Death on the Lanai: A Golden Girls Cozy Mystery

Golden Girls #2

by Rachel Ekstrom Courage

The New York Times bestselling series that began with Murder by Cheesecake continues with an all-new Golden Girls cozy mystery!

When the Girls accept a very strange invitation to a lavish party on a remote island estate, they find that murder has a way of ruining even the most glamorous of evenings.

The invite delivered to 6151 Richmond Street was short on details, only promising to celebrate “the greatest artist of the century” and accompanied by a jewel-encrusted brooch—the whole package a brand of mysterious opulence that another Saturday night of gin rummy just can’t match.

Blanche Devereaux’s passionate dalliances are as plentiful as hot Southern nights, and surely one can’t be expected to remember all of one’s suitors. But when the Girls disembark the party’s ferry at a small Biscayne Bay island and meet their secretive host, the memories come flooding she a Radio City Rockette in her twenties, he the poor artist who could offer her nothing but his love. Fate drove them apart, but Declan, now a famous artist El Toro, professes that Blanche has always been his muse.

Featured prominently in his artworks and central to El Toro’s return to the apex of the art world, Blanche is thrilled to have been such an inspiring figure to this man. But looking around at a party filled with those who have made their livings off the artist’s fame—his assistant, his art dealer, his greatest critic, and more—Dorothy isn’t so sure they’re welcome on the island after all.

When a tropical storm knocks power out across the island, an optimistic Blanche proclaims that everyone looks better by candlelight anyway. But when Declan is found dead the next morning, all eyes are on her, his supposed muse of thirty-plus years. Trapped at the estate with the other guests—suspects all—the Girls must band together to find the true killer and get back to pleasant evenings of card games and cheesecake.

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Fiction, Cozy, Mystery Thriller, Thriller, Audiobook

Audible Audio

Published May 5, 2026

About the author

Rachel Ekstrom Courage is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of Murder By Cheesecake: A Golden Girls Cozy Mystery and the young adult thriller Nothing Bad Happens Here. She lives in Pittsburgh, PA with her husband (the children’s book author Nick Courage) and their family.

Reviews

[James · Rating 3 out of 5]

Growing up with the show as a favorite, and admittedly watching full series reruns at least three times, I was super excited about this book launch. The first in series was wonderful. I didn't love this second one as much. There were some character deviations as tho the author didn't really watch the entire series. The mysterious island felt too contrived. And the scenes were too forced in a few instances. I laughed tho. I enjoyed a good amount of the book. It just needed someone more familiar with the show to change some parts to make it shine brighter.

[SerenaBeReading]

LET'S GO!!!!!

[Jennifer]

I CANNOT WAAAAIT FOR THIS BOOK 😭 I NEED TO GET BACK TO MY GIRL'S WORLD 🥹 UNTIL THEN ILL REWATCH THE SHOW AGAIN 🫣🤭

[Matt · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️ rounded up

This week I was really craving a light, easy read.
Nothing focused on politics, the economy, or healthcare; I kind of needed a distraction from everything going on in the world right now.
So when I got that approval email from NetGalley for this book, it instantly put a smile on my face.
I requested it a couple of weeks ago and am actually glad that I didn’t get it instantly, because I got it when I needed it the most!

Reading this book really felt just like watching The Golden Girls.
The author, Rachel Ekstrom Courage, did a great job of giving them the right lines reflective of their own personalities:
Sophia’s chutzpah, Rose’s naivety, Blanche’s Southern charm and love of men, and Dorothy’s acumen with just about everything.

When the book starts, the ladies receive a mysterious invitation to a dinner party on a private island near Miami.
There’s no return address, and they really aren’t even sure which of them it was meant for.
After a short debate, they decide to go for a chance to get dressed up and hopefully have a fun evening.
Shortly after the dinner party starts, a storm comes and they lose electricity.
Then, someone is killed.
Keep in mind, this took place in the late 80’s; there were no iPhones to use to get help.

I enjoyed the locked room mystery theme to this, but I will be honest…I was really reading this for the nostalgia of reconnecting with the characters on a show that I’ve been watching (repeatedly) for nearly three decades.
I appreciated the several references to things that happened in specific episodes and even some characters who only appeared in a couple of episodes.
The author clearly did her research, or maybe, like me, she is just a huge Golden Girls fan.

At first I was hesitant to request this because I noticed that it’s number two in a series, but then I read some reviews saying that it isn’t necessary to read them in order.
Although I do definitely intend the read the first one, Murder By Cheesecake!

