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Marigold Cottages Murders #2
Murder on Charity Lane
The charming and heartfelt follow-up to The Marigold Cottages Murder Collective, written in the vein of The Thursday Murder Club and "Only Murders in the Building," with a Southern California twist.
Months after the shocking murders at Marigold Cottages, eccentric landlady Mrs. B finds the peace and quiet a little too peaceful. That's why she invites her young friend Elsa Moore to move into a now-vacant Elsa is a suspect in the death of her employer, a wealthy Santa Barbara philanthropist who tumbled down the stairs of his mansion during a dinner party.
The dead man’s much-younger widow claims she saw Elsa push him, but Mrs. B is certain that she's innocent. Why? Oh, just a feeling.
That’s enough for her to summon the Marigold Cottages Murder Collective. Lily-Ann will marshal the facts, Hamilton will dig around online, Sophie and Nicholas will offer eyewitness testimony, and everyone will hope that Ocean keeps Mrs. B out of trouble.
Just as the tenants begin to suspect that Elsa is in fact guilty, there’s a second murder. A bloodier one. Then they discover that Mrs. B risked the Marigold Cottages for Elsa. With their tight-knit community on the line, they must ignore their doubts and prove her innocence.
Months after the shocking murders at Marigold Cottages, eccentric landlady Mrs. B finds the peace and quiet a little too peaceful. That's why she invites her young friend Elsa Moore to move into a now-vacant Elsa is a suspect in the death of her employer, a wealthy Santa Barbara philanthropist who tumbled down the stairs of his mansion during a dinner party.
The dead man’s much-younger widow claims she saw Elsa push him, but Mrs. B is certain that she's innocent. Why? Oh, just a feeling.
That’s enough for her to summon the Marigold Cottages Murder Collective. Lily-Ann will marshal the facts, Hamilton will dig around online, Sophie and Nicholas will offer eyewitness testimony, and everyone will hope that Ocean keeps Mrs. B out of trouble.
Just as the tenants begin to suspect that Elsa is in fact guilty, there’s a second murder. A bloodier one. Then they discover that Mrs. B risked the Marigold Cottages for Elsa. With their tight-knit community on the line, they must ignore their doubts and prove her innocence.
343 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 18, 2026
About the author
Jo Nichols
6 books121 followersJOEL ROSS is the author of an award-winning fogpunk adventure series that includes THE FOG DIVER and THE LOST COMPASS, the BEAST & CROWN series, and ALLEY & REX series. As Joel Naftali, he wrote a skunkpunk children’s series and co-wrote THE ARMY OF FROGS trilogy which became a Netflix animated series―for which he and Lee wrote the screenplays. He is also the author of two adult WWII thrillers. And as Joel Dane, he wrote the CRY PILOT science fiction series, along with the science fiction podcast, MARIGOLD BREACH that starred Jameela Jamil and Manny Jacinto.
LEE NICHOLS is the author of five chick lit novels including the bestselling TALES OF A DRAMA QUEEN and HAND-ME-DOWN. She’s written the HAUNTING EMMA series for young adults, which is currently optioned for TV and co-wrote the animated Netflix series, THE ARMY OF FROGS.
Lee and Joel met in college and have lived together more years than they have not. They currently reside in Santa Barbara with two cats named Earl and Betty and have one son who pretends to be learning something while away at college. After collaborating on roughly thirty books together for both children and adults, they finally sat down to write The Marigold Cottages Murder Collective, their first mystery.
source: Amazon
LEE NICHOLS is the author of five chick lit novels including the bestselling TALES OF A DRAMA QUEEN and HAND-ME-DOWN. She’s written the HAUNTING EMMA series for young adults, which is currently optioned for TV and co-wrote the animated Netflix series, THE ARMY OF FROGS.
Lee and Joel met in college and have lived together more years than they have not. They currently reside in Santa Barbara with two cats named Earl and Betty and have one son who pretends to be learning something while away at college. After collaborating on roughly thirty books together for both children and adults, they finally sat down to write The Marigold Cottages Murder Collective, their first mystery.
source: Amazon
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 226 reviews
July 10, 2026
Quirky cast of characters. Sophomore book in the series where we investigate another crime. Who wanted the wealthy, elderly man dead. And why did it happen way differently than someone else expected. Interesting California setting where the cottages represent a tight-knit group of misfits who've come to see each other as family. I enjoyed many of the scenes but I struggled to maintain interest the entire time. Still a good one tho.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This book is the second installment in The Marigold Cottages Murders series and is set six months after the series debut. To get the most from this story, I’d recommend starting with book one.
I loved escaping back into Ms. B’s world; the ensemble cast of unconventional found family instantly pulled me in. I love how this cast of unusual and quirky renters makes the community feel familiar and allows me to sit back and laugh or gasp at the antics. Don’t get me wrong, Ms B steps up her game and there are still mysteries and murders to solve, but the solidarity and camaraderie of these renters is the highlight of the series. It may not have had the same tone as the series debut, but I LOVED that the authors chose to gloss over the character introduction. It’s a big pet peeve of mine when sequels take up pages reintroducing cast members. If you’ve read book one, you’ll be able to hop right into the action in this installment after meeting one new renter, Elsa.
I’m all in for book three!
I was gifted this copy and was under no obligation to provide a review.
I loved escaping back into Ms. B’s world; the ensemble cast of unconventional found family instantly pulled me in. I love how this cast of unusual and quirky renters makes the community feel familiar and allows me to sit back and laugh or gasp at the antics. Don’t get me wrong, Ms B steps up her game and there are still mysteries and murders to solve, but the solidarity and camaraderie of these renters is the highlight of the series. It may not have had the same tone as the series debut, but I LOVED that the authors chose to gloss over the character introduction. It’s a big pet peeve of mine when sequels take up pages reintroducing cast members. If you’ve read book one, you’ll be able to hop right into the action in this installment after meeting one new renter, Elsa.
I’m all in for book three!
I was gifted this copy and was under no obligation to provide a review.
Want to Read
August 18, 2026ARC received. Thank you, Macmillan Audio!!
Read
August 14, 2026First off, if you need a refresher on book one, head to my Readers Guide, with a character list, full plot summary and spoilers on Readers Guide for the Marigold Collages Murder Collective Jen Ryland Reviews
I didn't connect with this book as much as the first, and have been trying to figure out why.
In the first book, The Marigold Cottages Murders, the cottage gang was directly affected by the murders. In this book, Ocean's brand new girlfriend is accused of murdering her wealthy employer, and I just struggled to care. The victim was a rich guy with an over the top annoying wife and I feel a bit meh about all that. The stakes for the cottage gang were finally raised, but that came a little too late for me.
On the plus side, the solution to the murders was ingenious, so bravo for that.
But I'm also a little concerned about this now trend of I hope in the next book the group has to come to some sort of reckoning about this, because it's a bit weird. I know this also happens in The Thursday Murder Club, but for some reason in this case I'm not feeling it.
Thanks to the publisher for the advance copy!
I didn't connect with this book as much as the first, and have been trying to figure out why.
In the first book, The Marigold Cottages Murders, the cottage gang was directly affected by the murders. In this book, Ocean's brand new girlfriend is accused of murdering her wealthy employer, and I just struggled to care. The victim was a rich guy with an over the top annoying wife and I feel a bit meh about all that. The stakes for the cottage gang were finally raised, but that came a little too late for me.
On the plus side, the solution to the murders was ingenious, so bravo for that.
But I'm also a little concerned about this now trend of I hope in the next book the group has to come to some sort of reckoning about this, because it's a bit weird. I know this also happens in The Thursday Murder Club, but for some reason in this case I'm not feeling it.
Thanks to the publisher for the advance copy!
August 24, 2026
Thank you, @macmillan.audio and @netgalley for the audiobook of Murder on Charity Lane by Jo Nichols! All opinions are my own. This book is the second in the Marigold Cottages Murders series. Author Jo Nichols is two people à la Christina Lauren, Jo Nichols= Joel Ross and Lee Nichols. I was happy that I read the first book, The Marigold Cottages Murder Collective ahead of this one because I came into it knowing the characters as well as the backstory.
It has been six months since the first book and Mrs B. remains our spunky, Little Free Library stewarding, caftan-wearing older lady who owns the Marigold Cottages. We have more of her and her antics in this second installment! There is another murder, and The Marigold Cottages Murder Collective is back in action to solve the mystery. Again, we have Hamilton, Nicholas, Lily-Ann, Sophie, Ocean and her two kids, Anthony, and new characters in the mix! One would think so many characters would be confusing, but it is not. The narrators do an excellent job differentiating the characters and their personalities are so distinguishable; it is hard to believe there are only two narrators. We hear from most of characters, as well as a detective in nice, short chapters. This audiobook was very well-done for such a large cast. Narrating well-done, Jim Meskimen and Meg Price! I’ll be listening to the third!
4/5 stars
11 hours 2 minutes at 1x on audio
Location: mainly Santa Barbara, California, also visits to Montecito and Hope Ranch
It has been six months since the first book and Mrs B. remains our spunky, Little Free Library stewarding, caftan-wearing older lady who owns the Marigold Cottages. We have more of her and her antics in this second installment! There is another murder, and The Marigold Cottages Murder Collective is back in action to solve the mystery. Again, we have Hamilton, Nicholas, Lily-Ann, Sophie, Ocean and her two kids, Anthony, and new characters in the mix! One would think so many characters would be confusing, but it is not. The narrators do an excellent job differentiating the characters and their personalities are so distinguishable; it is hard to believe there are only two narrators. We hear from most of characters, as well as a detective in nice, short chapters. This audiobook was very well-done for such a large cast. Narrating well-done, Jim Meskimen and Meg Price! I’ll be listening to the third!
