Sophie, Mrs. B, Ocean, and all the others, are just so darn lovable.
The mystery was also super compelling and I loved watching them all bumbling around trying to figure it out. They all wanted to protect one another, often with calamitous results.
It's got a real wacky found family vibe, and the Southern California setting was also an enjoyable backdrop. Overall, I think this is such a fun and carefree Cozy Mystery that I'm definitely hoping will turn into a much longer series.
Thank you so much to the publishers, Minotaur Books and Macmillan Audio, for providing me with copies to read and review. I had a fabulous time with this!!
With a story as fun and cozy as this cover, The Marigold Cottages Murder Collective gave me everything I was hoping for and then some. I did not expect to love this as much as I did, but I was pulled in and held so tightly.
The audiobook is a fabulous way to go with this one, as the dual narration of Meg Price and Jim Meskimen helped fuse humor and heart even more so into the story.
The comp to The Thursday Murder Club in the publisher's synopsis is definitely apt, but whereas with those books, the main characters are all mostly elderly, this story features more of a range of ages and backgrounds.
I feel like their differences, firstly, make them easier to remember, but also made the dynamics among them so heart-warming, interesting and funny.
I adore the Thursday Murder Club series, don't get me wrong, but I actually think it took me less time to learn this cast of characters and to fall in love with them. Sophie, Mrs. B, Ocean, and all the others, are just so darn lovable.
The mystery was also super compelling and I loved watching them all bumbling around trying to figure it out. They all wanted to protect one another, often with calamitous results.
It's got a real wacky found family vibe, and the Southern California setting was also an enjoyable backdrop. Overall, I think this is such a fun and carefree Cozy Mystery that I'm definitely hoping will turn into a much longer series.
Thank you so much to the publishers, Minotaur Books and Macmillan Audio, for providing me with copies to read and review. I had a fabulous time with this!!
October 22, 2025
Elderly Mrs. B leases her bungalows to people who she likes but have nothing in common in present-day Santa Barbara. But after a murder occurs outside their doors, the renters must work together to discover the killer.
I liked this twisty cozy read with an interesting mix of people. -Stacy M.
Thank you to the publisher for the ARC in exchange for our honest review.
I liked this twisty cozy read with an interesting mix of people. -Stacy M.
Thank you to the publisher for the ARC in exchange for our honest review.
August 25, 2025
Jo Nichols is a new author to me. I found this book on NetGalley and saw it was getting positive reviews, so I grabbed a copy. At first I struggled with the writing style and character development. It's a cross between a play and a story within a story. The characters all have some idiosyncrasies, or some do and the author chooses to focus on creating them for the other players so it's easy to remember who is who. The author regularly tells readers thru the the characters that the killer is one of the cottage dwellers, so you stay focused. I guessed accurately, and for the right reason, but it's charming as the whole thing comes together. I will see what else the author writes and likely give it a chance.
August 18, 2025
4 solid stars - I really enjoyed this fun cozy mystery - and again, a lot of it was due to the location, the cottages are set in downtown Santa Barbara, CA and I have rented one there before myself, so I found it quite authentic. Also, I really, really adored the “found family” group of residents - in particular the land-lady “Mrs. B” and newest tenant, Anthony. The ending was not quite what I expected, but satisfying too!
August 3, 2025
This was a fabulous cozy murder mystery with a great cast of interesting characters. I had a fun time getting to know the characters and they were all different enough that it was easy to keep them all straight.
I really enjoyed this story and the final reveal was surprising, but not from out of nowhere. This is the way cozies should be done. There were funny parts, but it didn't feel like the author was trying too hard. There were also some sweet parts and I loved how the characters grew and their relationships developed. The loose ends were all tied up in the end and it didn't feel like it came out of nowhere. It was just very well done and fun to read.
In addition, I listened to the audiobook, which was excellently narrated by Megan Price. It was enjoyable to listen to. She was able to make all of the characters easily distinguishable, but none of them sounded silly. I definitely recommend the audio if you like to listen to your books.
This is the first book I've read by this author and I look forward to reading more of her writing in the future.
4.5★
Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for providing me with a complimentary electronic audio copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
I really enjoyed this story and the final reveal was surprising, but not from out of nowhere. This is the way cozies should be done. There were funny parts, but it didn't feel like the author was trying too hard. There were also some sweet parts and I loved how the characters grew and their relationships developed. The loose ends were all tied up in the end and it didn't feel like it came out of nowhere. It was just very well done and fun to read.
In addition, I listened to the audiobook, which was excellently narrated by Megan Price. It was enjoyable to listen to. She was able to make all of the characters easily distinguishable, but none of them sounded silly. I definitely recommend the audio if you like to listen to your books.
This is the first book I've read by this author and I look forward to reading more of her writing in the future.
4.5★
Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for providing me with a complimentary electronic audio copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
July 27, 2025
This is an entertaining, well-written, mystery novel. It has eccentric, likable, engaging and diverse characters, relatable teenagers, humor, a touch of romance, murder, secrets, an intriguing mystery, unexpected twists, and a surprising conclusion. Many thanks to St. Martin's Press/Minotaur books, Ms. Nichols, and NetGalley, who provided me with an advanced reader copy of this delightful novel. This is my honest opinion.
August 22, 2025
Septuagenarians and their peers are having a moment in mystery fiction. Ever since Richard Osman’s "Thursday Murder Club" series burst onto the scene, older protagonists have been thriving as sleuths, assassins ("The Martini Club" series, "Too Old for This"), or both (the "Killers of a Certain Age" series). "The Marigold Cottages Murder Collective" lands in that cozy space but features mostly younger protagonists, with Golda - the landlady of The Marigold Cottages in Santa Barbara, affectionately known as Mrs. B.- being the standout senior figure.
