Challenge Corner discussion

The perfect summer read, full of charm and heart, written in the vein of The Thursday Murder Club or Only Murders in the Building but with a southern California twist.

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. Full of eccentricity, humor, community, The Marigold Cottages Murder Collective will keep you hooked until the last page.

20 chapters / 20%

I agree, this one is super cute
I love the group chat! that is so fun, all the quirky people all chatting with each other

(view spoiler)[ and wow, the murder is definitely surprising.

and I love the idea that maybe Anthony brought Sophie home (and possibly protected/saved her) and that's why he was near the apartments.
her nights out drinking sound so dangerous. I'm sad her friends are helping her more on those nights - or visiting her much

all really unique characters - I'm so curious to know more about the crime! (hide spoiler)]

49 chapters / 54%

(view spoiler)[
I'm really enjoying getting to know the group in living in this area

I really like Anthony although I can understand the reluctance on all sides
I wish Ms. B would stop keeping secrets
I like that Sophie is really starting to branch out and gain some confidence.

I get a bad feeling about neighbor that wants her to sell.
and we know Nicholas was dodging that guy at the restaurant and that was why he didn't meet Sophie. but Mrs. B keeps showing that worried face when she's around him, makes me think she thinks she saw him!

and wow, Piotr - I am not a fan at all (hide spoiler)]

76 chapters / 78%

I'm so glad
(view spoiler)[
they got Mrs. B out. hilarious they all showed up to give her an alibi! lol

and wow, I'm sad that Anthony's friend robbed the house and made it look like it was Anthony

and wow, it really is seeming like it's Nicholas but I can't imagine, right? he just messed up by changing the zoning which gave Ybarra the ability to try to start getting investors.

but someone killed him.

and what's with Piotr meeting with sketchy guys?? hmmm (hide spoiler)]

and done!

(view spoiler)[
ha! Yes! I believe that's how it really went down!

so Mrs. B killed the first guy - how gross, to try to rape a girl who's passed out
and she whapped him a few times to get him to leave. she didn't know he'd died! I totally buy that.

and, at this point. Anthony would absolutely kill for Mrs. B - especially from that creep who just wanted her to go to jail. how gross was he?

I love that they managed to pin it all on Piotr! how gross was he, attacking her like that just so he wouldn't lose the money. just gross

ha! this was fun! I loved how easy the romance was too - it wasn't over the top or super gross but an easy progression of their relationships. I am so glad it was Nicholas (hide spoiler)]

This is up next for me after I finish It Happened on the Lake!!

Started this tonight after work and made it to Ch 32!
I am LOVING it soooo much. It is giving so much fun, so much cozy, so much mystery -- I love these characters. It's definitely trending off Thursday Murder Club, a series I adore, but I actually think it took me less time to learn this cast of characters and to fall in love with them. I have a feeling I will be finishing this tomorrow!

Trisha wrote: "20 chapters / 20%

I agree, this one is super cute
..."

Yeahhh, totally agree, the group chats are so funny. It is reminding me of Thursday Murder Club, but whereas those books, the characters are all mostly elderly, I like the range that we have with this cast. I feel like their differences, first make them easier to remembers, but also make the dynamics among them just so fun/funny. This is just what I needed, I feel. Loving it so far.

Trisha wrote: "49 chapters / 54%


I'm really enjoying getting to know the group in..."

It is such an interesting cast. I am loving getting Sophie's perspective sort of (view spoiler)[as her script notes. I've also laughed out loud numerous times just at random interactions. I am so not surprised that Mrs. B confessed to try to get Anthony off the hook. I also love Ocean's kids getting behind Anthony too. (hide spoiler)]

Done! I had so much fun with this. The audiobook was super well narrated and added to the story, I think. I adored this cast and loved the very ending like, (view spoiler)[was that how it really happened? So clever! (hide spoiler)]

Trisha wrote: "76 chapters / 78%

I'm so glad..."

I loved all (view spoiler)[of their various alibis too. Hahahaha, that section was so funny. Some of them were so ridiculous, the cop is like...yeah, sure ((eye roll)). (hide spoiler)]

Trisha wrote: "and done!..."

Right, I definitely (view spoiler)[find what Sophie laid out in her play, or screenplay, as a believe string of events. Esp Mrs. B not even realizing that guy was dead. I loved the relationships too and agree they felt natural instead of forced. Piotr was so gross. This cast was so great. I loved how different they were, but how much they cared for each other and their interactions were so great. Talk about a wacky found family. I hope this is a series! I'd love to read more. Oh, also, I enjoyed Ocean's kids too. Usually kids end up annoying me in this type of story, but I felt like both of them added to the story, versus felt like a hindrance. Especially how much they both seemed to adore Anthony. (hide spoiler)]

ooh I bet the audio was wonderful! I had the eArc but would have loved the audio!

so glad you loved this one too! it's a nice, easy fun read! I laughed out loud in a few parts too! lol So good!!

Trisha wrote: "ooh I bet the audio was wonderful! I had the eArc but would have loved the audio!

so glad you loved this one too! it's a nice, easy fun read! I laughed out loud in a few parts too! lol So good!!"

If it does really turn into a series, we'll have to buddy the next book!

Ugh I finally got this book off hold and forgot to save the spot 😞anyone else want to be day this one?