Hollywood Homicide was a funny and captivating book. This was definitely one of the better "cozy mysteries" I have read and I look forward to see more adventures from the characters.

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.

Dayna Anderson lost her job as the girl on the Chubby’s Chicken commercial eighteen months ago and hasn’t heard from her agent in six months. So now she’s an out-of-work, dreaded size ten, former actress and dead broke. In fact, she sleeps in her friend’s closet, or “bloset” (bedroom/closet combo).

She can still take care of herself, but when she discovers that her proud parents are close to losing their house due to foreclosure, she desperately has to find a way to help them out.

A few weeks ago, she and her friends witnessed a hit-and-run but didn’t know the severity of it. She later saw a billboard offering a reward of $15,000 for information leading to the arrest of the person who ran down Haley Johnson, a young, blonde woman. This was the crime that they witnessed weeks before and Dayna sees this as a way to earn the reward money and save her parents’ home.

As Dayna finds clues and figures that she has solved the crime, she calls the tip line to claim the reward money, only to find that her “proof” is all wrong. This problem is further aggravated when she keeps calling as she comes up with new theories and thus loses credibility. Throughout all of this, she finds that there’s more to the crime than meets the eye. Instead of a hit and run, could this have been premeditated? It’s no longer just about the reward, she wants to find justice for Haley.

Though it was engaging and fast-moving from the start, initially I thought that this was too far-fetched to be enjoyable. After all, there must be an easier and less dangerous way to earn $15,000. However, my gut told me to continue, and I’m sure glad I did. As we read on, we learn more about Dayna, a multitude of interesting characters and more crimes. This, along with all the twists and turns, kept me engrossed to the very end.

This is a current-day look at Hollywood with a fun take on contemporary culture such as social media, hair extensions and boob jobs.

Author Kellye Garrett—who worked in Hollywood for eight years, including writing for the television series, Cold Case— successfully incorporates dry humor into this crime novel. I hope there are more installments to this series

Dayna handled solving this mystery like a normal person. Let us get real for a second, none of us would be a Nancy Drew on the first case, with the stealth, sneaky business down 100%. That was Dayna, oh did she bumble around with her suspects, I seriously applaud her on this, because I know that I would be saying everyone murdered the victim, if they looked at me funny. The author, built Dayna to grow, and she did through this mystery. I think in her next mystery, we will see the humor and fun of her solving a mystery in her same way. And with her gladiators, how can she fail?

Hollywood Homicide if fantastic! The first book in the Detective by Day series introduces new and awesome author, Kellye Garrett. While I knew the series was new; I was surprised to discover that the book is her first published novel, no newbie weaknesses in this work. Great characters and an intriguing plot highlight an outstanding novel.

I love that Dayna's friends who are more than willing to stand up for her and would even give her the money she needs, but that isn't how she was raised and it isn't the person she is as an adult. I also love that throughout the story, even though the need for money was the reason she started her hunt for a hit-and-run driver, she never forgets that there was a victim and that person had a real life before it was stolen.

I do not fall into what one might expect to be the demographics of this books, but let me tell you, Hollywood Homicide does not fit into any slot! I am a 64 year-old, white, retired librarian from south Texas and I totally connected the the young beautiful and black Dayna. The book isn't about race or age, it is a outstanding mystery with heart and character.

I requested and received a ARC copy of this book via NetGalley. The review is completely voluntary; I always review books that I love.

When Hollywood Homicide came across my reading pile, I wasn’t quite sure what I’d think of it. It is set in Hollywood … was my first thought. Hollywood isn’t a word I’d ever use to describe me. I’m a Midwest girl through and through. Would I enjoy the book?

My worries were totally unfounded and this was one of my favorite reads of the summer. It is unique, refreshing, and just downright fun. Here are my top reasons you should check this one out.

Hollywood Homicide is the debut cozy mystery novel for author Kellye Garrett. It is the first book in the A Detective by Day Mystery Series. It follows Dayna Anderson, a “retired” actress who is broke and looking for a way to earn so cash to help her parents save their house. This book stretches the cozy mystery mold (in a good way) and is full of fun, suspense, and intrigue.

A Non-Traditional Murder

In the traditional cozy mystery, our protagonist just happens to stumble on a dead body at some point of the book. In Hollywood Homicide, broke and looking for cash, Dayna sees a billboard put out by the police. The billboard offers a $15,000 cash reward for any tips that lead to an arrest in the hit-and-run murder of Haley Joseph. Out of ways to make some money and ready to try just about anything, Day decides to ask some questions and see if she can get herself the reward money.

A Non-Traditional Sleuthing Team

Instead of teaming up with a friend or an easy on the eyes detective, Day forms a team with an unusual man also investigating the crime. Aubrey S. Adams-Parker. He is full of odd quirks and was a former police officer. I’m sure there is much more to Aubrey than we find out in this book. He was a hoot and added a fun element to Day’s detective work. Aubrey reminded me a bit of Duffy Madison – E.J. Copperman’s fictional crime fighter in the Mysterious Detective Mystery Series. Quirky, confusing, and lovable in a way we just can’t wait to find out more about the character in future books.

