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3.93 AVERAGE
3.93 AVERAGE
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:
Yes
I liked it overall and it was very sweet. I highlighted a LOT. But it’s 2025. No more HP references in books. I read an eARC so I’m not sure if it’s in the final copy… but we do not need to give that woman any attention.
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
ARC Review
Queer rom-com murder mystery. He’s to Die For was such a fun read.
The book follows Rav, the youngest detective on the NYPD’s Homicide Squad, who is British, sharp, stylish, gay, and maybe a bit too confident. When a record executive turns up dead, Rav is assigned the case, and the prime suspect is none other Jack, the lead singer of a rock band in the middle of a label feud.
The mystery itself was super solid — enough twists to keep me guessing, but not so many that it got confusing. The romance was balanced well with the murder mystery. I liked the chemistry between Rav and Jack, and especially love a couple with good banter. Bonus points for thoughtful mental health representation.
I would describe this as a mash up of a rom-com and murder mystery. Fun concept that I felt was executed well. It’s third person, single character POV. Usually this doesn’t bother me, but I would’ve liked being able to experience parts of the romance through Jack’s eyes. This didn’t take away from the sorry, it just could’ve added more depth for me.
Queer rom-com murder mystery. He’s to Die For was such a fun read.
The book follows Rav, the youngest detective on the NYPD’s Homicide Squad, who is British, sharp, stylish, gay, and maybe a bit too confident. When a record executive turns up dead, Rav is assigned the case, and the prime suspect is none other Jack, the lead singer of a rock band in the middle of a label feud.
The mystery itself was super solid — enough twists to keep me guessing, but not so many that it got confusing. The romance was balanced well with the murder mystery. I liked the chemistry between Rav and Jack, and especially love a couple with good banter. Bonus points for thoughtful mental health representation.
I would describe this as a mash up of a rom-com and murder mystery. Fun concept that I felt was executed well. It’s third person, single character POV. Usually this doesn’t bother me, but I would’ve liked being able to experience parts of the romance through Jack’s eyes. This didn’t take away from the sorry, it just could’ve added more depth for me.
funny
hopeful
informative
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
A cop and a rock star and a murder mystery. A great time!
adventurous
funny
mysterious
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:
Yes
I received an e-ARC and am giving my honest review! Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this opportunity
Firstly, SO sad I wasn't able to get this review out in time for this book's release. But that's life with chronic illness haha
Rav Trivedi is a member of NYPD's homicide squad, although a bit of an outsider in the department due to being gay, the youngest member, British, and a love of designer suits. However, he is able to prove himself with his high success rates and his need for the truth. When he's assigned a high-profile case, he's excited to prove himself to his team. He's grown up with the media following him due to his family, so he's not worried about being distracted by cameras and reporters.
What he didn't plan for, however, is the pretty-boy rockstar who makes him feel safe, and happens to be his #1 suspect with no alibi the night of the murder.
I loved this book. This was such a fun read and I truly adored seeing how both Vale and Rav navigated their relationship as well as the murders and mystery surrounding them. One of my favorite parts of this book was how Rav was so COMPETENT. I've spent so many thriller novels gripping my Kindle like my life depended on it because I was so stressed over the characters' lack of competency. But I did not have to worry about that here! Rav was competent and truly wanted to get to the bottom of what was happening, regardless of the cost to his professional life.
I really liked all of the characters we learn about, I typically have trouble remembering who is who but I had little to no trouble here! I grew really attached to each an every one of them, and since finishing it, have found myself being reminded of them with songs and the like.
Firstly, SO sad I wasn't able to get this review out in time for this book's release. But that's life with chronic illness haha
Rav Trivedi is a member of NYPD's homicide squad, although a bit of an outsider in the department due to being gay, the youngest member, British, and a love of designer suits. However, he is able to prove himself with his high success rates and his need for the truth. When he's assigned a high-profile case, he's excited to prove himself to his team. He's grown up with the media following him due to his family, so he's not worried about being distracted by cameras and reporters.
