brooching the mystery
The Girls are back, and it’s time to party. Rose, Blanche, Dorothy, and Sophia were all at home when the doorbell. It was a bicycle courier with a package for them. It’s a mysterious invitation for a gala event celebrating the country’s greatest artist. And along with the invitation is an expensive brooch with a note saying to wear it. Blanche thinks the invitation is for her—and the brooch—since she is the one who works in a museum. But there isn’t a name on the package, not for which woman it’s for or who it’s from, just the initials ET.
The women decide it would be best if they all go to the gala together, since none of them are certain who is being invited. Also, the invitations has them going to a parking lot, n order to get to the Villa Velado on Isla Sosiega. It’s safer if they all go. They decide Sophia should wear the brooch, but they all plan on sticking close together. And that’s good, because once they get to the parking lot, a man leads them to a small rowboat and assures them it’s the only way to the island.
But they successfully get to the island, and the house is a grand villa with several other people inside. And as soon as they meet their host, Blanche knows exactly who he is. Back when she was a young woman and trying to make a career on Broadway, she lived in New York City as Bianca and met a young artist named Declan. They had a brief relationship, before Blanche went back home. Now Declan goes by El Toro, and his paintings are priceless.
It turns out that El Toro has brought together the most important people of his life: his first muse Blanche; his first love Vee; the woman who discovered him Akiko; journalist Luis; and appraiser Herman. And while he has brought them all together for a celebration, it all takes a turn when El Toro ends up dead. With a storm approaching the island and no one able to leave, it’s up to the Golden Girls themselves to figure out who the killer is to keep themselves safe.
While navigating the complicated relationships, the dwindling food supplies, and a villa that has more hidden spaces than anyone knew, Blanche, Rose, Dorothy, and Sophia use their unique skills to question the others in the villa, study the crime scene, and put the pieces together to unmask a murderer. But will they be able to figure it all out in time to escape with their lives?
Death on the Lanai is the second mystery novel featuring the beloved characters of the 1990s sitcom The Golden Girls. Fans of the show will recognize the women and their individual quirks and characteristics, and fans of mysteries will find this a fun puzzle with twists and red herrings (and everyone knows how much Rose loves herrings).
I love these mysteries. I have watched The Golden Girls for years, going back to them when I need some warmth and comfort in the stories of Sicily from Sophia, the innocence of Rose, the sultry attitude of Blanche, and the good, old-fashioned snark of Dorothy. These women have entertained me, kept me company, giving me advice, and made me feel like part of their family for years, and I love that I can read about them too. I thought this mystery was meaty and fun, and I can’t wait for the next episode. I will get the cheesecake ready.
Egalleys for Death on the Lanai were provided by Hyperion Avenue through NetGalley, with many thanks, but the opinions are mine.
