A First Date with Death
A Love or Money Mystery #1
By Diana Orgain
ISBN# 978425271681
Author’s Website: www.dianaorgain.com
Brought to you by OBS reviewer Jeanie
Synopsis:
Reality TV meets murder in the first in a new mystery series from the author of the Maternal Instincts Mysteries and co-author the New York Times bestselling Scrapbooking Mysteries.
When brokenhearted Georgia Thornton goes looking for romance on reality TV, she has nothing to lose—apart from a good man, a cash prize, and maybe her life…
What was Georgia thinking? Sure, some cad ditched her at the altar, but can she really find love on TV? Her best friend—and producer of the reality show Love or Money—thinks so. Ten men. Ten adventure-filled dates. What can go wrong? For starters, a faulty bungee cord that hurls Georgia’s first date into a tragic spiral off the Golden Gate Bridge.
He’s replaced by Paul Sanders, Georgia’s former fiancé. But the cop isn’t looking for a TV gig. Suspecting that the lover’s leap was no accident, Paul’s going undercover. When another bachelor gets a fatal kiss-off, the reality is that someone has killer new plans for the show—and for Georgia herself. Now, under the threat of permanent cancellation, Georgia fears that the only man on the set she can trust is the one man she just can’t count on… (From Goodreads)
Review:
Shhh. Don’t tell anybody, but I am NOT a fan of reality TV. Would rather read – or watch – a good mystery than a reality show. The cover information for this book absolutely caught my attention, however; it was one of those books that I just couldn’t not read. And I’m glad I did!
Diana Orgain caught my attention on the first page, and the successive pages almost turned themselves. We open up to the first date Georgia has with ten eligible bachelors. Well, five actually. Five are on the show to find love, and five are there in hopes of pocketing $25,000.00. The first date is a “group” date where she gets to meet the bachelors and they begin to try to catch her heart. The first date, however, nearly had my heart in my throat, feeling Georgia’s panic as they prepared to … uh … bungee jump off of San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge. Georgia was sure she felt a little push…and as she and Aaron, the first bachelor on the first date, swept closer to the water..then her bungee caught her to begin pulling her back up, up, up…as Aaron crashed into the ocean, unable to stop. The nearby “required” Coast Guard ship finally was able to pull Aaron out of the water, looking like a battered rag doll. And the murder attempts and warnings begin.
Sometimes a girl just can’t get a break. To replace Aaron, the studio brought in (was it at Georgia’s best friend Becca’s suggestion? Becca, the assistant producer of the show?) Paul, a former co-worker from the San Francisco Police Department. Paul, the one who stood against her at the PD with those who fired her? Paul, the one who stood her up, literally at the altar? And she had to play nice with him for the rest of the show?
As a reader who can get very caught up with the main character, I felt what I imagined (and read) Georgia felt as the story progressed. The shock of Aaron’s demise, Paul’s appearance (and sickly sweet words), the show’s required skin-tight clothing and stiletto heels, dates in unusual places, then so many times the scene is CUT just when it starts going smoothly. No phone, internet, or communication with the outside of any kind except those who might be taking a dinner order or giving a ride. Then select the guy that you like the best and hope that he’s into you for love instead of money. Georgia felt another priority – solve the murder attempts before another person is injured, or worse. Paul wants her to stay out of it, but she simply can’t ‘obey’ his orders this time.
This book was fun (except, of course, for injuries and/or death)! While I wouldn’t be Georgia for anything in the world, it was a great vicarious adventure. Each of the characters was unique; the men portrayed revealed just the right amount about themselves for the game – or for love, depending on their priority. I liked Georgia and Becca – strong women in business and still looking for Mr.Happily Ever after. Of the men, I liked…well, let’s just say that I had no idea who was “right” and was somewhat surprised at the man she selected.
The plot is unique, which is why I couldn’t not read it. It was even more fun that I had hoped, and the mystery was well planned and finely carried out. The “whodunit” was challenging as there were several suspects based on the minimal clues offered. There was misinformation floating around, also, planted by someone who wants Georgia to choose the wrong guy. which kept changing Georgia’s perspective. Trying to guess who the right man was seemed equally as challenging! Would the best man really win? Would Georgia actually win one before being taken out by the killer? Read it and see – as I found it surprising, yet completely satisfying. I can’t wait to see what the next book in the series will bring!! Diana has a hit with this new series! I highly recommend this novel to adults and teens of any age who enjoy well-written cozy mysteries with more than a little bit of romance, strong female characters, humor, and a challenge.
*OBS would like to thank the publisher for supplying a free copy of this title in exchange for an honest review as part of their ongoing blog tour*
