My Life is Murder – Season 3 – Review

Director: Michael Hurst, Caroline Bell Booth, David de Lautour, Kiel McNaughton, Mike Smith

Writer: Malinna Liang, Kathryn Burnett, Kate McDermott, Stacy Gregg, Shoshana McCallum, Jodie Molloy, Paul Jenner, Chris Hawkshaw, Stephen J Campbell (Screenplay)

Cast

• Lucy Lawless (Xena Warrior Princess)
• Rawiri Jobe (Shortland Street)
• Ebony Vagulans (The Furies)

Plot: My Life is Murder follows the adventures of fearless private investigator Alexa Crowe, who solves the most baffling crimes as well as coping with the frustrations of everyday life.

Runtime: 45 Minutes per Episodes

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Verdict on My Life is Murder Season 3

It Takes Two (D. Michael Hurst)

It Takes Two sees Alexa (Lawless) asked to investigate a tango murder. Harry (Jobe) has become famous while investigating the case. Alexa turns to Reuben (Naufahu) to help go undercover in the Tango class. The prime suspect has been forced into hiding, and Alexa discovers more secrets about the victim’s life.

This is an entertaining return for the series, taking Alexa into a world outside her normal. There is an interesting decision to give Reuben more involvement in the case, which feels like a test. However, the core chemistry between Alexa and Madison keeps everything together. (4/5)

Nothing Concrete (D. Caroline Bell Booth)

Nothing Concrete when Alexa gets an interesting case of a celebrated author found in a sculpture. However, Alexa must tackle this case without Madison, although Madison recruited a new friend to help, Beth. The case Alexa into the world of preppers as she deals with a quirky new partner and a series of suspects involved in an environmental case.

This does give us one of the biggest mysteries involved in the series to date. However, it makes the strange decision to try out a new partner separating Alexa and Madison. While Beth works for this case giving us a different type of partner. It is disappointing not to see the entertaining pair and their connection. (3/5)

Bloodlines (D. Caroline Bell Booth)

Bloodlines see Alexa investigating the death of a horse trainer, where the thoroughbred horse is considered the murderer. Alexa teams up with Beth again to head into the world of horse racing. It sees the pair learning more about breeding and creating the next perfect racehorse.

We see yet another interesting case and due to real-life issues, we are getting used to the new partnership. This becomes important in getting the case solved and Beth feels even more hands-on than Madison. While the case works well clearing a horse of a murder is a unique approach. (3/5)

The Village (D. Michael Hurst)

The Village sees Alexa and Beth investigating a retirement home, where a victim has died from a drug overdose. This sees Alexa dealing with her recently released brother who happens to have started working at the home. While the case sees Alexa learning more about the retirement home politics. Alexa must put her own differences with her brother if she is to learn the truth in this case.

This shows Alexa’s personal life becoming more difficult with her brother being a potential suspect in the latest case. It adds another dimension to what is going on and has more twists and turns along the way. We are getting used to Beth being part of the team and we are just waiting for Madison to return away from the computer screen appearances of late. (4/5)

Silent Lights (D. David de Lautour)

Silent Lights sees Alexa investigating the death of a man who is known for having the best Christmas Lights displays. It looks like an accident, but Harry believes there could be something more behind the incident. Alexa has Madison back in person to help with the investigation as the search kicks off.

This episode brings back the core team while keeping Beth to make a fearsome threesome of investigators. The case is interesting, especially seeing a summer Christmas theme. We get a neighbourhood rivalry that leads to the main suspects. (3/5)

Bride to Bee (D. David de Lautour)

Bride to Bee sees Alexa asked to investigate the death of a bride on her wedding day. She was stung by a bee and her EpiPen didn’t work correctly. The groom doesn’t believe it was an accident and Alexa learns about a series of fiancées that left the groom in the past. This takes Alexa, Madison and Beth on a series of adventures to try and uncover the truth.

When it comes to this case, we get one of the most complex to date. It gives us the biggest suspect pool, becoming excellent to guess along with. This is one that gives Alexa the biggest puzzle but also shows her struggling to solve the case as easily as normal. These types of puzzles are the most interesting ones to watch. (5/5)

Breaking Bread (D. Kiel McNaughton)

Breaking Bread sees Alexa called in to investigate the death of a fiancée of rival bakers. It sees the victim dying with flour in their lungs and now Alexa must figure out if the rivals could have been involved. However, she gets to learn more about the bakery business she inadvertently got herself into supplying Reuben.

This becomes a more fun case, as Alexa gets caught up in a bakery rivalry, leaving her questioning her own place in the world. She gets to see behind-the-scenes operations while trying to solve the case. It has twists and turns along the way and plays into the bigger rivalry between the businesses. (4/5)

Gaslight Sonata (D. Kiel McNaughton)

Gaslight Sonata sees Alexa getting injured and must remain housebound. However, Harry brings her a case about a music producer who was murdered. The neighbour’s car was the location of the body. Madison must go undercover following Alexa’s instructions. Meanwhile, Alexa gets an unlikely visit from a little girl.

This one gets to change the dynamic with Alexa more housebound and Madison on the ground. It adds another level of comedy to the episode. While Alexa playing family is hilarious to watch. Along with the star being Evil Dead Rise Nell Fisher. The case does tend to take a backseat in the episode, not offering as much of a mystery as previously. (4/5)

Staying Mum (D. Mike Smith)

Staying Mum sees Alexa investigating the death of a male nanny during an electrical storm. However, the death is suspicious leading to Alexa recruiting her niece Olive and Beth to go undercover for them. This allows Alexa to see how the parents and nannies operate around the school.

This is the most interesting case because it brings the core three together on the case. while Alexa must deal with some of the more serious side of the story. The case has plenty of potential suspects which keeps us guessing. This does take us into an interesting world that gives us plenty to see unfold. (4/5)

Killer Fashion (D. Mike Smith)

Killer Fashion sees Alexa investigating the death of a promising supermodel on the day of her big debut. The death is suspicious, and the boyfriend of the victim believes it was murder. Now Alexa must undercover to watch Harry’s sister when the show is put back on. Madison pretends to be a model, while Alexa gets close to the most famous supermodel idea.

This is a nice season finale, with the team coming together to solve the latest case. It adds an element of personal interest to the case. All while bringing to life the most famous celebrity style to the case. It is also nice to have a show that finishes the series without any cheap cliffhangers. (4/5)

Overall

My Life is Murder Season 3 faced the same complication as the previous series. We lose Madison in person for a few episodes and gain Beth who brings her own quirk to the show. With the cast growing Tatum Warren-Ngata had big shoes to fill and ended up becoming a welcome addition to the show. The series continues to build on more of the back story between Alexa and her brother. However, we don’t get to learn anything about the other characters. This is probably the biggest weakness in the show, the failure to give the support characters anything to help them develop.

When it comes to the mysteries, they all have plenty of surprises along the way. Each case offers an interesting world to enter filled with potential suspects. When it comes to the mysteries the show really has found its feet and we can’t wait to see what is next for them. This gives us a welcome addition to the world of mystery shows, keeping things light hearted throughout.

My Life is Murder Complete Series 1 – 3 DVD Box set on 20 November 2023, courtesy of Acorn Media International.

Final Thoughts –My Life is Murder Season 3 continues to entertain reaching new levels.