Erin Dunn’s debut novel “He’s to Die For” delivers exactly what its brilliant tagline promises: murder cute in the first degree. This captivating blend of romantic comedy and police procedural follows Detective Rav Trivedi, a sharp-dressed, Ivy League-educated gay British detective whose meteoric rise through the NYPD ranks makes him the youngest member of the homicide squad. When record executive Richard Vanderford turns up murdered, Rav finds himself assigned to the highest-profile case of his career—and inexorably drawn to his prime suspect, rock star Jack Vale of the band New Knickerbockers.
The premise crackles with tension from page one. Dunn masterfully establishes the central conflict: professional duty versus personal desire, ambition versus authentic connection. Rav’s internal struggle feels genuinely earned rather than manufactured, particularly as Dunn peels back layers of his character to reveal someone who has sacrificed personal relationships for career advancement his entire life.
Character Development That Hits All the Right Notes
Rav Trivedi: More Than Just a Pretty Detective
Dunn crafts Rav as a complex protagonist who could easily have fallen into stereotype territory but instead emerges as refreshingly three-dimensional. His designer suits and cutting wit mask deeper insecurities about belonging—whether in the NYPD, where his background sets him apart, or in relationships, where his career has always taken precedence. The author’s decision to make him British adds an interesting outsider perspective that enriches his character without feeling gimmicky.
Rav’s evolution throughout the story feels organic. His growing willingness to risk everything for Jack represents genuine character growth, not just romantic plot convenience. The scenes where he questions his own instincts—particularly when evidence seems to point definitively at Jack—showcase internal conflict that many readers will recognize from their own lives.
Jack Vale: Vulnerability Behind the Spotlight
Jack Vale could have been another shallow celebrity love interest, but Dunn imbues him with authentic vulnerability and complexity. His anxiety issues, grief over his best friend Tommy’s death, and the suffocating pressure of fame create a character who feels real rather than idealized. The author handles Jack’s mental health struggles with sensitivity, showing how anxiety affects his daily life without making it his only defining characteristic.
The chemistry between Rav and Jack develops naturally through shared moments of genuine connection. Their rooftop conversation at the Palace Hotel, where Jack opens up about feeling like “a dog on ten leashes,” demonstrates Dunn’s skill at creating intimacy through dialogue that serves both character development and plot advancement.
A Mystery That Keeps You Guessing
Plot Construction and Pacing
The murder mystery element provides solid scaffolding for the romance without overwhelming it. Dunn weaves clues throughout the narrative with impressive skill, particularly the revelation about Ryan Nash and Tommy Esposito’s death. The twist involving Erika Strauss feels both surprising and inevitable—a hallmark of effective mystery writing.
The pacing occasionally stumbles in the middle act, where the investigation sometimes feels secondary to relationship development. However, the final act’s explosive revelation and confrontation sequence more than compensates for any earlier lag. The action sequence in France demonstrates Dunn’s ability to write compelling suspense while maintaining character focus.
Red Herrings and Revelations
The deepfake video subplot adds contemporary relevance while serving the mystery’s misdirection needs. The revelation that Erika orchestrated the false evidence campaign against Jack showcases how easily public opinion can be manipulated in the social media age. This feels particularly timely given current discussions about disinformation and celebrity culture.
The Joseph Miller subplot initially appears to be typical conspiracy theorist material, but Dunn’s revelation that he was actually correct about Tommy’s death adds layers to what could have been a simple throwaway plot device. This attention to detail elevates the mystery beyond simple whodunit territory.
Romance That Sizzles Without Sacrificing Substance
Emotional Authenticity
In “He’s to Die For”, the romantic elements succeed because Dunn grounds them in genuine emotional connection rather than pure physical attraction. The scene where Rav realizes he’s “enough” for Jack provides the emotional payoff that romance readers crave while feeling earned through character development rather than plot manipulation.
The author handles the power imbalance between detective and suspect with care, acknowledging the ethical complexities without letting them derail the romance. Rav’s internal struggle over his professional obligations feels real and adds tension that pure enemies-to-lovers stories sometimes lack.
Supporting Cast Excellence
Will, Rav’s partner, provides excellent grounding as the voice of professional reason. Lieutenant Howard emerges as a complex authority figure who balances departmental politics with genuine care for her detectives. Even secondary characters like Ana feel fully realized rather than purely functional.
