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Detective Sam Mysteries #2
Swipe Right for Stab Wounds: A Detective Sam Mystery
Detective Sam is undercover, on the case, and ready to catch a killer . . . but at what cost?
Nonbinary Detective Sam is back on the mainland and looking forward to working a normal case. But one dangerous dating app, plus one annoying new rookie, multiplied by an extremely determined young man who won't stop texting them means this case is shaping up to be anything but normal.
When someone begins using the Paths dating app to target innocent women, it's up to Detective Sam to put a stop to this serial stabbers murderous mission. But first, they must ask How far will they go to close the case? And how much are they willing to sacrifice along the way?
Nonbinary Detective Sam is back on the mainland and looking forward to working a normal case. But one dangerous dating app, plus one annoying new rookie, multiplied by an extremely determined young man who won't stop texting them means this case is shaping up to be anything but normal.
When someone begins using the Paths dating app to target innocent women, it's up to Detective Sam to put a stop to this serial stabbers murderous mission. But first, they must ask How far will they go to close the case? And how much are they willing to sacrifice along the way?
465 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 12, 2023
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10 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
September 15, 2025
[Spoilers for book 1]
Second book in the excellent Detective Sam series, with Sam back at home and working on a new case, while wrangling / mentoring a very wet-behind-the-ears junior detective, and failing to text back poor Teddy from Book 1.
A few of the decisions here are very unlikely, especially later in the book, but the plot romps along at a good pace, so I wasn't spending a lot of time fretting over them. I particularly love how Sam's relationship with Teddy develops, with so much (hard-earned!) self-doubt and self-sabotage to work through. Yes, their initial attraction was Insta (lol), but enough time is passing here to see more of the two of them together.
I also struggled with the large part of the story relating to misgendering Sam, and dearly wish that hadn't happened. I love this complicated bigender detective, and would like to have been able to pretend for a further book at least that the world is nicer than it actually tends to be.
If that isn't a problem for you to read, then dig in, this is a good time!
This review is based upon a complimentary reading copy provided by the publisher.
Second book in the excellent Detective Sam series, with Sam back at home and working on a new case, while wrangling / mentoring a very wet-behind-the-ears junior detective, and failing to text back poor Teddy from Book 1.
A few of the decisions here are very unlikely, especially later in the book, but the plot romps along at a good pace, so I wasn't spending a lot of time fretting over them. I particularly love how Sam's relationship with Teddy develops, with so much (hard-earned!) self-doubt and self-sabotage to work through. Yes, their initial attraction was Insta (lol), but enough time is passing here to see more of the two of them together.
I also struggled with the large part of the story relating to misgendering Sam, and dearly wish that hadn't happened. I love this complicated bigender detective, and would like to have been able to pretend for a further book at least that the world is nicer than it actually tends to be.
If that isn't a problem for you to read, then dig in, this is a good time!
This review is based upon a complimentary reading copy provided by the publisher.
October 12, 2025
If you want a slow-paced, thrilling mystery, and be stuck to the edge of your seat. If you are into a queer romance, that is sweet and very light on spice, and intense plot and storyline. Read this book!
I was completley shocked by the rookies role in cracking a case. The relationship between the rookie and Sam is so whole-some.
The romantic interest had me gushing with the sweetness of their relationship.
At first I was debating on DNF'ing this book. For the reason of it being slow. It left me confused in the beginning because there was so much going on. At first, I felt like there was too much unnecessary story telling. As I kept reading after abou 50% I was glued to my kindle! All of it ended up tying all together like a beautiful present.
The characters are so lovable, all with their unique personalities that have conflicts and benefits to the plot and character development. I guessed the killer about 75% into the book. The author really has you guessing the entire time.
There can be some triggering scenarios; misgendering, discrimination, religion, death, and hospitals.
The plot is a roller coaster with shocking twist and turns. A recommened read. Has changed my opinion on mystery books. I love them!
I was completley shocked by the rookies role in cracking a case. The relationship between the rookie and Sam is so whole-some.
The romantic interest had me gushing with the sweetness of their relationship.
At first I was debating on DNF'ing this book. For the reason of it being slow. It left me confused in the beginning because there was so much going on. At first, I felt like there was too much unnecessary story telling. As I kept reading after abou 50% I was glued to my kindle! All of it ended up tying all together like a beautiful present.
The characters are so lovable, all with their unique personalities that have conflicts and benefits to the plot and character development. I guessed the killer about 75% into the book. The author really has you guessing the entire time.
There can be some triggering scenarios; misgendering, discrimination, religion, death, and hospitals.
The plot is a roller coaster with shocking twist and turns. A recommened read. Has changed my opinion on mystery books. I love them!
September 6, 2025
It's a great read.
The book is slow paced but the character has a great sense of self and it adds a humane element to the book. Even though it's a mystery it is also a peak into gender fluidity and the stereotypes and hurdles they deal with on the daily basis.
