Erin Dunn’s debut novel “He’s to Die For” arrives as a bold fusion of police procedural and contemporary romance, delivering exactly what its witty tagline promises: murder that’s absolutely “cute in the first degree.” This sparkling blend of Brooklyn Nine-Nine humor and The Charm Offensive warmth creates something genuinely fresh in the increasingly crowded romantic suspense genre.
A Detective Worth Falling For
At the heart of this captivating story is Detective Rav Trivedi, a meticulously crafted protagonist who defies every tired cop stereotype. At 29, he’s the youngest member of the NYPD’s homicide squad, but Dunn wisely avoids the cocky young hotshot trope. Instead, she gives us a thoughtful, impeccably dressed British-Indian detective whose Ivy League education and weakness for designer suits make him an outsider in his own department. Rav’s characterization feels authentic rather than constructed—his internal struggles with belonging, his complicated relationship with his aristocratic father, and his careful navigation of being gay in a traditionally masculine profession create genuine depth.
Dunn’s writing shines brightest in her portrayal of Rav’s internal monologue. His voice carries a distinctly British wit that never feels forced or performative. When he catches himself “brooding over song lyrics like a teenager,” the self-awareness feels earned rather than cute. The author clearly understands that good character development comes from contradiction—Rav is simultaneously confident and insecure, professional yet prone to romantic overthinking, sharp-minded but occasionally blinded by his own assumptions.
Rock Star with Real Substance
Jack Vale could have easily become another brooding musician cliché, but Dunn subverts expectations by making him surprisingly grounded despite his fame. The author demonstrates a genuine understanding of celebrity culture without falling into either worship or cynicism. Jack’s panic attacks aren’t used as plot devices but feel like authentic responses to overwhelming circumstances. His grief over his best friend Tommy’s death drives much of his emotional arc, and Dunn handles this with admirable sensitivity.
The chemistry between Rav and Jack develops organically through their initial adversarial dynamic. Their early interactions crackle with tension—not just romantic, but professional and moral. When Rav must interrogate the man he’s undeniably attracted to, Dunn mines genuine conflict from the situation rather than manufacturing artificial drama. Their text exchanges, filled with playful banter about minions and album cover poses, feel authentic to how modern relationships actually develop.
A Mystery That Actually Mysteries
Where many romantic suspense novels treat the mystery as secondary, Dunn crafts a genuinely compelling whodunit in “He’s to Die For”. The murder of record executive Dick Vanderford unfolds with satisfying complexity, complete with red herrings, hidden motives, and revelations that recontextualize earlier scenes. The author demonstrates impressive plotting skills—clues are planted fairly, suspects have believable motives, and the resolution feels both surprising and inevitable.
The revelation that Ryan Nash accidentally killed Tommy Esposito and has been living with the guilt while his bodyguard Erika Strauss covered it up provides genuine emotional weight. This isn’t just a twist for twist’s sake; it devastates Jack in a way that feels psychologically authentic. Dunn understands that the best mysteries aren’t just puzzles to be solved but emotional bombs that explode characters’ carefully constructed worlds.
The technical aspects of the investigation feel well-researched without becoming overly procedural. Dunn clearly understands police work enough to make Rav’s methods believable, from analyzing security footage to navigating FBI territorial disputes. The inclusion of cyber-warfare elements through the Russian hacker subplot adds contemporary relevance without feeling forced.
Where the Formula Falters
Despite its many strengths, “He’s to Die For” occasionally succumbs to genre conventions that feel at odds with its otherwise fresh approach. The third act’s action sequence, while exciting, pushes the story into thriller territory that doesn’t quite align with the more grounded tone Dunn has established. When Erika reveals herself as the true villain and engages in lengthy exposition about her counterintelligence background, the dialogue becomes more functional than natural.
The pacing also suffers in the middle section. While Dunn excels at building romantic tension, some of the investigative sequences feel drawn out, particularly when Rav is suspended and relegated to analyzing evidence from his apartment. The administrative leave subplot, while realistic, slows momentum at a crucial point in both the romance and mystery.
The book’s handling of media attention and celebrity culture is generally excellent, but occasionally veers into wish fulfillment. The resolution of the leaked story about Rav and Jack’s relationship feels too neat, with their decision to go public resolving complex issues with surprising ease.
