*3.5 Stars*

Rav Trivedi is a detective
And British
And a trust fund baby
All of these things combine to make a perfectionist, narcissistic, and obsessive person.
It’s great to solve cases…
Until it isn’t.
Rav is looking to the case of the murder of a celebrity record executive, and by that he meets the hit celebrity and pop star Jack. He feels instant connection but knows he can’t do anything about it in the name of professionalism.
But Jack is the main suspect of the case and Rav just KNOWS he didn’t do it.
Right?
“He’s to die for” is a romantic mystery thriller about an obsessive detective and a popstar who is picking up the pieces of his life.
————-
My thoughts

Overall, this was a decent novel. I enjoyed the writing and characters however wanted more. We get information about Rav’s parents and his dad being a lord(ship?) and I wish we had gotten more of that dynamic in the story. While they don’t have a close bond, Rav consistently being in the news would have sure shown up to his father and he doesn’t even call? The same lord who was obsessed with Rav’s image? It just felt like something was missing.

In terms of plot, I have to admit I guessed the murderer/plot twist about halfway in. That didn’t make it less enjoyable per say, but this is definitely more of a romance mystery than a mystery romance, and because of that the twists are predictable.

In terms of the romance, I would say it was mediocre. I can feel the chemistry between the characters but I didn’t really care enough about either of them to be devoted or hooked into their relationship. Rav as a character is interesting, however I don’t love the whole Cop thing and how it’s addressed in this novel. Rav talks about reforming the police department and “fixing the system” yet this standpoint feels very privileged from both the character, as he was raised wealthy and privileged, but also the author for making a lackluster attempt at a political standpoint. The police system cannot be reformed, it needs to be completely redone.
My other complaint is minor, however important to me. In this novel J.K. Rowling’s “Harry Potter” is mentioned and seeing as this is a queer book, I do not think this is appropriate. J.K. Rowling is a homophobe and overall bad person and for a 2025 release, I don’t think mentioning her works is relevant or adds anything to the story. This reference should have been taken out of the book just like the one in “Red, White, and Royal Blue” By: Casey McQuinston. While this is a small part of the novel, it stuck with me even after its small mention and I believe both authors and editors need to realize the impact of mentioning people who are against the entire premise of the story. Support authors who support Human Rights.

While there were several things I enjoyed in this novel and I consider it an overall decent book, it was nothing special. I’m sure most people will enjoy this and I would recommend it to a general audience.

I loved this book. As much murder mystery as a gay romance. I was totally sucked in and didn't figure out who did it. A very sweet rivals to lovers romance with interesting characters from varied backgrounds. I liked it so much I had to go to the bookstore and buy a physical copy for my collection. I can definitely see rereading this book in the future.

I loved this book! It’s a romantic suspense and done perfectly. I was kept guessing until the end. The characters were relatable and I was rooting for Rav and Jack from the beginning. I’ll definitely be buying this authors next book.

What happens when a detective falls in love with his prime suspect? Rav is a brooding, deeply thoughtful, I belligerent detective on a big case. Creatively co strutted. A wonderful novel with an unique set of lead characters. Loved it.

I feel like this was the perfect blend of romance & mystery with a little bit of thrill also mixed in with it.

This is a fast-paced & interesting mystery to solve (if you CAN solve it, lol), except some of the characters didn't really have all that much information to give the reader in order to actually solve the mystery. Rav is an NYPD detective, who is originally from the UK, (swoon if you love accents!!), who gets handed a high profile case and his prime suspect is Jack! Who is a wonderful tatted rockstar 🎸⭐️😍
I feel like Rav is the picture-esque detective. He is very cool and calm, which is rare to find in a detective, even though that is how it should be! Anyway, and of course Jack is your typical rockstar dude who does have anxiety and panic attacks (oh hi, It's me, I can relate to this SO WELL!!!!)
He's To Die For will absolutely satisfy both genres of murder mystery fans and/or romance lovers!! (I love both, so this hit the nail on the head for me!!!!!) I think that the extra characters in this also added a bit of a different dynamic to this book that I haven't seen/read in awhile & I enjoyed this so incredibly much. It got me out of my book slump, which also says a lot for me!

The only downside (and it's a personal opinion), was that it was not a dual POV, which I looooove, especially whenever it comes to romances.