It deals with important queer topics and how queer people are treated in their workplaces, but those topics move the plot and detective through the case giving us inside view on the work of a investigator.
The book also has funny side characters and detective Sam's own dry humor brings light to the heavier topics and themes.
The book is slow paced but the character has a great sense of self and it adds a humane element to the book. Even though it's a mystery it is also a peak into gender fluidity and the stereotypes and hurdles they deal with on the daily basis.
It deals with important queer topics and how queer people are treated in their workplaces, but those topics move the plot and detective through the case giving us inside view on the work of a investigator.
The book also has funny side characters and detective Sam's own dry humor brings light to the heavier topics and themes.
August 27, 2023
Detective Sam is back!! But this time they have to go undercover for a dating app? When someone gets murdered from a dating app detective Sam has to go undercover (even if they don’t want to) and date. I was happy to see teddy was still there! I absolutely love these books and can’t wait for more from this author!
June 27, 2023
This is an intriguing detective mystery that delves into the mind of a nonbinary detective named Sam. In this second installment of the Detective Sam Mysteries series, readers are taken on a thrilling journey as Sam races against time to stop a serial stabber and confronts personal sacrifices along the way.
The narrator, TJ Clark did a wonderful job capturing my attention. I enjoyed the additional sounds that played throughout the narration that added a fun element to the audiobook.
Elle Kleos skillfully blends a murder investigation with the internal struggles and complexities of Sam's character. Sam's nonbinary identity adds a refreshing and important perspective to the story, highlighting inclusivity and representation within the genre.
The narrator, TJ Clark did a wonderful job capturing my attention. I enjoyed the additional sounds that played throughout the narration that added a fun element to the audiobook.
Elle Kleos skillfully blends a murder investigation with the internal struggles and complexities of Sam's character. Sam's nonbinary identity adds a refreshing and important perspective to the story, highlighting inclusivity and representation within the genre.
June 21, 2023
This was so much fun to listen to! The plot was great and the characters are amazing! I loved every second. And the little sound effects added into the audiobook just made it that much better!!
October 2, 2023
*4.5 Stars On My Instagram Account*
"For the longest time they only known love by the shape of its absence."
Detective Sam is back! Once again, our non binary smartest person in the room, Detective Sam has a murder mystery to solve in Swipe Right For Stab Wounds by clever author Elle Kleos.
Women are being stabbed to death and the thing they have in common is they all used the new Paths dating app. Unfortunately for Sam, they didn't expect to be forced undercover as a dater on the app. Dating is not their forte, especially now that they are still seeing the ultra sexy bisexual Teddy they met in the first book, Like and Subscribe For Murder. To make matters worse, their ex girlfriend is the creator of the dating app!
Happily, voice actor T.J. Clark
is back as Sam and that familiarity with their personality makes for an extremely entertaining listen. The comedic timing is on point with comments like, "That's a coincidence trying to look like a clue."
But what really stood out to me was this writer giving us a more introspective Sam. As they struggle with Teddy wanting more in their relationship, the insensitive jokes from colleagues when they have to wear make up and dress sexy, and digging deep to comfort a victim's family, we hear Sam lament, "Sometimes being human felt much harder than being a detective."
The author's growth in storytelling is evident with Sam's emotional awakening . There's still plenty of laughter with a blundering rookie partner and a twisty red herring filled mystery but if I'm honest, it's the suave Teddy that has me swiping right for more Detective Sam.
I received a free copy of this audiobook from the author for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
**This Review Is For The Audiobook**
"For the longest time they only known love by the shape of its absence."
Detective Sam is back! Once again, our non binary smartest person in the room, Detective Sam has a murder mystery to solve in Swipe Right For Stab Wounds by clever author Elle Kleos.
Women are being stabbed to death and the thing they have in common is they all used the new Paths dating app. Unfortunately for Sam, they didn't expect to be forced undercover as a dater on the app. Dating is not their forte, especially now that they are still seeing the ultra sexy bisexual Teddy they met in the first book, Like and Subscribe For Murder. To make matters worse, their ex girlfriend is the creator of the dating app!
Happily, voice actor T.J. Clark
is back as Sam and that familiarity with their personality makes for an extremely entertaining listen. The comedic timing is on point with comments like, "That's a coincidence trying to look like a clue."
But what really stood out to me was this writer giving us a more introspective Sam. As they struggle with Teddy wanting more in their relationship, the insensitive jokes from colleagues when they have to wear make up and dress sexy, and digging deep to comfort a victim's family, we hear Sam lament, "Sometimes being human felt much harder than being a detective."
The author's growth in storytelling is evident with Sam's emotional awakening . There's still plenty of laughter with a blundering rookie partner and a twisty red herring filled mystery but if I'm honest, it's the suave Teddy that has me swiping right for more Detective Sam.