4/5 stars
11 hours 2 minutes at 1x on audio
Location: mainly Santa Barbara, California, also visits to Montecito and Hope Ranch
August 13, 2026
A huge thank you to @macmillan.audio for the ALC & St. Martin’s Press for the digital copy of Murder on Charity Lane! I was SO excited to be back at Marigold Cottages because I absolutely love being in Mrs. B’s world.
First things first—if you haven’t read The Marigold Cottages Murder Collective, I highly recommend starting there! While you could probably jump into this mystery on its own, knowing the residents, their relationships & everything they’ve already been through made me so much more invested in this one.
And I’m happy to report that book two is every bit as heartwarming, quirky & entertaining as the first. 🥹 I just adore this group of characters, but Mrs. B continues to completely steal the show for me. She is hilarious, lovable & apparently a little too bored when there isn’t a murder to solve. 😂
The audio was phenomenal! Mrs. B’s narration is EXACTLY how I imagine her sounding in real life, and listening to this honestly just made me love her even more.
I don’t want to say too much about the actual mystery because I think this series is best experienced knowing as little as possible—especially if you still need to read book one. Just know this sequel absolutely did not disappoint.
If you love cozy mysteries that actually make you care about the characters, warm your heart AND crack you up along the way, you need Marigold Cottages in your life.
And Jo Nichols... please tell me there are many, MANY more Mrs. B adventures coming. 😂
First things first—if you haven’t read The Marigold Cottages Murder Collective, I highly recommend starting there! While you could probably jump into this mystery on its own, knowing the residents, their relationships & everything they’ve already been through made me so much more invested in this one.
And I’m happy to report that book two is every bit as heartwarming, quirky & entertaining as the first. 🥹 I just adore this group of characters, but Mrs. B continues to completely steal the show for me. She is hilarious, lovable & apparently a little too bored when there isn’t a murder to solve. 😂
The audio was phenomenal! Mrs. B’s narration is EXACTLY how I imagine her sounding in real life, and listening to this honestly just made me love her even more.
I don’t want to say too much about the actual mystery because I think this series is best experienced knowing as little as possible—especially if you still need to read book one. Just know this sequel absolutely did not disappoint.
If you love cozy mysteries that actually make you care about the characters, warm your heart AND crack you up along the way, you need Marigold Cottages in your life.
And Jo Nichols... please tell me there are many, MANY more Mrs. B adventures coming. 😂
August 18, 2026
4.5 stars
I loved this sequel. It brought the gang back together, introduced new characters and had a fun plot.
In this one, Ms B tries to set up Ocean with a girl she has met at the YMCA, CJ. CJ works for a wealthy gentleman, Frank. At one of his parties CJ attends, he ends up dead and CJ is the suspect. Ms B is convinced she is innocent and pulls together the Marigold Cottages Murder Collective to prove her innocence.
In the first book, we spend a lot of time getting to know the characters and I really loved that. Since we already know them, we don't get as much of that in this one, but we still get character development. Sophie and Nicholas are moving in together, Lilly Ann and Anthony are not moving in together, but exploring their new relationship. It was just fun following their lives already knowing them. We get new characters like CJ, Frank and his wife Corrina. It was a great mix of returning and new characters.
The plot was fun as well. I loved how hard Ms B worked to get everyone on board to try to prove CJ's innocence and then how invested everyone became. The clues all lead to viable suspects who all had motives and I didn't see the culprit coming. The ending was pretty fast paced and really great.
There were several audiobook narrators which I thought was fantastic since there were so many POVs. It would have been so hard to keep track of whose POV we were in if it was one narrator. The male to female (or vice versa) broke up the story nicely. The narrators were great as well. They brought the story to life and I really kept high interest because of them.
Thank you to Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
I loved this sequel. It brought the gang back together, introduced new characters and had a fun plot.
In this one, Ms B tries to set up Ocean with a girl she has met at the YMCA, CJ. CJ works for a wealthy gentleman, Frank. At one of his parties CJ attends, he ends up dead and CJ is the suspect. Ms B is convinced she is innocent and pulls together the Marigold Cottages Murder Collective to prove her innocence.
In the first book, we spend a lot of time getting to know the characters and I really loved that. Since we already know them, we don't get as much of that in this one, but we still get character development. Sophie and Nicholas are moving in together, Lilly Ann and Anthony are not moving in together, but exploring their new relationship. It was just fun following their lives already knowing them. We get new characters like CJ, Frank and his wife Corrina. It was a great mix of returning and new characters.
The plot was fun as well. I loved how hard Ms B worked to get everyone on board to try to prove CJ's innocence and then how invested everyone became. The clues all lead to viable suspects who all had motives and I didn't see the culprit coming. The ending was pretty fast paced and really great.
There were several audiobook narrators which I thought was fantastic since there were so many POVs. It would have been so hard to keep track of whose POV we were in if it was one narrator. The male to female (or vice versa) broke up the story nicely. The narrators were great as well. They brought the story to life and I really kept high interest because of them.
Thank you to Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
July 30, 2026
Thank you to Minotaur Books for an early reader copy and Macmillan Audio for a #gifted early listener copy #macaudio2026 of Murder on Charity Lane by Jo Nichols in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own
Murder on Charity Lane is the second book in the Marigold Cottage Murders series. This book picks up where the first one left off and features another delightful mix of murder mystery, found family dynamics, humor, and romance. And similar to the Thursday Murder Club series, you’ll want to read this series in order to fully enjoy it. The quirky cast of characters becomes even more charming as you get to know each of them better.
I love a cozy mystery and enjoyed my time back with the Marigold Cottages crew (especially Mrs B, Lily-Ann, and Anthony). This story is charming, often laugh out loud funny, with a plot that’s easy to follow and occasionally over the top. The mystery was a tad predictable but I didn’t guess all of the “big” reveals. I would recommend this novel to cozy mystery fans who also enjoyed book 1. It may have missed a bit of the magic of book 1 but I’m still looking forward to book 3! 3.5/5⭐️
I alternated between reading this novel on my kindle and listening to the audiobook. The audiobook is narrated by the delightful Jim Meskimen and Meg Price. I found it easiest to switch between the formats due to my schedule this week, and think it could be enjoyed equally with your eyes or ears
Murder on Charity Lane is the second book in the Marigold Cottage Murders series. This book picks up where the first one left off and features another delightful mix of murder mystery, found family dynamics, humor, and romance. And similar to the Thursday Murder Club series, you’ll want to read this series in order to fully enjoy it. The quirky cast of characters becomes even more charming as you get to know each of them better.
I love a cozy mystery and enjoyed my time back with the Marigold Cottages crew (especially Mrs B, Lily-Ann, and Anthony). This story is charming, often laugh out loud funny, with a plot that’s easy to follow and occasionally over the top. The mystery was a tad predictable but I didn’t guess all of the “big” reveals. I would recommend this novel to cozy mystery fans who also enjoyed book 1. It may have missed a bit of the magic of book 1 but I’m still looking forward to book 3! 3.5/5⭐️
I alternated between reading this novel on my kindle and listening to the audiobook. The audiobook is narrated by the delightful Jim Meskimen and Meg Price. I found it easiest to switch between the formats due to my schedule this week, and think it could be enjoyed equally with your eyes or ears
May 2, 2026
We have a strong conclusion to a (book)
story that I was having a difficult time
spending time with and caring about the
characters. At the 3/4 mark, it was as if
a bright light appeared along with a
friend;y ghost~ to make sure I was getting
the point and loving how brilliant the plot
really is as it comes together with a strong
set up for the next offering.
I STRONGLY encourage folks to read the
first book so you will be set up for success!
My thanks to Minotaur Books via Net Galley
for the download of the book for review
purposes.
story that I was having a difficult time
spending time with and caring about the
characters. At the 3/4 mark, it was as if
a bright light appeared along with a
friend;y ghost~ to make sure I was getting
the point and loving how brilliant the plot
really is as it comes together with a strong
set up for the next offering.
I STRONGLY encourage folks to read the
first book so you will be set up for success!
My thanks to Minotaur Books via Net Galley
for the download of the book for review
purposes.
March 15, 2026
2.5 rounded down for goodreads
After being absolutely enchanted with book one, I was thoroughly disappointed by this second installment. If you haven’t read the first book, you’re going to be totally lost here. We don’t really get a rundown of the characters, and the events of the first book are casually sprinkled throughout, almost in passing.
Lily-Ann is making great strides personality-wise, and that was wonderful to see, but I would have loved to see more character development from the rest of the group (minus Anthony, because he’s a peach).
While we’re given the same rotating POV chapter style from book one, the story really ends up belonging to Sophie and Nicolas, both of whom weren’t my favorites from the first book. Unfortunately, the story felt boring, dry, and dragged out. There’s little to no action and hardly any involvement from the group until the very end.
There also felt like there were too many outside players compared to the main cast. Instead of being a fun, chaotic mystery like the first book, the story just felt slow. I don’t know how many times I picked up my phone or got up to do chores mid-sentence.
I’m hoping this was just a fluke and not the tone of the rest of the series. Given how strong the first book was, I’d absolutely be willing to try book three when it comes out.
After being absolutely enchanted with book one, I was thoroughly disappointed by this second installment. If you haven’t read the first book, you’re going to be totally lost here. We don’t really get a rundown of the characters, and the events of the first book are casually sprinkled throughout, almost in passing.
Lily-Ann is making great strides personality-wise, and that was wonderful to see, but I would have loved to see more character development from the rest of the group (minus Anthony, because he’s a peach).
