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3.92 AVERAGE
3.92 AVERAGE
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
So, this story isn't horrible, but I do have one very big problem with this book, and it's the fact that the author, in 2025, uses a HP reference. And in a queer romance, no less. One of the side characters asks the MC about Hogwarts houses, and can't we just get past these references considering all the harm that the author has inflicted on the LGBTQ+ community, especially trans people? Once I read that, the rest of the story felt insincere. The reference wasn't necessary. Aside from that, the story started off strong but quickly lost steam by the halfway point. I did really enjoy the narrator, but unfortunately, they didn't do enough to save the last half of the story for me. This had potential, but it just didn't reach that.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
A cop with an interesting background and a rockstar with means, motive, and opportunity. It’s a very bad idea but he’s just so darn pretty.
This is both a romance novel and mystery novel. The mystery is bigger and more complicated than I expected. It added to the fun of the romance and intrigue. The main tropes I noticed were the forbidden connection and rock star.
I was dubious about a white woman taking on a MM romance with the protagonist being a person of color. A lot of men who write women well say they just write them as people. That is what I think Dunn did.
I’d put the spice level at 2/5. The door is ajar but the sex on page is vague. Since the author is a woman, I appreciated that. She wasn’t fetishizing these characters. I thought Dunn did a good job writing people, not tropes. This is not my community so take my ¢2 for what it’s worth.
Is it realistic? Miranda Lambert married a member of the NYPD. I’ve met first responders with foreign accents. Lots of former intelligence officers up in private security. It’s not the most implausible plot I’ve seen this year.
It was over the top at times but always made sense. The pacing was even, voices and motivations consistent. I enjoyed this. 4/5
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
relaxing
medium-paced
Loveable characters:
Yes
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Dollycas’s Thoughts
Detective Rav Trivedi, the youngest member of the NYPD’s homicide squad, is just 29. His career is on an upswing when he is assigned to lead the murder investigation of a record executive. This is a high-profile case that will garner extensive media attention. The stylish, gay British Harvard grad knows he needs to stay focused and prove to all the naysayers that he may be young, but he is a strong detective who can handle this case. Then he meets Jack Vale, the steamy lead singer of the New Knickerbockers and the number one suspect with plenty of motive and no alibi. Rav needs to focus, this could be his big break. This is no time to fall for a rockstar suspect.
Rav Trivedi is a fantastic, well-developed character, “Detective McDreamy”. I was immediately invested in the sharp-dressed gay man, who could speak three languages and swear fluidly in all of them, and who was determined to be the best at everything he did. Because he tends to leap before he thinks things through and has a lofty attitude, he is an outsider in the homicide squad. His latest performance evaluation stated, “Prone to obsessive behavior and occasionally smug attitude”. I was all in. I had to see not only how he handled this case, but also the direction he took his life while working that case.
Ms. Dunn has surrounded her protagonist with a compelling and diverse supporting cast. His partner, his lieutenant, a couple of bodyguards, and more, including someone he will be very happy to have in his corner, all bring strength and sometimes humor to the story. Who Rav’s parents are adds some additional drama and fun to the story, too.
The author has plotted out a mystery with quite a slate of suspects and twist after twist. The FBI had a similar case, and they soon assumed jurisdiction of Rav’s case. He doesn’t believe the angle they are taking, though; he believes they are all missing something important. I enjoyed following along with Rav while he navigated through the many clues and untangled the twists while examining the relationship that was building with the handsome lead singer of the Nicks.
For me, Ms. Dunn excelled by setting up many roadblocks in Rav and Jack’s romance rather than making it easy to just fall blissfully in love with all the hearts and flowers. Real relationships are hard in everyday life, but bringing together an NYPD detective with a true celebrity rock star who is a suspect in a murder is way beyond hard and could end Rav’s career.
I tried to hone in on the killer the whole way and kept changing my mind. When Rav put everything together, I was stunned by what was revealed, and that it happened at the absolute worst time. Wow, the takedown had me holding my breath and on the edge of my seat.
He’s to Die For is an entertaining rom-com-mystery that has something for everyone. It is hard to believe this is Erin Dunn’s debut novel. She is an author to watch. Maybe she will bring Detective Rav Trivedi back for round two.
Note: This book contains explicit language.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cursing