I received a free copy of this audiobook from the author for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
**This Review Is For The Audiobook**
December 4, 2025
Thanks to the publisher for a net galley ARC of this!
So I'll admit I went into this with the expectation of an okay crime novel and this expectation was lowered a little by the bad formatting of the ARC copy I got which meant I had to read it on my phone rather than on my kindle. This is something I struggle with because no matter how hard I try to fight it my brain finds so many other things about my phone more interesting than reading 😭
However, once I actually started reading it I fell in love with the characters and was kicking myself for taking so long to get into it.
I'm also apparently an idiot because I didn't realise until I started reading this that it's book 2 in a series so it's probably a good idea to read book 1 first. It's definitely still readable alone and the author did a great job of making sure everything referenced from book 1 is explained well enough but I feel like at times I had questions which were probably answered before 😅
Storywise this is a fairly normal crime novel plot with a cute queer romance and a lot of lovable (and some less lovable) characters. As a non binary forensic scientist I definitely see parts of myself in Sam though I'm definitely less cool. I thought the mystery/crime plot was well done and although I did guess who did it I didn't make that guess until quite late
And I guess the biggest compliment I can give is that I'll be going back and reading the first book as soon as I finish my library books because I'm excited to read more about detective Sam and see where their romance with Teddy all started!
So I'll admit I went into this with the expectation of an okay crime novel and this expectation was lowered a little by the bad formatting of the ARC copy I got which meant I had to read it on my phone rather than on my kindle. This is something I struggle with because no matter how hard I try to fight it my brain finds so many other things about my phone more interesting than reading 😭
However, once I actually started reading it I fell in love with the characters and was kicking myself for taking so long to get into it.
I'm also apparently an idiot because I didn't realise until I started reading this that it's book 2 in a series so it's probably a good idea to read book 1 first. It's definitely still readable alone and the author did a great job of making sure everything referenced from book 1 is explained well enough but I feel like at times I had questions which were probably answered before 😅
Storywise this is a fairly normal crime novel plot with a cute queer romance and a lot of lovable (and some less lovable) characters. As a non binary forensic scientist I definitely see parts of myself in Sam though I'm definitely less cool. I thought the mystery/crime plot was well done and although I did guess who did it I didn't make that guess until quite late
And I guess the biggest compliment I can give is that I'll be going back and reading the first book as soon as I finish my library books because I'm excited to read more about detective Sam and see where their romance with Teddy all started!
September 25, 2023
Back from a high profile case, non-binary Detective Sam is ready to dive into work closer to home and solve another homicide. A popular dating app seems to be the connection between the recent deaths of three young women, and Sam must stop the killings before anyone else gets hurt. However, when this newest case requires an uncomfortable stint going undercover, Sam has to figure out how much of themselves they can sacrifice while still dedicating themselves to solving this homicide.
I love so many things about Detective Sam! They are committed to their work, a little snarky, compassionate, and a great mentor (in their own unique way) to the newest detective in the department. This book introduced me to some very challenging questions about what we are and are not willing to ask others to sacrifice for “the greater good”, but also did so in a very approachable way! This one is slightly long, but the details all feel worth it, and we get so many fun cornels about Sam’s background!
Thank you to author, Elle Kleos, for the opportunity to read and review this book!
I love so many things about Detective Sam! They are committed to their work, a little snarky, compassionate, and a great mentor (in their own unique way) to the newest detective in the department. This book introduced me to some very challenging questions about what we are and are not willing to ask others to sacrifice for “the greater good”, but also did so in a very approachable way! This one is slightly long, but the details all feel worth it, and we get so many fun cornels about Sam’s background!
Thank you to author, Elle Kleos, for the opportunity to read and review this book!
August 10, 2025
I'd never heard of this author before the book popped up on NetGalley, and you can be sure I'll be seeking out book one and eagerly awaiting book three! This is, I think, the first book I've read with , and to this ignorant cis person's eye, the issues were handled marvelously. I put that up front because Sam's gender is front and center in this story (being forced to dress/present as a woman as part of their investigation).
The mysteries were satisfyingly twisty-turny, though I did spot one of the culprits early on (unusual for me). I'll be interested to see how another thorny plot line plays out in future books. And the romance with Teddy is utterly swoonworthy. All in all, this gets four-plus stars from me.
My thanks to the publisher/NetGalley for a complimentary copy of this book.
The mysteries were satisfyingly twisty-turny, though I did spot one of the culprits early on (unusual for me). I'll be interested to see how another thorny plot line plays out in future books. And the romance with Teddy is utterly swoonworthy. All in all, this gets four-plus stars from me.
My thanks to the publisher/NetGalley for a complimentary copy of this book.
July 23, 2023
I really loved the mix of a police procedural and a romance in this book! Having a non-binary main character who is also the love interest made my heart happy. Detective Sam is not your typical detective, and that makes them better than your average cop. When multiple women who use the same dating app and a local beloved priest end up dead, it’s up to Detective Sam and their bumbling rookie to solve all of the murders to keep their community safe. Sam doesn’t count on an ex being involved.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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November 10, 2025Thank you IBPA and NetGalley for the ARC!
I really loved the premise of this book, especially as it features a non-binary main character. Unfortunately the pacing was too slow for me and I chose to DNF at 21%. This is just a personal issue and nothing to do with the book, I believe this would be a great mystery for many readers.
I really loved the premise of this book, especially as it features a non-binary main character. Unfortunately the pacing was too slow for me and I chose to DNF at 21%. This is just a personal issue and nothing to do with the book, I believe this would be a great mystery for many readers.
July 7, 2023
This was another really fun Detective Sam story. I enjoyed the mystery and the new character Noah. The continued flirtation between Teddy and Sam was very cute!
April 8, 2023
A sketchy priest, a foul-mouthed rookie, a sexy artist, and a dating app mogul walk into a police station, and you know that Detective Sam is back for one hell of a case!
The second novel in Elle Kleos’ fabulous Detective Sam series picks up right where the delightful Like and Subscribe for Murder left off with Detective Sam back on the mainland doing the whole detective thing. With the social media influencer hellscape that was Paradiso in their rear-view mirror they are ready to get back to their old life but unfortunately things are never that simple for Sam. When a string of women are attacked and the only link between them is the Paths dating app they were on (think Tinder – same douchebag guys, but less horny) Sam is forced to endure the hell that is modern dating when they are tasked with going undercover on the app. And if that isn’t bad enough (and for all of you folks that aren’t single out there, trust me this is a fate that will make you wish you were the murder victim!) it just so happens that the woman in charge of Paths is Sam’s old flame from college. Let’s just say their relationship did not end on good terms!
What follows is one hell of a twisty plot that keeps you guessing about whodunnit right up until the very end. For my Like and Subscribe fans out there the narrative and mystery are more complex in this book, but in the best way possible. In fact I’d say that Swipe Right improves on the previous novel in every way from providing more detailed and rich descriptions of characters and the world, to developing fully formed characters who will make you laugh, cry and occasionally want to strangle them, to making Teddy actually likeable instead of annoying (yes book 1 fans I was a Teddy hater, deal with it). That’s right the love interest from the first book is back, and even if you wished he wasn’t trust me you’ll want to give it a chance this time around because what unfolds is such a cute, romantic and occasionally profound look into queer relationships in the modern world.
To summarize if you’re looking for a book that will reel you in from the first page, has a mystery as deliciously twisty as a Twizzler, and characters that you can’t help but fall in love with than Swipe Right for Stab Wounds is a can’t miss novel that frankly if it isn’t already on your reading list by the end of this sentence I will be seriously judging you!
The second novel in Elle Kleos’ fabulous Detective Sam series picks up right where the delightful Like and Subscribe for Murder left off with Detective Sam back on the mainland doing the whole detective thing. With the social media influencer hellscape that was Paradiso in their rear-view mirror they are ready to get back to their old life but unfortunately things are never that simple for Sam. When a string of women are attacked and the only link between them is the Paths dating app they were on (think Tinder – same douchebag guys, but less horny) Sam is forced to endure the hell that is modern dating when they are tasked with going undercover on the app. And if that isn’t bad enough (and for all of you folks that aren’t single out there, trust me this is a fate that will make you wish you were the murder victim!) it just so happens that the woman in charge of Paths is Sam’s old flame from college. Let’s just say their relationship did not end on good terms!
What follows is one hell of a twisty plot that keeps you guessing about whodunnit right up until the very end. For my Like and Subscribe fans out there the narrative and mystery are more complex in this book, but in the best way possible. In fact I’d say that Swipe Right improves on the previous novel in every way from providing more detailed and rich descriptions of characters and the world, to developing fully formed characters who will make you laugh, cry and occasionally want to strangle them, to making Teddy actually likeable instead of annoying (yes book 1 fans I was a Teddy hater, deal with it). That’s right the love interest from the first book is back, and even if you wished he wasn’t trust me you’ll want to give it a chance this time around because what unfolds is such a cute, romantic and occasionally profound look into queer relationships in the modern world.
To summarize if you’re looking for a book that will reel you in from the first page, has a mystery as deliciously twisty as a Twizzler, and characters that you can’t help but fall in love with than Swipe Right for Stab Wounds is a can’t miss novel that frankly if it isn’t already on your reading list by the end of this sentence I will be seriously judging you!
June 12, 2023
This book was on Detective Sam's home territory and the reader can see what a special person that Sam really is. I found that they were someone I would love to know. I hope there are more books about Sam. Recommend reading.
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