The first novel in the all-new Golden Girls Cozy Mystery Series! When Dorothy’s obnoxious date is found dead in a hotel freezer, it not only ruins a gorgeous cheesecake but threatens the elaborate St. Olaf–themed wedding Rose is hosting. Things are heating up, and not just because of Blanche’s hot flashes. Rose’s cousin is eloping to Miami, and Rose is playing host. If she can''t balance the groom’s family’s snobbery against the traditional St. Olaf wedding week guidelines, her hometown may never accept her cousin again!; Dorothy quickly realizes she As the Girls all pitch in, Rose is thrilled that the tea-and-fish-themed kickoff event is perfect, not a herring out of place. That is until Dorothy’s date is found dead--face-planted in an otherwise scrumptious-looking cheesecake. With every guest a suspect (especially Dorothy) and a marriage on the line, the four besties must ID the real killer, get the should-be-happy couple down the aisle, and make sure nobody from St. Olaf gets lost in the wilds of Miami. It’s up to the Golden Girls to sleuth out a way for friendship and love to win the day!

Autorentext

Rachel Ekstrom Courage is a writer and cheesecake enthusiast who lives in Pittsburgh with her husband (the children’s book author Nick Courage) and their dog, Chaely. A literary agent by day, she’s worked in the publishing industry for over two decades—with some of the world’s most beloved mystery authors—and is the co-founder of Littsburgh, a literary community in Western Pennsylvania.

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Klappentext

**Instant NEW YORK TIMES bestseller

The first novel in the all-new Golden Girls Cozy Mystery Series!

When Dorothy’s obnoxious date is found dead in a hotel freezer, it not only ruins a gorgeous cheesecake but threatens the elaborate St. Olaf–themed wedding Rose is hosting.**

Things are heating up, and not just because of Blanche’s hot flashes. Rose’s cousin is eloping to Miami, and Rose is playing host. If she can't balance the groom’s family’s snobbery against the traditional St. Olaf wedding week guidelines, her hometown may never accept her cousin again! 

Dorothy quickly realizes she needs a date with whom she can exchange wedding-related wisecracks. Turning to a newfangled VHS dating service, she believes she’s found the ideal conversationalist. Unfortunately, what looks good on TV can actually be a total jerk in real life. It seems she’ll just have to enjoy the company of Sophia, Blanche, and whomever Blanche has targeted for a hookup.

As the Girls all pitch in, Rose is thrilled that the tea-and-fish-themed kickoff event is perfect, not a herring out of place. That is until Dorothy’s date is found dead—face-planted in an otherwise scrumptious-looking cheesecake. With every guest a suspect (especially Dorothy) and a marriage on the line, the four besties must ID the real killer, get the should-be-happy couple down the aisle, and make sure nobody from St. Olaf gets lost in the wilds of Miami. It’s up to the Golden Girls to sleuth out a way for friendship and love to win the day!

Leseprobe

1. COFFEE AND CATASTROPHE

Rose Nylund whispered into the lemon-yellow telephone receiver, twisting the cord tightly between her fingers, her words obscured by the gurgling of the coffee percolator. The aroma of toast and melting butter filled the kitchen as the early Florida sunlight filtered through the ruffled curtains above the sink.

“Who’s that you’re talking to, Rose?” Blanche called in her languid Southern drawl as she poured herself a cup of coffee. “A new beau?”
Rose hung up the handset with a clatter and smoothed her floral robe. “Oh, it was just one of those prank calls.”

“For twenty minutes?” Sophia piped up from the breakfast table, her small face framed by the scalloped collar of her nightgown. “I’ve had dates that ended quicker than that.”

Blanche stifled a giggle as she carried her mug over to the table, seating herself with a swirl of chiffon on a white bamboo chair.

“When was that, back in the 1800s?” Dorothy said as she swept into the kitchen, already dressed for the day in a flowing cream blazer, beige slacks, and chunky gold earrings.

“Exactly. Right after you were born,” Sophia said, her sharp tone softened by the twinkle behind her large bifocal lenses.

Dorothy reached for a banana from the fruit bowl on the kitchen island, ignoring her mother’s barb. She leaned against the oak cabinets, noticing Rose’s worried expression.

“What’s the problem, Rose?” she said kindly.

“Well, I’d rather not say,” Rose said, dipping her head.

“Don’t worry honey, we won’t pry,” Blanche said. She leaned forward and peered over the rim of her coffee cup, as if she very much wanted to pry.

“Well . . . if you’re going to drag it out of me . . .” Rose said, settling herself at the table between Sophia and Blanche. “I can’t keep it all cooped up inside for much longer.”

“That’s never a good idea,” Sophia said sagely. “Just ask my gastroenterologist.”

“It’s clear something is bothering you,” Blanche purred, tilting her head to one side. “I always feel better after I unburden myself.”

Dorothy opened her mouth, ready to make a wisecrack. She thought better of it and poured herself some coffee before joining the others at the table.

“You know how I was going to fly to St. Olaf for a wedding next week? Well, something terrible has happened there,” Rose said. She fidgeted with the edge of the tablecloth, wrinkling the abstract leaf pattern between her fingers.

“On no! Is everything all right with your niece, sweet pea? Nettie, was it?” Blanche asked, her voice full of concern. She passed a plate of buttered toast to Rose, who usually felt better once she had a snack, especially one involving dairy products.

“No, everything is not okay,” Rose said. “And technically, Nettie is my cousin. Since I’m closer to her mother’s age, she’s always called me Aunt Rose. Her mother is my auntGreta, and I have a few choice words to say about her, believe me!” She released the edge of the tablecloth, leaving it in crumpled pleats.

Blanche and Sophia exchanged a knowing glance. In their experience, Rose hardly ever spoke ill of anyone—and when she did, the words were lengthy, guttural, and vaguely Norwegian. Dorothy took a fortifying sip of coffee as Rose cleared her throat.

“So Nettie’s mother is your aunt, but her daughter thinks you’re her aunt,” Sophia said. “Got it.”

“It’s more of a term of respect,” Rose said. “Especially because I helped raise her after her parents ran off to follow their dreams of starting a poodle circus in Pittsburgh. Ever since I’ve lived in Miami, I’ve been more like a long-distance surrogate mother to Nettie.”

“Poor girl,” Dorothy said. “She’s lucky to have you in her life.”

“She hasn’t had it easy,” Rose said, shaking her head. “When my aunt Greta was pregnant with her, there were terrible rumors that she was actually carrying the Sturgeon General’s baby. But when The Amazing Shapiro delivered her, it was clear that Nettie was a Lindstrom through and through.” Saying that last bit in a voice full of pride, she paused to make sure her friends understood.…