What he didn't plan for, however, is the pretty-boy rockstar who makes him feel safe, and happens to be his #1 suspect with no alibi the night of the murder.
I loved this book. This was such a fun read and I truly adored seeing how both Vale and Rav navigated their relationship as well as the murders and mystery surrounding them. One of my favorite parts of this book was how Rav was so COMPETENT. I've spent so many thriller novels gripping my Kindle like my life depended on it because I was so stressed over the characters' lack of competency. But I did not have to worry about that here! Rav was competent and truly wanted to get to the bottom of what was happening, regardless of the cost to his professional life.
I really liked all of the characters we learn about, I typically have trouble remembering who is who but I had little to no trouble here! I grew really attached to each an every one of them, and since finishing it, have found myself being reminded of them with songs and the like.
lighthearted
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This was delightfully unexpected.
POV: you think you've figured out the culprit, based on one clue from the very beginning. Are justified later on. Only to see there's still 50% of the book to go. This did a fantastic job keeping me on my toes.
I loved Rav. He's not only the youngest detective in his squad, but he's also the son of a well-known British figure and an openly gay man. He's not shy to unsolicited critiques, but he handles it with style and grace. He shouldn't have to hold his head high against the things said about him, especially since he earned his place, but unfortunately that's how the world is these days.
We see a lot of character development from both Jack and Rav. Rav feels with his insecurities of not being enough. And we get to see some amazing strength from Jack as the story goes on.
Really enjoyed this and the way it gets you to forget that hey they're together because of a homicide. Their lives are quite literally on the line!
Thanks to Minotaur Books and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC
POV: you think you've figured out the culprit, based on one clue from the very beginning. Are justified later on. Only to see there's still 50% of the book to go. This did a fantastic job keeping me on my toes.
I loved Rav. He's not only the youngest detective in his squad, but he's also the son of a well-known British figure and an openly gay man. He's not shy to unsolicited critiques, but he handles it with style and grace. He shouldn't have to hold his head high against the things said about him, especially since he earned his place, but unfortunately that's how the world is these days.
We see a lot of character development from both Jack and Rav. Rav feels with his insecurities of not being enough. And we get to see some amazing strength from Jack as the story goes on.
Really enjoyed this and the way it gets you to forget that hey they're together because of a homicide. Their lives are quite literally on the line!
Thanks to Minotaur Books and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC
A murder mystery with a dreamy romance? Yes, please.
Rav Trivedi, a young NYPD detective, has just been given a case that has the potential to take his career to the next level. But when the investigation of the murder of a record executive leads him to an enticing rockstar, Rav will have to fight to keep his focus on the case, lest he fall for the number one suspect.
This book was described as Brooklyn Nine-Nine meets The Charm Offensive, but since I'm not familiar with either, I wasn't sure what to expect. Thankfully, I found this book absolutely delightful! I am a thriller girlie through and through, so I appreciated the suspense that the murder mystery added to the story. Though those who are in this for the romance shouldn't worry, there aren't any gory or graphic scenes- just a few tense ones. I didn't start to suspect who was behind everything until pretty close to the end, which is always a plus in my book.
While I thought the romance was enjoyable and I felt that the characters had good chemistry, I'll admit that I wasn't entirely convinced of their ability to last. I couldn't help but feel like Jack wasn't all-in with the relationship, but I enjoyed it for what it was. I can't deny that the yearning and flirting were my favorite parts of this book.
I loved Rav's character and all his eccentricities and complexities. I don't know if the author has any plans to write more of Detective Trivedi, but I honestly hope that she does because I would love to read it!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher, Minotaur Books, for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Rav Trivedi, a young NYPD detective, has just been given a case that has the potential to take his career to the next level. But when the investigation of the murder of a record executive leads him to an enticing rockstar, Rav will have to fight to keep his focus on the case, lest he fall for the number one suspect.
