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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 books127 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 285 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
"Murder on Charity Lane" is a fast-paced, well-written cozy mystery novel that features eccentric, engaging characters, humor, and plenty of twists. The plot keeps you guessing all the way to its unexpected conclusion. My favorite character is the outrageous Mrs. B., whose witticisms were especially entertaining. I am grateful to St. Martin's Press/Minotaur Books, Jo Nichols, and NetGalley for providing me with an Advanced Reader Copy of this delightful novel. This is my honest opinion.
March 22, 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.
September 6, 2026
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Murder on Charity Lane — Jo Nichols
What a delightful cozy mystery! Murder on Charity Lane is the second book in the Marigold Cottages Mystery series, but I had no difficulty jumping into the series here. In fact, I enjoyed it so much that I plan to go back and listen to the first book while eagerly awaiting the next one.
Mrs. B, the senior sleuth, is an absolute hoot and was one of my favorite parts of the story. The mystery itself kept me guessing—I was genuinely surprised by the identity of the killer. I especially enjoyed discovering just how long the crime had been in the making. This was a carefully planned act of revenge years in the works, which added another layer to the mystery.
There are also two budding romances that the group enthusiastically supports, one between two women and one between a man and woman. The romance remains completely closed-door and fits nicely into the cozy, sweet atmosphere of the story.
Jim Meskimen and Meg Price are both excellent narrators. I particularly enjoyed having two narrators working together; their performances enriched an already wonderful story and made the audiobook even more enjoyable.
Cozy, sweet, funny, and a mystery that actually surprised me—this was a winner. Highly recommended! Five stars.
ALC Disclosure:
I was blessed with an ALC from NetGalley and Macmillan Audio. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher. The opinions expressed are my own and unbiased.
This is a review of the audiobook.
What a delightful cozy mystery! Murder on Charity Lane is the second book in the Marigold Cottages Mystery series, but I had no difficulty jumping into the series here. In fact, I enjoyed it so much that I plan to go back and listen to the first book while eagerly awaiting the next one.
Mrs. B, the senior sleuth, is an absolute hoot and was one of my favorite parts of the story. The mystery itself kept me guessing—I was genuinely surprised by the identity of the killer. I especially enjoyed discovering just how long the crime had been in the making. This was a carefully planned act of revenge years in the works, which added another layer to the mystery.
There are also two budding romances that the group enthusiastically supports, one between two women and one between a man and woman. The romance remains completely closed-door and fits nicely into the cozy, sweet atmosphere of the story.
Jim Meskimen and Meg Price are both excellent narrators. I particularly enjoyed having two narrators working together; their performances enriched an already wonderful story and made the audiobook even more enjoyable.
Cozy, sweet, funny, and a mystery that actually surprised me—this was a winner. Highly recommended! Five stars.
ALC Disclosure:
I was blessed with an ALC from NetGalley and Macmillan Audio. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher. The opinions expressed are my own and unbiased.
This is a review of the audiobook.
September 12, 2026
The Marigold Murder Collective is back and entangled in another gripping mystery, this time taking the action off-property. When single mom Ocean’s new girlfriend is accused of pushing her elderly mentor down a flight of stairs, the quirky found-family crew from Marigold Cottages jumps into action to clear her name. This installment does a wonderful job of further developing the characters’ personal stories while successfully expanding the setting beyond the cottages.
Advanced reading copy provided by Minotaur Books. All opinions are my own.
Advanced reading copy provided by Minotaur Books. All opinions are my own.
March 7, 2026
Mrs. B. is meeting new friends at the gym! After meeting CJ, she introduces her to the group and she fits right in. But when some of the Marigold cottage residents go to a networking party, CJ is pulled into a murder as the wife points a finger at her. Mrs. B. says the group must investigate and save her from being falsely accused.
Another good mystery with the Marigold Cottages Innocence Project! This is such a fun group of neighbors turned found family. I love their adventures, their individual strengths and how they each lean into what they do best. And Mrs. B. is such a great main character for them all to circle around. She's charismatic and silly, so laid back but also very meddling. It did take a moment for me to remember who was who and how their previous adventures played out, but as soon as I caught back up, it was easy to find my groove in the story again.
