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Detective by Day #1
Hollywood Homicide
Dayna Anderson doesn’t set out to solve a murder. All the semi-famous, mega-broke black actress wants is to help her parents keep their house. After witnessing a deadly hit-and-run, she figures pursuing the fifteen-grand reward isn’t the craziest thing a Hollywood actress has done for some cash.
But what starts as simply trying to remember a speeding car soon blossoms into a full-on investigation. As Dayna digs deeper into the victim’s life, she wants more than just reward money. She’s determined to find the poor woman’s killer too. When she connects the accident to a notorious Hollywood crime spree, Dayna chases down leads at paparazzi hot spots, celeb homes and movie premieres. She loves every second—until someone tries to kill her.
And there are no second takes in real life.
But what starts as simply trying to remember a speeding car soon blossoms into a full-on investigation. As Dayna digs deeper into the victim’s life, she wants more than just reward money. She’s determined to find the poor woman’s killer too. When she connects the accident to a notorious Hollywood crime spree, Dayna chases down leads at paparazzi hot spots, celeb homes and movie premieres. She loves every second—until someone tries to kill her.
And there are no second takes in real life.
306 pages, Paperback
First published August 8, 2017
About the author
Kellye Garrett
9 books1,225 followersKellye Garrett is the author of the upcoming Missing White Woman, a twisty thriller and "compulsive page-turner" (Harlan Coben) about a woman who thinks she’s waking up to a romantic vacation—only to find a body in her rental home and her boyfriend gone.
Her latest book Like A Sister is the story of a black woman in New York City looking into the mysterious overdose of her estranged reality star sister. In addition to being featured on the TODAY show, the suspense novel was a Book of the Month April 2022 selection, the Oxygen channel’s July Book Club pick, an Edgar award finalist, Anthony award nominee and Lefty award winner. She previously wrote the Detective by Day lightweight mysteries, which have won the Anthony, Agatha, Lefty and IPPY awards.
In addition, Kellye is a co-founder of Crime Writers of Color, which received the 2023 Raven Award from MWA.
You can learn more by visiting KellyeGarrett.com and following @KellyeKell on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
Her latest book Like A Sister is the story of a black woman in New York City looking into the mysterious overdose of her estranged reality star sister. In addition to being featured on the TODAY show, the suspense novel was a Book of the Month April 2022 selection, the Oxygen channel’s July Book Club pick, an Edgar award finalist, Anthony award nominee and Lefty award winner. She previously wrote the Detective by Day lightweight mysteries, which have won the Anthony, Agatha, Lefty and IPPY awards.
In addition, Kellye is a co-founder of Crime Writers of Color, which received the 2023 Raven Award from MWA.
You can learn more by visiting KellyeGarrett.com and following @KellyeKell on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 626 reviews
December 4, 2021
Best book ever...written by me. Also only book written by me so...
Seriously, I've wanted to write a book since I was 5 and still can't believe it is happening!
Thank you everyone for reading it.
Seriously, I've wanted to write a book since I was 5 and still can't believe it is happening!
Thank you everyone for reading it.
December 12, 2020
Hollywood Homicide by Kellye Garrett is a 2017 Midnight Ink publication.
Amusing and highly entertaining!
Dayna, an out of work actress, is in desperate need of money- not just so she can eat, but because her parents need her help. When she witnesses a hit and run, and discovers there is a sizeable reward for information leading to an arrest- Dayna turns amateur detective in hopes of claiming the reward money.
She soon discovers the case could be connected to a recent spate of crimes in Hollywood- which sends her on a madcap mission to find a murderer. It’s a grand adventure until Dayna becomes a target...
I found this book on Scribd and liked the sound of it. The ratings were solid, so I decided to give it a try- and hit pay dirt. A light, very funny, mystery with great characters, some surprise twists, against a Hollywood backdrop. Dayna is hysterical, the pacing is brisk, and the story is entertaining all the way around.
Yes, it checks all the ‘cozy’ mystery boxes, but anyone who likes humorous mysteries will enjoy this one.
Looking forward to the follow up!
4 stars
Amusing and highly entertaining!
Dayna, an out of work actress, is in desperate need of money- not just so she can eat, but because her parents need her help. When she witnesses a hit and run, and discovers there is a sizeable reward for information leading to an arrest- Dayna turns amateur detective in hopes of claiming the reward money.
She soon discovers the case could be connected to a recent spate of crimes in Hollywood- which sends her on a madcap mission to find a murderer. It’s a grand adventure until Dayna becomes a target...
I found this book on Scribd and liked the sound of it. The ratings were solid, so I decided to give it a try- and hit pay dirt. A light, very funny, mystery with great characters, some surprise twists, against a Hollywood backdrop. Dayna is hysterical, the pacing is brisk, and the story is entertaining all the way around.
Yes, it checks all the ‘cozy’ mystery boxes, but anyone who likes humorous mysteries will enjoy this one.
Looking forward to the follow up!
4 stars
July 6, 2023
In this first book in the 'Detective by Day' series, former actress Dayna Anderson is on the trail of a hit-and-run driver.
*****
Like lots of gals in Hollywood, Dayna Anderson wanted to be famous, and she was.....for a while. The pretty black actress was the face of "Chubby's Chicken"commercials for two years, until they 'went in a different direction.'
Since then Dayna has retired from acting, and supports herself with temp positions as best she can. This makes it tough for Dayna to buy gas for her Pepto-Bismol pink car or minutes for her pay-as-you-go phone.
To save money, Dayna has even moved into a combination bedroom/shoe closet (bloset) in her friend's apartment.
When Dayna hears that her parents can't pay their mortgage and are about to lose their house, she has to find a way to come up with extra cash.....fast! So Dayna decides she'll try to collect the $15,000 reward for information on the hit-and-run murder of a young woman named Haley Joseph.
Dayna realizes that she and her friends were in the vicinity of the incident, and actually got a glimpse of a speeding car. This is the start of Dayna's convoluted - and hilarious - investigation.
Dayna's friends - Sienna, Emme, and Omari - help with her inquiries. Sienna is a fashionista who's adept at hovering near celebrities when paparazzi are around, so she can get into the pictures; Sienna hopes to have a reality show some day.
Emme likes to stay home in her roomful of computers, where she shops, plays online games, IMs people, and hacks into accounts; she's an identical twin to Toni Abrams - an Oscar-nominated actress who was People's most beautiful woman.
And Omari is a handsome, budding television star that Dayna has crushed on since high school; when the actor makes a mini-pass at Dayna, she (inadvertently) freaks out.....much to her regret.
Dayna also partners up with Aubrey S. Adams-Parker, a bicycle-riding ex-cop/private detective who wears a bright orange reflector suit.
While Dayna is trying to track down the hit-and-run driver who struck Haley, the cops are on the trail of a team of robbers nicknamed 'The Rack Pack' - who break into celebrities' homes and steal clothes, jewelry, and cash. Recently The Rack Pack targeted singer/rapper Kandy Wrapper and her basketball player boyfriend. Could their next target be Toni Abrams?