Thanks to NetGalley, Hyperion Avenue, and Rachel Ekstrom Courage for providing me with this eARC!

[Trisha]

ha! I loved book 1 - Golden Girls cozy mysteries! SO fun!

Can't wait for this one in 2026

*** EEE! ARC REC'D THANK YOU!! **

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.

[Ryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it! Rachel Ekstrom Courage once again nails the Girls’ voices in Death on the Lanai, giving us a cozy mystery that feels like a lost episode of the show in the best way. The banter is sharp, the jokes genuinely laugh-out-loud funny, and the setup (stormy island, a blast from Blanche’s romantic past, way too many suspects) is exactly the kind of trouble you can picture Dorothy, Blanche, Rose, and Sophia getting into. It’s a clever mystery that captures the heart of The Golden Girls and is just plain fun to read!

[Alicia (aliciasbooksanctuary) · Rating 4 out of 5]

OVERALL STAR RATING: 4/5
CLEAN RATING: 4/5

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Book two in this Golden Girls cozy mystery series and once again I am left speechless at how well this author can nail each of the girls’ unique personalities. If you’re a super fan, this is a MUST read. You’re going to forget you’re even reading – it feels like you’re watching some never-before-seen television episode, and you can see and hear every detail play out in your brain because you already KNOW these characters so well. The sarcasm and banter are top notch. It’s just one ginormous nostalgic hug that will leave you smiling. This is one of those book series that I want to go on forever. It’s so obvious that the author isn’t just trying to turn a buck on behalf of the popularity of the Girls but is truly a fan herself – it shines through on every page.

A mysterious invitation and gorgeous jeweled brooch are delivered to the girls’ home, boasting a celebration of “the greatest artist of the century”. The girls all speculate on who it could be from and for whom the invite was intended for. Their curiosity gets the better of them, and they set off to the remote island where the party is being held, dressed to “kill”. ;)

El Toro, the renowned artist being celebrated, happens to be one of Blanche’s old flames who used her as a muse for his work. A massive storm knocks out power on the island and the next morning El Toro is found dead. The girls are determined to solve this mystery to clear their own names of the crime. Just an overall fun and unique cozy mystery series that has really won over my heart.

As with book one, a 4-Star clean rating because this is exactly like the television show. This book reads very true to the girls’ on-screen banter with some sexual innuendo woven throughout.

*For more reviews and bookish content, be sure to follow me on Instagram @aliciasbooksanctuary

[Mary Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

Death on the Lanai is the second installment in the Golden Girls cozy mystery series. This is a cute book that focuses on Blanche and a mystery man from her past. If you are a fan of the Golden Girls then these books are the best way to keep the girls alive - this book has so many references to events and memories from the TV show. The author has continued to do an amazing job with the character's personalities and their interactions with each other - she has captured them perfectly! I am a Golden Girls SuperFan and love everything about this series. I look forward to more!

A huge thank you to NetGalley and Hyperion Avenue for the opportunity to read this ebook ARC.

[Katie K · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this book as an ARC through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I love the Golden Girls show and had high expectations for this book. The storyline was alright, but I thought that the writing itself wasn't great. The chapters were very short and choppy, which made it hard for me to really get drawn in. The characters were true to the show, though.

[Dallas Strawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just what I needed… a light and easy read in between all of my dark thrillers and historical fiction lately 🤣

It’s so fun to be back in the heads of the characters of The Golden Girls via this series; the first one focused on Rose, this one focuses on Blanche. I’m curious to see who’s next and what murder they’ll be solving this time.

A nice funny cheesy story! 3.5 ⭐️

[Cin (cinsnextchapter) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Death on the Lanai is a cozy mystery that perfectly captures the charm and humor of The Golden Girls. As a lifelong fan of the series, the characters feel so authentic that it genuinely feels like stepping back into an episode of the show. Watching the ladies get pulled into a murder investigation was both entertaining and nostalgic. I could easily picture every scene playing out just like it would on screen—but with a mystery to solve. This was a delightful read and a must for fans of the iconic show!

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

*I got this book from NetGalley for an honest review.*

I love the Golden Girls. I've watched every episode multiple times. Love. Them.

I reviewed book 1 of the series and if I remember right, I liked it, obviously enough to want to read the second book when I heard it was coming out. So, we'll add this as the 3rd series I've gone looking for in the hopes of reading it early, if anyone is counting that is. I give this sequel 3.5 stars.

