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petersenftleben's review against another edition
3.0
I liked the idea of the reality mystery show backdrop for the story, but I was disappointed in the conceptualization of the show. It just didn't feel fully thought out. Like how are these characters supposed to solve a 50 year old murder without access to any information about it? And what kind of investigation did they actually do to give the producers enough footage for a TV show? There was also a completely unnecessary detour about the protagonist's father. But otherwise the contemporary murder mystery was fairly solid and the writing good.
cj_mo_2222's review against another edition
4.0
Georgia Thornton is a former San Francisco police officer and nobody is more surprised than she is that she has become a reality TV star. She and her boyfriend Scott are competing against others, ranging from a ghost hunter to an FBI profiler, to solve a cold case. This newest reality show on which Georgia will appear is set in a haunted castle in Golden, California. The goal is to solve the case involving Jane Reiner, who disappeared from the castle in 1960. However, before the competition even begins, a current murder adds an immediate sense of danger for Georgia and the other contestants. Even as Georgia deals with a strain in the relationship between her and Scott with constant cameras following her steps, she is more determined than ever to solve the new murder as well as find out what really happened to Jane Reiner.
"Third Time’s a Crime" is author Diana Orgain’s third book in the "Love or Money" mysteries. I’ve enjoyed reading all three books, but new readers will be able to jump right in and enjoy this installment without reading the prior books. While not quite as good as the first book in the series, this is a strong installment and is enjoyable on its own as well as for those who have been following the entire series. One thing that has improved as the books have continued is that Georgia is happier, which makes her more likeable. She has gotten over the shock of losing her job and is getting used to the peculiarities of reality TV and the ups and downs of being a reality “star.” Although things are less than perfect with Scott, she is happier in her personal life as a whole and gets along well with her father and her best friend Becca who keeps getting her mixed up in the various realty shows throughout the series.
The solving of a cold case provides a unique take on the reality show premise of the series and getting to see all of the contestants try to out-do each other in solving the decades-old case is suspenseful and entertaining. I enjoyed watching Georgia try to solve the case, as well as deal with some underhanded competitors as she seems to be getting closer to a solution. Georgia’s background as an ex-cop is a perfect fit for the reality show featured in this book. It’s interesting to see Georgia and Scott working together on the case, while trying to keep their personal life hidden from the other contestants and the cameras. I love the surprising twists that occur on the reality show within the book as well as in the overall storyline, and I found the conclusions on both to be very satisfying. I recommend this book to fans of the author or someone looking for a unique take on the cozy mystery.
This review was originally written for Smitten by Books blog and website. The book was provided to me in exchange for an honest review.
"Third Time’s a Crime" is author Diana Orgain’s third book in the "Love or Money" mysteries. I’ve enjoyed reading all three books, but new readers will be able to jump right in and enjoy this installment without reading the prior books. While not quite as good as the first book in the series, this is a strong installment and is enjoyable on its own as well as for those who have been following the entire series. One thing that has improved as the books have continued is that Georgia is happier, which makes her more likeable. She has gotten over the shock of losing her job and is getting used to the peculiarities of reality TV and the ups and downs of being a reality “star.” Although things are less than perfect with Scott, she is happier in her personal life as a whole and gets along well with her father and her best friend Becca who keeps getting her mixed up in the various realty shows throughout the series.
The solving of a cold case provides a unique take on the reality show premise of the series and getting to see all of the contestants try to out-do each other in solving the decades-old case is suspenseful and entertaining. I enjoyed watching Georgia try to solve the case, as well as deal with some underhanded competitors as she seems to be getting closer to a solution. Georgia’s background as an ex-cop is a perfect fit for the reality show featured in this book. It’s interesting to see Georgia and Scott working together on the case, while trying to keep their personal life hidden from the other contestants and the cameras. I love the surprising twists that occur on the reality show within the book as well as in the overall storyline, and I found the conclusions on both to be very satisfying. I recommend this book to fans of the author or someone looking for a unique take on the cozy mystery.
This review was originally written for Smitten by Books blog and website. The book was provided to me in exchange for an honest review.
cozyreads1988's review against another edition
5.0
This was a great cozy mystery series. Very unique plots. Georgia is the main character and each book centers around her on a different kind of reality show. The first book is like “The Bachelor” the second is like “The Amazing Race” and the 3rd book is like “Ghost Adventures” each book had a great mystery and wonderful set of characters. Georgia starts a romance at the end of book one and it continues throughout the series (the love interest is her partner in rest of series) Overall I loved this series and the main characters. Definitely recommend if you are looking for a unique cozy mystery series.
mystereity's review
4.0
See this and all of my reviews at Mystereity Reviews
Third Time's a crime is reality TV in book form! Except in Cold Case at the Castle, the drama wasn't scripted! Set at an old mansion that had operated as a boys home many years in the past, ex-cop Georgia and the nine other contestants are tasked with solving the murder of a girl who disappeared decades ago, to solve the mystery first. But when an employee at the castle is found dead, and another contestant is murdered after he was voted off the show, Georgia knows all the murders are tied together and the killer is still very close to the scene. Can she find a cold blooded killer at the Castle before she's the next victim?
This was recommended to me by a friend, who sent me a copy of the book. (Thanks, Joann!) This was the first book I've read in the Love or Money series, and I really enjoyed it. I don't care for reality shows, so I skipped over a lot of the backstabbing/partnering/cheating sort of reality tv shtick. But at the heart of it, this was an excellent plot, lots of action and suspense with plenty of misdirections and a hint of is-it-or-isn't-it-paranormal to keep you guessing. The satisfying ending tied everything up nicely, and although the book can be read as a standalone, it will definitely suck you right into the series.