Dayna's quest to find the killer (and maybe romance) takes her all around Hollywood, including a consignment store, 'Clothes Encounters', where Haley worked; an auto mechanic shop; a movie premiere; a luxurious mansion; and the set of a TV show. Dayna also engages in break-ins, stake-outs, car chases, and foot pursuits - often in her Pink Panther stilettos.
To get the $15,000 reward, Dayna has to give her information to the police tip line, and her calls to the gum-snapping woman who monitors the line are very funny - especially since Dayna accuses one person after another of being Haley's killer.
Important secondary characters in the story include Haley's boyfriend - Victory; her co-workers - Betty, Natalie, and Marina; a Hollywood talent manager - Montgomery Rose; and Sienna's black, gay, male counterpart - 'Fab.'
The book has a refreshing angle on the cozy mystery genre because Dayna isn't trying to outsmart and outmaneuver the cops. She just wants the reward money, and maybe to get a killer off the streets. I like this approach, and look forward to more of Dayna's adventures.
To use one of Dayna's favorite words, I smiled a kajillion times while I was reading this book. Highly recommended to fans of cozy mysteries.
Thanks to Netgalley, the author (Kellye Garrett), and the publisher (Midnight Ink) for a copy of the book.
You can follow my reviews at http://reviewsbybarbsaffer.blogspot.com/
April 10, 2020
First comes the review, and then if you keep reading you’ll get the funny story of how I crossed paths with the author of this one. How’s that for a teaser?
Dayna Anderson had 15 minutes of fame thanks to starring in a string of TV commercials for a fast-food chicken place. However, after losing that gig she’s now struggling to get by, and she’s desperate to make some quick cash to prevent the bank from foreclosing on her parents’ house. Inspiration comes after Dayna sees a billboard offering a large cash reward for tips on the hit-and-run death of a young woman, and Dayna realizes that she and some friends had almost been struck by a reckless car that was most likely the same one that killed the girl.
At first Dayna is just hoping that finding out the details of the crime will help jog her memory so that she can give the cops a clue and claim the reward, but soon she finds herself drawn into the mystery. Once Dayna sets out to find the killer not even the quickly dwindling minutes on her phone plan can stop her investigation.
Amateur sleuths usually aren’t my favorite sub-genre of mysteries, but I had a really good time with this one. Kellye Garrett has a great sense of comedic timing in her writing, and there was many a laugh-out-loud moment. (I listened to the audio version, and narrator Bahni Turpin helped the jokes land as well.) The celebrity obsessed culture of Hollywood is used to great effect with Dayna’s humorous observations about it. It’s also a nice touch that Dayna isn’t just pointing and mocking. She is part of that world so while she may poke gentle fun at her best friend’s relentless seeking of fame, it’s done with affection.
I also enjoyed Dayna because after reading about a ton of super-macho tough guy detectives it was refreshing to have someone who doesn’t really know what they’re doing as a lead character. Not that Dayna comes across as stupid, just inexperienced, and enthusiasm often gets the better of her common sense. That helps add to the comedic elements, but her pure determination and a wealth of knowledge from watching true crime shows keep Dayna hot on the trail of the killer even as she’s clueless about her own love life. She’s a classic underdog that you can’t help but root for.
Overall, it’s a funny and entertaining mystery with a great lead character that has some very witty observations about Hollywood.
And now for the bonus story…
I was at Bouchercon in Dallas last fall, and in addition to seeing some of my favorite writers I watched several interesting people I had never read before on panels so I made a point out of buying a copy of their books and trying to meet them at some point. That’s already paid off with in my recent reading of books by authors like Eryk Pruitt, Jennifer Hillier, and SA (Shawn) Cosby.
Unfortunately, none of those authors was Kellye Garrett.
In fact, I had never heard of her or seen her on any panels. So I probably sounded completely rude and ignorant when I happened to meet her in the hotel bar one night and asked her what kind of stuff she wrote. The extra embarrassing thing for me is that although I didn’t know it at the time she had just come from the Anthony Awards where she had been nominated for Best Novel. She politely told me about this series and game me a promotional card for one of the books.
Afterwards, I started following several of the other authors on Twitter, and Kellye’s name kept coming up. That’s where I saw that her books were about to be released on Audible so I had this on deck when I read My Darkest Prayer. I noted in in my review that that Shawn Cosby had been a huge presence at Bouchercon.
And who should just so happen to comment on that review? That’s right. Kellye Garrett. She was shocked to hear that we had met at that Bouchercon. (I was relived that she didn’t say, “Oh, you were THAT asshole?!?) Then it was my turn to be shocked when she complimented me on some of the reviews I’d done on the Spenser series she’d read before.
After all that I felt like I was destined to read this book, and I'm glad I did.
Dayna Anderson had 15 minutes of fame thanks to starring in a string of TV commercials for a fast-food chicken place. However, after losing that gig she’s now struggling to get by, and she’s desperate to make some quick cash to prevent the bank from foreclosing on her parents’ house. Inspiration comes after Dayna sees a billboard offering a large cash reward for tips on the hit-and-run death of a young woman, and Dayna realizes that she and some friends had almost been struck by a reckless car that was most likely the same one that killed the girl.
At first Dayna is just hoping that finding out the details of the crime will help jog her memory so that she can give the cops a clue and claim the reward, but soon she finds herself drawn into the mystery. Once Dayna sets out to find the killer not even the quickly dwindling minutes on her phone plan can stop her investigation.
Amateur sleuths usually aren’t my favorite sub-genre of mysteries, but I had a really good time with this one. Kellye Garrett has a great sense of comedic timing in her writing, and there was many a laugh-out-loud moment. (I listened to the audio version, and narrator Bahni Turpin helped the jokes land as well.) The celebrity obsessed culture of Hollywood is used to great effect with Dayna’s humorous observations about it. It’s also a nice touch that Dayna isn’t just pointing and mocking. She is part of that world so while she may poke gentle fun at her best friend’s relentless seeking of fame, it’s done with affection.
I also enjoyed Dayna because after reading about a ton of super-macho tough guy detectives it was refreshing to have someone who doesn’t really know what they’re doing as a lead character. Not that Dayna comes across as stupid, just inexperienced, and enthusiasm often gets the better of her common sense. That helps add to the comedic elements, but her pure determination and a wealth of knowledge from watching true crime shows keep Dayna hot on the trail of the killer even as she’s clueless about her own love life. She’s a classic underdog that you can’t help but root for.
Overall, it’s a funny and entertaining mystery with a great lead character that has some very witty observations about Hollywood.
And now for the bonus story…
I was at Bouchercon in Dallas last fall, and in addition to seeing some of my favorite writers I watched several interesting people I had never read before on panels so I made a point out of buying a copy of their books and trying to meet them at some point. That’s already paid off with in my recent reading of books by authors like Eryk Pruitt, Jennifer Hillier, and SA (Shawn) Cosby.
