By Liz Soares
This is a fun, highly readable mystery set in a Santa Barbara bungalow court—and honestly, that alone had me hooked. Craftsman bungalows in a scenic city by the sea is appealing enough. But the city is also associated with Ross Macdonald’s Lew Archer investigations and Sue Grafton’s fictional city of Santa Teresa. They are two of my favorite mystery authors, so I know Santa Barbara is a perfect setting for intrigue.
The Marigold Cottages are owned by Mrs. B. (Golda Barkofsky, 82), a sharp-eyed fairy godmother who charges tenants what she believes they can afford and discreetly (mostly) watches over them. Though the residents live largely separate lives, everything changes when a dead body is discovered on the premises. Reluctantly, the tenants band together to solve the mystery.
Mrs. B. is a wonderful anchor for the story, surrounded by a delightfully motley crew. Ocean, a gay artist, grew up in the court and has returned to raise her two children there. Lily-Ann, a plus-size-model-worthy heiress, lives with OCD. Sophie, a struggling playwright wrestling with her own demons, chronicles the meetings of the newly formed “collective.” Nicholas is an enigma, Hamilton rarely leaves his house, and then there’s Anthony—fresh out of jail—who naturally becomes the prime suspect when murder strikes.
The novel is fun and funny, but it also has real heart. The characters are likable, though quirky and sometimes mildly annoying—which, in this case, makes them feel refreshingly real. The sense of community is warm and believable, and the mystery itself is well constructed. Best of all, there’s a genuinely fantastic twist at the end that rewards the reader’s investment.
A thoroughly enjoyable mystery with charm, wit, and substance—highly recommended.
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