While we’re given the same rotating POV chapter style from book one, the story really ends up belonging to Sophie and Nicolas, both of whom weren’t my favorites from the first book. Unfortunately, the story felt boring, dry, and dragged out. There’s little to no action and hardly any involvement from the group until the very end.
There also felt like there were too many outside players compared to the main cast. Instead of being a fun, chaotic mystery like the first book, the story just felt slow. I don’t know how many times I picked up my phone or got up to do chores mid-sentence.
I’m hoping this was just a fluke and not the tone of the rest of the series. Given how strong the first book was, I’d absolutely be willing to try book three when it comes out.
August 9, 2026
𝘏𝘶𝘨𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘵𝘰 𝘔𝘪𝘯𝘰𝘵𝘢𝘶𝘳 𝘉𝘰𝘰𝘬𝘴 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘈𝘙𝘊. 𝘈𝘭𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘭𝘰𝘸 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘮𝘺 𝘰𝘸𝘯.
Aaaaaaand we’re back with the lovable weirdos of Marigold Cottages, and I genuinely forgot how much I missed them. I remembered just enough about everyone to know I loved them, but apparently forgot enough that every time someone popped up I was like OH YEAH, YOU. MY LITTLE FREAK. It was honestly so much fun falling back into this group again.
The text messages between the Murder Collective absolutely killed me. Half the time they are trying to solve an actual murder and the other half they were basically just managing Mrs. B, which feels like a full-time job on its own. Mrs. B reminded me so much of my nana. Meddling, hilarious, slightly impossible to control, and somehow able to make you feel like you’re the most important person on the planet.
That’s probably what I love most about this series. Yes, there are murders but regardless of all that it feels like a cozy warm blanket. There’s so much friendship, found family, and genuine love between these ridiculous people that I always finish feeling weirdly hopeful. Basically, I came back for the murder mystery and stayed because I’m emotionally attached to a fictional cottage community now. Again.
Aaaaaaand we’re back with the lovable weirdos of Marigold Cottages, and I genuinely forgot how much I missed them. I remembered just enough about everyone to know I loved them, but apparently forgot enough that every time someone popped up I was like OH YEAH, YOU. MY LITTLE FREAK. It was honestly so much fun falling back into this group again.
The text messages between the Murder Collective absolutely killed me. Half the time they are trying to solve an actual murder and the other half they were basically just managing Mrs. B, which feels like a full-time job on its own. Mrs. B reminded me so much of my nana. Meddling, hilarious, slightly impossible to control, and somehow able to make you feel like you’re the most important person on the planet.
That’s probably what I love most about this series. Yes, there are murders but regardless of all that it feels like a cozy warm blanket. There’s so much friendship, found family, and genuine love between these ridiculous people that I always finish feeling weirdly hopeful. Basically, I came back for the murder mystery and stayed because I’m emotionally attached to a fictional cottage community now. Again.
April 3, 2026
I was so so so hoping that book one would launch a succesful series and was elated to jump into Murder on Charity Lane to discover if the eccentric and quirky murder mystery path could be taken twice. It's a slightly unconventional arc that these books take, giving something new to the cozy genre while also fitting right in with just a smidge more blood and grit. And I'm happy to report that it's another winner for the people at Marigold Cottages. Sweet and fun this time around with couples shacking up and interactions of all kinds feeling closer and more intimate. Their shared secrets bond them even while casting a small shadow.
Of course there is a new murder to solve and Mrs B is intent to shove her nearest and dearest right into the middle of it. The accusations fly and the intrusive sleuthing begins. Detective Vernon is back and he's a lot more likeable this time around. Much improved, thankfully, while not completely abandoning his established personality, he has his own investigation to commence and with a little bit of sanctioned help from our intrepid collective.
Are some things a little too coincidental? Sure. Can some things be easily extrapolated? Yes. But are the short chapters and multitude of characters absolutely delightful making this a dream to read? Absolutely.
Basically, I love this series and I hope there are many more stories to come.
* I received a free early ecopy from the publisher
Of course there is a new murder to solve and Mrs B is intent to shove her nearest and dearest right into the middle of it. The accusations fly and the intrusive sleuthing begins. Detective Vernon is back and he's a lot more likeable this time around. Much improved, thankfully, while not completely abandoning his established personality, he has his own investigation to commence and with a little bit of sanctioned help from our intrepid collective.
Are some things a little too coincidental? Sure. Can some things be easily extrapolated? Yes. But are the short chapters and multitude of characters absolutely delightful making this a dream to read? Absolutely.
Basically, I love this series and I hope there are many more stories to come.
* I received a free early ecopy from the publisher
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
I love these characters SO MUCH! I was a little afraid without a re-read that I would need to be re-introduced to them, but nope the author does an amazing job conceptualizing these quirky characters that their personalities are instantly apparent and easy to remember. I was immediately smiling at each of their eccentricates and love love their different relationships with each other. I went in blind about the split and highly recommend that because I was able to just feel like I was spending time with the collective (and apart of the group chat) which made it so much fun. The story was twisty and perfectly crafted together to keep me hooked and let each character shine. The banter had me laughing and smiling the whole time, even during the most dramatic scenes. The ending was fabulous and I already miss this group!
Note: I listened to the audiobook and it is certainly the way to enhance these characters and really feel apart of the community.
Thanks to the publisher for an ALC ; my thoughts and review are my own.
Note: I listened to the audiobook and it is certainly the way to enhance these characters and really feel apart of the community.
Thanks to the publisher for an ALC ; my thoughts and review are my own.
August 9, 2026
Murder on Charity Lane is a follow-up with returning characters, and while I can usually jump into a series without reading the previous book, I wouldn’t recommend doing that with this one. There were enough references to the first book that I felt like you really need that background to fully enjoy the story.
Unfortunately, this one also felt a little too drawn out for me. There were several places where the story seemed like it could have moved along or wrapped up much quicker. There is a good twist toward the end, but by the time I got there, the story had dragged enough that I’d already started to lose interest. A solid mystery, but I think a tighter pace would have made the payoff much stronger.
Unfortunately, this one also felt a little too drawn out for me. There were several places where the story seemed like it could have moved along or wrapped up much quicker. There is a good twist toward the end, but by the time I got there, the story had dragged enough that I’d already started to lose interest. A solid mystery, but I think a tighter pace would have made the payoff much stronger.
August 19, 2026
A decent follow up to the first book in the Marigold Cottages Murders series, but I did feel like it was drawn out longer than it needed to be. If you pick this one up, definitely read book one in the series first! Otherwise you might be a little lost. I will say the narration was well done! 👏
Thank you partners Minotaur Books and Macmillan Audio for the gifted eARC and ALC in exchange for my honest review! ❤️
Thank you partners Minotaur Books and Macmillan Audio for the gifted eARC and ALC in exchange for my honest review! ❤️
Want to Read
March 7, 2026oooh I loved book 1 of this series!! Can'tw ait to read this one!
August 7, 2026
After enjoying The Marigold Cottage Murder Collective, I was excited to receive an ARC of the second in the series.
Murder on Charity Lane has the same core cast of characters. I would highly recommend reading the first book before diving in to this installment because there is not a summary and I believe reader would be lost without that knowledge.
I did enjoy the format of Murder on Charity Lane much more than the format in the first book. It was fun to have more with the original set of characters and see how their relationships and friendships continue to deepen.
This is a fun entertaining cozy mystery with a quirky set of characters that I found endearing.
You know you. I always suggest checking trigger warnings before starting any book.
I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and Minotaur Books in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Murder on Charity Lane has the same core cast of characters. I would highly recommend reading the first book before diving in to this installment because there is not a summary and I believe reader would be lost without that knowledge.
I did enjoy the format of Murder on Charity Lane much more than the format in the first book. It was fun to have more with the original set of characters and see how their relationships and friendships continue to deepen.
This is a fun entertaining cozy mystery with a quirky set of characters that I found endearing.
You know you. I always suggest checking trigger warnings before starting any book.
I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and Minotaur Books in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Returning to the world of Murder on Charity Lane felt like dropping back into a group chat that should have dissolved after the first murder and somehow only got stronger. Six months have passed since the events of The Marigold Cottages Murder Collective, everyone has settled into their relationships, emotional baggage, and wildly unhealthy habit of stumbling into homicide investigations, and life has finally become peaceful. Which, unfortunately, is exactly the sort of thing that attracts murder.
Mrs. B meets CJ at the YMCA, decides she likes her, and that's basically the end of the vetting process. Then CJ's wealthy employer takes a fatal tumble down a staircase during a dinner party, his much younger widow immediately accuses CJ of murder, and Mrs. B responds with all the careful consideration of someone picking avocados at the grocery store. She has a feeling CJ is innocent. Evidence? Irrelevant. Witnesses? Distracting. Vibes? Immaculate.
And honestly, after two books, I'm starting to understand her methodology. The Marigold Cottages Murder Collective jumps right back into action, and by "action" I mean a group of lovable weirdos collectively deciding they are more qualified than law enforcement. Again. Watching them investigate is like watching raccoons break into a locked cooler. They absolutely should not be able to do this, yet somehow they're getting results.
The thing I love most about this series is that the mystery is never really the whole point. Sure, there's a suspicious death. Then another one. There are suspects, secrets, red herrings, and enough wealthy Santa Barbara drama to fuel an entire season of Big Little Lies. But the real story is still these people. Sophie and Nicholas are figuring out what it means to build a life together. Ocean gets pulled into the center of the chaos through CJ. Lily-Ann continues her slow evolution from Human Stress Fracture to Actual Person With Feelings. Hamilton remains one of my favorite characters in the entire series because every time he appears, it's like the book remembered it needed an extra shot of chaos.
