In 1985, a sitcom about four women who were considered past their prime debuted in prime time. “The Golden Girls” turned out to be a ratings hit for NBC for seven seasons. The comedy continues to find fans in syndication and has spawned a pop-up restaurant and a fan convention. A whodunnit read — “Murder By Cheesecake: A Golden Girls Cozy Mystery” — doesn’t seem like a far-fetched tie-in.

The central mystery arises when a man Dorothy meets through a video dating service turns up dead in a hotel freezer face- down in cheesecake. It’s the hotel where Rose is days away from staging a wedding for relatives from her hometown of St. Olaf, Minnesota.

Because Dorothy was the last person to see the man, she becomes suspect No. 1 with Miami police. Meanwhile, Rose is trying to keep the nuptials of her cousin and her fiancé on track with all the required St. Olafian customs.

“Murder By Cheesecake” feels more like a mix of “Murder, She Wrote” and “Miami Vice” than a “Golden Girls” episode. Rarely do the characters talk in sitcom rhythms of two lines, a beat and punchline. Still, the plot does a decent job of leading readers on a twisty chase to figure out who the victim was and who the murderer is. Even though their climactic showdown with the culprit seems pretty outrageous, it’s fun to see four “old ladies” get an action-hero moment.

There’s no doubt author Rachel Ekstrom Courage is a true “Golden Girls” devotee. References to plots and recurring characters from the show are sprinkled throughout the pages.

The novel is primarily told through the angst-ridden thoughts of Dorothy and Rose. Unfortunately, Blanche and Sophia feel more like sidekicks. But, it’s likely that if this book is the first in a series, then those two will be at the center of things next time.

“Murder By Cheesecake” is a pleasant, breezy way to spend time with “the girls.” — Terry Tang, Associated Press

It takes more than a little verve to write a story based on the iconic characters created by F. Scott Fitzgerald, but Claire Anderson- Wheeler has done just that with “The Gatsby Gambit.” And, say, old sport, it’s delightful.

Fans of “The Great Gatsby” — Penguin Classics is publishing a 100th anniversary edition in conjunction with Anderson-Wheeler’s new work — will delight in seeing their old friends again. Jay Gatsby is here, of course, but also Nick Carraway, Tom and Daisy Buchanan, and Jordan Baker. They are joined by Anderson- Wheeler’s invention, Jay’s sister Greta, back from finishing school and spending the summer at the mansion in West Egg. She’s the real star of the story, which after reintroducing readers to Fitzgerald’s cast, quickly takes a tragic turn.

Saying more would spoil the reading experience, but suffice it to say that it fits perfectly with the story Anderson-Wheeler wants to tell — about a young woman with extraordinary means who is awakening to the inequities of the 1920s America she inhabits.

Greta moves easily between the wealthy partygoers at her brother’s famous lawn parties and the servants who meet their every need, which puts her in perfect position to become a youthful version of Miss Marple, following every lead to solve the book’s central mystery.

Anderson-Wheeler writes in a voice that is fun to read, even as she stays true to the character traits Fitzgerald created a century ago. Fitzgerald scholars may find it all frivolous — nothing but fan fiction that effectively negates the plot of the original — but readers who either don’t care about that or who just want to spend more time with these characters will be rewarded.

In the end, it’s an homage, right down to the green handkerchief Nick waves as his train departs for Manhattan at novel’s end. — Rob Merrill, Associated Press