Review By Gabrielle

Bursting with quirky characters you can’t help but love, The Marigold Cottages Murder Collective will leave you charmed.

Favourite Quote:

An investigator’s job wasn’t a Scooby-Doo episode, putting together clues until you yanked the mask off Old Man Withers. Your job was assembling and documenting evidence for the eventual use of the prosecutor.

You were part of the legal team, not the revealer of hidden truths.

Book Synopsis:

Mrs. B, the landlady of The Marigold Cottages is a stubborn idealist who only rents to people she cares about: Sophie, an anxious young playwright with a dark past; Hamilton, an agoraphobe who likes to overshare; Ocean, a queer sculptor raising two kids alone; the perfectionist Lily-Ann; and Nicholas, a finance bro who’s hiding secrets.

The tenants live contentedly in their doll-house bungalows in Santa Barbara, just minutes from the beach, until their peace is shattered when Anthony, a quiet, hulking, but potentially violent ex-con moves in. Three weeks later, a dead body is discovered on the streets of the peaceful neighborhood. Anthony is arrested, and the tenants heave sighs of relief. Until Mrs. B, convinced that he’s innocent, marches down to the police station and confesses to the crime herself. The tenants band together and form “The Marigold Cottages Murder Collective” to save their beloved landlady. As clues are unearthed and secrets are revealed, the community of misfits only grows more tight-knit…until a second body is found.

Review:

When I picked up this book, I was hoping for a cozy mystery with a fun cast of characters. I am delighted to report, that is exactly what I got. The book is billed as “Only Murders in the Building, but with a southern Californian Twist,” and I would say that is completely accurate. 

The story features ten absolutely delightful characters. Nine of them live together at Marigold Cottages, a cluster of small cottages owned by Mrs. B. Chapters are told from the perspective of six characters (plus one chapter by Mrs. B) which really helps us get to understand the key players in more depth. I just loved all the characters. Except maybe the idiotic police detective Vernon that we aren’t really supposed to like. But from the rest it’s hard to pick a favourite because they all stole my heart. Mrs. B is beyond wonderful; she sees the good in people and loves them for who they are. Hamilton was a standout for me, the agoraphobic man who wears Hawaiian shirts, is obsessed with weird beverages (wasabi flavoured soda anyone?), and always has a random fact to share. There isn’t a bad one in the bunch. Even the characters we’re set up to dislike such as Nicholas, standoffish and seemingly rude at first, or Anthony, the tattooed ex-con, will grow on you.

There is a mystery to solve of course, and folks who like their mysteries on the lighter side will likely enjoy this book. There is nothing too gory that happens. I will say I found the mystery elements a little predictable, but I didn’t mind one bit because to me, they are pretty secondary. The real story here is about the community that is built amongst the residents of the cottages as they come together around the shared project of solving the mystery. The mystery is just the catalyst for the real story. As the residents get to know each other better and find friendship, they all grow in their own ways. Big time found family vibes going on here and I loved every minute.

The Marigold Cottages Murder Collective is an uplifting story, perfect for readers who love a cozy mystery.

Thank you, Minotaur Books, an imprint of St. Martin’s Publishing Group for the ARC, in exchange for an honest review.