One of my issues with the book is that I already know the characters. One of the best things about this book is that I already know the characters. Yeah, I'm right up there balancing on that fence and have yet to fall to either side. I love it because when I'm reading it, I can picture them and actually hear them in my head. Which makes it almost like a new episode is playing out rather than me reading a book. The thing I don't like is that sometimes one of them says or does something just a little out of character and it throws off that episode playing in my head. I had never really thought about it before (I won't watch movies or TV shows based on books until I've read the book, otherwise it just spoils the reading experience for me) but meeting a character in the first book and following them through many adventures is a different thing than jumping into a series where you've watched the characters for years. With the first, you form your own picture in your head and it stays consistent as you keep reading. With the second, you already have a picture so when something is off it feels a little disappointing? Not sure exactly how to describe it. I will give the author this... she never steps so far away that the characters make no sense anymore. I tend to have issues with movies and TV shows that go off the rails away from the story I know but this doesn't stray that far out. I don't know if that makes sense or not but here I am rambling again.

Tying in with the above, I'm not sure how I feel about the references to some of the TV episodes in the books. It seems unnecessary to me. Anyone that is reading the series because it's the Golden Girls won't really need these tidbits and for me, it kind of interrupts the flow of my reading because then I start picturing the episode in my head. Then again maybe that's just me. I feel like if someone who had never seen the Golden Girls on screen would not even necessarily know that it's a reference back to the show, which doesn't add anything extra to the story. On that same note, I also felt like there were too many references to the previous book. I'd like to say each book is a stand alone and you don't need to read the first to read the second... but the way the references are written into the story, I would absolutely need to go back and read the first. It would bother me to not know what they were talking about. It might not bother others and that's cool. My personal opinion on is that the author could work on smoothing out other references to previous book so that you may not even know it's referencing another book in the series. It was just my opinion that they were too blunt to not realize that a previous book was referenced. If the series continues, at least that is something that could be improved upon.

The other thing about this book that I wasn't a fan of, was that in both books one of the girls was being accused of the murder so their motivation to solve it is to clear someone's name. I'm ok with them turning into a group of Jessica Fletcher's and having some astronomical odds in constantly running into murders that they, not the police, have to solve. When you add in that they are always being accused of murder, that gets a little too out of the realm of reality for me. How many times can one be accused of murder before one sticks, even if they may be innocent? BUT... since these are only the first two books I'm hoping that it doesn't continue across all of them in the series.

I was able to figure out the who-done-it early on and I half figured out one of the later plot twists before it happened but the journey to the reveal was still a good one. Also, if you do read this, I'll add that there is a paragraph right after the reveal about a mustache that actually made me laugh out loud. No spoilers but do remember the mustache while you're reading.

My rating landed at a 3.5. For those looking for the nostalgia feel with characters you love brought back to life, it's great. The little things that bother me won't bother everyone and it does feel like the girls have been brought back to life. I will gladly keep reading this series as it continues! For anyone who has never watched the show and has no idea who they are, it's just a regular murder mystery. Obviously, I can't experience it that way but it's got all the formula pieces that all murder mystery series have. I don't see anything that would make it stand out from any other. I'd be curious to hear from someone who isn't familiar with the show to discuss whether you need to have that familiarity/nostalgia to read them. Do the descriptions give you enough character traits or do you feel lost trying to figure out the characters?

[Albert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Blanche: “Well, I'm sorry, but it's just that I actually went through a very rebellious stage as a teenager. I know how difficult it can be.”

Rose: “Well, what did you do that was so rebellious?”

Blanche: “When I was 15, I dropped out of school for a month to become a magician's assistant. When I was 16, I ran off with a gas station attendant twice my age to get married in Mexico. When I was 17, I hitchhiked to New York, and for two months, I was a Rockette under an assumed name.”

— Taken from "Nice and Easy" (Season 1, Episode 17)

This tiny bit of Golden Girls dialogue inspired this wonderful new cozy mystery.

The plot is as follows:

The girls head to a lavish party on an island estate after receiving a mysterious package in the mail containing a dazzling brooch and an invitation signed only with initials. A blast from Blanche’s past returns, and a death—which may or may not have been murder—occurs after a storm knocks out the power and destroys their only means of transportation to the mainland. Trapped with a possible murderer on the loose, the girls find that all eyes are on them as the primary suspects. Dorothy, Blanche, Rose, and Sophia must once again band together to suss out the killer and clear their names before it’s too late.

