THIRD TIME'S A CRIME is book 3 in Diana Orgain's Love or Money cozy mystery series. Former police officer Georgia Thornton is back with her boyfriend Scott for another stint in a reality TV show called "Cold Case in the Castle". Even though Georgia and Scott are experiencing a little turbulence in their relationship, I think readers new to the series won't be lost because the author gives little summaries of important events in the past. Diana Orgain does a good job of balancing the mystery and cozy fun with the relationship drama.

The Gothic ambiance adds extra appeal to THIRD TIME'S A CRIME with the dilapidated castle, ghostly vibes, and suspicious characters. In addition to all the delightfully Gothic atmosphere, THIRD TIME'S A CRIME features a cold case that the contestants are meant to solve. Georgia's fellow contestants, which include a psychic and a ghost hunter, make amazing suspects in the mysterious deaths that happen on set. The players all seem doubly suspicious because not only are they on site when a murder happens, but there is so much of their personal biographies that the TV production company keeps under wraps. Georgia has to determine who could be a killer, and try to figure out what is fake and what is real. Diana Orgain includes lots of red herrings and believable possible villains. Purported forensic archaeologist Dr. Arch makes a great foil for Georgia as they compete for clues and search for answers. The Golden Castle makes a magnificently eerie backdrop to scene- stealing, scheming, and all other kinds of shady shenanigans.

THIRD TIME'S A CRIME is a simply sensational spooky cozy mystery. Georgia's BFF Becca and her father make appearances that help lighten the mood at times, and contribute to the plot in an enjoyable way, reminiscent of some of my favorite Nancy Drew books. I like that this installment has more of a resolution, one way or the other, to Georgia's love life than the previous book. I look forward to the next Love or Money mystery by Diana Orgain and finding out what's next in store for Georgia.

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.

~ Christine