Mrs. B, meanwhile, continues to operate as if reality is merely a set of optional guidelines. She's matchmaking. She's collecting strays. She's solving murders. She's ignoring boundaries with the enthusiasm of a golden retriever who just spotted an open gate. The police have evidence. Mrs. B has a hunch. Somehow these are treated as equally valid investigative tools.
The mystery itself kept me guessing more than I expected. I figured out a few pieces before the reveal, but every time I thought I had a handle on things, another layer got peeled back. Once the second murder enters the picture, things get messy fast, and the Collective starts questioning assumptions they were very comfortable making five minutes earlier.
What really makes these books work, though, is the found family at the center of everything. The annoying thing is that somewhere between the amateur sleuthing, relationship drama, and Mrs. B adopting suspiciously convenient strangers, these books keep sneaking feelings past my defenses. One minute everyone is being ridiculous. The next minute you're watching a group of lonely, damaged people choose each other over and over again and suddenly you're emotional about a bunch of cottage renters.
That's especially true in this installment because we're no longer getting introductions. We're getting history. Inside jokes. Trust. The sense that these people have become each other's safe place, even while dragging one another into increasingly dangerous situations. It's the kind of character growth that doesn't announce itself with a spotlight. It just quietly makes you care.
The pacing occasionally meanders, and I still think this series works best when you're willing to settle in with the characters rather than race toward the solution. But honestly, that's become part of the charm. I'm here for the murder. I'm staying for the cottage gossip.
Four stars. At this point, Mrs. B could find a suspect in the Costco parking lot, move them into a vacant cottage, and launch a full-scale murder investigation based entirely on intuition and vibes, and I'd follow her into battle without asking a single question.
Whodunity Award: For Treating “Potential Murder Suspect” Less Like an Accusation and More Like a Housing Opportunity
And a huge thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the ARC. Thanks for once again inviting me back to Marigold Cottages, where the rent seems reasonable, the neighbors become family, and the odds of getting wrapped up in a homicide investigation are apparently just part of the lease agreement.
Mrs. B meets CJ at the YMCA, decides she likes her, and that's basically the end of the vetting process. Then CJ's wealthy employer takes a fatal tumble down a staircase during a dinner party, his much younger widow immediately accuses CJ of murder, and Mrs. B responds with all the careful consideration of someone picking avocados at the grocery store. She has a feeling CJ is innocent. Evidence? Irrelevant. Witnesses? Distracting. Vibes? Immaculate.
And honestly, after two books, I'm starting to understand her methodology. The Marigold Cottages Murder Collective jumps right back into action, and by "action" I mean a group of lovable weirdos collectively deciding they are more qualified than law enforcement. Again. Watching them investigate is like watching raccoons break into a locked cooler. They absolutely should not be able to do this, yet somehow they're getting results.
The thing I love most about this series is that the mystery is never really the whole point. Sure, there's a suspicious death. Then another one. There are suspects, secrets, red herrings, and enough wealthy Santa Barbara drama to fuel an entire season of Big Little Lies. But the real story is still these people. Sophie and Nicholas are figuring out what it means to build a life together. Ocean gets pulled into the center of the chaos through CJ. Lily-Ann continues her slow evolution from Human Stress Fracture to Actual Person With Feelings. Hamilton remains one of my favorite characters in the entire series because every time he appears, it's like the book remembered it needed an extra shot of chaos.
Mrs. B, meanwhile, continues to operate as if reality is merely a set of optional guidelines. She's matchmaking. She's collecting strays. She's solving murders. She's ignoring boundaries with the enthusiasm of a golden retriever who just spotted an open gate. The police have evidence. Mrs. B has a hunch. Somehow these are treated as equally valid investigative tools.
The mystery itself kept me guessing more than I expected. I figured out a few pieces before the reveal, but every time I thought I had a handle on things, another layer got peeled back. Once the second murder enters the picture, things get messy fast, and the Collective starts questioning assumptions they were very comfortable making five minutes earlier.
What really makes these books work, though, is the found family at the center of everything. The annoying thing is that somewhere between the amateur sleuthing, relationship drama, and Mrs. B adopting suspiciously convenient strangers, these books keep sneaking feelings past my defenses. One minute everyone is being ridiculous. The next minute you're watching a group of lonely, damaged people choose each other over and over again and suddenly you're emotional about a bunch of cottage renters.
That's especially true in this installment because we're no longer getting introductions. We're getting history. Inside jokes. Trust. The sense that these people have become each other's safe place, even while dragging one another into increasingly dangerous situations. It's the kind of character growth that doesn't announce itself with a spotlight. It just quietly makes you care.
The pacing occasionally meanders, and I still think this series works best when you're willing to settle in with the characters rather than race toward the solution. But honestly, that's become part of the charm. I'm here for the murder. I'm staying for the cottage gossip.
Four stars. At this point, Mrs. B could find a suspect in the Costco parking lot, move them into a vacant cottage, and launch a full-scale murder investigation based entirely on intuition and vibes, and I'd follow her into battle without asking a single question.
Whodunity Award: For Treating “Potential Murder Suspect” Less Like an Accusation and More Like a Housing Opportunity
And a huge thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the ARC. Thanks for once again inviting me back to Marigold Cottages, where the rent seems reasonable, the neighbors become family, and the odds of getting wrapped up in a homicide investigation are apparently just part of the lease agreement.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s for an ARC of this novel.
This is the second Marigold Cottages mystery novel by the husband-and-wife team who write as Jo Nichols, and I enjoyed it even more than the first. The Marigold Cottages are located in an enclave of Santa Barbara. There are six of the post-war shabby-genteel cottages, surrounding a centre court. They are owned by the quirky septuagenarian and den-mother fondly known as Mrs. B. A quick-witted widow, the unconventional Mrs. B. likes nothing better than to stick her nose into her tenants’ private lives, and the strength of her will ensures that resistance is futile. She is also easily bored, and has found a new lease on life in solving murder mysteries. Real ones.
This book does work as a stand-alone, but because the Marigold tenants and their relationships with each other and their lively landlady, form the true core of the story, I would advise first reading Book 1. It lays out the founding of the Marigold Cottages Murder Collective, and the two murders they worked together to solve—which come up again briefly in Book 2, since they weren’t quite as solved as all that.
,
Mrs. B. is constantly in or on the verge of trouble, and generally has some hand in making it. In this instance, however, she seems less central in the actual mystery, which involves CJ, the very new girlfriend of Ocean (her chosen daughter), for whom Mrs. B. did the none-too-subtle matchmaking. C.J. has just moved into the cottage that Sophie, would-be scriptwriter—but actual art gallery fundraiser—has vacated to move in with Nicholas (Mrs. B.’s stepson) at his bigger cottage just across the way. The formerly imprisoned, very large and very quiet Anthony, has fallen for the obsessive-compulsive Lily-Ann, and everyone, including Ocean’s kids, still gather at the Collective’s headquarters, the cottage of the computer genius, agoraphobic Hamilton.
Sophie, the only tenant to tell the story in first person in chapters that focus on individual tenants, is more directly involved in the mystery than the others. With Nicholas, she was at the party of the fabulously wealthy Frank and Karina, avid art collectors. The mystery is fairly straightforward in itself, and everything points to poor CJ. The longtime and very devoted aid to elderly Frank, despised by his much younger wife, she was standing by him when he catapulted down the front hall stairway—and Karina, among others, openly accused her. And so the Marigold Murder Collective must meet again, not six months after their first case.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The characters are sympathetically drawn, the outrageous Mrs. B is hilarious, and their individual differences do not keep them from forming strong bonds and a deep connection with each other. The murder may look deceptively simple, but there are a number of false starts and dead ends as the amateur sleuths go about uncovering the culprit. I’m really looking forward to the next adventure, which I suspect may really turn back to what happened in the first book, and the clever cover-up that ensued.
This is the second Marigold Cottages mystery novel by the husband-and-wife team who write as Jo Nichols, and I enjoyed it even more than the first. The Marigold Cottages are located in an enclave of Santa Barbara. There are six of the post-war shabby-genteel cottages, surrounding a centre court. They are owned by the quirky septuagenarian and den-mother fondly known as Mrs. B. A quick-witted widow, the unconventional Mrs. B. likes nothing better than to stick her nose into her tenants’ private lives, and the strength of her will ensures that resistance is futile. She is also easily bored, and has found a new lease on life in solving murder mysteries. Real ones.
This book does work as a stand-alone, but because the Marigold tenants and their relationships with each other and their lively landlady, form the true core of the story, I would advise first reading Book 1. It lays out the founding of the Marigold Cottages Murder Collective, and the two murders they worked together to solve—which come up again briefly in Book 2, since they weren’t quite as solved as all that.
,
Mrs. B. is constantly in or on the verge of trouble, and generally has some hand in making it. In this instance, however, she seems less central in the actual mystery, which involves CJ, the very new girlfriend of Ocean (her chosen daughter), for whom Mrs. B. did the none-too-subtle matchmaking. C.J. has just moved into the cottage that Sophie, would-be scriptwriter—but actual art gallery fundraiser—has vacated to move in with Nicholas (Mrs. B.’s stepson) at his bigger cottage just across the way. The formerly imprisoned, very large and very quiet Anthony, has fallen for the obsessive-compulsive Lily-Ann, and everyone, including Ocean’s kids, still gather at the Collective’s headquarters, the cottage of the computer genius, agoraphobic Hamilton.