And the mystery, I was intrigued. How could this all play out. I loved going along with the investigation as they went through evidence and how it all had to have played out. Another fun story of this group, I hope we get more!
A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
Another good mystery with the Marigold Cottages Innocence Project! This is such a fun group of neighbors turned found family. I love their adventures, their individual strengths and how they each lean into what they do best. And Mrs. B. is such a great main character for them all to circle around. She's charismatic and silly, so laid back but also very meddling. It did take a moment for me to remember who was who and how their previous adventures played out, but as soon as I caught back up, it was easy to find my groove in the story again.
And the mystery, I was intrigued. How could this all play out. I loved going along with the investigation as they went through evidence and how it all had to have played out. Another fun story of this group, I hope we get more!
A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
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 10, 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
September 8, 2026
When a wealthy, elderly philanthropist is found dead at his party, CJ, his assistant is the prime suspect. Coming to her aid are Mrs. B and the rest of the residents at Charity Lane. There’s a large cast of characters from all walks of life who form this Marigold Cottages Murder Collective, and they’ll investigate this mystery themselves.
This was a whole lot of fun! Mrs. B behaves like she’s a batty old woman but she’s cheeky with some of the best one-liners, landing herself in trouble and also escaping it unscathed. All the characters are likeable and some quite amusing, each bringing their unique skill and persona. I had a great time with this fast-paced, plot-driven mystery.
The dual narration was excellent though sometimes I’d lose track of which characters’ POV (specifically the women) I was on if my mind wandered for a second.
A slight drawback for me is that since I didn’t read the first book, I didn’t have enough context for what happened before. It didn’t affect my overall enjoyment of the book, and I did glean that this group of amateur sleuths ventures into murky waters occasionally. I think that’s a unique detail for this series, and I’ll certainly listen to the first book because this might be my new favorite cozy mystery series!
My thanks @macmillan.audio for my ALC in exchange for an honest review.
This was a whole lot of fun! Mrs. B behaves like she’s a batty old woman but she’s cheeky with some of the best one-liners, landing herself in trouble and also escaping it unscathed. All the characters are likeable and some quite amusing, each bringing their unique skill and persona. I had a great time with this fast-paced, plot-driven mystery.
The dual narration was excellent though sometimes I’d lose track of which characters’ POV (specifically the women) I was on if my mind wandered for a second.
A slight drawback for me is that since I didn’t read the first book, I didn’t have enough context for what happened before. It didn’t affect my overall enjoyment of the book, and I did glean that this group of amateur sleuths ventures into murky waters occasionally. I think that’s a unique detail for this series, and I’ll certainly listen to the first book because this might be my new favorite cozy mystery series!
My thanks @macmillan.audio for my ALC in exchange for an honest review.
August 10, 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!
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.
October 14, 2026
Review to follow shortly
September 13, 2026
The second book in the feel good framily of Marigold Cottages tenants that once again come together to solve a murder. This time, they are out to help Ocean’s maybe girlfriend clear her name. Detectives Enible is still suspicious of them for the previous murders, but is a bit more congenial in this book. A good series to read while waiting on the next Thursday Murder Club or Marlowe Murder Club book.
⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 rounded up because it did get a bit slow in the middle.
⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 rounded up because it did get a bit slow in the middle.
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
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.
October 8, 2026
It is not a compelling plot or an Agatha Christie level of mystery-making that keeps one reading this series. The plot is kind of basic, and the mystery is convenient, and the resolution is tidy. These are neither complaints nor compliments, just pragmatic facts.
What does keep one coming back to this series is the absolutely delightful cast of characters. These dialogues are sometimes forced and a little off, but the actual characters are so endearing that you sort of can’t help but fall in love with them the way that they have all fallen for each other. Their sense of community and loyalty is something I think every wishes they could have. It’s almost like a Friends vibe, but with all Phoebes and one Monica. It’s the epitome of cozy, though I wouldn’t categorize this as cozy, necessarily.
My only complaint with this book was that I enjoyed Mrs. B’s character more last time. This version of her might have been a little too exaggerated and not nearly enough time with her as a POV character. I think maybe we focused on Ocean a little too much? Or perhaps she’s just the least interesting to me. Hamilton and Lily-Ann are the standouts.