Saying that I enjoyed this story is truly an understatement. Dorothy, who is always the most levelheaded of the bunch, is totally in her element here. We know she takes great pride in her knowledge of hard-boiled detective novels...

Dorothy: “Blanche, are you kidding? I have read every word Dashiell Hammett and Raymond Chandler ever wrote. Sam Spade and Philip Marlowe have become a part of me...

‘She had more curves than the Monaco Grand Prix and was twice as dangerous. Her jewelry was mute testimony that Charlie Chaplin wasn't the only tramp who hit it big in this town.’”

Sophia: “You do this on first dates, don't you, Dorothy?”

— Taken from the episode “The Case of the Libertine Belle” (Season 7, Episode 2), which sees the girls traveling to a hotel for a murder mystery weekend where Dorothy gets to the bottom of who killed Blanche’s boss.

“The Case of the Libertine Belle”—which everyone should watch before reading these books—made it abundantly clear that The Golden Girls could easily be adapted into a great cozy mystery series, with a large dose of humor thrown into the mix. Thank goodness someone in the publishing world picked up on this and decided to bring it to fruition.

In Death on the Lanai, you can actually hear the book’s dialogue coming out of the mouths of actresses Bea Arthur, Betty White, Rue McClanahan, and Estelle Getty—a testament to author Rachel Ekstrom Courage’s talent and love for the show. The book nails the show’s tone and humor seamlessly.

It also encapsulates the sights and sounds of Miami in the 1980s. For those wondering about the timeline, these stories are set before the show’s finale, in which Dorothy married Blanche’s uncle, Lucas Hollingsworth (played by Leslie Nielsen), and moved to Atlanta. It also takes place before the short-lived spin-off series, The Golden Palace, which saw Rose, Blanche, and Sophia running a hotel. It is the 1980s, and the girls are still living together at 6151 Richmond Street in Miami, Florida.

Many of the television show’s colorful characters find their way into the book’s dialogue—characters such as Fidel Santiago, the "Latin Lothario" who dated Blanche and Sophia at the same time, and even Coco, the gay cook from the show’s pilot episode. Two original characters from the previous Golden Girls cozy mystery, Murder by Cheesecake, also return. And don’t worry—Death on the Lanai is jam-packed with plenty of new St. Olaf stories and Sophia’s tales of Sicily for you to enjoy!

I really hope this series continues; it was such a joy to read. I'm off to try making the "Off-Key Lime Pie" mentioned in the story—the actual recipe can be found at the end of the book.

[Pattie Tierney · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve been a Golden Girls fan since the very first episode of the TV series. Once it came to an end, those late-night reruns where Dorothy’s sarcasm, Rose’s innocence, Blanche’s flirtations, and Sophia’s one-liners made everything feel a little brighter. So when the first book in this cozy mystery series, Murder by Cheesecake, came out, I dove in immediately. It captured the essence of the show so perfectly that it felt like spending an extra evening in the Miami house with the girls. Naturally, I was thrilled to get my hands on the second installment, Death on the Lanai by Rachel Ekstrom Courage.

This one picks up right where the charm left off. An enigmatic invitation arrives at the house, inviting the four women to a lavish party on a remote island estate in Biscayne Bay. What starts as a glamorous getaway quickly turns complicated when they arrive and meet the host: a famous artist named Declan (known as El Toro), who reveals himself as a man from Blanche’s past. Back in the day, he was the struggling artist who loved her deeply but couldn’t offer the life she wanted. Fate pulled them apart, but now he claims she’s been his muse all these years. Blanche, ever the Southern belle with a trail of suitors, doesn’t quite remember the details—but the chemistry is still there.

The party takes a dramatic turn when a tropical storm knocks out the power, stranding everyone on the island. The next morning, Declan is found dead, and suspicion falls squarely on Blanche. With no way off the island and a house full of potential suspects, the girls band together to uncover the truth.

What makes Death on the Lanai so special is how faithfully it brings the characters to life. The dialogue sparkles with the same witty, heartfelt banter we know from the show. Dorothy’s dry humor cuts through every tense moment, Rose offers her earnest (and often hilariously offbeat) observations, Sophia delivers those classic zingers, and Blanche’s passionate, flirtatious energy drives much of the emotional core. There are even subtle nods to actual episodes and moments from the series that feel authentic rather than forced—little Easter eggs that made me smile in recognition.