Sophie, the only tenant to tell the story in first person in chapters that focus on individual tenants, is more directly involved in the mystery than the others. With Nicholas, she was at the party of the fabulously wealthy Frank and Karina, avid art collectors. The mystery is fairly straightforward in itself, and everything points to poor CJ. The longtime and very devoted aid to elderly Frank, despised by his much younger wife, she was standing by him when he catapulted down the front hall stairway—and Karina, among others, openly accused her. And so the Marigold Murder Collective must meet again, not six months after their first case.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The characters are sympathetically drawn, the outrageous Mrs. B is hilarious, and their individual differences do not keep them from forming strong bonds and a deep connection with each other. The murder may look deceptively simple, but there are a number of false starts and dead ends as the amateur sleuths go about uncovering the culprit. I’m really looking forward to the next adventure, which I suspect may really turn back to what happened in the first book, and the clever cover-up that ensued.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
📱📖 Read on Kindle (Kobo edition)
📃 352 pages
⏱ 4.5 hours
🏷️ Publisher: Minotaur Books
📅 Release Date: August 18, 2026
✨ ARC provided by NetGalley
After adoring the first Marigold Cottages Murder Collective, I was both nervous and giddy to see if Jo Nichols could pull it off again... and Jo Nichols delivered! Murder on Charity Lane leans into everything that made Book 1 sparkle: cozy chaos, loveable oddballs, and Mrs. B’s irresistible meddling. In book one, murder landed at Marigold Cottages uninvited. But this time, Mrs. B practically sets out the welcome mat for it. And honestly? I loved that bold energy.
Because we already know the residents, Nichols skips lengthy character reintroductions. Which is refreshing, but also my gentle PSA: read this series in order. The ensemble dynamic is half the magic. Watching this found family grow more comfortable, more united, and more in sync with each other’s quirks made the whole experience warmer and richer. The multi-POV structure (everyone except Mrs. B) adds layers, though I am deeply curious why we’re denied her perspective. And Sophie alone narrating in first person? Intriguing choice. I have questions, Jo Nichols. I have questions. The pacing is gentle but confident, and Nichols’s descriptive touch strikes just the right balance: warm, vivid, and never bogged down.
The writing remains smooth and immersive, painting Marigold Cottages in cozy, sun-warmed tones without overindulging in description. The mystery itself keeps the pages turning, but it’s the community that anchors everything. This series has that rare “I want to live there” quality. Coming back to Marigold Cottages felt like catching up with old friends, ones you’d absolutely gossip with over tea and scones while a murder unravels next door. Mrs. B has fully taken the reins as the Queen Bee of Charm and Chaos, and I, for one, am delighted to follow her anywhere. I cannot get enough. Book three might be a year away, but consider me already impatient.
Would I recommend it?
Murder on Charity Lane is a charming, clever sequel that wraps humor, heart, and a solid mystery into one breezy read. If you love small-town cozy mysteries, strong ensemble casts, and that warm “found family” feeling wrapped around a twisty whodunit, this series continues to deliver. It’s comfortable without being complacent, charming without losing stakes. Mrs. B remains iconic. If you loved the first, this one’s an automatic pre-order.
📃 352 pages
⏱ 4.5 hours
🏷️ Publisher: Minotaur Books
📅 Release Date: August 18, 2026
✨ ARC provided by NetGalley
After adoring the first Marigold Cottages Murder Collective, I was both nervous and giddy to see if Jo Nichols could pull it off again... and Jo Nichols delivered! Murder on Charity Lane leans into everything that made Book 1 sparkle: cozy chaos, loveable oddballs, and Mrs. B’s irresistible meddling. In book one, murder landed at Marigold Cottages uninvited. But this time, Mrs. B practically sets out the welcome mat for it. And honestly? I loved that bold energy.
Because we already know the residents, Nichols skips lengthy character reintroductions. Which is refreshing, but also my gentle PSA: read this series in order. The ensemble dynamic is half the magic. Watching this found family grow more comfortable, more united, and more in sync with each other’s quirks made the whole experience warmer and richer. The multi-POV structure (everyone except Mrs. B) adds layers, though I am deeply curious why we’re denied her perspective. And Sophie alone narrating in first person? Intriguing choice. I have questions, Jo Nichols. I have questions. The pacing is gentle but confident, and Nichols’s descriptive touch strikes just the right balance: warm, vivid, and never bogged down.
The writing remains smooth and immersive, painting Marigold Cottages in cozy, sun-warmed tones without overindulging in description. The mystery itself keeps the pages turning, but it’s the community that anchors everything. This series has that rare “I want to live there” quality. Coming back to Marigold Cottages felt like catching up with old friends, ones you’d absolutely gossip with over tea and scones while a murder unravels next door. Mrs. B has fully taken the reins as the Queen Bee of Charm and Chaos, and I, for one, am delighted to follow her anywhere. I cannot get enough. Book three might be a year away, but consider me already impatient.
Would I recommend it?
Murder on Charity Lane is a charming, clever sequel that wraps humor, heart, and a solid mystery into one breezy read. If you love small-town cozy mysteries, strong ensemble casts, and that warm “found family” feeling wrapped around a twisty whodunit, this series continues to deliver. It’s comfortable without being complacent, charming without losing stakes. Mrs. B remains iconic. If you loved the first, this one’s an automatic pre-order.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Jo Nichols brings us back to the Marigold Cottages in Santa Barbara, CA, for another engaging cozy mystery. This second book in the series is just as heartwarming and quirky as the first, The Marigold Cottages Murder Collective. If you haven’t read the first book, I recommend starting there. I definitely felt more invested in the characters and their stories having followed the series from the beginning. That said, Nichols does a good job reintroducing the motley inhabitants of the Marigold Cottages, which helps new readers get a handle on both the characters and the events of the first book.
This time around, the little community feels more cohesive. Although the murder doesn’t occur at the Marigold Cottages, Mrs. B, Ocean, Hamilton, Sophie, Nicholas, Lily Ann, and Anthony all become embroiled in solving the case for a variety of reasons.
This little band of misfits is hard not to love—or, at the very least, hard not to wish you could be part of their close-knit community. I enjoyed Miles and Riley’s bigger roles in this book, especially their relationships with Hamilton and Anthony. Lily Ann’s brand-name dropping still does nothing for me, although it does give new readers some insight into her character.
Some of the author’s hilarious descriptions and turns of phrase had me laughing out loud. “I’m not sure Santa Barbara can handle you unleashed” is a hoot of a line when CJ is worried that Mrs. B will go braless if someone doesn’t help her fasten her bra. Speaking of Mrs. B, she is my absolute favorite character! I love her weird wisdoms. She is full of sage advice, even if her phraseology comes out somewhat bonkers.
No spoilers on the mystery! I found it engaging, even though there were a few too many coincidences, and some of the plot trajectories were fairly easy to suss out. I enjoyed the short chapters and multiple narrators, and I loved the humor. Most of all, Jo Nichols made me care about the eccentric band of misfits who call the Marigold Cottages home!
Murder on Charity Lane, and the series to date, is a quick, quirky, and delightful read. If you enjoy cozy mysteries with eccentric characters, humor, and a strong sense of community, the Marigold Cottages series is worth checking out.
4.5 stars
I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. For more reading recommendations, visit Book Junkie Reviews at www.abookjunkiereviews.wordpress.com
This time around, the little community feels more cohesive. Although the murder doesn’t occur at the Marigold Cottages, Mrs. B, Ocean, Hamilton, Sophie, Nicholas, Lily Ann, and Anthony all become embroiled in solving the case for a variety of reasons.
This little band of misfits is hard not to love—or, at the very least, hard not to wish you could be part of their close-knit community. I enjoyed Miles and Riley’s bigger roles in this book, especially their relationships with Hamilton and Anthony. Lily Ann’s brand-name dropping still does nothing for me, although it does give new readers some insight into her character.
Some of the author’s hilarious descriptions and turns of phrase had me laughing out loud. “I’m not sure Santa Barbara can handle you unleashed” is a hoot of a line when CJ is worried that Mrs. B will go braless if someone doesn’t help her fasten her bra. Speaking of Mrs. B, she is my absolute favorite character! I love her weird wisdoms. She is full of sage advice, even if her phraseology comes out somewhat bonkers.
No spoilers on the mystery! I found it engaging, even though there were a few too many coincidences, and some of the plot trajectories were fairly easy to suss out. I enjoyed the short chapters and multiple narrators, and I loved the humor. Most of all, Jo Nichols made me care about the eccentric band of misfits who call the Marigold Cottages home!
Murder on Charity Lane, and the series to date, is a quick, quirky, and delightful read. If you enjoy cozy mysteries with eccentric characters, humor, and a strong sense of community, the Marigold Cottages series is worth checking out.
4.5 stars
I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. For more reading recommendations, visit Book Junkie Reviews at www.abookjunkiereviews.wordpress.com
August 2, 2026
Jo Nichols’ Murder on Charity Lane reminded me why I get attached to fictional people so easily. I opened this thinking I’d read a couple of chapters before tackling the laundry. The laundry waited. Minotaur Books, thank you so much for the gifted copy.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“Sometimes the family you choose is the one that saves you.”
I don’t think the murder was my favorite part of this book.
It was the people.
Going back to Marigold Cottages felt like walking into a neighborhood where everyone already knows your name. Sophie and Nicholas are settling into life together, Anthony is still making me smile, Lily-Ann continues to see the world in her own wonderfully unique way, and then there’s Mrs. B…who simply refuses to believe CJ could be guilty of anything.
Mrs. B makes me laugh because she’s the kind of person who decides something is true and then drags everyone else along until they see it too. Common sense doesn’t stand much of a chance around her, and honestly, I wouldn’t want her any other way.
The mystery kept changing just enough that every time I settled on one person, something else happened and I had to rethink everything. I was wrong more than once, which made the ending even more satisfying.
