Murder by Cheesecake

One of the four main characters of the Golden Girls sitcom, Rose is warm and cheerful, with a sincere interest in people. She is widowed and has adult children. Rose works as a counselor for much of the television series. She is best known for telling elaborate stories of the eccentricities of her small town, St. Olaf, Minnesota. Because of her lack of experience of the outside world, Rose is trusting and somewhat innocent, making her a contrast to Dorothy’s cynicism and Blanche’s frank willingness to discuss sex. This aspect of her character takes on particular resonance in the tie-in novel, as her cousin Nettie’s wedding becomes her opportunity to “prove that even though I live a fast-paced, glamorous Miami lifestyle, I’m still a St, Olaf girl through and through!” (14). Rose’s character arc brings out the themes of Friendship as a Source of Strength and Security, as she immediately asks her roommates to help her plan the wedding and all the elaborate events required. Though Rose and Dorothy sometimes clash due to their differing personalities, Rose also reflects that “Dorothy was instrumental in calming Rose down when she got overwhelmed” (24).

The wedding planning immediately grows, tense, as Rose learns that the groom’s controlling parents will not accept the wide range of Midwestern traditions required.