Unfortunately, none of those authors was Kellye Garrett.
In fact, I had never heard of her or seen her on any panels. So I probably sounded completely rude and ignorant when I happened to meet her in the hotel bar one night and asked her what kind of stuff she wrote. The extra embarrassing thing for me is that although I didn’t know it at the time she had just come from the Anthony Awards where she had been nominated for Best Novel. She politely told me about this series and game me a promotional card for one of the books.
Afterwards, I started following several of the other authors on Twitter, and Kellye’s name kept coming up. That’s where I saw that her books were about to be released on Audible so I had this on deck when I read My Darkest Prayer. I noted in in my review that that Shawn Cosby had been a huge presence at Bouchercon.
And who should just so happen to comment on that review? That’s right. Kellye Garrett. She was shocked to hear that we had met at that Bouchercon. (I was relived that she didn’t say, “Oh, you were THAT asshole?!?) Then it was my turn to be shocked when she complimented me on some of the reviews I’d done on the Spenser series she’d read before.
After all that I felt like I was destined to read this book, and I'm glad I did.
August 25, 2021
I always appreciate discovering a mystery novel with a black female sleuth because they are so hard to find. I first want to mention that I love the cover. Dayna is a retired actress who decides to become an amateur detective after seeing a billboard advertising $15,000 reward for tips leading to the arrest in the case of the murder of Haley Joseph. With the help of her friends Emme and Sienna she pursues the murderer.
With the setting being Hollywood this book mentions many real life locations in Los Angeles. There are also mentions of popular blogs, message boards, and figures. It's like a mini game figuring out the real life inspirations. This story kept a fast pace but did not skimp over getting to know Dayna and her group of friends. So many recent mystery books I've read drag on with pointless details unrelated to the main plot but this one got right to the point and did not stray. The potential romantic interest was not an overwhelming presence in the story.
I also liked the multiple red herrings that kind of throw you off from figuring out who the real murderer is until the end. The interactions between Dayna and the woman who worked the tip line were hilarious as well. Definitely a book worth buying for a friend.
With the setting being Hollywood this book mentions many real life locations in Los Angeles. There are also mentions of popular blogs, message boards, and figures. It's like a mini game figuring out the real life inspirations. This story kept a fast pace but did not skimp over getting to know Dayna and her group of friends. So many recent mystery books I've read drag on with pointless details unrelated to the main plot but this one got right to the point and did not stray. The potential romantic interest was not an overwhelming presence in the story.
I also liked the multiple red herrings that kind of throw you off from figuring out who the real murderer is until the end. The interactions between Dayna and the woman who worked the tip line were hilarious as well. Definitely a book worth buying for a friend.
April 4, 2021
A solid 3.5 read. Dayna had a clear voice and some fun friends and helpers along the way. I did figure out the holes in her theories and who the killer had to have been but I read a lot of mysteries & cozies (also, this was her first case). The Hollywood setting was unusual for a cozy and I liked that. This is the second book this week I've read where Hollywood is the setting and I'm definitely clear on its level of otherworldliness. Dayna's quirks didn't put me off entirely and the story moved quickly. Definite points for the murder happening very early in the story.
For a relatively short story, Dayna covered a lot of terrain in LA and the pace was well done.
Emme and Sienna were great friends and I loved their support of Dayna and help with the investigation. They were interesting in their own right and I look forward to more about and from them. Aubrey's a very interesting character and I look forward to more from him. So many questions. Dayna's parents just made me keep imploring "SOMEONE CALL THE BANK!!!!" This story provided good amounts of wit and worry, perfect for a cozy.
The weakest thread was Dayna's relationship with Omari. His character was better drawn than other love interests I've come across in cozies but Dayna's inner monologue runs like a preteen and it's just not very interesting or funny. It felt like a stalling tactic and that just annoyed me (the part with the gossip blog opining about his new girlfriend was extremely obvious making Dayna's missing simply ridiculous). I grant this may also be a first book in a series quirk but it's just about the only thing in this book that got on my nerves. I did love it when he helped with the investigation.
I want to see where her investigations take her next and I'm rooting for Dayna's sleuthing so I'm definitely reading the next in the series. Recommended.
For a relatively short story, Dayna covered a lot of terrain in LA and the pace was well done.
Emme and Sienna were great friends and I loved their support of Dayna and help with the investigation. They were interesting in their own right and I look forward to more about and from them. Aubrey's a very interesting character and I look forward to more from him. So many questions. Dayna's parents just made me keep imploring "SOMEONE CALL THE BANK!!!!" This story provided good amounts of wit and worry, perfect for a cozy.
The weakest thread was Dayna's relationship with Omari. His character was better drawn than other love interests I've come across in cozies but Dayna's inner monologue runs like a preteen and it's just not very interesting or funny. It felt like a stalling tactic and that just annoyed me (the part with the gossip blog opining about his new girlfriend was extremely obvious making Dayna's missing simply ridiculous). I grant this may also be a first book in a series quirk but it's just about the only thing in this book that got on my nerves. I did love it when he helped with the investigation.
I want to see where her investigations take her next and I'm rooting for Dayna's sleuthing so I'm definitely reading the next in the series. Recommended.
March 1, 2018
Humour is a particularly individual reader taste and this wasn’t really my style. I found the characters superficial, but I think others would find them fun. Superficial in their interests and in their thin characterization—there wasn’t a lot of backstory for some and they didn’t seem plausible. Some had particular vocal tics but then the narrator commented on them, like I wouldn’t notice. That seems like a debut author kind of flaw.
The heroine, Dayna, goes charging into situations without thinking—maybe because she’s desperate to earn a reward save her parents’ home from foreclosure, but she comes off as not too bright. The plot drags at times, long after a particular clue becomes obvious, but there’s also some well-paced action and dialogue. It’s uneven. The plot advances by means of endless red herrings, and Dayna accuses every one of them. It gets old.
But I did like some things about Dayna, who cares about her friends and family. I liked the romance subplot, and found it entirely plausible that she’d freak out when the old friend she’s had a crush on forever makes a move on her. I liked that mostly it was the female friends who worked together to solve the crime and rescued each other. Dayna is, or was, a wannabe actress and she’s unapologetic about her boob job. And it’s a cozy comic mystery by and about a Black woman, in a largely lily white subgenre! Finally, Hollywood Homicide was able to absorb me during a bout of anxiety insomnia, and for that I am very grateful.
A lot of first book flaws, but also some charm and potential.
The heroine, Dayna, goes charging into situations without thinking—maybe because she’s desperate to earn a reward save her parents’ home from foreclosure, but she comes off as not too bright. The plot drags at times, long after a particular clue becomes obvious, but there’s also some well-paced action and dialogue. It’s uneven. The plot advances by means of endless red herrings, and Dayna accuses every one of them. It gets old.