The setting is vividly drawn, too. The remote island estate, the storm, the candlelit tension—it all builds a wonderful sense of place and atmosphere. The mystery itself simmers slowly, unfolding through conversations, revelations, and the girls’ sleuthing. If you’re someone who prefers a fast-paced thriller that grabs you in the first chapter, this slower build might test your patience. But for me, it was exactly right. The gradual tension lets the characters shine, and the payoff feels earned and satisfying.

Like the first book, this one is strong on heart and humor. It’s cozy in the best way—comforting, funny, and full of friendship. Reading it felt like catching up with old friends, complete with cheesecake references and plenty of laughs.

If you loved Murder by Cheesecake) or if you’re just a Golden Girls devotee looking for more time with Dorothy, Rose, Blanche, and Sophia), Death on the Lanai delivers. I’m already hoping for book three. Here’s to many more adventures with the girls—because honestly, who wouldn’t want to spend more evenings with them?

I received a copy from NetGalley.

[L.M. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Are you a Golden Girls fan?

Really that's the only important question in life. If you're a Golden Girls fan, you're cool. I like you. We could be friends. If you're not... well, let's not even consider that as an option.

Golden Girls was on when I was a little kid. I didn't get any of the jokes, literally none of them. And I always thought when Sophia said linguine that it was a euphemism for male parts and I don't think it ever was so I didn't even get that. But I LOVED that show. As an adult, understanding the jokes and now nearing Golden Girl status myself, I love the show more than ever. I've seen every episode probably 100 times and I will never, ever get tired of it. And even after so many rewatches I STILL find new jokes. Absolutely brilliant.

So obviously, this series is one I'm going to read. The first book, I felt like the author did a fabulous job of recreating the world of Golden Girls and kept the characters really true to themselves. I loved it. This book fell a bit flat for me and I think it was because they were not at home. The show always stuck really close to home. There were only a few episodes where they went other places like the Vacation episode in season 2 (though Sophia stayed home) or the Libertine Belle episode in season 7 (though close to 1/3 of the episode was at home). This book they were at home only for a chapter or two and the rest of the book was spent on an island. Normally, I love vacation books in a series. Sometimes you get tired of the same old setting. But book 2 is too soon to be whisking the characters off somewhere, especially in a series like this where the charm is really at home.

Character development was a bit lacking, I had a very hard time until the very end telling the difference between Vee and Akiko and we didn't get nearly enough information on Ralph or Misia, who probably should have played a bigger role than they did since they were the ones closest to the victim. I also didn't feel like the Golden Girls themselves stayed in character very well. Rose was kind of brainy and Sophia was a loving mother. Blanche was more stable and Dorothy spent too much time stuffing things in her giant sleeves.

Although I didn't love this book as much as the first, I still loved revisiting the Girls and seeing their lives continue within the GG world. If you're a fan of the show, this series is a much read!

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC.

[Summer Householder · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received an advanced review copy of Death on the Lanai, the second cozy mystery in the Golden Girls Mystery series, and it was fun to jump back in with Dorothy, Rose, Blanche, and Sophia. When a mysterious invitation shows up at their door along with a gorgeous brooch, the girls decide to attend a glamorous gala to find out who sent it. Blanche immediately assumes the jewelry was meant for her, and of course, she is right.

The setting checks all the cozy mystery boxes. A fancy island that can only be reached by rowboat, a group of interesting guests, and a storm that traps everyone overnight with no way to leave or call for help. In true Blanche fashion, she even runs into a lover from her past, stirring up old feelings and a bit of drama. One of the best parts of the book is the dialogue. The banter between the girls feels very true to the TV show, and fans will appreciate the fun 1980s brand name references and nods to familiar Golden Girls story lines.

While I enjoyed the characters and the nostalgia, the mystery itself felt pretty basic and moved a bit too slowly for me. It takes almost forty percent of the book before the actual death on the lanai happens. After that, the story focuses heavily on everyone accusing each other, which made the pacing drag. Even though this is the second book in the series, it works fine as a standalone, so you do not need to read the first book to follow along.

Overall, Death on the Lanai is a cozy, character driven mystery that Golden Girls fans will likely enjoy for the humor, familiar voices, and throwback vibes, even if the mystery does not quite live up to its promising setup.

Thank you to NetGalley and Hyperion Avenue for providing me with an advanced review copy in exchange for my honest review.