What I love most about this series is how these people have become family without meaning to. They tease each other, worry about each other, show up when it matters, and somehow keep getting tangled up in murder investigations together. It’s completely unrealistic…and I don’t care one bit because it’s so much fun.
One little piece of advice: don’t skip book one. You could probably follow along, but you’ll miss so many little moments that make this group feel special. I was so much more invested because I already knew these people.
If you like cozy mysteries with quirky neighbors, plenty of laughs, a little heart mixed into the mystery, and characters you’ll want to visit again, this series is worth picking up.
Have you ever kept reading a series because you loved spending time with the characters, even more than solving the mystery?
#MurderOnCharityLane #JoNichols #CozyMystery #BookReview #Bookstagram #MysteryBooks #MinotaurBooks #Whodunit #FoundFamily
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“Sometimes the family you choose is the one that saves you.”
I don’t think the murder was my favorite part of this book.
It was the people.
Going back to Marigold Cottages felt like walking into a neighborhood where everyone already knows your name. Sophie and Nicholas are settling into life together, Anthony is still making me smile, Lily-Ann continues to see the world in her own wonderfully unique way, and then there’s Mrs. B…who simply refuses to believe CJ could be guilty of anything.
Mrs. B makes me laugh because she’s the kind of person who decides something is true and then drags everyone else along until they see it too. Common sense doesn’t stand much of a chance around her, and honestly, I wouldn’t want her any other way.
The mystery kept changing just enough that every time I settled on one person, something else happened and I had to rethink everything. I was wrong more than once, which made the ending even more satisfying.
What I love most about this series is how these people have become family without meaning to. They tease each other, worry about each other, show up when it matters, and somehow keep getting tangled up in murder investigations together. It’s completely unrealistic…and I don’t care one bit because it’s so much fun.
One little piece of advice: don’t skip book one. You could probably follow along, but you’ll miss so many little moments that make this group feel special. I was so much more invested because I already knew these people.
If you like cozy mysteries with quirky neighbors, plenty of laughs, a little heart mixed into the mystery, and characters you’ll want to visit again, this series is worth picking up.
Have you ever kept reading a series because you loved spending time with the characters, even more than solving the mystery?
#MurderOnCharityLane #JoNichols #CozyMystery #BookReview #Bookstagram #MysteryBooks #MinotaurBooks #Whodunit #FoundFamily
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
***I received an ARC from Net Galley in exchange for my honest review
In book 2 of the Marigold Cottages Murders, Mrs B has befriended CJ Moore in the YMCA locker room, where she always helped her put on her bra, after she dried herself off with the hand dryer. Yes, just sit with that mental image for a minute, and you will know exactly how dotty Mrs B is......but she is a lot of fun! Mrs B owns all 6 of the Marigold Cottages, and they sit in a cluster, with all of the tenants like a found family.: Sophie is a playwright, Nicholas works in the City Planning Dept, Lily Ann is a perfectionist who works from home, Anthony is an ex-con who is dating Lily Ann, Hamilton is an agoraphobe who likes to overshare & make weird drink combinations, & Ocean is a queer sculptor raising two kids alone. Mrs B sets up Ocean and CJ, & things have started out promising, when CJ's employer falls down the stairs during a party & is pronounced dead at the scene. The wife accuses CJ of pushing him, and CJ is arrested. Mrs B bails CJ out, and since CJ is now homeless, she has her move into the cottage Sophie just vacated to move in with Nicholas. Mrs B & the Marigold Cottages Murder Collective begin trying to prove CJ's innocence, & making a general nuisance of themselves, much to the annoyance of the detective, who still believes that they covered up what really happened in the prior murder.
I adore this series. It is so much fun. I love the wide cast of quirky characters, and Mrs B keeps me laughing. I had the opportunity to both listen to the audiobook and read the ebook and they were both great. There were multiple narrators on the audiobook, which I love. I always feel like that makes it more realistic & pulls you into the story, versus you feeling like you are just being read to. The chapters are narrated by the different characters in the collective, so you really get a well-rounded view of everything going on. I think you could get away with not reading book one first, but there are a lot of references to it that you might not understand if you hadn't read it. Besides.... as much fun as these books are, you are going to want to read them both!
In book 2 of the Marigold Cottages Murders, Mrs B has befriended CJ Moore in the YMCA locker room, where she always helped her put on her bra, after she dried herself off with the hand dryer. Yes, just sit with that mental image for a minute, and you will know exactly how dotty Mrs B is......but she is a lot of fun! Mrs B owns all 6 of the Marigold Cottages, and they sit in a cluster, with all of the tenants like a found family.: Sophie is a playwright, Nicholas works in the City Planning Dept, Lily Ann is a perfectionist who works from home, Anthony is an ex-con who is dating Lily Ann, Hamilton is an agoraphobe who likes to overshare & make weird drink combinations, & Ocean is a queer sculptor raising two kids alone. Mrs B sets up Ocean and CJ, & things have started out promising, when CJ's employer falls down the stairs during a party & is pronounced dead at the scene. The wife accuses CJ of pushing him, and CJ is arrested. Mrs B bails CJ out, and since CJ is now homeless, she has her move into the cottage Sophie just vacated to move in with Nicholas. Mrs B & the Marigold Cottages Murder Collective begin trying to prove CJ's innocence, & making a general nuisance of themselves, much to the annoyance of the detective, who still believes that they covered up what really happened in the prior murder.
I adore this series. It is so much fun. I love the wide cast of quirky characters, and Mrs B keeps me laughing. I had the opportunity to both listen to the audiobook and read the ebook and they were both great. There were multiple narrators on the audiobook, which I love. I always feel like that makes it more realistic & pulls you into the story, versus you feeling like you are just being read to. The chapters are narrated by the different characters in the collective, so you really get a well-rounded view of everything going on. I think you could get away with not reading book one first, but there are a lot of references to it that you might not understand if you hadn't read it. Besides.... as much fun as these books are, you are going to want to read them both!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Thank you Macmillan Audio #MacAudio2026 for the ALC of the audiobook, and St. Martin's Press, Minotaur Books, & Netgalley for the e-ARC...this is my honest review.
🎧📱 Murder on Charity Lane 📱🎧
Author: Jo Nichols
Pub Date: August 18, 2026
Publisher: St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books
Audiobook Publisher: Macmillan Audio
Narrators: Jim Meskimen & Meg Price
Length: 11 hours, 2 minutes
MY RATING: 4/5⭐
Murder on Charity Lane from Jo Nichols is a fun & cozy whodunit mystery, book two in the Marigold Cottages Mysteries series. I really enjoyed book one last year and I was so happy to see Murder on Charity Lane includes the same endearing characters I love!
The quirky residents of the Marigold Cottages are back, a welcome return to the found family of characters led by septuagenarian landlady Mrs. B. The story is again told through multiple POVs in alternating chapters and was a quick and entertaining read.
After the hub-bub of the murder investigation, things are finally quiet and peaceful at The Marigold Cottages.... Until a new death happens and the residents find themselves investigating again. But when a second murder occurs, the residents learn that Mrs. B risked The Marigold Cottages to protect one of their own -- and they must work quickly to protect their beloved tight-knit community.
I listened to this one as an audiobook, like I did the first one, and I loved that Meg Price & Jim Meskimen were back as narrators for book two just like book one! This was an easy & fun read - whether you prefer the audiobook, the print version, or both!
Fans of cozy mysteries are going to absolutely love the Marigold Cottages Mysteries series and its wonderfully endearing characters. While you could read Murder on Charity Lane as a standalone, you certainly don't want to miss the antics and humor of Book 1 -- so get your hands on both books in this series as soon as you can!
#MurderOnCharityLane #JoNichols #StMartinsPress #MinotaurBooks #SMPEarlyReaders #MacmillanAudio #MacAudio2026 #partner #NetGalley #ALC #eARC #audiobooks #cozymystery #whodunitmystery #foundfamily #booklover #bookreviews #bookrecs #bookrecommendations
🎧📱 Murder on Charity Lane 📱🎧
Author: Jo Nichols
Pub Date: August 18, 2026
Publisher: St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books
Audiobook Publisher: Macmillan Audio
Narrators: Jim Meskimen & Meg Price
Length: 11 hours, 2 minutes
MY RATING: 4/5⭐
Murder on Charity Lane from Jo Nichols is a fun & cozy whodunit mystery, book two in the Marigold Cottages Mysteries series. I really enjoyed book one last year and I was so happy to see Murder on Charity Lane includes the same endearing characters I love!
The quirky residents of the Marigold Cottages are back, a welcome return to the found family of characters led by septuagenarian landlady Mrs. B. The story is again told through multiple POVs in alternating chapters and was a quick and entertaining read.
After the hub-bub of the murder investigation, things are finally quiet and peaceful at The Marigold Cottages.... Until a new death happens and the residents find themselves investigating again. But when a second murder occurs, the residents learn that Mrs. B risked The Marigold Cottages to protect one of their own -- and they must work quickly to protect their beloved tight-knit community.
I listened to this one as an audiobook, like I did the first one, and I loved that Meg Price & Jim Meskimen were back as narrators for book two just like book one! This was an easy & fun read - whether you prefer the audiobook, the print version, or both!
Fans of cozy mysteries are going to absolutely love the Marigold Cottages Mysteries series and its wonderfully endearing characters. While you could read Murder on Charity Lane as a standalone, you certainly don't want to miss the antics and humor of Book 1 -- so get your hands on both books in this series as soon as you can!