But I did like some things about Dayna, who cares about her friends and family. I liked the romance subplot, and found it entirely plausible that she’d freak out when the old friend she’s had a crush on forever makes a move on her. I liked that mostly it was the female friends who worked together to solve the crime and rescued each other. Dayna is, or was, a wannabe actress and she’s unapologetic about her boob job. And it’s a cozy comic mystery by and about a Black woman, in a largely lily white subgenre! Finally, Hollywood Homicide was able to absorb me during a bout of anxiety insomnia, and for that I am very grateful.
A lot of first book flaws, but also some charm and potential.
February 22, 2017
I was fortunate enough to read an advance copy of this book. I was sucked in from the opening scene of this fun cozy mystery. The main character, Dayna, is so cool and fun to hang out with. When she happens upon the trail of a mystery that could earn her a big reward, she decides to play amateur detective, chasing down leads and thinking she can solve a crime and make some money. But her snooping could get her in big trouble. Her adventures take her through all kinds of neighborhoods in Hollywood, and Dayna encounters people from all walks of life. This is a great read. Don't miss it.
May 21, 2019
3.5 stars. Light, and amusing, with a protagonist who falls into investigating a hit-and-run for the reward money so she can prevent the bank from taking her parents' house. Though Dayna has no experience in investigating, and actually makes several mistakes along the way (her calls to the tip line had me chuckling), she is determined, and takes advantage of her personal connections and her ability to connect with others to find clues the police could not necessarily have uncovered as easily. She has help from her girlfriends, and a strange ex-cop (what's with the jumpsuit??) and even an old friend (and crush) as she blunders and charges through interviews, all while desperately concerned about her parents' situation.
I liked the author's breezy writing style, and Dayna's initial self-interest which is soon paired with persistence to find the truth. The story is a fun diversion; I liked Dayna and will check out book 2.
I liked the author's breezy writing style, and Dayna's initial self-interest which is soon paired with persistence to find the truth. The story is a fun diversion; I liked Dayna and will check out book 2.
May 26, 2018
This one was loads of fun. Finally, a cozy mystery with a person of colour (in this case, an African-American woman) as the amateur, smart detective. I learned lots of interesting little nuggets about the Hollywood industry too. The author poked fun at Hollywood but it was all light-hearted jest and it never got too much for me. Get ready for quite a few twists! I didn’t see most of them coming and they kept me guessing. The next book in the series is coming out soon and I’m excited to get back into the world of Day and her friends again!
October 25, 2020
This was a funny, lighthearted cozy mystery. The Hollywood setting wasn't super compelling for me, so not one of my favorites, but I did enjoy it, so I'll likely read the next one. Dayna reminded me a bit of Stephanie Plum in the often inept way she bumbled through her investigation, so if you enjoy that series you'll probably like this one.
August 14, 2017
After one moderately successful commercial campaign, Dayna Anderson, Day to her friends, has given up on becoming an actress. The problem is, she still has bills that need to be paid and parents who are in danger of losing their home. So when she sees a billboard offering a reward for information on a hit and run and she realizes she and her friends were there, she figures she can provide the information. How hard could it be?
This being a novel, it turns out to be plenty hard, but that’s a great thing for us. The book provides some twists, turns, and dead ends, before Day pieces this together correctly. Along the way, we get to know a wide variety of interesting characters I can’t wait to see again. The overall tone is light with plenty of humor including some accurate observations about the area of the country I call home. This truly is a wonderful debut.
NOTE: I received an ARC of this book.
Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.
This being a novel, it turns out to be plenty hard, but that’s a great thing for us. The book provides some twists, turns, and dead ends, before Day pieces this together correctly. Along the way, we get to know a wide variety of interesting characters I can’t wait to see again. The overall tone is light with plenty of humor including some accurate observations about the area of the country I call home. This truly is a wonderful debut.
NOTE: I received an ARC of this book.
Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.
November 21, 2016
I was lucky enough to get an ARC of this fresh, funny, twisty-turny mystery. I'm looking forward to the next Detective by Day mystery.
December 19, 2018
Aubrey stayed put. I couldn’t take it anymore. In yet another of my well-thought-out decisions, I grabbed my cell, jumped out the car, and took off down the middle of the street. I always said I could run in four-inch heels. It was good to know I was right on that front.
This is very silly. Somehow from the tag line ("detective by day ...") and the (admittedly VERY cheesy) cover, I'd gotten the impression that it featured a reasonably hard-boiled police detective in Hollywood. Nah. It features an out of work actress trying to get hired at a cafe where servers wear bikinis (this is mined for every ounce of nonexistent humor), failing at that, then doing her best to (unsuccessfully) channel Stephanie Plum while trying to solve a murder. Stephanie Plum is very silly too but at least manages to amuse me.
This just wasn't for me. This wasn't hard-boiled, it wasn't even soft-boiled - it was more like lightly scrambled.
February 17, 2017
THIS BOOK! I had a smile on my face the entire time I read HOLLYWOOD HOMICIDE. Dayna's voice leaps off the page, her humor and wit a breath of fresh air. The mystery keeps the pages flipping, and oh my God...the romance! It's subtle and perfect. Omari is mine. Called dibs. This was a blast of a read that shouldn't be missed.
August 28, 2017
*I received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an unbiased review.
I really wanted to adore this book. Instead, I only liked it a lot. (Still keeping my preorder.)
Small dif, right? Maybe.
There is so much to love about this book. The cover is absolutely amazeballs! Seriously, scroll back up and look at that gorgeous cover. In an age when most covers are photo-manipulated, Ms. Garrett’s book merited custom artwork.
Ms. Garrett has voice to worship upon an alter to, really, 3 pages into the book and the MC, Dayna, had me by the throat. It’s that good.
Voice is one of the things I look for, because it can’t be taught. You’re either born with voice or you develop it by reading and trying to write and reading again and then finally throwing up your hands and saying fuck it, I’m going to write what I want. Then (after failing, a lot) thinking about how you write, deciding you don’t know anything and going for it anyway. I’m known as a voice-y writer, I know.
Ms. Garrett has VOICE. (trust me, it’s worth the caps).
and yet…
(^that there^? You caught your breath, maybe a little? Possibly blinked your eyes? You want to know what I have to say next? Voice. Remember, I’m an editor too.)
This book is fantastic, it’s well worth the purchase and the read, I just didn’t connect with the characters as well as I’d hoped.
So here’s why.
I’m not into shopping (like, I have to be forced to shop, and even though I know the names? I wouldn’t buy a pair of Louboutin’s if I had the disposable cash, not that I do, but that’s irrelevant.) Prada shmada. I have 2 designer handbags ’cause my MIL is into fashion and name brand, they’ve been gifts… and? they sit in my closet, unused. Give me a well-made leather pouch big enough for my stuff? I’m happy. Until it disintegrates, leaving minuscule bits of itself everywhere. At which point, I grouse my way into a store to get another one. The character I connected best to in this story is Emme, and there wasn’t enough Emme for me. (That’s a ME thing, not a BOOK thing.)
The heels I love… (the few, the far between, the ones I need help walking in) well, those tend not to be designer either.
So, I couldn’t connect to those parts of the book, and there’s enough of things like it… that ignoring it affected the story. They’re beautifully described and voice-y parts, no doubt. Gorgeous, but… not a ‘me’ thing.
I found it incredibly interesting to get-what feels like-an insider peek into Hollywood or acting. Especially as I’ve only done stage acting. It was real enough that I wondered about the author’s background (and then I read the author blurb, and no wonder it felt so real!)
I’ve also been an in real life criminal forensic technician. It’s not like you see on TV. I’ve worked with cops, and met a few PIs. (I’ve worked with many FBI special agents in my time, they tend to like to drink… IME.)
so… the retired cop character came off a bit flat and unrealistic for me.
A lot of the parts involving the investigation read to me… with my experience, more like a tv show than the real thing, so it didn’t work as well as it could’ve ‘for ME.’ It’s well written, very, and probably will be an incredibly entertaining read for a lot of people.
The one thing I can say in regards to the investigation? It’s so perfectly in character for Dayna that it’s beautiful. Do you have any idea how hard it is to do that? To separate the ‘what you as the author knows’ from ‘what the character as she’s written CAN know?’ It’s nigh impossible at times, I’ll leave it there because it’s incredibly well done.
This book has one of those really well-fleshed out characters, you know the ones, the ones that make it feel like you’re walking around in their skin.
It’s a fantastic book, just not a *me* book. (I figured it would be, because I love mystery, which is why I asked for it from Netgalley.)
Remember, please. Reading is subjective. I found the writing excellent, the MC interesting, the world believable. I just didn’t connect with this story. Which is not even close to a problem with the story itself.
Scores:
Readability: 4/5 Characters are well-rounded, real and they have relatable flaws! I loved that Dayna gets mouthy when she’s anxious. It’s awesome, cause that’s one of my own flaws. The book is fast paced and well written.
Arcs: 5/5 Dayna’s arc is well defined, I’d love to see more backstory and even shorts regarding her room-mate, love interest, and their friend.
Craft: 3/5 Here, it’s getting a lower score. I hope it’s only because this book is at ARC stage, (or that maybe these mistakes are intentional for piracy tracking purposes, they ARE repetitive, so it’s possible this is the case) but I caught many problems within the text. If the mistakes are formatting mistakes (also possible) I really hope there’s more editing that will happen with this book before it hits shelves or that these mistakes are intentional. (As they ARE repetitive, always in the same place, I’m hazarding they may be either on purpose or formatting) and it’s still getting a good craft score because there aren’t many fillers/filters, the author doesn’t ramble, and it’s all very tightly written.
Would I buy it for a friend? I’m keeping my pre-ordered copy, even though I have an ARC, and yes, I’d buy it for a friend, if they liked shoes.
I really wanted to adore this book. Instead, I only liked it a lot. (Still keeping my preorder.)
Small dif, right? Maybe.
There is so much to love about this book. The cover is absolutely amazeballs! Seriously, scroll back up and look at that gorgeous cover. In an age when most covers are photo-manipulated, Ms. Garrett’s book merited custom artwork.
Ms. Garrett has voice to worship upon an alter to, really, 3 pages into the book and the MC, Dayna, had me by the throat. It’s that good.
Voice is one of the things I look for, because it can’t be taught. You’re either born with voice or you develop it by reading and trying to write and reading again and then finally throwing up your hands and saying fuck it, I’m going to write what I want. Then (after failing, a lot) thinking about how you write, deciding you don’t know anything and going for it anyway. I’m known as a voice-y writer, I know.
Ms. Garrett has VOICE. (trust me, it’s worth the caps).
and yet…
(^that there^? You caught your breath, maybe a little? Possibly blinked your eyes? You want to know what I have to say next? Voice. Remember, I’m an editor too.)
This book is fantastic, it’s well worth the purchase and the read, I just didn’t connect with the characters as well as I’d hoped.
So here’s why.
I’m not into shopping (like, I have to be forced to shop, and even though I know the names? I wouldn’t buy a pair of Louboutin’s if I had the disposable cash, not that I do, but that’s irrelevant.) Prada shmada. I have 2 designer handbags ’cause my MIL is into fashion and name brand, they’ve been gifts… and? they sit in my closet, unused. Give me a well-made leather pouch big enough for my stuff? I’m happy. Until it disintegrates, leaving minuscule bits of itself everywhere. At which point, I grouse my way into a store to get another one. The character I connected best to in this story is Emme, and there wasn’t enough Emme for me. (That’s a ME thing, not a BOOK thing.)
The heels I love… (the few, the far between, the ones I need help walking in) well, those tend not to be designer either.
So, I couldn’t connect to those parts of the book, and there’s enough of things like it… that ignoring it affected the story. They’re beautifully described and voice-y parts, no doubt. Gorgeous, but… not a ‘me’ thing.
I found it incredibly interesting to get-what feels like-an insider peek into Hollywood or acting. Especially as I’ve only done stage acting. It was real enough that I wondered about the author’s background (and then I read the author blurb, and no wonder it felt so real!)
I’ve also been an in real life criminal forensic technician. It’s not like you see on TV. I’ve worked with cops, and met a few PIs. (I’ve worked with many FBI special agents in my time, they tend to like to drink… IME.)
so… the retired cop character came off a bit flat and unrealistic for me.
A lot of the parts involving the investigation read to me… with my experience, more like a tv show than the real thing, so it didn’t work as well as it could’ve ‘for ME.’ It’s well written, very, and probably will be an incredibly entertaining read for a lot of people.
The one thing I can say in regards to the investigation? It’s so perfectly in character for Dayna that it’s beautiful. Do you have any idea how hard it is to do that? To separate the ‘what you as the author knows’ from ‘what the character as she’s written CAN know?’ It’s nigh impossible at times, I’ll leave it there because it’s incredibly well done.
This book has one of those really well-fleshed out characters, you know the ones, the ones that make it feel like you’re walking around in their skin.
It’s a fantastic book, just not a *me* book. (I figured it would be, because I love mystery, which is why I asked for it from Netgalley.)
Remember, please. Reading is subjective. I found the writing excellent, the MC interesting, the world believable. I just didn’t connect with this story. Which is not even close to a problem with the story itself.
Scores:
Readability: 4/5 Characters are well-rounded, real and they have relatable flaws! I loved that Dayna gets mouthy when she’s anxious. It’s awesome, cause that’s one of my own flaws. The book is fast paced and well written.
Arcs: 5/5 Dayna’s arc is well defined, I’d love to see more backstory and even shorts regarding her room-mate, love interest, and their friend.
Craft: 3/5 Here, it’s getting a lower score. I hope it’s only because this book is at ARC stage, (or that maybe these mistakes are intentional for piracy tracking purposes, they ARE repetitive, so it’s possible this is the case) but I caught many problems within the text. If the mistakes are formatting mistakes (also possible) I really hope there’s more editing that will happen with this book before it hits shelves or that these mistakes are intentional. (As they ARE repetitive, always in the same place, I’m hazarding they may be either on purpose or formatting) and it’s still getting a good craft score because there aren’t many fillers/filters, the author doesn’t ramble, and it’s all very tightly written.
Would I buy it for a friend? I’m keeping my pre-ordered copy, even though I have an ARC, and yes, I’d buy it for a friend, if they liked shoes.
June 3, 2017
This review and more: http://bohomind.com/hollywood-homicid...
Hollywood Homicide, Kellye Garrett's debut with the series Detective by Day, is an entertaining piece of a cozy mystery with a damsel under a lot of stress who takes matters into her hands instead of playing the easier role of a damsel in distress.
Dayna Anderson is a superb character. A 'retired' Hollywood actress who is almost famous for one commercial and a line (what a line!) is at her lowest of the low when her father faces eviction due to mortgage, and she has failed to secure a single job no matter how demeaning it is.
She charms you into her world right from the first line, and you won't even know when you have started rooting for her to win against all adversities and become the star she is. Not a Hollywood star, but a bright beam of hope in her near and dear one's life.
Kellye, an author with real life experience in the Hollywood and an impressive background in writing, uses her knowledge well. The characters feel real with their fashion passion and girly troubles, even to an introvert and fashion-disaster like me. Shoe-lovers are something I can always relate to, so, yeah, I love Sienna, Dayna, and her bloset (read the book, seriously).
The main storyline is utterly believable. I did not expect that. I mean, an ex-Hollywood-starlet struggling for every cent playing detective, come on! But Dayna isn't a dumb damsel. She couldn't finish her business degree for money or the lack of it. Being a responsible and generous daughter, she goes out of her way to assist her parents with their financial troubles.
She is in love with a man and too scared to deal with her feelings. She loves her friends and accepts their help but not because she feels entitled. Dayna's self-respect, integrity, and inner strength are infused into the stories of her crazy, at times dumb actions, with great humor and sarcasm.
The book never gets heavy. You don't feel the need to run from a tragic heroine with a sob story. Dayna is fun and hilarious, complete entertainment in every possible way. Her issues are a source of humor. Her tragedies make us laugh and cross our fingers at the same time, praying she gets through it.
Ms. Garrett has done everything right in her debut.
I love Ms. Garrett's writing style. There is honesty, panache, a naughty streak that makes you laugh and shake your head and maybe, fall a little in love with her 'voice.'
She has created a fantastic character who should have been impossible to believe considering the background story and her 'calling' but makes you fall in love with her before she solves her first case. The supporting cast is perfect (wish this was a movie).
There is drama, suspense, the relationship between friends, sisters, parents and child, that gently tug at your heart.
The crime itself is intriguing as the victim's background, and motive is revealed gradually in a humorous first-person narration. Dayna keeps us on our toes for a long time as she fishes in troubled waters. Our amateur but determined detective gives us a lot of theories before she can pick one. Her uninvited partner Aubrey S. Adams-Parker (love the name) is a character I am going to watch for, in the next book in the series.
Thank you, Midnight Ink and NetGalley for a free ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Hollywood Homicide, Kellye Garrett's debut with the series Detective by Day, is an entertaining piece of a cozy mystery with a damsel under a lot of stress who takes matters into her hands instead of playing the easier role of a damsel in distress.
Dayna Anderson is a superb character. A 'retired' Hollywood actress who is almost famous for one commercial and a line (what a line!) is at her lowest of the low when her father faces eviction due to mortgage, and she has failed to secure a single job no matter how demeaning it is.
She charms you into her world right from the first line, and you won't even know when you have started rooting for her to win against all adversities and become the star she is. Not a Hollywood star, but a bright beam of hope in her near and dear one's life.
Kellye, an author with real life experience in the Hollywood and an impressive background in writing, uses her knowledge well. The characters feel real with their fashion passion and girly troubles, even to an introvert and fashion-disaster like me. Shoe-lovers are something I can always relate to, so, yeah, I love Sienna, Dayna, and her bloset (read the book, seriously).
The main storyline is utterly believable. I did not expect that. I mean, an ex-Hollywood-starlet struggling for every cent playing detective, come on! But Dayna isn't a dumb damsel. She couldn't finish her business degree for money or the lack of it. Being a responsible and generous daughter, she goes out of her way to assist her parents with their financial troubles.
She is in love with a man and too scared to deal with her feelings. She loves her friends and accepts their help but not because she feels entitled. Dayna's self-respect, integrity, and inner strength are infused into the stories of her crazy, at times dumb actions, with great humor and sarcasm.
The book never gets heavy. You don't feel the need to run from a tragic heroine with a sob story. Dayna is fun and hilarious, complete entertainment in every possible way. Her issues are a source of humor. Her tragedies make us laugh and cross our fingers at the same time, praying she gets through it.
Ms. Garrett has done everything right in her debut.
I love Ms. Garrett's writing style. There is honesty, panache, a naughty streak that makes you laugh and shake your head and maybe, fall a little in love with her 'voice.'
She has created a fantastic character who should have been impossible to believe considering the background story and her 'calling' but makes you fall in love with her before she solves her first case. The supporting cast is perfect (wish this was a movie).
There is drama, suspense, the relationship between friends, sisters, parents and child, that gently tug at your heart.
The crime itself is intriguing as the victim's background, and motive is revealed gradually in a humorous first-person narration. Dayna keeps us on our toes for a long time as she fishes in troubled waters. Our amateur but determined detective gives us a lot of theories before she can pick one. Her uninvited partner Aubrey S. Adams-Parker (love the name) is a character I am going to watch for, in the next book in the series.
Thank you, Midnight Ink and NetGalley for a free ARC in exchange for my honest review.
January 31, 2019
What a fun read! The entire time I was reading this light amateur detective mystery I was thinking that it reminded me a bit of Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum series, with a hint of Sue Grafton's Kinsey Malone. (Comping white, I know I know - I'm sorry!) But then I listened to an interview with Garrett on a podcast and she talked about her favorite authors and inspiration and THESE were the two main authors she mentioned! Evanovich and Grafton were absolute favorites of mine in high school and college and while I stuck with Grafton all the way to the end of her career, I dropped out on Evanovich in the late teens of her series. Maybe I need to go back and pick them up again?
.
Anyway, Hollywood Homicide is not necessarily a cozy mystery since there's a whole lot of sarcasm/wit that I don't often find in traditional cozies, but it's 100% not a thriller or dark mystery either. Hence the term amateur detective story. Set in Los Angeles, it's the story of Dayna, a Black actress who has a hefty chip on her shoulder about the entire city and industry - Dayna is determined to raise enough money to help her parents save their house from foreclosure and sets out to get the reward money from a police tip line about a hit and run murder. Let's just say that she's not quite ready for the job, and errors abound. I absolutely loved her friend relationships and all of the snark about the entertainment industry, which is totally expected given the author's vast experience as a TV writer. Garrett has created a very welcome addition to this genre, and I adore how well-developed Dayna's character is.
.
I have already ordered book 2 in the series and can't wait to read more of the Detective by Day series! If you are looking for a lighter mystery with a fun female protagonist, definitely add this to your TBR - it's been winning all sorts of awards in the mystery industry. And if you are looking for even more mysteries by and about women of color, check out my blog post "Diversify Your Reading" linked in my profile here - Garrett herself was kind enough to supply me with a slew of resources to help build my (and your!) TBR.
.
Anyway, Hollywood Homicide is not necessarily a cozy mystery since there's a whole lot of sarcasm/wit that I don't often find in traditional cozies, but it's 100% not a thriller or dark mystery either. Hence the term amateur detective story. Set in Los Angeles, it's the story of Dayna, a Black actress who has a hefty chip on her shoulder about the entire city and industry - Dayna is determined to raise enough money to help her parents save their house from foreclosure and sets out to get the reward money from a police tip line about a hit and run murder. Let's just say that she's not quite ready for the job, and errors abound. I absolutely loved her friend relationships and all of the snark about the entertainment industry, which is totally expected given the author's vast experience as a TV writer. Garrett has created a very welcome addition to this genre, and I adore how well-developed Dayna's character is.
.
I have already ordered book 2 in the series and can't wait to read more of the Detective by Day series! If you are looking for a lighter mystery with a fun female protagonist, definitely add this to your TBR - it's been winning all sorts of awards in the mystery industry. And if you are looking for even more mysteries by and about women of color, check out my blog post "Diversify Your Reading" linked in my profile here - Garrett herself was kind enough to supply me with a slew of resources to help build my (and your!) TBR.
September 21, 2021
The jokes in this one was too funny. The jokes Dayna had about herself and others had me on the floor. The story follows Dayna, a childhood actress, who came into some money troubles. Due to those troubles she had to make some tough decisions. One of those decisions was to find out who killed a fellow actress/friend, figure out who is the rat pack, and help her parents through a difficult time.
One of my favorite parts of this book was how awkward Dayna was with the guy she liked, Amari. I felt the awkwardness through the pages and can definitely relate to foot in mouth syndrome in those situations.
She often felt that she had to fix everyone's problems and often neglected herself. She had friends who were by her side. She also had friends who had other plans of their own. I found Dayna and the side characters to be balance and well placed throughout the book. I thought the high fashion and allure of fame was interesting. I often hear about how hard it is to become an actor in Los Angelos and this book shed light on that. Because I know this is a series, I am curious to find more out about the detective and how their relationship will evolve. The last chapter was definitely a cliff hanger. This was just the mystery book I needed to start to get me out of my reading slump.
One critique is that I had an instinct of who the killer was in the middle of book. But I thought something else would happen. I guess all things that glitter ain't gold (as the saying goes).
However, that did not take away from how the book was written and presented. Shockingly, one of the suspect had a much deeper secret to share that totally caught me by surprise. I am STILL in shock.
I must say I totally called the love interest thing. I knew it. OR DID I?? There are still answers that need answers!
One of my favorite parts of this book was how awkward Dayna was with the guy she liked, Amari. I felt the awkwardness through the pages and can definitely relate to foot in mouth syndrome in those situations.
She often felt that she had to fix everyone's problems and often neglected herself. She had friends who were by her side. She also had friends who had other plans of their own. I found Dayna and the side characters to be balance and well placed throughout the book. I thought the high fashion and allure of fame was interesting. I often hear about how hard it is to become an actor in Los Angelos and this book shed light on that. Because I know this is a series, I am curious to find more out about the detective and how their relationship will evolve. The last chapter was definitely a cliff hanger. This was just the mystery book I needed to start to get me out of my reading slump.
One critique is that I had an instinct of who the killer was in the middle of book. But I thought something else would happen. I guess all things that glitter ain't gold (as the saying goes).
However, that did not take away from how the book was written and presented. Shockingly, one of the suspect had a much deeper secret to share that totally caught me by surprise. I am STILL in shock.
I must say I totally called the love interest thing. I knew it. OR DID I?? There are still answers that need answers!
February 22, 2021
Super fun read!
3.75 of 5 stars
I really enjoyed this first book. Shoutout to MsWOCReader for consistently giving great recommendations on her blog! The romance element was cute and the premise of a “retired” actress living in LA turned accidental PI was a refreshing take. The MC is not your typical Hollywood actress phenotype in that she’s a size 10 and Black. Will be continuing with this series ASAP.
3.75 of 5 stars
I really enjoyed this first book. Shoutout to MsWOCReader for consistently giving great recommendations on her blog! The romance element was cute and the premise of a “retired” actress living in LA turned accidental PI was a refreshing take. The MC is not your typical Hollywood actress phenotype in that she’s a size 10 and Black. Will be continuing with this series ASAP.
August 20, 2017
If Stephanie Plum were a smart, clothes savvy black woman, she would be a lot like Dayna Anderson. Hollywood Homicide was funny and a great cozy. Kellye Garrett does a fantastic job of creating characters that are well developed individuals with their own personalities. The plot is well developed and keeps the reader interested until the last page.
August 27, 2018
This book had so much promise, and as it's won numerous awards, I really thought I'd love this book. But no, it's slow pace, superficial characters, mediocre storyline, I just couldn't get into it. I gave it 100 pages to get my attention and bring together the murder and Dayna's amateur private eye skills.
Let's start with Dayna. She fumbles around in life, saying stupid things, doing stupid stuff, and acting like a bratty teenager. I don't know if these quirks were supposed to make her likable, but all it did was make me want to hit my head with a hammer. She'd scream out statements like "We are the police", when it's just her and her friend (neither of which have anything to do with law enforcement) and "I found the killer". OMG...really, really?
Her friend, Sienna, I'm not sure the why behind the need for this character. It seemed like all she did was shop, she never really moved the story forward or added anything to Dayna's story.
Emme, she was the only friend I did like. She was diligent, strong, and mature. A book starring Emme, I would read.
The story just lumbered along. Oh, the whole issue with the police tip line was beyond just painful to read.
I really wanted to love this book and had such high hopes. For me, the writing, characters, and storyline just didn't come together to create a mystery I could get into.
Let's start with Dayna. She fumbles around in life, saying stupid things, doing stupid stuff, and acting like a bratty teenager. I don't know if these quirks were supposed to make her likable, but all it did was make me want to hit my head with a hammer. She'd scream out statements like "We are the police", when it's just her and her friend (neither of which have anything to do with law enforcement) and "I found the killer". OMG...really, really?