I loved the crumbling old mansion setting, very well described and so vivid I felt like it was real. I eagerly followed along as the contestants combed the mansion and gardens, and I love the dumbwaiter scene (I've always wanted to do that!) Combined with the animated characters (especially Bert!) the entire story was dimensional, exciting and totally engrossing.
Overall, Third Time's a Crime is an excellent mystery, and can be read as a standalone or even an entry into the series. I definitely recommend it for cozy mystery and reality tv fans.
Third Time's a crime is reality TV in book form! Except in Cold Case at the Castle, the drama wasn't scripted! Set at an old mansion that had operated as a boys home many years in the past, ex-cop Georgia and the nine other contestants are tasked with solving the murder of a girl who disappeared decades ago, to solve the mystery first. But when an employee at the castle is found dead, and another contestant is murdered after he was voted off the show, Georgia knows all the murders are tied together and the killer is still very close to the scene. Can she find a cold blooded killer at the Castle before she's the next victim?
This was recommended to me by a friend, who sent me a copy of the book. (Thanks, Joann!) This was the first book I've read in the Love or Money series, and I really enjoyed it. I don't care for reality shows, so I skipped over a lot of the backstabbing/partnering/cheating sort of reality tv shtick. But at the heart of it, this was an excellent plot, lots of action and suspense with plenty of misdirections and a hint of is-it-or-isn't-it-paranormal to keep you guessing. The satisfying ending tied everything up nicely, and although the book can be read as a standalone, it will definitely suck you right into the series.
I loved the crumbling old mansion setting, very well described and so vivid I felt like it was real. I eagerly followed along as the contestants combed the mansion and gardens, and I love the dumbwaiter scene (I've always wanted to do that!) Combined with the animated characters (especially Bert!) the entire story was dimensional, exciting and totally engrossing.
Overall, Third Time's a Crime is an excellent mystery, and can be read as a standalone or even an entry into the series. I definitely recommend it for cozy mystery and reality tv fans.
Spoiler
How come the whole issue of all the contestants who tried to cheat by looking at the results in Cheryl's office was dropped without another word? Georgia even mentioned it when she was voted off, but literally nothing ever came of it, despite them being caught on film. WTH?dollycas's review
5.0
Dollycas’s Thoughts
Georgia and Scott are appearing on their 3rd reality show, Cold Case in the Castle, where the task is to solve an old murder in a creepy, old, dilapidated castle. Each day a couple is eliminated and hopefully at the end the winning couple solves the cold case. Of course the producers never imagined some new murders would take over the show and place the contestants in danger. Georgia finds herself trying to solve them all.
Fans of realty shows will be delighted with this series. In the first book, A First Date with Death, it was like The Bachelorette. The second, A Second Chance at Murder, was like The Amazing Race, this time it is like the short lived series, Whodunnit?, with a little bit of Ghost Hunters thrown in.
Diana Orgain has given cozy readers another fun story. At first I was a little tentative about the setting but this mansion/castle with its interesting and at times dangerous floors, rooms, and hiding spaces turned out to be a perfect place. The grounds also added some interesting areas.
She has brought back Becca, Cheryl, Kyle, and Georgia’s father, Gordon, and introduced a variety of new characters in the cast and crew. We also meet the head of the historical society who is not happy to have all these people traipsing around “her” property. Each person’s personality comes through clearly and realistically.
In addition to the murder mysteries to solve, Scott and Georgia are having a bit of trouble in their relationship, Becca meets someone new, and Cheryl and Gordon are still an item.
I really enjoy the way Ms. Orgain writes. All these books in this series have a brisk pace and there is always something happening. This one was a little bit shorter but readers are not shortchanged. She has packed these pages full. She takes us behind the scenes of reality television and beyond in a refreshing way.
Georgia and Scott are appearing on their 3rd reality show, Cold Case in the Castle, where the task is to solve an old murder in a creepy, old, dilapidated castle. Each day a couple is eliminated and hopefully at the end the winning couple solves the cold case. Of course the producers never imagined some new murders would take over the show and place the contestants in danger. Georgia finds herself trying to solve them all.
Fans of realty shows will be delighted with this series. In the first book, A First Date with Death, it was like The Bachelorette. The second, A Second Chance at Murder, was like The Amazing Race, this time it is like the short lived series, Whodunnit?, with a little bit of Ghost Hunters thrown in.
Diana Orgain has given cozy readers another fun story. At first I was a little tentative about the setting but this mansion/castle with its interesting and at times dangerous floors, rooms, and hiding spaces turned out to be a perfect place. The grounds also added some interesting areas.
She has brought back Becca, Cheryl, Kyle, and Georgia’s father, Gordon, and introduced a variety of new characters in the cast and crew. We also meet the head of the historical society who is not happy to have all these people traipsing around “her” property. Each person’s personality comes through clearly and realistically.
In addition to the murder mysteries to solve, Scott and Georgia are having a bit of trouble in their relationship, Becca meets someone new, and Cheryl and Gordon are still an item.
I really enjoy the way Ms. Orgain writes. All these books in this series have a brisk pace and there is always something happening. This one was a little bit shorter but readers are not shortchanged. She has packed these pages full. She takes us behind the scenes of reality television and beyond in a refreshing way.
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