[Shereadbookblog · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second installment in the Golden Girls cozy mystery series; I read the first one. While there are references to events from the first book, this one can be enjoyed on its own.

Blanche, Dorothy, Rose, and Sophia receive a mysterious invitation to a gala celebrating “the greatest artist of the century.” The invitation is accompanied by a box containing an elegant butterfly brooch which Sophia claims she should wear as she is the oldest.

The gala is held at a secluded mansion located on its own island, accessible only by boat. To her astonishment, the mansion is owned by the renowned artist now known as El Toro, a former lover of Blanche’s when she was younger. He was known to her as Declan and she was the muse for much of his work.

A violent storm plunges the island into darkness when the power fails. Amidst the chaos, the brooch is snatched from Sophia’s dress, and the boat that brought them to the island is destroyed. When Declan’s body is discovered, the group invited to the gala finds themselves stranded on the island, with suspicion falling on each and every one of them. As they grapple with the possibility of being trapped with a murderer, some must confront their own pasts and unravel the secrets that lie beneath the surface.

This book evokes a nostalgic feel reminiscent of the 1980s-early 1990s TV show, with a locked room/Agatha Christie/Clue-style plot. However, it is the delightful Golden Girls characters, rather than the intricate plot, that make this a delightful read. The witty banter and playful sniping among the women are a highlight, with Sophia’s sharp remarks being my personal favorite.

Thanks to @NetGalley and @hyperionavebooks for the DRC.

[Katherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Death on the Lanai is book 2 in Rachel Ekstrom Courage’s Golden Girls series, featuring the characters from the beloved television show.

In book two the girls receive a mysterious invitation to a gala on a remote island, and not knowing which one of them it’s for, they all decide to accept and attend together. The host turns out to be one of Blanche’s former flames. Unfortunately the party goers are stranded when a severe storm cuts them off from the mainland,, and when the girls find their host’s body the next morning, they must determine which of the other guests killed him or if his death was an accident.

The sarcasm and snappy comebacks are strong in this book, just like they were in the television show. In fact I swear I could picture, and hear the characters in my head as I read the book.

The characters also remember and sometimes bring up memories from the television show, so if you’re a fan I’m sure you’ll enjoy that aspect of the book. I enjoyed it for the most part, but closer to the end of the book there were times when I wished the author would just get on with the mystery.

I also got a bit frustrated with how the book portrayed Rose as stupid. Yes, she was naïve on the show, and occasionally misunderstood things, but the book made it seem like she had no intelligence, whatsoever.

The mystery itself was interesting, and the other guests made plausible suspects.

If you are a Golden Girls fan, and enjoy cozy mysteries, I think you’ll love this book. If you aren’t familiar with the show, this book may not appeal to you due to the number of references to episodes of the show.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Heather Gibson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you Hyperion for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

3 ⭐️ | Fun nostalgia, but a little light on mystery
Death on the Lanai by Rachel Ekstrom Courage delivers exactly what you’d expect from a Golden Girls-inspired cozy: charm, banter, and a heavy dose of nostalgia. If you love The Golden Girls, there’s a lot here to enjoy—Dorothy’s dry wit, Blanche’s dramatic flair, and the group dynamic all feel comfortably familiar.
The setup is classic cozy mystery fun: a glamorous island party, a mysterious host from Blanche’s past, and a storm trapping everyone together when murder strikes. It’s an atmospheric premise that promises intrigue, and the isolated setting works well to create a closed-circle mystery.
That said, the actual mystery takes a bit of a backseat. The pacing leans more toward character moments and callbacks than building tension, and the suspect pool never feels quite as compelling or complex as it could be. Some twists are easy to spot, which takes away from the suspense.
Where the book shines is in its voice—it really does feel like spending time with the Girls again. The dialogue is playful, and there are enough laugh-out-loud moments to keep things entertaining, even when the plot stalls.
Overall, this is a cozy, easy read that fans will appreciate for the nostalgia factor alone. Just don’t go in expecting a deeply layered mystery—it’s more cheesecake and conversation than shocking reveals.

[Jess · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley for providing an advanced copy!

Thank you for being a friend!! This is the 2nd installment of the Golden Girls Cozy Mystery series it did NOT disappoint. You don’t need to read the first one in order to dive into this.

Death on the Lanai opens with Blanche upset she doesn’t have any plans for the weekend and then all of a sudden, the doorbell rings and they get a random invitation complete with beautiful brooch to an exclusive gala in the mail. After very little deliberation, they get all dolled up and make their way to the mansion.

