Murder Talk

by R.A. Frick

Where everyone is dying to be in the spotlight.

~ Owen “Mac” McKenzie is a household name for his TV show, “Murder Talk,” where he discusses big stories and unsolved crimes. What the fans don’t know is that he committed some of those murders, and he has no plans to stop.

~ Ethan Miller is a struggling chef with an empty bank account who listens to crime podcasts to stay sane. When he witnesses a celebrity talk show host kill a billionaire CEO, Ethan isn’t sure whether to clap or run screaming for the hills.

~ Call it hubris or confidence, but Mac never expects to get caught. He decides to take the cute witness with him, not sure if he will kill the boy or keep him as a pet… When his assistant goes missing, and Ethan’s dad might be involved, the two team up to find out who is to blame.

***

Spotlight 14 authors bring you 14 original stories of killers in the public eye.

Genres: Dark, M M Romance, Crime

192 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 21, 2026

About the author

R.A. Frick is a queer author of steamy queer romance, often with angst, always with a HEA! Focusing on non-binary, trans, and gay characters is close to RA's lived experiences, though they have written everything from YA dystopian time travel to dark taboo romance, and added paranormal romance to their repertoire in 2025.

RA's books have been on multiple bestseller lists, and they are usually found writing with their corgi in Northern California.

Reviews

[True Loveislovereview · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars. Owen MacKenzie, aka Mac, is an investigative reporter and has his own TV show ‘Murderer Talk’
It’s quite sinister, some of the cases he discusses are where he is the murderer. Nobody knows of course. He’s a psychopath and loves to hurt people. Now, he’s older he tracks down the big guys, the guys with money who do bad things, like human trafficking.

Being disinherited by his abusive father, Ethan is broke and working part-time sous chef gigs in the San Francisco Bay. He was hitting on a hot guy. On his pause in the alley, he recognises the hot guy as Owen Mackenzie, the TV celebrity. But he’s doing something that seems like… murder? Yes, it is!
Mac threatens him and takes him with him. That will be the end of Ethan.

Hmm, what will Mac do with Ethan? The guy is too willing to please him. Di, Mac’s assistant finds out that Ethan is the son of the billionaire Thomas Miller. The man they have been following for a while.
Mac feels more protective of Ethan than the urge to kill him, he wants to control and own his ‘pet’, and Ethan is more aroused by Mac than afraid of him.

When Di is kidnapped and Ethan’s father seems involved, Mac and Ethan have to work side by side.

I loved this story, it’s dark, and the above should tell enough. There are still some moments that are a tiny bit sweeter. The writing was flawless, the story captivating and super entertaining, and not one second was dull.
The story goes with trigger warnings.

Review also on Love Bytes LGBTQ bookreviews

[Deb Kel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book looks at the darker side of romance, and though it won’t be for everyone I ended up being completely hooked.

Mac is not your typical main character. He’s calculating, ruthless, and fully aware of what he is, which made his POV both unsettling and weirdly compelling. The whole concept of a public figure who secretly commits the crimes he talks about added an extra layer of tension that kept things interesting the entire way through.

Ethan, in contrast, brings a very different energy. He’s thrown into an absolutely insane situation, yet adapts in a way that’s both surprising and, at times, a little unsettling in its own right. Their dynamic leans heavily into that morally grey (or honestly just dark) territory, where you’re not always sure whether to root for them, but you can’t look away either.

I liked that the story didn’t rush past the darker elements. There’s a lot of focus on control, power, and the blurred lines between fear and attraction, but it’s balanced with moments that almost feel soft in comparison. The plot with the missing assistant and Ethan’s father added some extra intrigue and gave the story more depth beyond just their relationship.

Overall, a gripping and twisted read with a unique premise and characters that are anything but conventional. Definitely check the content warnings, but if you enjoy darker, morally complex stories, this one delivers.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Anne Harris · Rating 4 out of 5]

So enjoyable
Owen McKenzie is a TV show host of murder talk and he has been on telly for years. He is a local celebrity who wizzes around town in his sporty car but what people don’t know is he is also a serial killer. It’s fair to say that Mac enjoys taking down people that do wrong. His Assistant was once trafficked and Mac will do anything to keep her safe. One night when he is out killing a guy who is connected to human trafficking he is spotted by a sous chef. And for once it’s not Mac first instinct to kill him. He actually kidnapped him.
Ethan had been thrown out of his father‘s Property weeks ago. He was now making money as a sous chef. Ethan had seen some disgusting behaviour at his father‘s house so was glad to be away from him even even though it meant he was struggling to survive now, but when he goes on a break, he spots a TV star drugging a man. And the next thing he knows they are running away and Ethan is scared as he don’t know if he’s the next one to die. He finds himself chained up in a guest house not knowing what will happen to him next. He chooses to get Mac to trust him even if that means seducing him. Now there is another story brewing behind these two when Mac Assistant Di is taken once again. And Mac will do anything to save her, but can he trust Ethan????
I really like the dynamic between Mac and E. What started as a kidnapping soon turned into a partnership. Mac thought he wasn’t capable to love but this fast paced story brings up some surprises.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Showarst · Rating 4 out of 5]

Murder Talk by R.A. Frick is part of a multiauthor universe in which public figures moonlight as serial killers. Owen MacKenzie, host of the highly popular true crime show, is hunting down men and women who do bad things and are not punished for it. Ethan Miller stumbles upon Owen killing someone. Since Owen cannot leave Ethan with this knowledge, he kidnaps Ethan and takes him home as his “pet”. I loved the dynamic between these two so much. They literally are perfect for each other. Owen wants to be in control and Ethan wants to submit. The kink was perfect and I was on the edge of my seat until the very end. This had everything that I love: kink dynamic, obsession, psychopath in love, and found family. I cannot wait to see what else awaits in this series. I have a feeling it is going to be a great one!

