The New York Times bestselling series that began with Murder by Cheesecake continues with an all-new Golden Girls cozy mystery!
When the Girls accept a very strange invitation to a lavish party on a remote island estate, they find that murder has a way of ruining even the most glamorous of evenings.
The invite delivered to 6151 Richmond Street was short on details, only promising to celebrate “the greatest artist of the century” and accompanied by a jewel-encrusted brooch—the whole package a brand of mysterious opulence that another Saturday night of gin rummy just can’t match.
Blanche Devereaux’s passionate dalliances are as plentiful as hot Southern nights, and surely one can’t be expected to remember all of one’s suitors. But when the Girls disembark the party’s ferry at a small Biscayne Bay island and meet their secretive host, the memories come flooding she a Radio City Rockette in her twenties, he the poor artist who could offer her nothing but his love. Fate drove them apart, but Declan, now a famous artist El Toro, professes that Blanche has always been his muse.
Featured prominently in his artworks and central to El Toro’s return to the apex of the art world, Blanche is thrilled to have been such an inspiring figure to this man. But looking around at a party filled with those who have made their livings off the artist’s fame—his assistant, his art dealer, his greatest critic, and more—Dorothy isn’t so sure they’re welcome on the island after all.
When a tropical storm knocks power out across the island, an optimistic Blanche proclaims that everyone looks better by candlelight anyway. But when Declan is found dead the next morning, all eyes are on her, his supposed muse of thirty-plus years. Trapped at the estate with the other guests—suspects all—the Girls must band together to find the true killer and get back to pleasant evenings of card games and cheesecake.
Rachel Ekstrom Courage is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of Murder By Cheesecake: A Golden Girls Cozy Mystery and the young adult thriller Nothing Bad Happens Here. She lives in Pittsburgh, PA with her husband (the children’s book author Nick Courage) and their family.
Growing up with the show as a favorite, and admittedly watching full series reruns at least three times, I was super excited about this book launch. The first in series was wonderful. I didn't love this second one as much. There were some character deviations as tho the author didn't really watch the entire series. The mysterious island felt too contrived. And the scenes were too forced in a few instances. I laughed tho. I enjoyed a good amount of the book. It just needed someone more familiar with the show to change some parts to make it shine brighter.
I loved it! Rachel Ekstrom Courage once again nails the Girls’ voices in Death on the Lanai, giving us a cozy mystery that feels like a lost episode of the show in the best way. The banter is sharp, the jokes genuinely laugh-out-loud funny, and the setup (stormy island, a blast from Blanche’s romantic past, way too many suspects) is exactly the kind of trouble you can picture Dorothy, Blanche, Rose, and Sophia getting into. It’s a clever mystery that captures the heart of The Golden Girls and is just plain fun to read!
Death on the Lanai is the second installment in the Golden Girls cozy mystery series. This is a cute book that focuses on Blanche and a mystery man from her past. If you are a fan of the Golden Girls then these books are the best way to keep the girls alive - this book has so many references to events and memories from the TV show. The author has continued to do an amazing job with the character's personalities and their interactions with each other - she has captured them perfectly! I am a Golden Girls SuperFan and love everything about this series. I look forward to more!
A huge thank you to NetGalley and Hyperion Avenue for the opportunity to read this ebook ARC.
I received this book as an ARC through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I love the Golden Girls show and had high expectations for this book. The storyline was alright, but I thought that the writing itself wasn't great. The chapters were very short and choppy, which made it hard for me to really get drawn in. The characters were true to the show, though.
I’ve been a Golden Girls fan since the very first episode of the TV series. Once it came to an end, those late-night reruns where Dorothy’s sarcasm, Rose’s innocence, Blanche’s flirtations, and Sophia’s one-liners made everything feel a little brighter. So when the first book in this cozy mystery series, Murder by Cheesecake, came out, I dove in immediately. It captured the essence of the show so perfectly that it felt like spending an extra evening in the Miami house with the girls. Naturally, I was thrilled to get my hands on the second installment, Death on the Lanai by Rachel Ekstrom Courage.
This one picks up right where the charm left off. An enigmatic invitation arrives at the house, inviting the four women to a lavish party on a remote island estate in Biscayne Bay. What starts as a glamorous getaway quickly turns complicated when they arrive and meet the host: a famous artist named Declan (known as El Toro), who reveals himself as a man from Blanche’s past. Back in the day, he was the struggling artist who loved her deeply but couldn’t offer the life she wanted. Fate pulled them apart, but now he claims she’s been his muse all these years. Blanche, ever the Southern belle with a trail of suitors, doesn’t quite remember the details—but the chemistry is still there.
The party takes a dramatic turn when a tropical storm knocks out the power, stranding everyone on the island. The next morning, Declan is found dead, and suspicion falls squarely on Blanche. With no way off the island and a house full of potential suspects, the girls band together to uncover the truth.
What makes Death on the Lanai so special is how faithfully it brings the characters to life. The dialogue sparkles with the same witty, heartfelt banter we know from the show. Dorothy’s dry humor cuts through every tense moment, Rose offers her earnest (and often hilariously offbeat) observations, Sophia delivers those classic zingers, and Blanche’s passionate, flirtatious energy drives much of the emotional core. There are even subtle nods to actual episodes and moments from the series that feel authentic rather than forced—little Easter eggs that made me smile in recognition.
The setting is vividly drawn, too. The remote island estate, the storm, the candlelit tension—it all builds a wonderful sense of place and atmosphere. The mystery itself simmers slowly, unfolding through conversations, revelations, and the girls’ sleuthing. If you’re someone who prefers a fast-paced thriller that grabs you in the first chapter, this slower build might test your patience. But for me, it was exactly right. The gradual tension lets the characters shine, and the payoff feels earned and satisfying.
Like the first book, this one is strong on heart and humor. It’s cozy in the best way—comforting, funny, and full of friendship. Reading it felt like catching up with old friends, complete with cheesecake references and plenty of laughs.
If you loved Murder by Cheesecake) or if you’re just a Golden Girls devotee looking for more time with Dorothy, Rose, Blanche, and Sophia), Death on the Lanai delivers. I’m already hoping for book three. Here’s to many more adventures with the girls—because honestly, who wouldn’t want to spend more evenings with them?
I received an advanced review copy of Death on the Lanai, the second cozy mystery in the Golden Girls Mystery series, and it was fun to jump back in with Dorothy, Rose, Blanche, and Sophia. When a mysterious invitation shows up at their door along with a gorgeous brooch, the girls decide to attend a glamorous gala to find out who sent it. Blanche immediately assumes the jewelry was meant for her, and of course, she is right.
The setting checks all the cozy mystery boxes. A fancy island that can only be reached by rowboat, a group of interesting guests, and a storm that traps everyone overnight with no way to leave or call for help. In true Blanche fashion, she even runs into a lover from her past, stirring up old feelings and a bit of drama. One of the best parts of the book is the dialogue. The banter between the girls feels very true to the TV show, and fans will appreciate the fun 1980s brand name references and nods to familiar Golden Girls story lines.
While I enjoyed the characters and the nostalgia, the mystery itself felt pretty basic and moved a bit too slowly for me. It takes almost forty percent of the book before the actual death on the lanai happens. After that, the story focuses heavily on everyone accusing each other, which made the pacing drag. Even though this is the second book in the series, it works fine as a standalone, so you do not need to read the first book to follow along.
Overall, Death on the Lanai is a cozy, character driven mystery that Golden Girls fans will likely enjoy for the humor, familiar voices, and throwback vibes, even if the mystery does not quite live up to its promising setup.
Thank you to NetGalley and Hyperion Avenue for providing me with an advanced review copy in exchange for my honest review.
Thank you NetGalley for providing an advanced copy!
Thank you for being a friend!! This is the 2nd installment of the Golden Girls Cozy Mystery series it did NOT disappoint. You don’t need to read the first one in order to dive into this.
Death on the Lanai opens with Blanche upset she doesn’t have any plans for the weekend and then all of a sudden, the doorbell rings and they get a random invitation complete with beautiful brooch to an exclusive gala in the mail. After very little deliberation, they get all dolled up and make their way to the mansion.
The story mainly focuses on Blanche. When they get to the mansion, turns out the person who invited them was a man from her past named Declan or ET (El Toro) The party takes a turn when a storm comes through and the power goes out leading to the brooch going missing. The girls quickly jump on the case and figure out who stole the brooch which also leads to a murder.
The writing is SO fun - Rachel really brings each character to life just as you would watch the show. Every time I would read, I heard their voices in my head as I was reading each line. Sophia’s Witt is there, Rose’s St Olaf stories are insanely funny and you can just hear the sarcasm when Dorothy speaks.
It’s such a fast, easy and fun read and I highly recommend picking it up. Can’t wait for the next!
I thought I would like this book more than I ended up liking it. I didn't read the first in the series, but other than some mentions of a past adventure, that didn't take away from the novelty of immersing myself in the world of the Golden Girls once again. Unfortunately, while the characterizations are mostly spot on and there are lots of nods to brands that were popular in the 80s (too many brand names, to be honest), the pacing of this story was exasperatingly slow and the plot was rather thin. Not much happened until around the 30% mark, and even after the titular "death," the unearthing of clues dragged on for quite a long time. I found myself skimming just to get to the end. There's lots of snappy dialogue, true to the show, but perhaps the short format of the show is what kept the dynamic between the friends interesting, while in this case it felt really drawn out. Can recommend if you are a big fan of the Golden Girls and are curious about how the ladies would solve a mystery, but be prepared for the novelty to wear thin.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Hyperion Avenue for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
I loved the first book, Murder By Cheesecake, and this one is a satisfying follow-up. Note: This is fine as a standalone, but there are mentions of plot points from the prior book.
This honestly felt like an episode of the show put to page. Each character shined with their own individual personality, charm, and signature dialogue tones. The author is clearly a huge fan of the show and really took care to provide feelings of nostalgia while adding her own touches. I appreciated the references to classic episodes too.
I've read a few books centered around movies and TV shows where it was quite obvious that the book was written first and then the names and places changed to match the IP, but this was not the case. I hope this series continues because I will absolutely travel down the road and back again.
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Hyperion Avenue for the digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I was so excited to see another story come out that I knew I had to have it. I loved this book so much! I can actually hear these wonderful ladies voices through the pages. I could see them acting out their parts in one of my favorite scenes. Poor Rose! Always the last to catch on but it's what I love about her. (I watched the show when it was on and still do. The reruns). Dorothy is the one who really makes me snicker because I can see her face whenever she deals with Rose lol. It was Dorothy and Sophia who cracked me up this time. I laughed until I cried in places. They really made my day. Rose and Blanche did too. Rose especially. Rose's stories made me smile throughout the story. I'm so glad this author decided to continue their story. She has done a wonderful job in bringing them to life once again. I savored this story. I didnt want it to end. I loved the setting of this story on a remote island? Goodness that really spices up this story besides the murder. Who killed Declan? This was an excellent mystery 5 stars for a job well done and for entertaining me. I hope there will be more to come. Thanks for the opportunity to read and review. I was NOT required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine.
I would like to thank Hyperion Avenue for the opportunity to read this early.
If you are looking for a quirky mystery with a cast of very familiar faces, this is a very pleasant read. I read the first one as well and this one is honestly a bit better. There are a lot of references to the show, mostly in memory form and plenty of St. Olaf stories to make your Golden girls loving heart happy. I was happy to see that the sequel is a little less heavy handed with the 80s references, which was my only real complaint about the first instalment. There were times it felt like the author was just listing products and designers of the time. It's not going to blow you away but it is still an enjoyable read.
In this, the second in the Golden Girls cozy mystery series, Dorothy, Rose, and Sophia join Blanche as they visit a private island owned by a world-renowned artist, who is also one of Blanche's former lovers. When the power goes out on the island and someone is killed, The Golden Girls must join forces to find the killer or killers before there is another victim.
Where the first book in this series, Murder by Cheesecake, had more GG insider lore (Rose's St. Olaf family, Dorothy's dating mishaps, etc.) Death on the Lanai is a more standard mystery that just happens to be investigated by the girls. Fans of cozies will enjoy this series, but those looking for insider GG jokes may be disappointed.
Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC.
Thank you to NetGalley and Hyperion Avenue for this ARC. 3.5 stars rounded up. Once again, this could be a Golden Girls script. The dialogue was so them. The nostalgia is what carried me through. While the dialogue was spot-on, some of the plot seemed to drag a bit. The way the author managed to accurately portray their personalities is nothing less than incredible. It 100% encompasses a cozy mystery. There is no doubt about that. I'm honestly a little bummed we never got an episode of the ladies solving a crime. I will definitely recommend both books in this series to all the Golden Girl fans I know. It would be a disservice to them if I didn't.
I know I’m biased as a The Golden Girls fan, but I absolutely love the concept of the Girls as amateur detectives. Picture it: 1980s Miami.
Having been cleared of murder in the first installment, Death on the Lanai by Rachel Ekstrom Courage puts Blanche, Dorothy, Rose, and Sophia into a locked-room mystery with — you guessed it — a dead body.
This is a perfect snow-day or light read, delivering a hilarious adventure with our beloved friends. The dialogue and banter feel exactly right for each character — sharp, nostalgic, and true to their voices.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this eARC!
Death on the Lanai is the second installment in the Golden Girls Cozy Mystery series by Rachel Ekstrom Courage. Blanche becomes a prime suspect when a former beau is found murdered.
The book successfully captures the essence of the Golden Girls while placing them in a situation more suited to J.B. Fletcher than a group of retirees from Miami. More than once, I found myself wishing that NBC had actually filmed a series of mystery movies starring the girls.
I thoroughly enjoyed the read and am looking forward to the next installment in the series.
Another fun visit with "the girls" that gets the tone and rhythm of the classic tv series just right. Rose, Dorothy, Blanche and Sophia are true to form, and reading this title (and the previous one) is as though you're enjoying a new episode from the series.
What a great way to spend a rainy spring afternoon.
Full Disclosure--NetGalley and the publisher provided me with a digital ARC of this book. This is my honest review.
Another cozy Golden Girls mystery, what's not to love? The girls receive a mysterious invitation to an event on a private island. Curiosity gets the best of them and they head to the island, where they find someone from the past. Naturally, they find themselves suddenly wrapped up in a murder investigation and work together to solve this mystery. If you love the Golden Girls, this one is for you.
Thanks to netgalley for my advanced copy to review!
This book was so fun! I love the idea of the Golden Girls as characters in mystery books. It's just too perfect! The writing of this book was ok, but for me it was more the idea of reading a book with some of my favorite TV characters involved in a mystery! If you like the Golden Girls, I would definitely recommend, just don't expect it to be the most literary book you've ever read.
This book is such a fun read. It has such a nostalgic feel to it, like your watching one of the episodes for the first time. The author did an amazing job capturing each character perfectly. If you like watching the Golden Girls, I would definitely recommend reading it.
Thank you Netgalley, Rachel Eskimo Courage, and Hyperion Avenue for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Liked this one a bit more than the first. I couldn't read it as much as I liked to but busy life kept me from reading it in one sitting. This series is cozy and the characters are friends that are ageless.
I enjoyed this second installment of The Golden Girls Go Columbo even more than the first. I feel like the author has really nailed the voice of each of the girls and channeled each of their signature charm and wit. I hope for more of these books and can't wait to see where the girls go next.
NetGalley provided me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I was excited to read the ARC of this. I got the ARC of the first one as well. I have to say that I loved this one just as much as the last one. This author does such a good job of writing the girls that it really does feel like watching an episode of the golden girls with ya know, murder. My favorite surprise character of this book has to be Elizabeth Taylor (if you know you know). Once again, this was a banger. As long as this author writes golden girls mysteries I will be there to read them. This will be out in June of 2026. If you loved the golden girls, you seriously need to give these books a shot.