In Melissa Senate's new novel, Love You to Death, the question on everybody's mind is: "Who's axing Abby's exes?"

Twenty-five-year-old journalist Abby Foote has had a string of relationships gone sour. When her latest boyfriend abandons her in a Gap store on the way to a family event, she knows that she has to be cursed.

However, Abby's unlucky-in-love story really picks up when one of her former boyfriends is murdered the day after his engagement. Soon after, two more of her exes come forward, saying they were victims of attempted murder shortly after they broke-up with her.

Abby, who is the common link among all three of the men, becomes the leading suspect in this fast-paced, mysterious crime.

However, just when chick lit fans might give up, the mystery redeems its light and romantic qualities. Abby gets a blast from the past when her high school crush-the tall, dark and handsome Benjamin Orr-is the detective assigned to her case.

Abby is convinced that the stream of violence is purely coincidental and anxiously embarks on her own search to prove her innocence.

Along the way, she must deal with her feelings for Ben and being isolated from some of her family members, who grow suspicious that she may really be behind the crime.

Senate provides a lot of details of Abby's personal background, including her Cinderella-esque family situation, which sparks genuine feelings of empathy from the reader. Character development is spectacular and proves that the novel is more than the usual, sometimes vapid, chick lit fare. Senate plans to continue Abby's character in subsequent romance-mysteries, so fans of this book should keep their eyes open.

This charming story is ideal for people like me who are sometimes wary of mysteries. I was skeptical to try it at first, but as soon as Ben entered the scene and the interpersonal relationships came into play, I was hooked. It's no mystery - Love You to Death is just chick lit in disguise. Grade: A