I received an ARC from the author and BookSprout for my honest review.

[Johanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

'Murder Talk is part of the Spotlight multi-author collaboration, and is a standalone novel. 14 authors bring you 14 original stories of killers in the public eye. Where everyone is dying to be in the spotlight.'

The characters were very complex and compelling and complicated and dark and obsessive and perfectly steamy together. Plot was intriguing and intense and exciting and well paced. World building was solidly drawn and impressive. Thoroughly enjoyed and highly recommend.

Grab a copy, kick back and enjoy!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[K · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars
MM
Plot 3.5/5
Spice 2/5
Dom/sub vibes
Unaliver/ kidnappee


Mac had a mission to unalive all the people who hurt his assistant and meets E who see him in the act! so the only logical thing to do would be to take the witness with you right? of course! Now turns out E is already a little messed up in the head (arent we all) so he takes to being kidnapped really well and decides that sleeping with your kidnapper is the way to go!

This was actual a decent book, the story moves quickly and the spice is woven in in the times that make sense! I enjoyed the murder talk show as a cover for Mac!!

[Sophia · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an enjoyable read. I feel like it's a little rough around the edges. When I say that, I feel like Ethan was too pliable. It's understandable that there is shock when something unexpected or bad happens especially with his history, but he was almost to passive. Mac is definitely the strong possessive type.

If your looking for some spicy smut this will check the box, but it also has a plot that moves the story along. I feel like there are a few scenes that are rushed with a to convenient solution. Like a plug and go feel.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[SJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay, so I had no idea this was a whole series written by different authors and I'm so excited there are going to be more books to read because so far this has been such a ridiculously good time. This is the second book in the In The Spotlight series, and it was so addictive. This dark MM romance had some of the most entertaining banter, and the heat was kinky and off the charts. Mac and Ethan's story had me giggling and squirming. It's a fast-paced, easy to read in one sitting with all the dark serial unaliver rom-com vibes.

Tropes:
Serial unaliver
Celebrity
Kinky
Age-gap
Daddy Vibes
Dual POV

Check TW

[Priscilla · Rating 4 out of 5]

After E witnessed a murder, Mac had to decide what to do with him. It was a bit of a whirlwind for their relationship that quickly became more especially when they had to rescue Mac's personal assistant. The story was cute and a bit dark with a side of kinky. Check the triggers list. It was a fun story with light drama.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Saskia Veldhuis · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very appealing darker romance, with serial unaliver Mac being the host of a crime show - in which some of the murders he discusses are actually his own. E witnesses one and Mac takes him captive, only for both to discover a strong mutual attraction. Mac's assistant Di made for a good side character. E's father was really a bit over the top evil, but the team trying to stop him made for an entertaining plot.
Thanks for the advance copy via Booksprout, I am happy to leave a voluntary review.

[LC · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! I’m really getting into dark romance and this book by R.A. Frick is great. It has moments of suspense and steam. I enjoyed the back and forth of E and Mac. I liked how the story revolves around the relationship between Di and Mac at first and then grows to include E. The dynamic between Master/pet is interesting and plays out through the story with Mac putting a collar on E. The ending is amazing!!

[Lyn Solomon-Linville · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute book, but to be honest kind of basic. The concept of a serial killer with his own talk show was very creative. How quickly E. became Mac's sub and partner just felt rushed. Maybe I've read too many grey characters and it's just me and readers want some light hearted morally grey relationships. It is a good book for that.

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

SIR!

This was a wonderful experience. I am enjoying the whole series so far and reading them as they come out. This is my first book by this author and I am enthralled. I was worried the bathroom stuff would detour me but you know what. I loved that part to! Their dynamic was gorgeous and Di was amazing. I want more.

[Amanda Reeves · Rating 5 out of 5]

Murder Talk is part of the multi-author In the Spotlight series and can be read as a standalone. This is a forced proximity, age gap, suspenseful, kinky read about Owen and Ethan. I just loved this, it was just dark enough and had enough suspense to keep my attention throughout.

[Louise Lilly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book had a balance of action, plot and romance. Of course you need to suspend your belief but thats not the point.
Tropes: serial killer, morally grey MC, kidnapping, bdsm (somnophilia, bondage), age gap

[Amanda Grange · Rating 5 out of 5]

Listen....I'm enjoying the entire series, but Ethan and Mac are my current favorites. There isn't anything about this book that i don't like. I'm not sure if it's supposed to be as funny as I found it but it had me cackling.

[Molly Otto · Rating 5 out of 5]

What happens when a nationally known Murder Talk Host gets caught in the act? Well in the eyes of Mac you kidnap the man and make him your own. When Ethan sees Mac in the act he goes along and sees what happens next, at this point in life how could things get any worse? E is the perfect submissive to the dominant Mac that allows these two to let each other in and become something more. When Mac's only friend is taken once again the two join forces to get them back and learn to trust and work together. This was a fun and quick read right on the edge of dark but not too much over that cliff for those who do not generally read the genre.

[Natalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great read. It was a sweet/spicy little novella. I could’ve had darker, but it was fun!

[Sarah☀️ Somerville]

DNF @ 17% - Not for me.

[Lauren · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF at 35%

[Scar Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars rounded up. This was sexy, fun, and kinky. It resolved a little too easily but it's still a great read.