If Books Could Kill - by Kate Eberle (Paperback)

About the Book

"A NOVEL LOVE STORY meets LOVE IN THE TIME OF SERIAL KILLERS in this rom-com following Roxie Mitchell, an adventure-loving romance reader who finds herself trapped in a meet-cute-turned-murderous When Roxie makes a tongue-in-cheek wish to live out the plot of her favorite author's next novel, she has romance in mind - namely, the sweet, safe, swoon-worthy storylines Anna Matthews is known for. It should be a dream come true when her wish is granted, and she finds herself swept into a first date with a handsome stranger who seems designed to take her breath away. Except for one little hiccup: that handsome stranger tries to take her breath away. Literally. With a knife. The thing is, Roxie may be the new Anna Matthews protagonist - but this time, Anna is writing a crime thriller. Thrown into a perilous genre she's never read, Roxie is desperate for help. So, when her escape takes her straight into the path of Grant Hoffman - an anxious English professor with a convenient love of crime novels - she decides that kidnapping a grown man is a small price to pay for her own survival. Together, Roxie and Grant team up to navigate a madcap story where the lines between fiction and reality blur. They'll find out if they have what it takes to make it to The End - or maybe even Happily Ever After"-- Provided by publisher.

Book Synopsis

A NOVEL LOVE STORY meets LOVE IN THE TIME OF SERIAL KILLERS in this rom-com following Roxie Mitchell, an adventure-loving romance reader who finds herself trapped in a meet-cute turned murderous

When Roxie makes a tongue-in-cheek wish to live out the plot of her favorite author's next novel, she has romance in mind--namely, the sweet, safe, swoon-worthy storylines Anna Matthews is known for. It should be a dream come true when her wish is granted and she finds herself swept into a first date with a handsome stranger who seems designed to take her breath away.

Except for one little hiccup: That handsome stranger tries to take her breath away. Literally. With a knife. The thing is, Roxie may be the new Anna Matthews protagonist--but this time, Anna is writing a crime thriller.

Thrown into a perilous genre she's never read, Roxie is desperate for help. So when her escape takes her straight into the path of Grant Hoffman, an anxious English professor with a convenient love of crime novels, she decides that kidnapping a grown man is a small price to pay for her own survival. Together, Roxie and Grant navigate a madcap story in which the lines between fiction and reality blur. They'll find out if they have what it takes to make it to The End--or maybe even Happily Ever After.

Review Quotes

Praise for If Books Could Kill

"Smart, funny and gloriously self-aware--a brilliantly original novel that proves stories can be very dangerous places."
--Joanna Wallace, bestselling author of You'd Look Better as a Ghost

"This is absolutely the genre mashup we all need--finding love while finding a killer is truly the best type of multi-tasking. A very original romantic thriller with a fun, funny, fearsome heroine you'll be cheering on to a happy ever after."
--Asia Mackay, author of A Serial Killer's Guide to Marriage

"I am officially obsessed with Kate Eberle (in a totally chill, super professional, not at all thriller novel way). If Books Could Kill is a delightful, laugh-out-loud romp through genre fiction that I wanted to re-read the moment I hit the last sentence. With its layers and layers of brilliance, this extraordinary debut has earned a prized place on my favorites shelf and in my heart."
--Sarah Adler, bestselling author of Happy Medium and Wild Goose Chase

"If Books Could Kill is a true powerhouse. Crime, romance, humor, wink-wink nudge-nudge literary commentary, this debut from Kate Eberle has it all! If you've ever wondered what it would be like to be trapped inside your favorite novel, or to find love where you least expect it, or to Grand Theft Auto someone (you'll see), you will absolutely love this book. I tore through the pages!"
--Alicia Thompson, bestselling author of Love in the Time of Serial Killers

"Funny and charming. It's your favorite murder mystery combined with your favorite romance. It hits all the classic tropes of two genres and shifts them into something new and hilarious."
--Tasha Coryell, author of Matchmaking for Psychopaths

"If Books Could Kill is an absolute delight. A thrilling romantic romp that sparkles with wit and creativity, it was the most pure fun I've had while reading in a long time. Kate Eberle is a hilarious new voice, and you'll want to live inside her world. (Even with all the murder!)"
--Laura Hankin, author of One-Star Romance

"If Books Could Kill had me (literally) laughing out loud as Eberle skillfully plays with thriller and romance tropes, spinning a delightfully engaging story. Full of action, humor and heart, this book is a send up to some of my favorite parts of adventure romance. Roxie and Grant have my heart. (And my axe.) I can't wait to read it again."
--Lish McBride, author of Most Likely to Murder and Hold Me Closer, Necromancer

"Complete with a twisty mystery and an abundance of lampshaded romance tropes, this proves unputdownable."
--Publishers Weekly, starred review

"Screwball entertainment for readers who appreciate a little meta-commentary with their romance...Eberle spoofs on genre conventions while still delivering everything required of a romance novel."
--Kirkus

"Readers who love adventure in their romances will enjoy the nonstop action."
--Booklist

"Full of adventure, a touch of the supernatural, plenty of kooky, adorable characters, and hilarious hijinks, Eberle's highly original and fun debut is for fans of heartfelt, original rom-coms with strong bookish themes."
--Library Journal

"A wild, hilarious romp....Part Ashley Poston and part James Bond (two things that shouldn't go together, but, as Eberle proves, absolutely do)."
--Crime Reads

"[A] genre-bending rom-com that gleefully turns familiar romance conventions upside down... Eberle keeps the action moving while never losing sight of the romance, making this an especially fun pick for bookish readers."
--Portland Book Review

About the Author

Kate Eberle studied journalism at Boston University before rediscovering her love of fiction. She lives and writes in Connecticut, where she spends the rest of her time being the ultimate menace to society: a grown-up Theater Kid. If Books Could Kill is her first novel.