About the Book
Cozy Mystery
Format
E-ARC
Publisher
Release Date
June 2, 2026
Synopsis from Goodreads:
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.
My Review
The Girls receive a mysterious invitation to an exciting party on a remote island. They have no real details and aren’t even sure who the invitation is from, but they agree to attend. The invitation even includes an expensive brooch.
Once they arrive on the island, Blanche recognizes their host. In her younger days, he was known as Declan, a struggling artist. Things didn’t work out back then for the young couple, but now Declan is a famous artist named El Toro. He declares that Blanche has always been his muse.
The rest of the guests on the island seem a bit mysterious in their own right, but Blanche is just happy to be with Declan again. When a tropical storm strikes, the electricity goes out and everyone panics. Things really get messy when Declan is found dead. One of the people on this small island is a killer and they could all be in danger. The Girls trust no one and investigate on their own. They are shocked at what they discover.
This is a fun book with witty dialogue. The author has written each Golden Girl to perfection. I could clearly hear their voice as if they were in the room with me. It’s the second book of the series, but I believe you can read them as standalones especially if you are familiar with the Golden Girls.
The storyline is fast-paced and enjoyable. I did figure out whodunit early on, but there were many more secrets to be revealed later in the book. So, it definitely kept my attention until the end.
It makes for many hours of enjoyable reading. A great escape from everday life. I hope to get a return visit soon with another book.
For reading challenges:
Cruisin’ thru the Cozies Reading Challenge 2026
Cloak & Dagger Reading Challenge 2026
NetGalley & Edelweiss Reading Challenge 2026
Disclosure: I voluntarily reviewed a free Advance Reader Copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.
That looks good. I used to watch the show. They seemed so old when I watched and now when I see a rerun, they don't seem that old anymore. :) XO
ReplyDeleteIt was a fun show, I can see how the premise would make for a good read.
ReplyDelete