I received this book for free from the ARC from friend in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Hollywood Homicide (Detective by Day #1) by Kellye GarrettPublished by Midnight Ink on August 8th 2017
Pages: 312
Source: ARC from friend
Goodreads
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.
Thoughts:
There are so many reasons to love Hollywood Homicide by Kellye Garrett that I’m not sure where to start. That means it’s time for bullet points.
- Dayna - The main character is funny and smart. Like all my favorite amateur detectives, she is down on her luck and desperate. She needs cash bad and that pushes her into both hilarious and dangerous situations. I love that she’s real-she loves her parents, struggles with her weight, and struggles with money even as she is surrounded by the super wealthy. She’s still figuring herself out, and right now, I found that super easy to relate to.
- Dayna’s friends - No good mystery would be complete without a couple of great sidekicks. Dayna’s friends are perfect. Sienna is a wealthy divorcee still trying to find fame. She converted her second bedroom into a closet for her expensive and extensive shoe collection, which is where she is letting Dayna stay while she’s broke. Even though Sienna is your typical Hollywood chick, she never feels like a stereotype. Dayna’s other best friend is Emme, identical twin to an incredibly famous actress. She is a super shy hacker who likes online gambling and MMORPGs. I loved how Dayna, Sienna, and Emme were all incredibly different, but their friendship felt so real.
- The romance - I do not want to mislead you, there is not a ton of romance in this book. BUT… there is a love interest and he is so swoon-worthy. Omari is Dayna’s best friend from high school and long time crush. He recently booked a lead role on a major TV show and his career is blowing up. These are my favorite types of romances and I can’t wait to read more about Omari in future books.
- Hollywood - I lived and worked in LA for a couple of years, and this book GETS HOLLYWOOD. I love Hollywood stories, especially when they are told from the point of view of someone a little burnt out on the industry in a way that is simply accurate. Hollywood Homicide is Hollywood in the best way.
- The jokes - More than once, I had to set the book down so I could finish laughing. Dayna’s jokes are typically delivered in that old-school detective way, but they always have a flair of modern Hollywood and sass.
- The mystery - I loved the mystery. It tied all of the things I loved about the book together - the characters, the setting, the themes. I understood why Dayna cared, I believed her investigation, and I could the solution to be exciting. I can’t wait to see what crimes Dayna will try to solve next.
A Detective By Day promises to join my list of favorite crime series, including Stephanie Plum and Spying In High Heels.
Favorite Moment: There is a scene that is basically a huge fight between all of these beautiful Hollywood women. It is unexpected and hilarious.
O.o Moment: The last few lines of the books. I WANT THAT ROMANCE.
In A Gif:
Tl;dr: Hollywood Homicide is perfect if you Stephanie Plum or Spying in High Heels. It’s funny with a great cast and location, and I am so glad that it will be getting a sequel.
I get a commission if you purchase using this link.