A First Date with Death (Love or Money Mystery) Mass Market Paperback – 3 Mar. 2015

Georgia is doing something she never thought she’d do – go on a reality show. Worse yet, she’s a contestant on a dating show, trying to decide which of the bachelors on the show are in it for the money or which are in it for love.The first group date ends early with a tragic accident, however, and Georgia gets a huge shock when her former fiancée, a man who left her at the altar, takes that contestant’s place. Paul is a cop, so that must mean that there was something sinister behind the accident and he’s only on the show to investigate, right? The next day, another of the contestants is found dead. What has Georgia signed up for? And will she pick the right contestant if the show even continues?The book starts out with that first group date, and it was a scene that fed into my fear of heights, so it definitely got the blood pumping. I was intending to read just one chapter before I went to sleep, but I read another couple because I couldn’t stop there.That level of interest never wavered as I was reading the book. However as I read, I realized that the mystery often took a back seat to the dates and the choice that Georgia was facing as a contestant on this reality show. But here’s the thing, I was so into that aspect of things, I didn’t mind the mystery taking a back seat. That’s not to say that there wasn’t some deduction happening. The mystery came to a logical and satisfying conclusion, although that part was rushed at the end. Hopefully, the mystery will be stronger in future books in the series.Likewise, the characters weren’t quite as strong as they could have been. Georgia and a couple who are obviously going to be series regulars are strong. In fact, it was Georgia and how likeable she is that really drew me into the story. Part of the issue with character development is that there were just so many characters. I was surprised at how easily I was able to keep track of them, but most of them weren’t quite as developed as I normally would have liked. For those who didn’t stick around long, that wasn’t an issue, but this could have been a bit better overall.Now neither of these complaints is to say I didn’t enjoy this book. While I was aware of the flaws, I was also busy turning pages anxious to see how things would turn out. And I had to keep from cheating to see if Georgia made the correct choice at the end. That’s how much fun I was having and how much I cared for her.So I am definitely looking forward to Georgia’s next adventure. In fact, I’m very curious how Diana Orgain will be continuing this series. If they are as good as this first book, I’ll be along for the entire ride.

Another great "cozy" from Berkley Prime Crime. In this book the Bachelorette has to step in and help solve a number of murders during the filming of the show "Love or Money". There is plenty of background information on TV filming, crews, the 10 male contestants and Georgia herself (the Bachelorette) who is an ex-cop from the SFPD. Throw in her ex-fiance working undercover, a TV producer who is an absolute Showzilla, best friend Becca as Showzilla's assistant and a possible ex-con working in make-up and you have a lively and fast-paced story which leaves you guessing until the end as to "who done it". An excellent first in a new series. Diana Orgain also wrote the motherhood crime stories which I also very much enjoyed reading.A great book for the journey to work and a good introduction to other Prime Crime titles.