This book was described as Brooklyn Nine-Nine meets The Charm Offensive, but since I'm not familiar with either, I wasn't sure what to expect. Thankfully, I found this book absolutely delightful! I am a thriller girlie through and through, so I appreciated the suspense that the murder mystery added to the story. Though those who are in this for the romance shouldn't worry, there aren't any gory or graphic scenes- just a few tense ones. I didn't start to suspect who was behind everything until pretty close to the end, which is always a plus in my book.
While I thought the romance was enjoyable and I felt that the characters had good chemistry, I'll admit that I wasn't entirely convinced of their ability to last. I couldn't help but feel like Jack wasn't all-in with the relationship, but I enjoyed it for what it was. I can't deny that the yearning and flirting were my favorite parts of this book.
I loved Rav's character and all his eccentricities and complexities. I don't know if the author has any plans to write more of Detective Trivedi, but I honestly hope that she does because I would love to read it!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher, Minotaur Books, for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
If you enjoy some detective murder mystery with your gay rockstar romance - this is a decent Pride Month read to pick up. It’s a 3.5-star, rounded up to 4, from me.
I found it did drag in parts, when it focused too much on trying to be the old detective novel (I read a lot of of romance, a lot of LGBTQ, and a lot of detective, mystery, thrillers), but didn’t mix everything, the two styles, well enough. I’ve read detective thrillers that were better romances… without intending to be. I didn’t feel or believe Rav and Jack’s chemistry. It didn’t come together organically like most every other romance, or even thriller, I’ve read.
I think this is Dunn’s debut? I don’t see other titles listed in this name. For a debut, it was fine - certainly nowhere to go but up! I would read it again, to watch for those clues, but definitely plenty of places it could have used improvement. I know there are going to be many fans, especially with the comparisons to the show/book that they’re using (not that I’m able to agree, since I never watched Brooklyn, but did love Charm - this is nothing like that, one of my top faves).
I received an early review copy from NetGalley and St. Martin's Press (Minotaur Books), and this is my honest feedback.
I found it did drag in parts, when it focused too much on trying to be the old detective novel (I read a lot of of romance, a lot of LGBTQ, and a lot of detective, mystery, thrillers), but didn’t mix everything, the two styles, well enough. I’ve read detective thrillers that were better romances… without intending to be. I didn’t feel or believe Rav and Jack’s chemistry. It didn’t come together organically like most every other romance, or even thriller, I’ve read.
I think this is Dunn’s debut? I don’t see other titles listed in this name. For a debut, it was fine - certainly nowhere to go but up! I would read it again, to watch for those clues, but definitely plenty of places it could have used improvement. I know there are going to be many fans, especially with the comparisons to the show/book that they’re using (not that I’m able to agree, since I never watched Brooklyn, but did love Charm - this is nothing like that, one of my top faves).
I received an early review copy from NetGalley and St. Martin's Press (Minotaur Books), and this is my honest feedback.
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
When Rav lands a major case as a detective, he meets Jack, the leading singer of a popular band. Jack is currently in a battle with his past record label for the rights for his bands songs (seems pretty poetic this was mentioned so close to Taylor Swift’s win). However, Jack ends up the prime suspect in Rav’s case, when someone from the record label winds up deceased with unanswered questions. As time goes on, Rav and Jack develop a closer relationship, but that can’t act on anything in their current state. What happens if Rav loses jurisdiction? Throughout the story, the threats increase against Jack: are some of his fans a bit too close for comfort? Can he rely on his band? The case had multiple threads, but can they be tied together? Jack did get Rav one of the coolest gifts with the rock albums, but the sentimental find was the best. Despite being a mystery read, the book found a way to be lighthearted.
DNF at 8%. Unfortunately this was not doing it for me. I am a fan of shows like Criminal Minds and Law and Order, but instead of being dynamic and engaging like those shows, this was reading as a script of an episode without any of the emotion. There was a lot of telling instead of showing about the MMC/narrator and yet I still feel like I know nothing besides the fact that he’s British and wears nice suits.
I was looking forward to this being a fun little romance/mystery book but it’s just not it. Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC.
I was looking forward to this being a fun little romance/mystery book but it’s just not it. Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC.