How To Kill a Guy in Ten Dates

A dissertation on genre shouldn’t require this much field research, but Jamie’s premise that rom-coms and slasher films share structure is rigorously tested when she’s locked in a speed-dating event with a murderer. As potential dates are gorily removed from the match cards and less horror-savvy attendees insist on splitting up, Jamie is torn between two men. Perhaps the love triangle can resolve itself if one turns out to be the killer? Kay narrates the bulk of the novel, and Zeller drops in deep, rumbling dialog during characters’ conversations. Kay balances comedic, swoony, and tension-filled moments, aided by sound effects. A bell rings during speed dating, there are far-off screams, and stabbings sound wet. The level of gore—there are on-page entrails—may put off some romance readers, but this genre blending is sure to spark fascinating conversations. For horror lovers, Jamie and the other potential survivors make enough poor decisions to raise the tension without needing to write them all off as lost causes.