'He's to Die For' by Erin Dunn

He's to Die For

Author: Erin Dunn

Rating: B+

Vibe: A charming debut with a killer protagonist voice—think of it as a thriller with romance, not a clever whodunit, and you'll have a great time.

Rav Trivedi is the kind of protagonist I didn't know I needed. He's a 29-year-old NYPD homicide detective who also happens to be British-Indian, well-educated, impeccably dressed, and openly gay. When a record executive turns up dead, Rav catches the case—and finds himself increasingly drawn to his prime suspect, brooding rock star Jack Vale.

What makes this book work is Rav's voice. The English wit, the fastidious attention to detail, the way he embraces his slightly effeminate nature while still being a damn good cop—it all hits a nice balance. He's fun to spend time with, and I genuinely hope Dunn turns this into a series because I'd follow Rav through another case in a heartbeat.

The romance delivers exactly what it promises. The will-they-won't-they tension is well-executed, and a lot of that comes down to Rav being so likable that you're rooting for him to get what he wants. Jack is charming enough as a love interest, and it's genuinely cute watching Rav fall for him despite his best professional instincts. If you're looking for high heat, this isn't your book—but there's enough spice to keep things interesting. Let's just say I wouldn't hand it to my mom.

Here's where I'll be honest: this book works better as a thriller than a whodunit. If you're expecting a tightly plotted mystery with red herrings and clues you can piece together yourself, you might be disappointed. Our seemingly sharp detective only ever seems to have one pool of suspects, which is convenient for the plot but took me out of it a little. There are loose threads that feel like obvious setup for revelations, but Rav just... lets them drop. It's not a dealbreaker, but it's the kind of thing that keeps a good book from being a great one.

The pacing also felt slightly off—around the three-quarter mark, I thought we were wrapping up, then looked at how many pages were left and was surprised. A trim of about 10-15% would have made this a much tighter ride.

Yet, even with those quibbles, He's to Die For is a genuine step up from most gay fiction, especially gay thrillers. The dialogue is sharp, the protagonist is distinctive and memorable, and the plot is solidly constructed. This feels like a debut novel from someone who's going to get even better.

If you're looking for a perfect summer or beach read—something fun, fast, and charming with a great voice—this is it.

Grab your copy of 'He's to Die For'