#MurderOnCharityLane #JoNichols #StMartinsPress #MinotaurBooks #SMPEarlyReaders #MacmillanAudio #MacAudio2026 #partner #NetGalley #ALC #eARC #audiobooks #cozymystery #whodunitmystery #foundfamily #booklover #bookreviews #bookrecs #bookrecommendations
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Thank you Macmillan Audio #MacAudio2026 for the ALC of the audiobook, and St. Martin's Press, Minotaur Books, & Netgalley for the e-ARC...this is my honest review.
🎧📱 Murder on Charity Lane 📱🎧
Author: Jo Nichols
Pub Date: August 18, 2026
Publisher: St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books
Audiobook Publisher: Macmillan Audio
Narrators: Jim Meskimen & Meg Price
Length: 11 hours, 2 minutes
MY RATING: 4/5⭐
Murder on Charity Lane from Jo Nichols is a fun & cozy whodunit mystery, book two in the Marigold Cottages Mysteries series. I really enjoyed book one last year and I was so happy to see this book includes the same endearing characters I love!
The quirky residents of the Marigold Cottages are back, a welcome return to the found family of characters led by septuagenarian landlady Mrs. B. The story is again told through multiple POVs in alternating chapters and was a quick and entertaining read.
After the hub-bub of the murder investigation, things are finally quiet and peaceful at The Marigold Cottages.... Until a new death happens and the residents find themselves investigating again. But when a second murder occurs, the residents learn that Mrs. B risked The Marigold Cottages to protect one of their own -- and they must work quickly to protect their beloved tight-knit community.
I listened to this one as an audiobook, like I did the first one, and I loved that Meg Price & Jim Meskimen were back as narrators for book two just like book one! This was an easy & fun read - whether you prefer the audiobook, the print version, or both!
Fans of cozy mysteries are going to absolutely love the Marigold Cottages Mysteries series and its wonderfully endearing characters. While you could read Murder on Charity Lane as a standalone, you certainly don't want to miss the antics and humor of Book 1 -- so get your hands on both books in this series as soon as you can!
#MurderOnCharityLane #JoNichols #StMartinsPress #MinotaurBooks #SMPEarlyReaders #MacmillanAudio #MacAudio2026 #partner #NetGalley #ALC #eARC #audiobooks #cozymystery #whodunitmystery #foundfamily #booklover #bookreviews #bookrecs #bookrecommendations
🎧📱 Murder on Charity Lane 📱🎧
Author: Jo Nichols
Pub Date: August 18, 2026
Publisher: St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books
Audiobook Publisher: Macmillan Audio
Narrators: Jim Meskimen & Meg Price
Length: 11 hours, 2 minutes
MY RATING: 4/5⭐
Murder on Charity Lane from Jo Nichols is a fun & cozy whodunit mystery, book two in the Marigold Cottages Mysteries series. I really enjoyed book one last year and I was so happy to see this book includes the same endearing characters I love!
The quirky residents of the Marigold Cottages are back, a welcome return to the found family of characters led by septuagenarian landlady Mrs. B. The story is again told through multiple POVs in alternating chapters and was a quick and entertaining read.
After the hub-bub of the murder investigation, things are finally quiet and peaceful at The Marigold Cottages.... Until a new death happens and the residents find themselves investigating again. But when a second murder occurs, the residents learn that Mrs. B risked The Marigold Cottages to protect one of their own -- and they must work quickly to protect their beloved tight-knit community.
I listened to this one as an audiobook, like I did the first one, and I loved that Meg Price & Jim Meskimen were back as narrators for book two just like book one! This was an easy & fun read - whether you prefer the audiobook, the print version, or both!
Fans of cozy mysteries are going to absolutely love the Marigold Cottages Mysteries series and its wonderfully endearing characters. While you could read Murder on Charity Lane as a standalone, you certainly don't want to miss the antics and humor of Book 1 -- so get your hands on both books in this series as soon as you can!
#MurderOnCharityLane #JoNichols #StMartinsPress #MinotaurBooks #SMPEarlyReaders #MacmillanAudio #MacAudio2026 #partner #NetGalley #ALC #eARC #audiobooks #cozymystery #whodunitmystery #foundfamily #booklover #bookreviews #bookrecs #bookrecommendations
August 20, 2026
Having read the first in the Marigold Cottages series earlier this year, I was beyond thrilled to receive an advanced copy of this second book, and it did not disappoint! We are met once again with the colorful, quirky cast of the Marigold Cottages. When tenants Sophie and Nicholas are present at the scene of a possible crime, the Marigold Cottages murder collective gathers once again to prove the innocence of their newest neighbor, CJ. There is snooping. There are hijinx. There is oddly flavored kombucha…everything I have come to expect from this compoundish group of neighbors.
Nichols has an incredible ability to make these characters feel like my friends. I root for them and ache for them. I want them to find happiness. That is what made this book for me. I got to know each character in book one and then I got to see all of the progress they made carry on into this sequel much like watching a second season of a favorite show on television. I can’t ask for much else.
The mystery itself was a little odd for me. It seemed a bit far-fetched at times and, in one particular instance, too gruesome for this tone of story. I had the culprit worked out pretty quickly. But funnily enough, I didn’t really care. I didn’t need a sophisticated psychological mystery or a twisty whodunit. I came for Mrs. B and Ocean and Anthony and Hamilton and all the other residents of the Marigold Cottages with their neuroses and sense of justice that is so pure, not even the law can handle it. They make me laugh. They make my heart warm. They make me want to come back to the cottages time and again. In the end, that is all I am looking for in a book.
I enjoyed the audiobook, and while I think the narrators did a fine job, with an ensemble cast of characters, I think the story would have benefited from either a single narrator or a full cast. Having a distinction between the female and male characters but not a distinction between each individual character was not particularly helpful. There wasn't enough differentiation in voices to be able to easily tell which character's point of view we were hearing.
Nichols has an incredible ability to make these characters feel like my friends. I root for them and ache for them. I want them to find happiness. That is what made this book for me. I got to know each character in book one and then I got to see all of the progress they made carry on into this sequel much like watching a second season of a favorite show on television. I can’t ask for much else.
The mystery itself was a little odd for me. It seemed a bit far-fetched at times and, in one particular instance, too gruesome for this tone of story. I had the culprit worked out pretty quickly. But funnily enough, I didn’t really care. I didn’t need a sophisticated psychological mystery or a twisty whodunit. I came for Mrs. B and Ocean and Anthony and Hamilton and all the other residents of the Marigold Cottages with their neuroses and sense of justice that is so pure, not even the law can handle it. They make me laugh. They make my heart warm. They make me want to come back to the cottages time and again. In the end, that is all I am looking for in a book.
I enjoyed the audiobook, and while I think the narrators did a fine job, with an ensemble cast of characters, I think the story would have benefited from either a single narrator or a full cast. Having a distinction between the female and male characters but not a distinction between each individual character was not particularly helpful. There wasn't enough differentiation in voices to be able to easily tell which character's point of view we were hearing.
August 26, 2026
Murder on Charity Lane - Jo Nichols
Pub Date - 8/18/26 | Minotaur Books/MacMillan Audio
Rating - ☕️☕️☕️☕️/5
Thoughts - Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and Macmillan Audio for this gifted ALC in exchange for my honest review.
When Mrs. B’s friend CJ is accused of pushing her wealthy employer to his death, the residents of the Marigold Cottages once again band together to investigate. Though Mrs. B is convinced CJ is innocent, the evidence seems to point the other way. As secrets emerge, tensions rise, and a second murder shakes the community, the tenants must uncover the truth before their beloved cottage community is torn apart.
Having no idea that this was a sequel, I stopped listening to this ALC and went back to listen to the first one. I'm glad I did because it provided me with the context and the character development that was missing in this book. I would recommend reading/listening to the first book before this one since there are some spoilers as well.
The characters, the plot, and the community built in the Marigold Cottages is my absolute favorite! As a big fan of cozy mysteries, this one scratches the itch by being funny and mysterious with fun characters like Mrs. B, who obviously is my favorite.
The narrator for this audiobook delivered and her voice for Mrs. B was incredible! I truly loved the way she captured each character, making me feel like I was immersed in the story myself. I recommend for those are looking for some fun with their mystery to read both these books because they're so fun and you will be extremely entertained!
Read if you like:
🏡 Cozy mysteries featuring quirky neighbors, found family, and strong community bonds
🔍 Amateur sleuths uncovering secrets behind seemingly open-and-shut murder cases
🤫 Character-driven mysteries where everyone is hiding something
🔪 Small-town whodunits with shocking twists, rising stakes, and more than one murder
Vibes: 🌺🏠🕵️♀️🔪🖤
Cozy mystery • Found family • Eccentric cast • Wrongly accused suspect • Community secrets • Amateur sleuths
#cozymystery #bookreview #macaudio25
Pub Date - 8/18/26 | Minotaur Books/MacMillan Audio
Rating - ☕️☕️☕️☕️/5
Thoughts - Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and Macmillan Audio for this gifted ALC in exchange for my honest review.
When Mrs. B’s friend CJ is accused of pushing her wealthy employer to his death, the residents of the Marigold Cottages once again band together to investigate. Though Mrs. B is convinced CJ is innocent, the evidence seems to point the other way. As secrets emerge, tensions rise, and a second murder shakes the community, the tenants must uncover the truth before their beloved cottage community is torn apart.
Having no idea that this was a sequel, I stopped listening to this ALC and went back to listen to the first one. I'm glad I did because it provided me with the context and the character development that was missing in this book. I would recommend reading/listening to the first book before this one since there are some spoilers as well.
The characters, the plot, and the community built in the Marigold Cottages is my absolute favorite! As a big fan of cozy mysteries, this one scratches the itch by being funny and mysterious with fun characters like Mrs. B, who obviously is my favorite.
