In her smart, hilarious, genre-bending debut, If Books Could Kill, Kate Eberle takes her characters and readers on a madcap journey from swoony romance to serial-killer thriller and (possibly) back again.
Avid traveler and self-defense enthusiast Roxie Mitchell prefers her romance in books, especially those written by British author Anna Matthews. When an offhand wish magically lands Roxie in the middle of Anna's latest novel-in-progress, she's initially delighted, hoping for a safe, sweet love story that won't risk her heart. But Anna's writing a thriller this time--and her plot twists may just risk Roxie's neck instead. With the reluctant help of Grant Hoffman, an English professor, Roxie travels from Boston to London to find Anna and convince her to switch genres, stat, before anyone else gets killed.
Roxie's first-person voice brims with wry humor and anti-love snark, although she privately admits she'd love a little romance of her own. Meanwhile, Grant's quick reflexes and knowledge of story structure make him a surprisingly useful (and handsome) sidekick. Eberle plays with the conventions of romance and thriller novels, swinging wildly between high-speed chases, red herrings, and enough witty banter to satisfy Anna Matthews herself. As Roxie and Grant close in on an elusive serial killer, they must decide whether or not to write their own love story--if Anna (or someone else) doesn't off them first.
Fast-paced, unpredictable, and highly entertaining, If Books Could Kill is a treat for romance lovers, thriller fans, and anyone who loves a twist on a familiar genre or two. --Katie Noah Gibson, blogger at Cakes, Tea and Dreams