Tropes Included:
Cop 🚔 x Suspect
Slow Burn 🔥
Open Door Romance (not explicit) 🤍
MMC x 2 👬

HUGE thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and of course the author, Erin Dunn for my copy of this digital ARC in exchange for my honest opinions.

I enjoyed the mix of romance and mystery in this book! I felt that the chemistry and pace of the relationship between Jack and Rav was well done, and the interspersed bits of the investigation in between was great. Both Jack and Rav were well written characters, and the author really makes you love both of them. The mystery side of things had a lot of twists and turns and it took me a while admittedly to figure out who the culprit was. However, it did feel like it was a big dragged out in the end and that it could have been shortened a bit. Sometimes it felt like the mystery was extended more and more just so we could have more time for the relationship to develop between Jack and Rav.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and Netgalley for the ARC!

3.5⭐️

Such a fun murder meet cute with between Rav and Jack. Interesting mystery intertwined in the story, and enjoyed getting to know the backstories of the two main characters.

A fun, crime procdural-adjacent romcom about a 29 year old (British) NYPD Detective named Rav Trivedi who has been tasked with investigating a high-profile murder case and ends up falling for his prime suspect. Solid writing, lots of quippy jokes, and very reminiscent of a really solid fanfic on AO3.

This one just didn't work for me, unfortunately. I'm at a point in my life and political development where He's To Die For just had too much cop propoganda for me to really fall into the story. That, coupled with the Harry Potter references - Hogwarts house selections? in 2025? in a QUEER book? - made me put this down and not want to pick it back up again. Still, I think Erin Dunn has a lot of potential as a writer, and I'd maybe be interested in future projects.

I marked this as DNF on Storygraph, and will not be posting a public review. I'm sure this book will find it's audience.

I’m swooning because 𝗛𝗲’𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗗𝗶𝗲 𝗙𝗼𝗿 combines two of my favorite genres - romance + mystery. Or as Dunn calls it, murder-cute ☺️ Throw in some witty banter and I’m all set!

Detective Rav Trivedi is a British transplant to the NYPD. He’s super conscientious about his work, and even more so about his appearance. It’s been impressed on him to always put his best foot forward. His new case involving a murder and a shooting targeting a famous band is a new challenge. Even more so since he’s attracted to the band’s lead singer, Jack Vale. It’s mutual, however there are two problems: it’d be unprofessional to act on it, and Jack is technically a suspect in the murder.

With Rav so utterly charming, and Jack so reserved and unpretentious, they make a darn cute couple! They’re awkward at first, and then sexy in a cozy kind of way. And the mystery is just as compelling as the main characters. The side characters are funny and help round out the story. The book has such a great set up and follow through with the storyline.

Highlights:
🎵Romance, mystery, single POV
🎵Spice (mild), open door
🎵Witty humor, banter/text banter

Be aware of: anxiety & panic attacks (Jack), mention of suicide (former band member)

Sagar delivers a perfect performance capturing Rav’s British humor, and Jack’s sensitive and anguished soul. I enjoyed Dunn’s writing. She made their story bigger than just about them falling in love. I liked that both their lives and careers were equally on display. She made it so easy to fall in love with Rav and Jack that they’ve become my new favorite couple. This murder-cute is a success!

'He's to Die For' by Erin Dunn starts off with strong Taylor Swift vibes (because of her we all know the impact of having one's master recordings sold) and a crime that puts a handsome detective in close proximity to a handsome rock star. Wackiness ensues.

I enjoyed this book, the pace was good and the mystery aspect kept me guessing without making me feel like there were huge leaps or plot holes. The main character was likable, I appreciated the discussion of his experiences being a gay police detective. I also thought the mental health representation was good, with accurate portrayals of panic.

Thank you to Erin Dunn and St. Martin's press for the ARC of 'He's to Die For' in exchange for an honest review.

This book delivers a fantastic mix of romance and mystery! Each element could shine on its own, but together they create an engaging reading experience that keeps you hooked. Watching the chemistry and trust build between Rav and Jack is a thrill, all while you’re piecing together the clues of a cleverly crafted murder plot.

What really stands out are Rav and Jack themselves. They defy stereotypes, each bringing their unique quirks to the table. It’s hard not to root for these characters as they navigate their complex lives and relationship.