The ending left room for a third installment, and I’ll read it for sure because I do really love these characters.
What does keep one coming back to this series is the absolutely delightful cast of characters. These dialogues are sometimes forced and a little off, but the actual characters are so endearing that you sort of can’t help but fall in love with them the way that they have all fallen for each other. Their sense of community and loyalty is something I think every wishes they could have. It’s almost like a Friends vibe, but with all Phoebes and one Monica. It’s the epitome of cozy, though I wouldn’t categorize this as cozy, necessarily.
My only complaint with this book was that I enjoyed Mrs. B’s character more last time. This version of her might have been a little too exaggerated and not nearly enough time with her as a POV character. I think maybe we focused on Ocean a little too much? Or perhaps she’s just the least interesting to me. Hamilton and Lily-Ann are the standouts.
The ending left room for a third installment, and I’ll read it for sure because I do really love these characters.
August 6, 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.
March 27, 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
October 8, 2026
Several months after the morally gray ending of the first book, things are going well for the cozy gang at Marigold Cottages. Sophie and Nicolas are taking the next step and moving in together. Lily-Ann and Anthony are happily living apart while still spending all the necessary time together. Ocean is keeping an eye on her two kids and dating C.J., a woman from Mrs. B’s gym. Hamilton still hasn’t left his house, and Mrs. B is longing for another murder to solve. Her wish is granted.
There’s no denying that I love a cozy mystery with a cuddly cast of characters, as long as no one is too stupid or cloying. This series gets compared to The Thursday Murder Club a lot. Then again, doesn’t everything? And while, yes, you’ll get some of the same feels, I’d thoroughly recommend this to anyone who loves a cozy mystery.
I picked up Richard Osman’s newest book immediately after finishing this one, and there’s a reason no one compares him to anyone else. He’s in a class of his own. (Sorry for the unsolicited side recommendation!)
I had a really good time back at Marigold Cottages.
There’s no denying that I love a cozy mystery with a cuddly cast of characters, as long as no one is too stupid or cloying. This series gets compared to The Thursday Murder Club a lot. Then again, doesn’t everything? And while, yes, you’ll get some of the same feels, I’d thoroughly recommend this to anyone who loves a cozy mystery.
I picked up Richard Osman’s newest book immediately after finishing this one, and there’s a reason no one compares him to anyone else. He’s in a class of his own. (Sorry for the unsolicited side recommendation!)
I had a really good time back at Marigold Cottages.
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! ❤️
August 6, 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.
October 9, 2026
The book started off a bit slow but it got interesting once the murder happened. A twisted solution to the murder.
August 26, 2026
If I move to Santa Barbara, I want to live at the Marigold Cottages! This group of neighbors support each other, especially when one of their own is in danger. Owner/landlady Mrs. B fosters community among the cottage residents which include Ocean, Hamilton, Lily-Ann, Anthony, Nicholas, and Sophie.
Read The Marigold Cottages Murder Collective and Murder on Charity Lane if you enjoy:
- characters living in close proximity
- a large cast of characters in all stages of life
- found family
- mysteries to solve
- a few moments of steamy romance
- books written by a married co-author team
I really enjoyed getting to know these quirky characters and got a kick from creating character profiles in my phone’s Notes app. Reading these back-to-back [via the audiobooks narrated by Jim Meskimen and Meg Price] enabled me to become quite familiar with their personalities, histories, and connections. I especially related to the fundraising subplot in book 2.
I thought book 1 would be a five-star read, but the ending shocked me. It bothers me that the neighbors took justice into their own hands. It didn’t prevent me from going right into the second book, but I’m still pondering the ending of both novels.
Thank you to Minotaur Books and Macmillan Audio for review copies of The Marigold Murder Collective and Murder on Charity Lane. All opinions are my own.
Read The Marigold Cottages Murder Collective and Murder on Charity Lane if you enjoy:
- characters living in close proximity
- a large cast of characters in all stages of life
- found family
- mysteries to solve
- a few moments of steamy romance
- books written by a married co-author team
I really enjoyed getting to know these quirky characters and got a kick from creating character profiles in my phone’s Notes app. Reading these back-to-back [via the audiobooks narrated by Jim Meskimen and Meg Price] enabled me to become quite familiar with their personalities, histories, and connections. I especially related to the fundraising subplot in book 2.