Mrs. B only rents to people she cares about, and what a quirky cast of characters they make! Sophie, an anxious playwright with a shadowed past; Hamilton, an agoraphobe with a penchant for oversharing; Ocean, a queer sculptor and single parent; Lily-Ann, the perfectionist; and Nicholas, a finance bro concealing secrets. But soon after Anthony, a quiet ex-con, moves in, a body turns up on the street, and the tenants and Mrs. B form “The Marigold Cottages Murder Collective” to uncover what happened, and to clear the name of one of their own. As more bodies are discovered, the oddball community must rely on one another in ways they never expected.
Author Jo Nichols delivers a warm, eccentric cozy mystery, centered on a found family of lovable misfits. I particularly enjoyed Hamilton’s stream of quirky trivia, the surprising depth of each tenant’s backstory, and the way their bonds strengthened through the investigation. Furthermore, the use of Sophie's playwright ambitions as a stylistic element was interesting and unique. The mystery itself is engaging, sprinkled with just enough twists to keep the pages turning, but the heart of the novel lies in its characters’ growth and their sense of community. It’s the kind of cozy mystery where you root for the protagonists as much as the solution.
The audiobook, narrated by Megan Price and Jim Meskimen, is excellent. They capture the humor, warmth, and quirks of each character, differentiating voices without ever slipping into caricature, and together, they create an immersive and engaging listening experience that enhances the book’s humor, heart, and community feel and made it easy to breeze through.
Charming, heartfelt, and witty, "The Marigold Cottages Murder Collective" is a delightful addition to the cozy mystery genre. Brimming with eccentric characters, heartfelt camaraderie, and unexpected twists, it is lighthearted, clever, and comforting in all the right ways.
Many thanks to Macmillan Audio for providing me with a copy of the audiobook via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
"The Marigold Cottages Murder Collective" was released on August 19, 2025, and is available now.
Mrs. B only rents to people she cares about, and what a quirky cast of characters they make! Sophie, an anxious playwright with a shadowed past; Hamilton, an agoraphobe with a penchant for oversharing; Ocean, a queer sculptor and single parent; Lily-Ann, the perfectionist; and Nicholas, a finance bro concealing secrets. But soon after Anthony, a quiet ex-con, moves in, a body turns up on the street, and the tenants and Mrs. B form “The Marigold Cottages Murder Collective” to uncover what happened, and to clear the name of one of their own. As more bodies are discovered, the oddball community must rely on one another in ways they never expected.
Author Jo Nichols delivers a warm, eccentric cozy mystery, centered on a found family of lovable misfits. I particularly enjoyed Hamilton’s stream of quirky trivia, the surprising depth of each tenant’s backstory, and the way their bonds strengthened through the investigation. Furthermore, the use of Sophie's playwright ambitions as a stylistic element was interesting and unique. The mystery itself is engaging, sprinkled with just enough twists to keep the pages turning, but the heart of the novel lies in its characters’ growth and their sense of community. It’s the kind of cozy mystery where you root for the protagonists as much as the solution.
The audiobook, narrated by Megan Price and Jim Meskimen, is excellent. They capture the humor, warmth, and quirks of each character, differentiating voices without ever slipping into caricature, and together, they create an immersive and engaging listening experience that enhances the book’s humor, heart, and community feel and made it easy to breeze through.
Charming, heartfelt, and witty, "The Marigold Cottages Murder Collective" is a delightful addition to the cozy mystery genre. Brimming with eccentric characters, heartfelt camaraderie, and unexpected twists, it is lighthearted, clever, and comforting in all the right ways.
Many thanks to Macmillan Audio for providing me with a copy of the audiobook via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
"The Marigold Cottages Murder Collective" was released on August 19, 2025, and is available now.
August 2, 2025
♡ thank you to Jo Nichols and St. Martins Press for an ARC of this book♡
3/5 ⭐️
📖 plot & pace: a new ex con moves into the Marigold Cottages, and shortly after there's a murder.. it has to be him right?? but the people living in the marigold cottages don't believe he did it, so they work to exonerate him and find the real killer. this book is sometimes written like a play because one of our characters lovesss playwriting. the pace is smooth throughout the story and is medium/fast.
👥 characters: there were a lot of characters in this book and it was sometimes hard to keep up with them. they all had very different personalities/backgrounds but they meshed together very well. mrs. b was my favorite!!
🤩 tropes: whodunit mystery, amateur sleuth, found family, multiple POV
this was an okay read for me, but i felt the "plot twist" was very rushed and the ending didn't make a ton of sense in the grand scheme of the book. it's still a cozy mystery for anyone looking!
3/5 ⭐️
📖 plot & pace: a new ex con moves into the Marigold Cottages, and shortly after there's a murder.. it has to be him right?? but the people living in the marigold cottages don't believe he did it, so they work to exonerate him and find the real killer. this book is sometimes written like a play because one of our characters lovesss playwriting. the pace is smooth throughout the story and is medium/fast.
👥 characters: there were a lot of characters in this book and it was sometimes hard to keep up with them. they all had very different personalities/backgrounds but they meshed together very well. mrs. b was my favorite!!
🤩 tropes: whodunit mystery, amateur sleuth, found family, multiple POV
this was an okay read for me, but i felt the "plot twist" was very rushed and the ending didn't make a ton of sense in the grand scheme of the book. it's still a cozy mystery for anyone looking!
July 29, 2025
Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free, electronic ARC of this novel received in exchange for an honest review.
Expected publication date: Aug. 19, 2025
The tenants of the Marigold Cottages are a tight-knit group for the most part. Mrs. B, the landlady, knows all of the comings-and-goings of the tenants and is known for collecting the stragglers and those down on their luck and giving them an affordable home in her collection of cottages. There’s a single mother with her two children, a recluse, a neurodivergent woman on the verge of a divorce, a finance bro and even a charming ex-con, all of whom manage to live together peacefully—until the night a body is found in the bushes outside Mrs. B’s home. The tenants of the Marigold Cottages team up to solve the mystery when it looks like the police are trying to frame one of their own, but then another dead body turns up and the tenants must decide how well they truly know their neighbours or if one of them could be a murderer.
