The Marigold Cottages Murder Collective

By Jo Nichols
** Publication Date 19 August 2025 **
​4 stars


Santa Barbara, California, is such a lovely seaside town. The ocean, the architecture, the people. It’s a wonderful place to visit. To live there would be a dream. Over the years Santa Barbara has become rather elite and exclusive. 


The Marigold Cottages, however, have remained affordable, because their owner, Mrs B, rents on a sliding scale. What can you afford? Mrs B will make it work for you. As such, there are a variety of tenants. There’s Ocean and her two kids. Ocean was practically raised by Mrs B, and when she was divorced, she moved back in. Sophie, a young aspiring playwright, whose rent is being subsidized by her parents. Sophie had a very bad experience in the past and now appreciates that she lives in a place where she feels safe.


There is Nicholas. He works for the city. There is some connection between Mrs B and him, but no one is quite sure what it is. Hamilton, who is essentially housebound. Lily-Ann, separated from her husband, left her very large amazing home to live in the cottages while she figures out what’s next. 


And the latest tenant, Anthony, an ex-con that Mrs B swears has a heart of gold.


Almost the Island of Misfit Toys, this is quite a collection. So when a dead body is found outside the cottages, it causes quite a stir amongst the residents. They vow to try to solve the murder to protect the innocence of the residents, and in doing so, make them quite the little, mismatched family.


I love books like this. Creating a place where I would love to live. To be a part of this wacky group of people. Each character has such defining features and mannerisms. Even the police detective is entertaining. The dialogue is fun and sometimes fast paced. It truly is a mystery of who committed the murder - and the final explanation makes perfect sense, or does it? This book has some serious twisting going on.


Highly recommend!