Language and Style That Sings
Dunn’s prose style deserves particular praise for its versatility. She seamlessly shifts between Rav’s analytical observations, Jack’s more emotional perspective, and the quick-fire dialogue that drives their relationship. The author has a gift for contemporary voice that never feels try-hard—when Rav refers to his thumbs as “arseholes” for typing flirtatious responses, it captures both his British background and his internal conflict perfectly.
The dialogue throughout sparkles with wit and authenticity. Conversations flow naturally, with interruptions, half-finished thoughts, and the kind of verbal dancing that happens when two intelligent people are testing each other’s boundaries. Supporting characters like Ana and Mags speak with distinct voices that avoid stereotyping while still being immediately recognizable.
In He’s to Die For, Dunn also demonstrates real skill in weaving together multiple storylines without losing focus. The investigation, the romance, the media attention, and the band dynamics all feel like natural parts of a cohesive whole rather than separate plot threads artificially bound together.
Representation Done Right
The book’s approach to LGBTQ+ representation feels organic and modern. Rav’s sexuality isn’t treated as a problem to be overcome or a quirk to be celebrated—it simply is. His concerns about coming out publicly stem from realistic professional and personal considerations rather than internalized homophobia. The depiction of his relationship with his conservative father strikes the right balance between conflict and hope.
Similarly, Dunn’s handling of Rav’s Indian heritage avoids both tokenism and over-explanation. His cultural background informs his character without defining him, and his relationship with his aristocratic father adds complexity without falling into easy stereotypes about immigrant expectations or family pressure.
Technical Craft and World-Building
The author demonstrates impressive attention to detail in her world-building. From the specific geography of New York City to the inner workings of record labels, everything feels researched and authentic. The music industry backdrop serves the story rather than overwhelming it—readers learn enough about recording contracts and industry politics to understand the stakes without getting bogged down in unnecessary detail.
The investigative elements benefit from similar careful construction. Dunn clearly understands police procedures, jurisdictional issues, and the realities of working within bureaucratic systems. Rav’s frustration with FBI interference feels authentic, as does his navigation of departmental politics.
Emotional Resonance Beyond the Genre
What elevates “He’s to Die For” above typical romantic suspense is its emotional intelligence. The book doesn’t just put two attractive people in danger and call it romance—it explores how grief, ambition, family expectations, and personal identity shape relationships. Jack’s struggle with survivor’s guilt over Tommy’s death provides genuine emotional stakes that extend beyond the central mystery.
The relationship between Rav and Jack develops with convincing psychological complexity. Their attraction is immediate but their trust builds gradually, complicated by professional ethics and personal histories. When they finally come together, it feels earned rather than inevitable.
Similar Reads and Recommendations
Readers who enjoy “He’s to Die For” should seek out KJ Charles’s “Think of England” for similar period-appropriate romantic suspense with excellent character development. For contemporary police procedural romance, Eli Easton’s “Merry Market Mystery” series offers comparable wit and heart. TJ Klune’s “Somewhere Beyond the Sea” provides similar found family warmth, while Eli Easton’s “How to Walk Like a Man” explores celebrity romance with comparable emotional depth.
For readers seeking more music industry romance, Eli Easton’s “Blame It on the Mistletoe” and Avon Gale’s “Scoring Chance” series offer different but equally compelling takes on fame and relationships.
Final Verdict: A Promising Debut with Real Heart
“He’s to Die For” succeeds because Erin Dunn understands that the best romantic suspense novels work on multiple levels. The mystery provides genuine intrigue, the romance offers authentic emotional stakes, and the supporting elements—from media satire to police procedural details—feel carefully considered rather than hastily assembled.
While the book occasionally stumbles when it reaches for thriller territory instead of trusting its strength as character-driven romantic suspense, these missteps are minor compared to its considerable achievements. Dunn has created two genuinely appealing protagonists whose relationship develops with convincing complexity against a backdrop of well-constructed mystery and authentic contemporary details.
This debut announces a writer with real talent for balancing multiple genre demands while maintaining focus on what matters most: creating characters readers genuinely care about. Dunn’s next effort will be eagerly anticipated by readers who appreciate romantic suspense that takes both its romance and suspense seriously.
For fans of smart, contemporary romantic suspense that doesn’t talk down to its audience, “He’s to Die For” delivers exactly what it promises—and suggests even better things to come from a promising new voice in the genre.