“The Marigold Cottages Murder Collective” by Jo Nichols is a charming, cozy mystery, overflowing with likable and relatable characters. Each chapter is narrated by one of the tenants, as well as a few segments by the lead detective investigating, so readers get to know the entire collective through each individuals’ perspective. All of the tenants are very different, in age, occupation, sexuality, etc., which ensures that readers will be able to form a quick and easy connection with one, or more, of the Marigold tenants.
The mystery component is well-formulated and creatively written. There are the obvious suspects within the community, of course, but there are also a few highly plausible options outside as well, and Nichols engages her readers in the ultimate guessing game. Even the ending itself leaves a shadow of suspicion and doubt over the outcome as Nichols presents an ending that may or may not be true, depending on what readers believe.
“Marigold” fosters a sense of community, adds heaping spoons of charm and intrigue, and throws some modern-day romance in for extra flavour. The characters are laugh-out-loud funny while also being real and human and Nichols’ ties all of the plot points together in a cohesive and flowing manner. The short chapters make this novel a page-turner while still providing readers with an emotional, immersive and gripping mystery.
Expected publication date: Aug. 19, 2025
The tenants of the Marigold Cottages are a tight-knit group for the most part. Mrs. B, the landlady, knows all of the comings-and-goings of the tenants and is known for collecting the stragglers and those down on their luck and giving them an affordable home in her collection of cottages. There’s a single mother with her two children, a recluse, a neurodivergent woman on the verge of a divorce, a finance bro and even a charming ex-con, all of whom manage to live together peacefully—until the night a body is found in the bushes outside Mrs. B’s home. The tenants of the Marigold Cottages team up to solve the mystery when it looks like the police are trying to frame one of their own, but then another dead body turns up and the tenants must decide how well they truly know their neighbours or if one of them could be a murderer.
“The Marigold Cottages Murder Collective” by Jo Nichols is a charming, cozy mystery, overflowing with likable and relatable characters. Each chapter is narrated by one of the tenants, as well as a few segments by the lead detective investigating, so readers get to know the entire collective through each individuals’ perspective. All of the tenants are very different, in age, occupation, sexuality, etc., which ensures that readers will be able to form a quick and easy connection with one, or more, of the Marigold tenants.
The mystery component is well-formulated and creatively written. There are the obvious suspects within the community, of course, but there are also a few highly plausible options outside as well, and Nichols engages her readers in the ultimate guessing game. Even the ending itself leaves a shadow of suspicion and doubt over the outcome as Nichols presents an ending that may or may not be true, depending on what readers believe.
“Marigold” fosters a sense of community, adds heaping spoons of charm and intrigue, and throws some modern-day romance in for extra flavour. The characters are laugh-out-loud funny while also being real and human and Nichols’ ties all of the plot points together in a cohesive and flowing manner. The short chapters make this novel a page-turner while still providing readers with an emotional, immersive and gripping mystery.
May 25, 2025
I approached The Marigold Cottages Murder with high hopes, especially after its opening paragraph grabbed me with the kind of punch that would’ve made me snatch it off a bookstore shelf. Unfortunately, the promise of that first page didn’t hold up, and this debut left me disappointed and unlikely to revisit this author’s work.
Set in the picturesque Marigold Cottages in Santa Barbara, the story centers on a quirky group of tenants curated by their idealistic landlady, Mrs. B. The cast includes Sophie, a playwright with a shadowy past; Hamilton, an oversharing agoraphobe; Ocean, a queer sculptor raising two kids; Lily-Ann, a perfectionist; and Nicholas, a secretive finance bro. The idyllic community is disrupted when Anthony, a quiet but intimidating ex-con, moves in. When a body turns up in the neighborhood, Anthony is arrested, only for Mrs. B to confess to the crime herself, prompting the tenants to form “The Marigold Cottages Murder Collective” to clear her name.
I love a classic mystery with a tight plot, compelling characters, and thought-provoking themes, but this novel fell short on all fronts. The premise had potential, but the execution leaned too heavily into silliness, undermining any sense of stakes or suspense. The characters felt like caricatures—lacking depth or believability—and their dialogue often came across as forced. The plot, while initially intriguing, unraveled into a contrived mess, weighed down by what felt like a heavy-handed sprinkling of contemporary social commentary. This “woke ideology,” as some might call it, felt shoehorned in, detracting from the story rather than enhancing it.
I’m a firm believer that timeless storytelling avoids overt references to specific cultural moments. A 2020 Facebook poll by another author revealed that 95% of readers prefer books to be an escape, not a reminder of real-world issues like the Covid pandemic. I share that sentiment, and the ideological undertones here made the book feel dated and preachy rather than entertaining. While the Santa Barbara setting was vividly described, it wasn’t enough to salvage the experience.
The Marigold Cottages Murder might appeal to readers who enjoy light, quirky mysteries with a modern social lens, but for those seeking a classic whodunit with substance, it misses the mark. I wanted to love it, but this one just wasn’t for me.
I received a free digital copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Set in the picturesque Marigold Cottages in Santa Barbara, the story centers on a quirky group of tenants curated by their idealistic landlady, Mrs. B. The cast includes Sophie, a playwright with a shadowy past; Hamilton, an oversharing agoraphobe; Ocean, a queer sculptor raising two kids; Lily-Ann, a perfectionist; and Nicholas, a secretive finance bro. The idyllic community is disrupted when Anthony, a quiet but intimidating ex-con, moves in. When a body turns up in the neighborhood, Anthony is arrested, only for Mrs. B to confess to the crime herself, prompting the tenants to form “The Marigold Cottages Murder Collective” to clear her name.
I love a classic mystery with a tight plot, compelling characters, and thought-provoking themes, but this novel fell short on all fronts. The premise had potential, but the execution leaned too heavily into silliness, undermining any sense of stakes or suspense. The characters felt like caricatures—lacking depth or believability—and their dialogue often came across as forced. The plot, while initially intriguing, unraveled into a contrived mess, weighed down by what felt like a heavy-handed sprinkling of contemporary social commentary. This “woke ideology,” as some might call it, felt shoehorned in, detracting from the story rather than enhancing it.
I’m a firm believer that timeless storytelling avoids overt references to specific cultural moments. A 2020 Facebook poll by another author revealed that 95% of readers prefer books to be an escape, not a reminder of real-world issues like the Covid pandemic. I share that sentiment, and the ideological undertones here made the book feel dated and preachy rather than entertaining. While the Santa Barbara setting was vividly described, it wasn’t enough to salvage the experience.
The Marigold Cottages Murder might appeal to readers who enjoy light, quirky mysteries with a modern social lens, but for those seeking a classic whodunit with substance, it misses the mark. I wanted to love it, but this one just wasn’t for me.
I received a free digital copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
August 3, 2025
A great cozy mystery, with unique characters and a mystery that kept me guessing!
A small row of houses - circling a courtyard, creates a small neighborhood of strangers that Mrs. B, the landlord, rents all these units out to. Each of them has their own story and, yet, for the most part, they are strays Mrs. B has pulled in to living here and they all keep to themselves.
Until, one night, there's a shocking discovery of a body in the bushes. That spurs a worry for everyone - who would have done it? And why? They begin to worry that it was someone who lives there - in the cottages. And once their newest tenant is arrested, a group chat is created and they begin to try to piece together what happened and prove that their new neighbor didn't do it.
This was a fun read. It was silly at times, the characters in here are so unique and fun. Each person had their own quirks and their own lives, but they were all so grateful for Mrs. B and her kind heart that they learned to work with their strengths and work together. The twists kept me guessing but, honestly, I just loved being with these neighbors through all their discoveries and adventures. This was so cute, I loved it!
A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
A small row of houses - circling a courtyard, creates a small neighborhood of strangers that Mrs. B, the landlord, rents all these units out to. Each of them has their own story and, yet, for the most part, they are strays Mrs. B has pulled in to living here and they all keep to themselves.
Until, one night, there's a shocking discovery of a body in the bushes. That spurs a worry for everyone - who would have done it? And why? They begin to worry that it was someone who lives there - in the cottages. And once their newest tenant is arrested, a group chat is created and they begin to try to piece together what happened and prove that their new neighbor didn't do it.
This was a fun read. It was silly at times, the characters in here are so unique and fun. Each person had their own quirks and their own lives, but they were all so grateful for Mrs. B and her kind heart that they learned to work with their strengths and work together. The twists kept me guessing but, honestly, I just loved being with these neighbors through all their discoveries and adventures. This was so cute, I loved it!
A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
March 25, 2025
I love a good cozy mystery and this one was very much like a village mystery. All the homes are situated in a ring and the neighbors are all connected to Mrs. B (who owns all the houses). I won't spoil but there's a real estate deal looking to go through that needs the property to move forward (because housing density is needed, which I am a complete fan of!) and some shady dealings related to it. A dead body or two. A shady ex. And a lot of general drama as everyone has a secret and most are looking to protect them while also trying to protect others. It came together nicely and was told in several POVs (my favourites were Lily-Ann, Vernon and Ocean). While the murder mystery is the main thing here, I very much liked how much of a cohesive community the Marigold Cottages turned out to be. So many "found family" vibes. It definitely had a cozy, quirky vibe that I enjoyed. It felt like something I'd choose to watch on Hallmark Mystery channel (I make no apologies, I take my mysteries in many forms).
I would recommend this and if there were another book to drop in on the denizens of the Marigold Cottages, I'd opt to read it.
Many thanks to the publisher & Netgalley for the Advance Reader's Copy.
I would recommend this and if there were another book to drop in on the denizens of the Marigold Cottages, I'd opt to read it.
Many thanks to the publisher & Netgalley for the Advance Reader's Copy.
August 21, 2025
What a quirky group of residents living at Marigold Cottages.
They all felt safe until one resident that Mrs. B met at the bus stop and invited to live in the studio apartment arrived. Anthony was an ex-con.
All was well until a body was found outside the cottages one day. It had to be Anthony.
Mrs. B, the landlady, insisted it wasn’t Anthony after he was arrested for the murder. How could it be him? She allowed him into their little housing unit.
The tenants get together and try to solve the crime in this cozy read that is a bit confusing but has an engaging storyline mainly because of the characters and all their eccentricities.
You will love how they set up a group text to chat and keep an eye on things. There also are some scenarios that will make you chuckle.
Not my usual read, but entertaining. 4/5
Thank you to the publisher for a copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
They all felt safe until one resident that Mrs. B met at the bus stop and invited to live in the studio apartment arrived. Anthony was an ex-con.
All was well until a body was found outside the cottages one day. It had to be Anthony.
Mrs. B, the landlady, insisted it wasn’t Anthony after he was arrested for the murder. How could it be him? She allowed him into their little housing unit.
The tenants get together and try to solve the crime in this cozy read that is a bit confusing but has an engaging storyline mainly because of the characters and all their eccentricities.
You will love how they set up a group text to chat and keep an eye on things. There also are some scenarios that will make you chuckle.
Not my usual read, but entertaining. 4/5
Thank you to the publisher for a copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
December 30, 2025
"Some people despaired of living in a flawed world, but the thought just made Mrs. B want to plant flowers and restock her Little Free Library."
The Marigold Cottages Murder Collective is "loopy and theatrical" and such a great time. The characters are deeply flawed, adding depth to the impeccable plot. I enjoyed the text threads between characters so much. Definitely give this a go!
I received an advance review copy, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The Marigold Cottages Murder Collective is "loopy and theatrical" and such a great time. The characters are deeply flawed, adding depth to the impeccable plot. I enjoyed the text threads between characters so much. Definitely give this a go!
I received an advance review copy, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
August 28, 2025
6/10: 3⭐️’s
Narrators: Jim Meskimen and Meg Price. Pleasant voices, easy for my picky ears to listen to.
The cover is darling. I wish I had a layout for the inside of the cottages.
The main characters were delightful and I enjoyed them very much. The story overall was a bit too slow paced for my even more than usual lacking attention span. Ended up increasing speed significantly, which did help somewhat.
At times it was confusing with Sophie’s play notes. I couldn’t always tell if those events were real as she had them in her notes or if it was just how she would have written that event in her play.
I loved the characters and their stories, they were very well written, but there was something missing for me to love the book as a whole. If I was rating solely based on characters and setting, it would be 5⭐️’s!
Original rating and review posted 8/28/25
Further thought: 8/28/25
I might have enjoyed this more in print form? Not sure, but i have that feeling, even though the narrators did a good job.
Narrators: Jim Meskimen and Meg Price. Pleasant voices, easy for my picky ears to listen to.
The cover is darling. I wish I had a layout for the inside of the cottages.
The main characters were delightful and I enjoyed them very much. The story overall was a bit too slow paced for my even more than usual lacking attention span. Ended up increasing speed significantly, which did help somewhat.
At times it was confusing with Sophie’s play notes. I couldn’t always tell if those events were real as she had them in her notes or if it was just how she would have written that event in her play.
I loved the characters and their stories, they were very well written, but there was something missing for me to love the book as a whole. If I was rating solely based on characters and setting, it would be 5⭐️’s!
Original rating and review posted 8/28/25
Further thought: 8/28/25
I might have enjoyed this more in print form? Not sure, but i have that feeling, even though the narrators did a good job.
June 22, 2025
I don’t often have such mixed feelings about books, but this one made me wonder about how I could review the novel the whole time I was reading it. It’s hard to mention everything while avoiding spoilers, but I’ll be vague. The premise isn’t, by the way. It gives too much away, and that can affect how much people enjoy a book. I’m someone who reads the premise but doesn’t pay too much attention, hoping I can forget most of it by the time I read the book, so it surprises me. I did the same with this one and yet, it still felt like it should have been more vague. Like I’m trying to be now, funnily enough.
It’s a bit like movie trailers. Nowadays, we get scenes from all acts on them and I believe only act one should be featured in a movie trailer, especially when there’s a mystery in the plot. For books, I guess that’d be not mentioning anything that happens after 30%? More or less and depending on the book but…that was my biggest issue. It really confused me at some points.
Let’s talk about the characters first. This book is purposefully showing the characters as clichés. The sweet old lady who looks after everyone, the neighbour who doesn’t interact with others, the lesbian character, the OCD character, …it’s done with the intention of setting a specific kind of tone so I don’t have an issue with it. But it’s definitely something that some readers might not like so it’s worth mentioning. Others will love it, of course.
My issue wasn’t that the characters had that comedic undertone in a way or that they felt a bit cartoonish, but that the male characters were harder to distinguish. Ocean, Sophie, Mrs B. and Lily-Ann fit in a character category well, so it’s easy to know who’s who. With Hamilton and Nicholas, I struggled. And maybe it’s me having that issue and no one else has any difficulty with this but…it annoyed me a bit how often I stopped reading to ask myself “who’s Nicholas? Who’s Hamilton?”. Anthony was so different, I didn’t have an issue with him but the other two were a bit of a challenge for me. Again, maybe my fault.
The minor characters didn’t get a lot of page time but helped the plot progress very well. Piotr being the most interesting and least cartoonish of the book, in my opinion.
Moving on to that plot…I feel it was a bit all over the place. Given how we got the POVs (which wasn’t my favourite way to do it), I was curious about why Sophie’s was first person. Just Sophie’s. I had an idea as to why and won’t say what it is. I got it right, though I don’t think it was supposed to be a huge mystery. But even though it’s an explanation for the way the book was structured and the way the story was told, I’m not the biggest fan. It felt a bit choppy. And I feel that stylistic choice can be very hit or miss for readers. I appreciate the effort of trying to do something a little different but it didn’t work for me. I’ll say the pace picked up at around 60% and the story became more gripping so I enjoyed the second part of the book a lot more than the first.
The thing is that this is supposed to be a “cosy” mystery. Everything is cosy nowadays and I get that. I love feeling cosy and most people do. Life is awful enough and we want to get back home and do things that are comforting. When it comes to mystery and thrillers, I think I prefer being traumatised. I like that I tried this type of mystery too but, due to personal preference, I don’t think it’s the perfect subgenre for me. Which is fine and it doesn’t mean this book won’t work perfectly for others.
As for the mystery itself…I was quite underwhelmed. The twists didn’t feel very “twisty” and I don’t know how to feel about the reveal. And the thing is that I don’t dislike it. But the way it was presented made the reaction to the new information feel less shocking. I wasn’t gasping and opening my eyes wide because of how surprised I was by what I read. Maybe that’s a characteristic of cosy mysteries? I wouldn’t know. So maybe I’m judging it too harshly.
Maybe if it had a darker tone, some of the choices the characters made would feel more appropriate for the kind of people they’re supposed to be. I say maybe a lot in this review but I was constantly wondering about how little changes could alter my opinion on this book.
Very mixed feelings about this book, to be fair. Those who like novels who read a lot like a movie script (and therefore make it very easy to picture how everything is supposed to look like) will probably love this a lot more than I did.
Thank you to Allison & Busby and NetGalley for providing me an early copy of this book.