Her friend, Sienna, I'm not sure the why behind the need for this character. It seemed like all she did was shop, she never really moved the story forward or added anything to Dayna's story.
Emme, she was the only friend I did like. She was diligent, strong, and mature. A book starring Emme, I would read.
The story just lumbered along. Oh, the whole issue with the police tip line was beyond just painful to read.
I really wanted to love this book and had such high hopes. For me, the writing, characters, and storyline just didn't come together to create a mystery I could get into.
March 3, 2017
This book is FANTASTIC. Mystery, humor, a dash of romance ... it's all there. I was so addicted to this book that I took it to the gym with me, spent longer than I planned on the cardio machine ("I just have to finish this chapter," I kept thinking ... and then finding myself starting a new chapter), and then eschewed my post-gym shower until I had turned the last page. And then I wished I had more pages to turn ... Author Kellye Garrett gives us a heroine to root for and laugh with in Dayna, and I'm looking forward to reading about more of her adventures in the future.
September 13, 2018
This is the first cozy mystery I've read in some time. Although it ran long, I enjoyed Dayna, Sienna and Emme's friendship, as well as the fashion and the glitz and grit of Hollywood.
February 4, 2017
An incredibly fun read - lighthearted escapism at its best! Dayna, a former commercial star with a love/hate relationship with Hollywood, is a complex character brimming with personality. By the end of the novel, you'll wish she was your best friend, keeping you doubled over in laughter all day. The plot is fast-paced and filled with punchy dialogue. Garrett's secondary characters are convincing and memorable - from up-and-coming superstar Omari to super quirky ex-cop Aubrey S. Adams-Parker. Garrett paints a vivid picture of Hollywood, complete with fashion-obsessed residents and snarly traffic.
I found myself not wanting to put this book down...so I mostly didn't. Stayed up way too late reading this hilarious mystery. I'm placing Garrett on my authors to watch list and eagerly await the follow-up to this series.
Highly recommend! I consider myself very fortunate to have received an advanced readers copy of this novel.
I found myself not wanting to put this book down...so I mostly didn't. Stayed up way too late reading this hilarious mystery. I'm placing Garrett on my authors to watch list and eagerly await the follow-up to this series.
Highly recommend! I consider myself very fortunate to have received an advanced readers copy of this novel.
March 9, 2017
I was lucky enough to read an ARC of this book. I LOVED the MC's voice. Dayna was hilarious, smart, and strong under pressure. Her life was filled with worry and angst, but she held it together, pushed through like a boss, and . . . well, I don't want to spoil anything for when you read this awesome, funny, dark and twisty book. :) I loved it!
October 13, 2017
2.5 stars.
I wanted to love this. I loved the concept, characters and cover. But, I didn't love the execution. The whole plot line, story and dialogue fell flat and forced. Instead of being engaged with it, I was just kind of bored. It's such a shame.
ETA. Solid two stars, maybe 1.5. Someone asked me "who done it?" and this was so not memorable, that I had no memory of who the killer was.
I wanted to love this. I loved the concept, characters and cover. But, I didn't love the execution. The whole plot line, story and dialogue fell flat and forced. Instead of being engaged with it, I was just kind of bored. It's such a shame.
ETA. Solid two stars, maybe 1.5. Someone asked me "who done it?" and this was so not memorable, that I had no memory of who the killer was.
Read
July 2, 2021DNF @25% / 0 Stars / 0 Steam Fans
Former actress turned detective that needed money. The story was boring, and there was too much talk about the need for money.
Video review available in Week 21: May 23 – May 29, 2021, full weekly book reviews on Steph's Romance Book Talk Patreon.
For other bookish content, check out my YouTube Channel: Steph's Romance Book Talk.
Former actress turned detective that needed money. The story was boring, and there was too much talk about the need for money.
Video review available in Week 21: May 23 – May 29, 2021, full weekly book reviews on Steph's Romance Book Talk Patreon.
For other bookish content, check out my YouTube Channel: Steph's Romance Book Talk.
July 21, 2022
3.5⭐️ rounded up
This was a fun book that I was call a cozy mystery with a little edge. Hollywood Homicide gave me the escape I so desperately needed and I had a fun time with Dayna and her friends as they try to solve the deadly hit-and-run they witnessed. The $15,000 reward may also play a bit of a role in Dayna's decision to go from retired actress to amateur sleuth.
This book follows, what I would consider, the well know cozy formula of amateur detective, who is a bit down on their luck and looking to save her family from a challenging situation (in this case her parents are about to lose their house). There are love interests, misunderstandings, general shenanigans and lots and lots of suspects.
Funnily enough right before I read this book I read The Bling Ring: How a Gang of Fame-Obsessed Teens Ripped Off Hollywood and Shocked the World and was surprised (and delighted) that Hollywood Homicide had a mystery thread about the Rack Pack - an unknown group of robbers who were targeted the homes and the rich and famous while they were out of town.
I will definitely continue in this series and am also excited to dive into Like a Sister. Dayna is self-deprecating and there were some definitely funny lines. I think anyone looking for a delightful cozy will have a fun time getting lost in this book.
I started physically reading this book and then moved the audiobook (honestly so I could spend more time in the book). It's narrated by Bahni Turpin who does a tremendous job with bringing Dayna and the story to life.
This was a fun book that I was call a cozy mystery with a little edge. Hollywood Homicide gave me the escape I so desperately needed and I had a fun time with Dayna and her friends as they try to solve the deadly hit-and-run they witnessed. The $15,000 reward may also play a bit of a role in Dayna's decision to go from retired actress to amateur sleuth.
This book follows, what I would consider, the well know cozy formula of amateur detective, who is a bit down on their luck and looking to save her family from a challenging situation (in this case her parents are about to lose their house). There are love interests, misunderstandings, general shenanigans and lots and lots of suspects.
Funnily enough right before I read this book I read The Bling Ring: How a Gang of Fame-Obsessed Teens Ripped Off Hollywood and Shocked the World and was surprised (and delighted) that Hollywood Homicide had a mystery thread about the Rack Pack - an unknown group of robbers who were targeted the homes and the rich and famous while they were out of town.
I will definitely continue in this series and am also excited to dive into Like a Sister. Dayna is self-deprecating and there were some definitely funny lines. I think anyone looking for a delightful cozy will have a fun time getting lost in this book.
I started physically reading this book and then moved the audiobook (honestly so I could spend more time in the book). It's narrated by Bahni Turpin who does a tremendous job with bringing Dayna and the story to life.
November 16, 2024
A nice little cozy mystery to take my mind off current events. It almost succeeded... Anyhoo. Nothing too strenuous or challenging, just a fun romp. I think I'm older than the target audience with lots of feign towards fashion and popular culture that I didn't always understand, and this book was written over five years ago. Still fun!
3.5+ish Stars
Listened to the audiobook. Bahni Turpin never disappoints.
3.5+ish Stars
Listened to the audiobook. Bahni Turpin never disappoints.
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