The portrayal of the music industry through characters like Eloise, the perpetually nervous PA, adds authentic detail that enhances the story’s believability. Dunn clearly researched both police procedures and celebrity culture thoroughly.
Writing Style and Technical Elements
Dunn’s Voice and Technique
Dunn writes with a breezy confidence that makes the pages fly by. Her dialogue sparkles with wit while serving character development efficiently. The author’s background clearly includes extensive research into both police procedure and music industry operations, lending authenticity to technical details without overwhelming general readers.
The British elements of Rav’s background feel authentic rather than forced, particularly his internal observations about American policing culture. Dunn avoids the trap of making his foreignness a constant source of humor while still using it to provide fresh perspective on familiar settings.
Strengths and Weaknesses
The book’s greatest strength lies in its character development and the genuine chemistry between its leads. Dunn creates believable people dealing with realistic conflicts, even within the heightened circumstances of murder investigation and celebrity culture.
Some plot conveniences feel slightly forced, particularly the timing of certain revelations. The social media subplot, while relevant, occasionally feels heavy-handed in its commentary on cancel culture and public shaming. Additionally, some supporting characters could use more development, particularly Ryan Nash, whose motivations sometimes feel unclear until the final revelation.
Themes and Social Commentary
Identity and Belonging
“He’s to Die For” explores themes of identity and belonging through multiple lenses. Rav’s struggle to fit within NYPD culture while maintaining his authentic self resonates with anyone who has felt like an outsider in professional settings. Jack’s battle against the constraints of fame and public image adds another layer to questions about authentic self-expression.
Modern Celebrity Culture
Dunn’s commentary on celebrity culture feels sharp without being preachy. The portrayal of social media harassment, fan entitlement, and the isolation of fame rings true to contemporary experiences. The author avoids both idealizing and demonizing celebrity, instead presenting it as a complex system with genuine costs for those within it.
Comparative Context and Genre Positioning
Similar Reads for Romance and Mystery Fans
Readers who enjoyed “He’s to Die For” might appreciate KJ Charles’s “Think of England” for its blend of mystery and m/m romance, or Eli Easton’s “How to Walk Like a Man” for contemporary romantic comedy with depth. For those drawn to the police procedural elements, Josh Lanyon’s Adrien English series offers similar investigative romance with strong character development.
“He’s to Die For” fits comfortably within the contemporary romantic suspense category while carving out its own niche through its entertainment industry setting and contemporary social media elements. Dunn’s fresh take on the cop-falls-for-suspect trope feels both familiar and innovative.
Genre Expectations and Innovation
“He’s to Die For” succeeds by honoring genre expectations while adding fresh elements. The romance satisfies readers seeking emotional payoff while the mystery provides sufficient complexity to engage thriller fans. The contemporary setting and social issues integration feel natural rather than forced.
Final Verdict: A Promising Debut with Series Potential
“He’s to Die For” represents an impressive debut that successfully balances multiple genre demands without sacrificing character development or emotional authenticity. While some plot elements feel convenient and pacing occasionally falters, the strong character work and genuine chemistry between leads overcome these minor shortcomings.
Dunn demonstrates clear understanding of both romance and mystery genre expectations while bringing fresh perspective through contemporary settings and social commentary. The resolution satisfies both romantic and mystery plot threads while leaving room for potential future installments featuring these compelling characters.
For readers seeking intelligent romantic suspense with contemporary relevance, authentic characters, and genuine emotional stakes, “He’s to Die For” delivers exactly what its premise promises. Dunn has created a world and characters worth revisiting, making this debut both satisfying as standalone entertainment and promising for potential series development.
The book succeeds in its ambitious genre-blending goals while establishing Erin Dunn as a voice worth watching in contemporary romantic suspense. Despite minor structural issues, the authentic character development and genuine emotional resonance make this a recommended read for fans of both romance and mystery genres.
Similar Books You Might Enjoy
For Romance Fans:
- Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston
- The Charm Offensive by Alison Cochrun
- Boyfriend Material by TJ Alexander
For Mystery Romance Blend:
- Think of England by KJ Charles
- The Adrien English Series by Josh Lanyon
- Death in the Spires by KJ Charles
And for Police Procedural Romance:
- Cut & Run Series by Abigail Roux & Madeleine Urban
- Hell & High Water by Charlie Cochet
- Hostile Ground by L.A. Witt