It’s a bit like movie trailers. Nowadays, we get scenes from all acts on them and I believe only act one should be featured in a movie trailer, especially when there’s a mystery in the plot. For books, I guess that’d be not mentioning anything that happens after 30%? More or less and depending on the book but…that was my biggest issue. It really confused me at some points.
Let’s talk about the characters first. This book is purposefully showing the characters as clichés. The sweet old lady who looks after everyone, the neighbour who doesn’t interact with others, the lesbian character, the OCD character, …it’s done with the intention of setting a specific kind of tone so I don’t have an issue with it. But it’s definitely something that some readers might not like so it’s worth mentioning. Others will love it, of course.
My issue wasn’t that the characters had that comedic undertone in a way or that they felt a bit cartoonish, but that the male characters were harder to distinguish. Ocean, Sophie, Mrs B. and Lily-Ann fit in a character category well, so it’s easy to know who’s who. With Hamilton and Nicholas, I struggled. And maybe it’s me having that issue and no one else has any difficulty with this but…it annoyed me a bit how often I stopped reading to ask myself “who’s Nicholas? Who’s Hamilton?”. Anthony was so different, I didn’t have an issue with him but the other two were a bit of a challenge for me. Again, maybe my fault.
The minor characters didn’t get a lot of page time but helped the plot progress very well. Piotr being the most interesting and least cartoonish of the book, in my opinion.
Moving on to that plot…I feel it was a bit all over the place. Given how we got the POVs (which wasn’t my favourite way to do it), I was curious about why Sophie’s was first person. Just Sophie’s. I had an idea as to why and won’t say what it is. I got it right, though I don’t think it was supposed to be a huge mystery. But even though it’s an explanation for the way the book was structured and the way the story was told, I’m not the biggest fan. It felt a bit choppy. And I feel that stylistic choice can be very hit or miss for readers. I appreciate the effort of trying to do something a little different but it didn’t work for me. I’ll say the pace picked up at around 60% and the story became more gripping so I enjoyed the second part of the book a lot more than the first.
The thing is that this is supposed to be a “cosy” mystery. Everything is cosy nowadays and I get that. I love feeling cosy and most people do. Life is awful enough and we want to get back home and do things that are comforting. When it comes to mystery and thrillers, I think I prefer being traumatised. I like that I tried this type of mystery too but, due to personal preference, I don’t think it’s the perfect subgenre for me. Which is fine and it doesn’t mean this book won’t work perfectly for others.
As for the mystery itself…I was quite underwhelmed. The twists didn’t feel very “twisty” and I don’t know how to feel about the reveal. And the thing is that I don’t dislike it. But the way it was presented made the reaction to the new information feel less shocking. I wasn’t gasping and opening my eyes wide because of how surprised I was by what I read. Maybe that’s a characteristic of cosy mysteries? I wouldn’t know. So maybe I’m judging it too harshly.
Maybe if it had a darker tone, some of the choices the characters made would feel more appropriate for the kind of people they’re supposed to be. I say maybe a lot in this review but I was constantly wondering about how little changes could alter my opinion on this book.
Very mixed feelings about this book, to be fair. Those who like novels who read a lot like a movie script (and therefore make it very easy to picture how everything is supposed to look like) will probably love this a lot more than I did.
Thank you to Allison & Busby and NetGalley for providing me an early copy of this book.
August 21, 2025
Hilarious, incissive, colourful, wholesome and delightful. A perfect palate cleanser in between longer or heavier reads. If you like cozy, humorous, character-driven reads with a found family vibe, this is a must pick.
We get everything here we love cozy mysteries for:
* a vivid cast of weirdos who create tons of situational and interpersonal humour, but also enable social commentary about how we view certain people and how stereotypes can be misleading;
* a wholesome found family that maybe doesn't always get along, but when it matters, it's one for all, all for one;
* lots of foodie scenes;
* heavier topics like murder, divorce, grief, stalking, prison, mental health issues etc. treated with grace so nothing is feeling gratuitous - the murder is discussed and the corpse is found, but nothing gruesome happens on page
* plot twists and red herrings galore - I've gotten caught by a few! at some point I was sure but I did not predict the real turn of events!
...and a bit of a meta-narrative where one of the pov characters narrates in first person as opposed to the rest being in 3rd person, and the 1st person narrator is writing a story based on what's happening... are we reading the real story, or the fictionalized version created by this character?
The biggest accomplishment is this book made me laugh out loud, multiple times, to the point I was worried I'll wake up my husband while reading at night. I have a fraught history with "humorous", "comedic" or "satirical" books, usually they make me facepalm and cringe, or at best I'm totally bored and don't understand what's supposed to be funny. Not here! The humour captures the zeitgeist without relying on memes that will be outdated in a few months, unlike some others books I've read.
The second biggest accomplishment is that while I usually struggle with remembering who's who in multi-pov ensemble cast works, here the characters were so unique it was easy to remember them, and even their narration reflects their personality, which is a golden standard not every author meets. A logical perfectionist narrates differently than an impulsive artsy type, and so forth.
Finally, everything adds up in this mystery in its own way. The coincidences seem believable (for example that in a small community different people would accidentally run into each other in a local restaurant) and the big reveal doesn't rely on a coincidence, villain monologue or "accidentally stumbled upon" (except the things like discovering the corpse). This is a common weakness of mystery plots where solutions are served to the characters rather than characters working on the solution. Not here!
Overall this was a fast-paced read (short chapters, lots of dialogue and sms / chat messages made me breeze through the pages) with extremely lovable characters who were quirky but not in an insulting way, humour that made me laugh and wasn't forced and heartwarming story of found family and finding confidence to be yourself in the world that judges you based on looks and stereotypes. The murder mystery was just a cherry on top, and the narrative even pokes fun at itself at some point asking what's more important, solving the mystery, or what happens to all the weirdos?