I thought book 1 would be a five-star read, but the ending shocked me. It bothers me that the neighbors took justice into their own hands. It didn’t prevent me from going right into the second book, but I’m still pondering the ending of both novels.
Thank you to Minotaur Books and Macmillan Audio for review copies of The Marigold Murder Collective and Murder on Charity Lane. All opinions are my own.
August 22, 2026
I thoroughly enjoyed The Marigold Cottages Murder Collective so I was happy to see there would be a second book. I liked reading about what the characters had been up to since the last book. I do admit the beginning of Murder on Charity Lane was a bit slow for me. However, the pace picked up once the murder happened and this zany group of characters came together to solve a mystery again. All while keeping secrets of their own.
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books for this ARC.
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books for this ARC.
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.
August 18, 2026
Jo Nichols' The Marigold Cottages Murder Collective strikes again! Murder on Charity Lane is a delightfully chaotic return to sunny Santa Barbara.
The Hook
When a wealthy philanthropist dies under highly suspicious circumstances at a glamorous Santa Barbara mansion, the eccentric residents of Marigold Cottages reunite to clear a friend's name before their community is compromised.
Elevator Pitch
"The Thursday Murder Club" meets ?Only Murders in the Building" with a breezy Southern California twist. Months after solving their first neighborhood mystery, the tight-knit bungalow community finds life a little too peaceful. Eccentric landlady Mrs. B, desperate for another "hubbub," invites her young friend CJ Moore to move into a vacant cottage.
The catch? CJ is the prime suspect in the death of her wealthy employer, who tragically tumbled down a grand staircase during a dinner party. While the dead man's young widow demands an arrest, the Marigold Cottages crew rallies to investigate a wild array of eccentric party-goers. However, a bloody second murder shifts the stakes from a lighthearted investigation into a race to save their own sanctuary.
Setting
The sunny, idyllic, yet deceptively chaotic beachside bungalows of Marigold Cottages in Santa Barbara, California.
Vibe
Charming, cozy, collaborative, and full of found-family warmth.
Genre
Contemporary Cozy Mystery / Amateur Sleuth Procedural.
Themes
~The enduring strength of a found family.
~Prioritizing communal justice over standard legal truth.
~Navigating new relationship steps under the eyes of nosy neighbors.
~The danger of hidden secrets within elite spaces.
Standout Characters
~Mrs. B: The fiercely loyal, stubborn, and meddlesome landlady who spearheads the investigation purely on a gut feeling.
~Lily-Ann & Anthony: The standout romantic pairing whose sweet dynamic and shared growth anchor the emotional core of the group.
Author Writing Standout
The husband-and-wife writing team behind the pen name Jo Nichols excels at maintaining smooth, rapid-fire multi-POV shifts. Their realistic integration of modern group texts adds an analytical, lighthearted pacing that makes the ensemble cast feel incredibly alive and interconnected.
Takeaway
A true community doesn't just share a living space; they share the burden of protecting one another when the outside world closes in.
Title Significance
"Murder on Charity Lane" highlights a sharp linguistic irony. While the street name implies goodwill and benevolence, the crime itself stems from the dark, greedy underbelly of high-society philanthropy.
Metaphor
The Marigold Cottages collective is a beautifully constructed patchwork quilt—composed of entirely different, flawed fabrics that only gain strength and purpose when stitched tightly together.
Why You Should Read
For anyone who loved The Marigold Cottages Murder Collective, this sequel delivers exactly what you want from a second installment. It expands the interpersonal relationships of characters you already care about while weaving an entirely separate, high-society puzzle.
My Thoughts
Returning to Santa Barbara was an absolute delight! Having read book one, I loved seeing how the couples have evolved—especially watching Sophie and Nicholas navigate moving in together. While a few middle chapters felt slightly overstuffed with extra details that could have been streamlined, the witty dialogue and the heartwarming found-family dynamic kept me fully invested. The puzzle was clever, the pacing was breezy, and it solidifies this series as an automatic read for cozy mystery lovers.