The story mainly focuses on Blanche. When they get to the mansion, turns out the person who invited them was a man from her past named Declan or ET (El Toro) The party takes a turn when a storm comes through and the power goes out leading to the brooch going missing. The girls quickly jump on the case and figure out who stole the brooch which also leads to a murder.

The writing is SO fun - Rachel really brings each character to life just as you would watch the show. Every time I would read, I heard their voices in my head as I was reading each line. Sophia’s Witt is there, Rose’s St Olaf stories are insanely funny and you can just hear the sarcasm when Dorothy speaks.

It’s such a fast, easy and fun read and I highly recommend picking it up. Can’t wait for the next!

[Addison Dean · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought I would like this book more than I ended up liking it. I didn't read the first in the series, but other than some mentions of a past adventure, that didn't take away from the novelty of immersing myself in the world of the Golden Girls once again. Unfortunately, while the characterizations are mostly spot on and there are lots of nods to brands that were popular in the 80s (too many brand names, to be honest), the pacing of this story was exasperatingly slow and the plot was rather thin. Not much happened until around the 30% mark, and even after the titular "death," the unearthing of clues dragged on for quite a long time. I found myself skimming just to get to the end. There's lots of snappy dialogue, true to the show, but perhaps the short format of the show is what kept the dynamic between the friends interesting, while in this case it felt really drawn out. Can recommend if you are a big fan of the Golden Girls and are curious about how the ladies would solve a mystery, but be prepared for the novelty to wear thin.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Hyperion Avenue for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

[Michael B. · Rating 4 out of 5]

The second book in the new cozy mystery series using our favorite ladies, this was such a satisfying, humorous, and fun read.

When a mysterious package is delivered to the house containing a brooch and an invitation to a mysterious dinner party on an island off the shore of Miami, the ladies are unsure who the intended recipient is, so they all decide to attend. Once on the island, they discover the host is none other than the famous artist El Toro, who turns out to be Declan, the man Blanche had a brief relationship with many years before in her youth when she ran off to New York City. Thanks to the weather, the real purpose of the party is delayed as the storm has wiped out both the power and access to the island, leaving them all trapped. When El Toro is found dead, the race is on to figure out who is behind his death.

There was so much humor in this one. Parts of it reminded me of the movie Clue, so if you enjoyed that movie, you’ve definitely got a book to read here. There are a lot of unexpected twists and turns going on within these pages as well. Overall, a good fun read, published at the perfect time for summer vacation reading!

[Nichole · Rating 4 out of 5]

My most anticipated read of 2026!

I loved the first book, Murder By Cheesecake, and this one is a satisfying follow-up. Note: This is fine as a standalone, but there are mentions of plot points from the prior book.

This honestly felt like an episode of the show put to page. Each character shined with their own individual personality, charm, and signature dialogue tones. The author is clearly a huge fan of the show and really took care to provide feelings of nostalgia while adding her own touches. I appreciated the references to classic episodes too.

I've read a few books centered around movies and TV shows where it was quite obvious that the book was written first and then the names and places changed to match the IP, but this was not the case. I hope this series continues because I will absolutely travel down the road and back again.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Hyperion Avenue for the digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Brittany · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series is so fun, and I enjoyed the second book even more than the first. Death on the Lanai focuses on Blanche, who receives an invitation to a mysterious party in a mansion off the Florida mainland. All four of the girls put on their most glamorous attire and are ferried to the small island by a grumpy caretaker. When they reach the island, Blanche is reunited with a former boyfriend, who is now a famous artist, and an additional cast of characters who are affiliated with the art world. A storm hits the island, knocking out the power, and one of the people in the house is found dead. The girls seem like suspects and get busy investigating to clear their names. The book is full of snappy one-liners, 80s cultural references, and is a fun book to add to your summer reading list. Perfect for fans of cozy mysteries full of humor and nostalgia. I hope that we get Dorothy's story next! Thanks to Netgalley, Hyperion, and author Rachel Ekstrom Courage for the librarian preview copy.

[Katie Story · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 ⭐️

As someone who grew up watching The Golden Girls series, the nostalgia was easily my favorite part of this story. I loved being able to picture the characters so clearly and hear their voices while reading. The banter between the girls felt authentic to the show and there were several moments that genuinely made me smile because they captured the personalities and humor so well. Fans of the series will definitely appreciate all the familiar references and cozy throwback vibes.