I’m left hoping this book sparks a series! I wouldn’t mind spending more time with these captivating characters and diving deeper into their world. If you’re looking for a read that combines intrigue with romance, this one’s a must!

An interesting idea for a story! But it simply fell flat for me. The mystery had me engaged at first, but the constant twists and the big reveal at the end felt a little lackluster for me. I think the two men Rav and Jack were interesting to read about, but together I didn't feel much romance or chemistry from them. It felt very insta-lovey. The multiple POV at times made it hard to keep up with what was going on as well.

I enjoyed the different characters and their personalities were kind of funny. Still an enjoyable read overall. And a cute epilogue to tie the story together.

Recommended for: LGBTQ+ readers who are looking for spice and alittle bit of a mystery

Summary: A big time music executive is murdered. The lead suspect is Jack who is a famous rock band lead and is upset with the exec who stole the rights to the band’s major songs. As the investigation progresses, Rav is put incharge of the case. He is an amazing detective and this is his first time leading an investigation. The problems start to arise as he starts to develop a crush on the lead suspect, Jack! Will Rav be able to concentrate? And how would a relationship between a detective and lead singer of a band ever really work out?

Review: This book started out well and really had some potential. The storyline was unique and the action seemed to be there. However, about half way through the story it started to feel like they were dragging the murder mystery along inorder to have more room for intimate spicy scenes. And it seemed to take forever for them to find the true culprit. This would have been a much better book if it was written as a shorter novella.

At 29, Detective Rav Trivedi may be the youngest member of the NYC homicide squad but he already has an impressive solve rate. He is also the Ivy League educated son of a British Lord and gay. When he is assigned a murder case which involves a huge rock star who just might be the killer, soon the sparks start flying in more ways than one.

He’s to Die For by Erin Dunn blends romance with police procedural to create one very entertaining tale. I am not normally a fan of romance…okay, I could officially qualify as a curmudgeon…but Rav and Jack make a very likeable pair and, perhaps despite myself, I found myself rooting for them to overcome all the roadblocks in their way. The mystery, itself, has plenty of twists and turns as well as a host of suspects to keep me guessing right to the big reveal. Definitely, a fun read and I look forward to reading more from this author in the future.

I received an eARC of this novel from Netgalley and St Martin’s Press in exchange for an honest review.

Had to dive into this MM romance for Pride!

This murder case could make Detective Rav Trivedi’s career, or ruin it. At 29, Rav is the youngest detective in NYPD homicide, a sharp, designer-suit-wearing Brit with an Ivy League degree and an impressive solve rate. When he’s assigned a high-profile case involving a murdered record exec, Rav is determined to stay focused, even with media frenzy and a smoking-hot rock star suspect who’s got motive, no alibi, and Rav’s full attention. Falling for him is definitely not part of the plan.

This was a cute novel. There's steam, but this is definitely more of a closed door romance. I enjoyed the characters, their witty banter, and the mystery surrounding the murder. This is an easy, enjoyable read!

Thank you NetGalley, St. Martin's Press and Minotaur Books for this eARC!

A murder mystery, some unconventional police work, a rock star celebrity, an unaccepting family and a surprise love story are all woven into a “who done it” fast paced story that will capture the reader’s interest. This ARC was provided by St Martin’s Press publishing via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This was great as a love story.

But I tried everything I could to look past the romanticization of the police, but never could.

Just gives me the ick.

He's to Die For by Erin Dunn is a sweet lgbgt rom com.

I really enjoyed the characters and the storyline.

What an excellent mash-up of a police procedural and a rom-com! In Dunn's debut novel, a posh NYC detective falls for the lead suspect (a famous rock star) in a major homicide case. While the beginning was a touch slow for me, as it found its footing, I couldn't stop reading (literally...I was up till after midnight reading!). If you think romance or queer romance isn't your thing, I highly suggest giving this one a chance. Maybe, like me, you'll also be a little upset that you can't actually stream the lead suspect's band!

Cute! If Law & Order was a love story. It took a bit to get going, but ultimately I enjoyed this one a lot. I don’t often read books centering on police, so that took a bit. A cop x celeb romance is not one I ever would’ve expected to work, but it did in this. I'd consider reading more from Erin Dunn for sure.