The narrator for this audiobook delivered and her voice for Mrs. B was incredible! I truly loved the way she captured each character, making me feel like I was immersed in the story myself. I recommend for those are looking for some fun with their mystery to read both these books because they're so fun and you will be extremely entertained!
Read if you like:
🏡 Cozy mysteries featuring quirky neighbors, found family, and strong community bonds
🔍 Amateur sleuths uncovering secrets behind seemingly open-and-shut murder cases
🤫 Character-driven mysteries where everyone is hiding something
🔪 Small-town whodunits with shocking twists, rising stakes, and more than one murder
Vibes: 🌺🏠🕵️♀️🔪🖤
Cozy mystery • Found family • Eccentric cast • Wrongly accused suspect • Community secrets • Amateur sleuths
#cozymystery #bookreview #macaudio25
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Murder on Charity Lane by Jo Nichols
Rating: 4/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thank you to St. Martin’s Press, Minotaur Books, Netgalley, and the author for access to this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Murder on Charity Lane is an engaging, fast-paced, and entertaining cozy mystery! The second book in the Marigold Cottages Mystery, Murder on Charity Lane is witty, humorous, and mysterious. With the whole Marigold Cottages community back again, there’s plenty of friendship, found family, and an intriguing mystery!
Mrs. B finds the peace a little too peaceful a few months after the murders that happened at Marigold Cottages. So, she invites CJ Moore to move into an available cottage. CJ is the primary suspect in the death of a wealthy philanthropist who fell down the stairs during a dinner party. His widow claims she saw CJ push him, but Mrs. B is certain that she’s innocent. So, she summons the Marigold Cottages Murder Collective. Lily-Ann will focus on the facts, Hamilton will do some digging online, Sophie and Nicholas will provide their firsthand account of what happened, and everyone hopes that Ocean will keep Mrs. B out of trouble. As soon as the tenants begin to suspect that one person is the culprit, a second murder occurs. And with the community getting caught in the crosshairs, they must figure out what really happened.
Murder on Charity Lane is such a cozy read! A multi-POV story, it has all of the charm and humor that made the first installment so great. While Murder on Charity Lane can be read as a stand-alone, it’s great to follow along with all of the characters from the first book.
Hilarious, eccentric, and so entertaining, this cozy mystery is such a great read from beginning to end! The mystery is well-written with plenty of twists. The setting makes the story feel super cozy, as the Marigold Cottages are a delight. The quirky cast of characters is always a huge highlight and their banter is hilarious.
Overall, Murder on Charity Lane is a wonderful cozy mystery that explores themes of found family, friendship, and community!
Rating: 4/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thank you to St. Martin’s Press, Minotaur Books, Netgalley, and the author for access to this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Murder on Charity Lane is an engaging, fast-paced, and entertaining cozy mystery! The second book in the Marigold Cottages Mystery, Murder on Charity Lane is witty, humorous, and mysterious. With the whole Marigold Cottages community back again, there’s plenty of friendship, found family, and an intriguing mystery!
Mrs. B finds the peace a little too peaceful a few months after the murders that happened at Marigold Cottages. So, she invites CJ Moore to move into an available cottage. CJ is the primary suspect in the death of a wealthy philanthropist who fell down the stairs during a dinner party. His widow claims she saw CJ push him, but Mrs. B is certain that she’s innocent. So, she summons the Marigold Cottages Murder Collective. Lily-Ann will focus on the facts, Hamilton will do some digging online, Sophie and Nicholas will provide their firsthand account of what happened, and everyone hopes that Ocean will keep Mrs. B out of trouble. As soon as the tenants begin to suspect that one person is the culprit, a second murder occurs. And with the community getting caught in the crosshairs, they must figure out what really happened.
Murder on Charity Lane is such a cozy read! A multi-POV story, it has all of the charm and humor that made the first installment so great. While Murder on Charity Lane can be read as a stand-alone, it’s great to follow along with all of the characters from the first book.
Hilarious, eccentric, and so entertaining, this cozy mystery is such a great read from beginning to end! The mystery is well-written with plenty of twists. The setting makes the story feel super cozy, as the Marigold Cottages are a delight. The quirky cast of characters is always a huge highlight and their banter is hilarious.
Overall, Murder on Charity Lane is a wonderful cozy mystery that explores themes of found family, friendship, and community!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to St. Martins Press, Minotaur Books, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC, all opinions in this review are my own.
Murder on Charity Lane by Jo Nichols is the fantastic sequel to The Marigold Cottage Murder Collective, with the same cast of lovable misfits and a brand new murder mystery to solve.
Hopefully if you are planning to dive into this story you have already read the first book in the series (there are definitely spoilers). And I think you really need to go into this one one with a sense of who all of these characters are so you can appreciate the progress they have all made and the relationships they are building.
The best thing about sequels with ensemble casts is that you get to skip the “getting to know you” phase and go right into the fun and inside jokes and see how all of the relationships have deepened and developed. That is the real charm of this book, the characters as individuals and all of the different relationships and dynamics. The mystery was fun too, and definitely kept me guessing with all of the different suspects but I was here for the characters and their crazy antics and found myself laughing out loud multiple times. So much so that I convinced my husband to read the first book based on that alone!
If you enjoyed the characters and storytelling of the first book you will love this one even more, I can tell the authors are really hitting their stride with developing the personalities and relationships.
If you are considering reading this series for the first time, read this if you are in the mood for some fun cozy mysteries with a dynamic cast of characters who are dead set on solving a mystery while also breaking all sorts of laws and getting in the way of the police (the Santa Barbara version of Only Murders in the Building). I hope we get even more books in this series as I would love to hang out with these characters again.
Murder on Charity Lane by Jo Nichols is the fantastic sequel to The Marigold Cottage Murder Collective, with the same cast of lovable misfits and a brand new murder mystery to solve.
Hopefully if you are planning to dive into this story you have already read the first book in the series (there are definitely spoilers). And I think you really need to go into this one one with a sense of who all of these characters are so you can appreciate the progress they have all made and the relationships they are building.
The best thing about sequels with ensemble casts is that you get to skip the “getting to know you” phase and go right into the fun and inside jokes and see how all of the relationships have deepened and developed. That is the real charm of this book, the characters as individuals and all of the different relationships and dynamics. The mystery was fun too, and definitely kept me guessing with all of the different suspects but I was here for the characters and their crazy antics and found myself laughing out loud multiple times. So much so that I convinced my husband to read the first book based on that alone!
If you enjoyed the characters and storytelling of the first book you will love this one even more, I can tell the authors are really hitting their stride with developing the personalities and relationships.
If you are considering reading this series for the first time, read this if you are in the mood for some fun cozy mysteries with a dynamic cast of characters who are dead set on solving a mystery while also breaking all sorts of laws and getting in the way of the police (the Santa Barbara version of Only Murders in the Building). I hope we get even more books in this series as I would love to hang out with these characters again.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Returning to the charming chaos of the Marigold Cottages and its eclectic residents, this second installment picks up six months after the events of the first book. Since the first novel spent so much time introducing readers to the colorful occupants of the cottages, this story is able to jump much more quickly into the mystery. I appreciated that, though I do think this is definitely a series best read in order so you fully understand all the relationships and dynamics between the characters.
This one started a little slowly for me, but once I got past the halfway point, everything began falling into place for another wild adventure with Mrs. B and the gang. In her usual flamboyant fashion, Mrs. B wastes no time filling the cottage Sophie vacates after moving in with Nicholas. But has the new tenant committed murder? Naturally, the Marigold Cottages Murder Collective is back on the case, using their wonderfully haphazard and often hilarious investigative methods to uncover the truth.
Was the killer fairly easy to figure out? Yes. Were there plenty of red herrings along the way? Also yes. Was it somewhat predictable? Absolutely. But honestly, none of that really matters because these characters are just so endearing and fun to spend time with. That’s really the magic of this series.
While this installment focused heavily on Sophie and Nicholas—who still aren’t my personal favorites, though they are growing on me—the rest of the residents are still involved in plenty of entertaining hijinks, especially Mrs. B. I’m also hoping the next book gives us much more of Lily Ann and Anthony’s storyline, along with sweet Miles. His relationship with Anthony is such a bright spot in the series.
I’m already looking forward to seeing who moves into the cottages next.
Thanks to Minotaur Books, NetGalley, and Jo Nichols for the opportunity to read this advance copy before publication.
This one started a little slowly for me, but once I got past the halfway point, everything began falling into place for another wild adventure with Mrs. B and the gang. In her usual flamboyant fashion, Mrs. B wastes no time filling the cottage Sophie vacates after moving in with Nicholas. But has the new tenant committed murder? Naturally, the Marigold Cottages Murder Collective is back on the case, using their wonderfully haphazard and often hilarious investigative methods to uncover the truth.
Was the killer fairly easy to figure out? Yes. Were there plenty of red herrings along the way? Also yes. Was it somewhat predictable? Absolutely. But honestly, none of that really matters because these characters are just so endearing and fun to spend time with. That’s really the magic of this series.
While this installment focused heavily on Sophie and Nicholas—who still aren’t my personal favorites, though they are growing on me—the rest of the residents are still involved in plenty of entertaining hijinks, especially Mrs. B. I’m also hoping the next book gives us much more of Lily Ann and Anthony’s storyline, along with sweet Miles. His relationship with Anthony is such a bright spot in the series.
I’m already looking forward to seeing who moves into the cottages next.
Thanks to Minotaur Books, NetGalley, and Jo Nichols for the opportunity to read this advance copy before publication.
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