The ending was extremely satisfactory and uplifting, and this book will go to my Netgalley's best of the year list.
Thank you Netgalley, St. Martin's Press & Minotaur Books for the ARC!
We get everything here we love cozy mysteries for:
* a vivid cast of weirdos who create tons of situational and interpersonal humour, but also enable social commentary about how we view certain people and how stereotypes can be misleading;
* a wholesome found family that maybe doesn't always get along, but when it matters, it's one for all, all for one;
* lots of foodie scenes;
* heavier topics like murder, divorce, grief, stalking, prison, mental health issues etc. treated with grace so nothing is feeling gratuitous - the murder is discussed and the corpse is found, but nothing gruesome happens on page
* plot twists and red herrings galore - I've gotten caught by a few! at some point I was sure but I did not predict the real turn of events!
...and a bit of a meta-narrative where one of the pov characters narrates in first person as opposed to the rest being in 3rd person, and the 1st person narrator is writing a story based on what's happening... are we reading the real story, or the fictionalized version created by this character?
The biggest accomplishment is this book made me laugh out loud, multiple times, to the point I was worried I'll wake up my husband while reading at night. I have a fraught history with "humorous", "comedic" or "satirical" books, usually they make me facepalm and cringe, or at best I'm totally bored and don't understand what's supposed to be funny. Not here! The humour captures the zeitgeist without relying on memes that will be outdated in a few months, unlike some others books I've read.
The second biggest accomplishment is that while I usually struggle with remembering who's who in multi-pov ensemble cast works, here the characters were so unique it was easy to remember them, and even their narration reflects their personality, which is a golden standard not every author meets. A logical perfectionist narrates differently than an impulsive artsy type, and so forth.
Finally, everything adds up in this mystery in its own way. The coincidences seem believable (for example that in a small community different people would accidentally run into each other in a local restaurant) and the big reveal doesn't rely on a coincidence, villain monologue or "accidentally stumbled upon" (except the things like discovering the corpse). This is a common weakness of mystery plots where solutions are served to the characters rather than characters working on the solution. Not here!
Overall this was a fast-paced read (short chapters, lots of dialogue and sms / chat messages made me breeze through the pages) with extremely lovable characters who were quirky but not in an insulting way, humour that made me laugh and wasn't forced and heartwarming story of found family and finding confidence to be yourself in the world that judges you based on looks and stereotypes. The murder mystery was just a cherry on top, and the narrative even pokes fun at itself at some point asking what's more important, solving the mystery, or what happens to all the weirdos?
The ending was extremely satisfactory and uplifting, and this book will go to my Netgalley's best of the year list.
Thank you Netgalley, St. Martin's Press & Minotaur Books for the ARC!
July 29, 2025
My gut reaction would be to label this a quirky cast of characters but, really, I think they are more delightful and relatable diverse characters that just happen to be in a quirky situation. Eclectic and serendipitously together for better or worse and of course a murder is thrown into their close quartered cottages. What follows is a humorous but also surprisingly deep journey that brings them emotionally closer and cements them as a little community, family, and not just neighbors.
Filled with a mix of secrets and clues, I loved that we learn them all through interesting and piecemeal reveals from everyone's POVs. The short chapters were perfect snapshots that moved the story forward at a great pace. I was fully engaged the entire time and emotionally invested in all the characters by the end.
Except Vernon. It's a personal preference but his is the type of detective/police personality that I don't enjoy even in a cozy mystery. Thankfully, even while it advanced the story, his chapter POVs were few and far between.
Overall, I loved it and while it sort of feels like a one-and-done perfectly packaged mystery, I'm really hoping to revisit these people again someday.
* I received a free early copy from the publisher
Filled with a mix of secrets and clues, I loved that we learn them all through interesting and piecemeal reveals from everyone's POVs. The short chapters were perfect snapshots that moved the story forward at a great pace. I was fully engaged the entire time and emotionally invested in all the characters by the end.
Except Vernon. It's a personal preference but his is the type of detective/police personality that I don't enjoy even in a cozy mystery. Thankfully, even while it advanced the story, his chapter POVs were few and far between.
Overall, I loved it and while it sort of feels like a one-and-done perfectly packaged mystery, I'm really hoping to revisit these people again someday.
* I received a free early copy from the publisher
August 17, 2025
A likeable cozy murder mystery with quirky, lovable characters who are neighbours living in cottages owned by their landlady, a kindhearted and well meaning elderly woman. The neighbours start off as strangers until a body is found on the property and then this group of misfits find themselves coming together to solve the mystery.
This is a warm-hearted, fun novel about found family and friendship. I liked that the story was told from each of the neighbours’ perspectives which allowed the reader to learn about them and to watch their relationships with each other unfold. The short chapters kept the story moving along (though I did find the middle a bit slow) as the amateur sleuths worked to solve the mystery. I liked the author’s creative use of telling parts of the story through scenes from a script. The last chapter was clever and added a nice final twist.
Fans of cozy mysteries with quirky, eccentric characters and found family themes will enjoy this one.
Thanks to the publisher for the complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
This is a warm-hearted, fun novel about found family and friendship. I liked that the story was told from each of the neighbours’ perspectives which allowed the reader to learn about them and to watch their relationships with each other unfold. The short chapters kept the story moving along (though I did find the middle a bit slow) as the amateur sleuths worked to solve the mystery. I liked the author’s creative use of telling parts of the story through scenes from a script. The last chapter was clever and added a nice final twist.
Fans of cozy mysteries with quirky, eccentric characters and found family themes will enjoy this one.
Thanks to the publisher for the complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
January 6, 2026
Finally! A book that is compared to The Thursday Murder Club that lives up to the comparison! I’ve recently read several books promoted as “for fans of The Thursday Murder Club,” that ended up being an insult in my opinion, but The Marigold Cottages residents are well developed, morally ambiguous,and protect and support each other. There’s dry humor dialogue, a mystery, found family, and I can’t wait to read the sequel.
