Review by Booklist Review
As the youngest homicide detective in the New York City Police Department, Rav Trivedi knows he has a lot to prove to his fellow cops. It doesn't help matters with some of his co-workers that Rav is the very personification of a posh, upper-crust Brit. So when Rav's boss hands him the Richard Vanderford murder case, Rav is determined to show everyone exactly how good he is at solving crimes. While there is certainly no shortage of people who wanted the music executive dead, all preliminary evidence points to Jack Vale, the lead singer in the New Knickerbockers. The only problem is that immediately upon meeting Jack, Rav doesn't want to interrogate the sexy singer, he wants to date him. With plenty of panache and great precision, Dunn skillfully creates a work of romantic suspense by walking the line between an intriguing procedural mystery in the manner of Ed McBain's 87th Precinct books and a sizzling romance à la Casey McQuiston's Red, White, & Royal Blue (2019), all while writing with a sense of dry wit so sharp it could be considered a weapon in its own right.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
A brilliant young investigator meets the man of his dreams while working a high-profile murder case in Dunn's bewitching debut. Rav Trivedi, an Ivy League-educated Brit, is the youngest member of the NYPD's homicide squad at 29 years old. When music executive Richard Vanderford is found murdered in his home, Rav is tapped to lead the investigation. It turns out that Vanderford was not short on enemies, including popular band the Nicks (Vanderford bought the master recordings of the group's first two albums out from under them). Rav, however, doesn't think the Nicks killed Vanderford--especially not their hunky lead singer Jack Vale. After Jack is cleared as a suspect, he and Rav consummate their mutual attraction, but then new evidence emerges that puts Rav's career on the line. Eventually, he's faced with a choice between taking the easy road to save his career or risking his reputation on the word of his new flame. Mystery and romance play equal parts in this fast-paced cozy, which revs up on its way to a truly surprising twist ending. Readers will hope to hear more from the smart, stylish Rav soon. Agent: Amanda Jain, BookEnds Literary. (June)
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Review by Library Journal Review
DEBUT Dapper detective Rav Trivedi is new to the NYPD. At 29, he's the youngest member of the homicide squad, and as a gay, Ivy-educated Brit, he feels like an outsider. He feels the need to prove himself on the force, even with his fantastic clearance rate. When he's given a new case that could make his career, he certainly won't be distracted by the prime suspect, rock star Jack Vale, even though sexy Jack is everything Rav has ever wanted. No one really misses the record executive whose death Rav is investigating, but the NYC media loves a sordid tale where murder and fame collide, so all eyes are on the case. Did Jack do the crime, or is he simply the sexiest red herring of all time? Dunn's tale is a solid blend of mystery and romance. At times suspicious and brooding, other times sultry and steamy with sexual tension, the writing nimbly treads the line between genres without missing any trope beats. VERDICT This witty, sexy, and mysterious debut is certain to satisfy both whodunit fans and romance lovers.--Ahliah Bratzler
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