Verdict 4/5 Stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐
"A thoroughly charming, witty, and heartwarming cozy sequel that proves life at the Marigold Cottages is never truly quiet."
Recs or Read-Alikes
~The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman
~The Marigold Cottages Murder Collective by Jo Nichols
~The Vera Wong series by Jesse Q. Sutanto
Special thanks to Minotaur Books and NetGalley for sharing an advanced reading copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.
blog review posted @
JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
Pub Date: Aug 18, 2026
My Rating: 4 Stars
August Newsletter
Aug 2026 Must-Read Books
The Hook
When a wealthy philanthropist dies under highly suspicious circumstances at a glamorous Santa Barbara mansion, the eccentric residents of Marigold Cottages reunite to clear a friend's name before their community is compromised.
Elevator Pitch
"The Thursday Murder Club" meets ?Only Murders in the Building" with a breezy Southern California twist. Months after solving their first neighborhood mystery, the tight-knit bungalow community finds life a little too peaceful. Eccentric landlady Mrs. B, desperate for another "hubbub," invites her young friend CJ Moore to move into a vacant cottage.
The catch? CJ is the prime suspect in the death of her wealthy employer, who tragically tumbled down a grand staircase during a dinner party. While the dead man's young widow demands an arrest, the Marigold Cottages crew rallies to investigate a wild array of eccentric party-goers. However, a bloody second murder shifts the stakes from a lighthearted investigation into a race to save their own sanctuary.
Setting
The sunny, idyllic, yet deceptively chaotic beachside bungalows of Marigold Cottages in Santa Barbara, California.
Vibe
Charming, cozy, collaborative, and full of found-family warmth.
Genre
Contemporary Cozy Mystery / Amateur Sleuth Procedural.
Themes
~The enduring strength of a found family.
~Prioritizing communal justice over standard legal truth.
~Navigating new relationship steps under the eyes of nosy neighbors.
~The danger of hidden secrets within elite spaces.
Standout Characters
~Mrs. B: The fiercely loyal, stubborn, and meddlesome landlady who spearheads the investigation purely on a gut feeling.
~Lily-Ann & Anthony: The standout romantic pairing whose sweet dynamic and shared growth anchor the emotional core of the group.
Author Writing Standout
The husband-and-wife writing team behind the pen name Jo Nichols excels at maintaining smooth, rapid-fire multi-POV shifts. Their realistic integration of modern group texts adds an analytical, lighthearted pacing that makes the ensemble cast feel incredibly alive and interconnected.
Takeaway
A true community doesn't just share a living space; they share the burden of protecting one another when the outside world closes in.
Title Significance
"Murder on Charity Lane" highlights a sharp linguistic irony. While the street name implies goodwill and benevolence, the crime itself stems from the dark, greedy underbelly of high-society philanthropy.
Metaphor
The Marigold Cottages collective is a beautifully constructed patchwork quilt—composed of entirely different, flawed fabrics that only gain strength and purpose when stitched tightly together.
Why You Should Read
For anyone who loved The Marigold Cottages Murder Collective, this sequel delivers exactly what you want from a second installment. It expands the interpersonal relationships of characters you already care about while weaving an entirely separate, high-society puzzle.
My Thoughts
Returning to Santa Barbara was an absolute delight! Having read book one, I loved seeing how the couples have evolved—especially watching Sophie and Nicholas navigate moving in together. While a few middle chapters felt slightly overstuffed with extra details that could have been streamlined, the witty dialogue and the heartwarming found-family dynamic kept me fully invested. The puzzle was clever, the pacing was breezy, and it solidifies this series as an automatic read for cozy mystery lovers.
Verdict 4/5 Stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐
"A thoroughly charming, witty, and heartwarming cozy sequel that proves life at the Marigold Cottages is never truly quiet."
Recs or Read-Alikes
~The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman
~The Marigold Cottages Murder Collective by Jo Nichols
~The Vera Wong series by Jesse Q. Sutanto
Special thanks to Minotaur Books and NetGalley for sharing an advanced reading copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.
blog review posted @
JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
Pub Date: Aug 18, 2026
My Rating: 4 Stars
August Newsletter
Aug 2026 Must-Read Books
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