August 23, 2025
I just finished writing a pithy review, and when I submitted it, Goodreads lost it! Harumph. I should have saved my review before hitting the post button! Live and learn!
In brief ---I did not love this book. There were too many tropes and a lot of cliches. The writing style of different characters being the 'star' of each chapter didn't flow well, in my opinion. I saw no humor in this book--about the only good part was that it took me a while to figure out what was happening.
This book speaks a little too strongly of political correctness; the author covers nearly all of the bases - the elderly yenta who owns the cottages, the divorced lesbian, a drunk/traumatized woman, a phobic, an ex-con, a bumbling detective, and more.
I don't think that I have ever rolled my eyes so much over any book I have read lately! Plenty of other reviewers loved this book, so don't just go by me.
*ARC supplied by the publisher Minotaur Books, the author, and NetGalley.
In brief ---I did not love this book. There were too many tropes and a lot of cliches. The writing style of different characters being the 'star' of each chapter didn't flow well, in my opinion. I saw no humor in this book--about the only good part was that it took me a while to figure out what was happening.
This book speaks a little too strongly of political correctness; the author covers nearly all of the bases - the elderly yenta who owns the cottages, the divorced lesbian, a drunk/traumatized woman, a phobic, an ex-con, a bumbling detective, and more.
I don't think that I have ever rolled my eyes so much over any book I have read lately! Plenty of other reviewers loved this book, so don't just go by me.
*ARC supplied by the publisher Minotaur Books, the author, and NetGalley.
July 19, 2025
A delightful cozy mystery with an eclectic band of characters! Definitely worth the read and I felt so attached to them by the end of it!
August 22, 2025
I just finished The Marigold Cottages Murder Collective, and it was… okay. It’s a cute, cozy mystery with a charming vibe, but honestly, it felt way too long. I think the story could’ve been trimmed by about a hundred pages and it would’ve been much tighter. Still, it wasn’t a bad read — just a bit drawn out. Overall, I’d give it 3 out of 5 stars.
September 17, 2025
it's like "only murders in the building" with "psych" visuals because of the santa barbara setting. lots of profanity, a little off-page sex, and some silly leaps of logic, but a very loveable cast. I'll be curious to read more books in the series if they write them! 4 stars
March 26, 2025
This is a solid cozy mystery that intertwines a group of people who become involved in a murder investigation.
Mrs. B owns the Marigold Cottages and her colorful personality adds spark to the story.
Her tenants are an odd group, but they care about each other and are willing to work together to solve the mystery.
I give this book a solid 4.5 stars.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for selecting me to read an advanced copy of this book.
Mrs. B owns the Marigold Cottages and her colorful personality adds spark to the story.
Her tenants are an odd group, but they care about each other and are willing to work together to solve the mystery.
I give this book a solid 4.5 stars.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for selecting me to read an advanced copy of this book.
August 17, 2025
I listened to this on audio and enjoyed it. It started out slow and the multiple POVs were confusing to keep everyone straight but I actually liked hearing the stories from all sides. The investigation was great tearing and the ending truly surprise me.
July 21, 2025
This one wasn’t quite for me—but I can absolutely see how it would appeal to fans of traditional cozy mysteries. The Marigold Cottages Murder Collective offers all the classic elements: a quiet residential square, a colorful cast of neighbors, and a quirky older landlord who seems to know more than she lets on. If you enjoyed 10 Marchfield Square by Nicola Whyte, you might enjoy this too—it has a very similar vibe and setup.
Personally, I think I’ve just drifted away from this particular style. I found it hard to connect with the characters, who felt more like types than individuals, and the repeated emphasis on their defining traits wore on me over time. There’s also a portion of the book written in script format, which, while creative, pulled me out of the story more than it pulled me in.
That said, I appreciate what the author was trying to do—there’s a charm and intention behind the structure that cozy mystery lovers might really enjoy. If you’re looking for a light, character-driven whodunit with some theatrical flair, this could be worth checking out.
I received a complimentary copy of this audiobook. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thank you to St. Martin's Press, Minotaur Books and NetGalley for the ARC.
Personally, I think I’ve just drifted away from this particular style. I found it hard to connect with the characters, who felt more like types than individuals, and the repeated emphasis on their defining traits wore on me over time. There’s also a portion of the book written in script format, which, while creative, pulled me out of the story more than it pulled me in.
That said, I appreciate what the author was trying to do—there’s a charm and intention behind the structure that cozy mystery lovers might really enjoy. If you’re looking for a light, character-driven whodunit with some theatrical flair, this could be worth checking out.
I received a complimentary copy of this audiobook. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thank you to St. Martin's Press, Minotaur Books and NetGalley for the ARC.
April 6, 2025
NETGALLEY REVIEW: 4.5 stars for me! Wow oh wow, LOVED this book. A good light hearted murder mystery that kept you guessing who did it! Good pacing and writing style. Get to experience all the neighbors POV, which is cool for a murder mystery. Gives murder she wrote meets Gilmore girls vibes. Would definitely recommend
November 18, 2025
Thank you Minotaur Books for allowing me to read and review The Marigold Cottages Murder Collective by Jo Nichols on NetGalley.
Published: 08/19/25
Stars: 2 (DNF)
Couldn't connect with the writing. After trying twice I searched and located the audiobook. That turned into a mess. Nothing made sense. The profanity was enough for me to stop.
Perhaps you will have a better experience.
Published: 08/19/25
Stars: 2 (DNF)
Couldn't connect with the writing. After trying twice I searched and located the audiobook. That turned into a mess. Nothing made sense. The profanity was enough for me to stop.
Perhaps you will have a better experience.
August 22, 2025
After reading Vera Wong, I thought I would like another found family centered around an old lady mystery but I was never invested in these characters or this mystery.
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