Unfortunately, the mystery itself fell pretty flat for me. The pacing was slow, the chapters felt choppy and it took too long for the actual murder plot to really get going. While I enjoyed spending time with these characters, the story leaned much more on nostalgia than suspense and the mystery never became very compelling.

Overall, this was a cozy, easy read for Golden Girls fans, but I was hoping for a stronger plot and more depth to the mystery.

[Lori Parrish · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was so excited to see another story come out that I knew I had to have it.
I loved this book so much! I can actually hear these wonderful ladies voices through the pages. I could see them acting out their parts in one of my favorite scenes. Poor Rose! Always the last to catch on but it's what I love about her.
(I watched the show when it was on and still do. The reruns).
Dorothy is the one who really makes me snicker because I can see her face whenever she deals with Rose lol.
It was Dorothy and Sophia who cracked me up this time. I laughed until I cried in places. They really made my day.
Rose and Blanche did too. Rose especially.
Rose's stories made me smile throughout the story.
I'm so glad this author decided to continue their story. She has done a wonderful job in bringing them to life once again.
I savored this story. I didnt want it to end.
I loved the setting of this story on a remote island? Goodness that really spices up this story besides the murder. Who killed Declan? This was an excellent mystery
5 stars for a job well done and for entertaining me. I hope there will be more to come.
Thanks for the opportunity to read and review.
I was NOT required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine.

[Horror Nerd · Rating 3 out of 5]

"You slap more paint on your face than Michelangelo used for the entire Sistine Chapel!"

Finally, Blanche gets the spotlight. This is a fun murder mystery, with all the familiar cozy elements (an isolated location, an odd group of suspects, truly funny dialogue, etc.). The girls get invited to a remote island by a famous painter, for some kind of secret reveal. Then a murder happens, and the girls once again get drawn into solving the mystery.
While I was a little disappointed by the villain reveal & motivations, I absolutely loved how the book characterized the Golden Girls. Character growth is where the story really delivers, with some nice reveals about Blanche's life, and the complicated family dynamics between Sophia and Dorothy (that ending with Dorothy's decision was really sweet).

Thank you to NetGalley for a copy of this book.

[lovemyshelf · Rating 2 out of 5]

Oh, this was a disappointment. Though a bit of the banter is present, the second installment of the Golden Girls Cozy Mystery series pales in comparison to the first. First of all, the emphasis on Blanche is too much and annoying. Secondly, the joviality of the girls interactions is missing its zing; Thirdly, and perhaps most importantly, the plot is too simple: a typical locked-room mystery that any seasoned mystery reader worth their salt would have come across a million times. I do enjoy the author's way with words and use of BIG words that I have to look up, but this one fell from a high pedestal : ( I do thank NetGalley and Hyperion for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review, sad as I am to give it : (
I will be happy to try out the next book, though! I adored the first and know Ms. Courage can do it again!

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Golden Girls are at it again. When a mysterious invitation arrives, the girls set out for a remote island off the coast of Florida which houses a beautiful estate and mansion. An ex-lover of one of the girls is behind the invitation, and Blanche, Dorothy, Rose, and Sophia find themselves mingling with an elite art crowd that they soon realize has many secrets. When a storm turns the evening into an overnight stay, the girls think that is the least of their worries... until there's a dead body. Isolated on the island, the girls will have to stick together to solve this mystery while navigating their own emotions. Overall, I liked a lot of the themes the book had, and of course love the usual banter between the group of friends. Some readers may find it a bit slow-paced, but it was a fun read that I think fans of the quartet will enjoy.

[Robert Owens · Rating 5 out of 5]

★★★★★

Death on the Lanai is an absolute delight for both cozy mystery fans and longtime lovers of the Golden Girls. Rachel Ekstrom Courage perfectly captures the wit, warmth, and hilarious chemistry that made the original characters so beloved, while crafting a genuinely fun and engaging mystery.

The dialogue feels authentic, the humor lands beautifully, and the Miami setting adds the perfect sunny backdrop to the intrigue. Each character shines in their own way, and the story balances nostalgia with a fresh mystery that keeps the pages turning. It’s cozy, clever, and surprisingly heartfelt.

Whether you grew up watching the Golden Girls or simply enjoy charming whodunits with memorable characters, this book is a fantastic read. I couldn’t put it down and already hope there’s another mystery on the way!