Traditional Cozy Mystery Humor and Charm

As a frequent reader of cozy mysteries, the non-traditional elements were great for holding my interest and keeping the book new and fresh. As a fan of the cozy mystery genre, there were enough traditional cozy elements that endeared me to the series. Day is a great protagonist. She is honest and lovable, but has her struggles. You root for her to succeed. The book is also jam packed with laugh out loud humor that make the pages fly by.

Do yourself a favor and pick this book up.

This was a surprise favorite for me this summer and will be for you too. It is fun, edgy, and full of twists and turns to keep you on the edge of your seat until the very end.

I enjoyed this ,it was a light read and had a great lead character, the pace was good and the humour was spot on .I found myself laughing out loud at times. I guess it was a sort of slapstick humour but it appealed to me .The story was good too in a sort of mad way and I would definitely look out for more books by this author.The book was easy to read and entertaining and you can't ask for more really.

Dayna Anderson, a 15-minute semi-famous break-thru commercial actress whose break-a-leg luck has come and gone. She's dead broke, can't find a decent paying job and therefore can't help her parents save their family home. A last resort job opportunity as a barista ... if only her size 10 body could fit the size 6 uniform ... a 2-piece bikini required to get the job to serve patron's their coffee and croissants.

The Gods of Plenty has her on their ignore list and she is forced to relive a catch phrase from her formerly hot commercial whenever she's recognized by fans. Seriously broke and out of gas her eyes catch sight of a billboard promising a $15,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of a hit and run driver. With nothing to lose and making her somewhat firm decision to get out of the acting business, Dayna sets out to solve the crime, pass go and collect $15,000 cool ones.

I loved the humor, snark, fashion forwardness and the realness of a Hollywood actress in La La Land.

Hollywood Homicide: A Detective by Day Mystery
By Kellye Garrett
Midnight Ink
August 8, 2017

Review by Cynthia Chow

After a brief moment of fame as the “Don’t think so, boo” girl in the Chubby Chicken commercials, aspiring actress Dayna Day decided to retire from acting. Always being recognized as familiar – but not someone they knew from high school – tests Dayna’s patience and humiliation limits, especially since she’s either overqualified or underqualified for most jobs. Dayna’s job search becomes critical when she receives a phone call from her father, who has the upsetting news that her parents’ home is about to be foreclosed on and that the lawyer Dayna hired was a con artist. When Dayna sees a billboard offering a $15,000 reward for information about the hit-and-run murder of Hayley Joseph, it’s the opportunity she needed and just can’t pass up. This is Hollywood after all, where anything can happen and nothing seems too crazy to do for money.

As it turns out, Dayna and her friends may have actually seen the car involved in the death, but learning more will force her to enter Act Two of her personal romantic drama. That is when the couple-meant-to-be experiences a break-up fight on their road to happiness (in action movies the hero is captured, while in horror movies the heroine’s friends are all dead and she’s fighting in her underwear). In Dayna’s case, it was Thumbgate, when her crush Omari Grant made a move on her and she cowardly freaked out. The video Omari took of their group date night could hold the key to Dayna reaping the reward, although she mostly seems to end up speed-dialing the tip line with a rotating list of clues and suspects. With the assistance of her tech-savvy friend Emme Abrams, a reflector suit-wearing former cop, and the dubious contributions from the fame-hungry Sienna Hayes, Dayna romps through the celebrity-driven, superficial, and absurdist world of Hollywood.

What makes this debut series an absolute delight is the unique perspective from the fringe of the Hollywood celebrity lifestyle. While Omari’s may be on the rise as the star of a new television police drama, Dayna had her moment and has finally given up trying to reclaim it. Always hilarious are Sienna’s celebrity photo-bombs and escalating attempts to draw attention, culminating with branding herself as a Lady in Red with the hope of becoming a popular blog’s Hussy of the Week. Emme endures the reflected fame of her identical twin sister, an Oscar-winning actress who has embraced the glitzy lifestyle (along with a few surgical upgrades). The author uses her experience as a screenwriter to highlight the ludicrous traits of Hollywood life, where the average woman is 5’8 and 110 pounds, a VIP 911 line is expected, and social media is an all-consuming way of life. Dayna is an irresistibly likable underdog, and what she lacks in detective skills she makes up for with her relentlessness. This is thoroughly entertaining romp through Hollywood, one that seems to be charmed by the selfie-taking characters it simultaneously mocks.

Omg… This book is freakin awesome. It was a funny, mystery, romance novel, at best… So good… I absolutely could not put this book down. My kindle was literally attached to my hand until I finished! I never wanted it to end! I am SO looking forward to more books. Please keep writing!!! HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!!

Struggling actress Dayna Anderson needs cash to keep afloat and wants to help her parents avoid foreclosure on her childhood home. After witnessing a deadly hit-&-run, Dayne figures she can provide the LAPD with tips to get the $15,000 cash reward. But as Dayna digs deeper into victim Haley Joseph's life, she links Haley to a notorious Hollywood robbery spree. Dayna uses her smarts and resourcefulness to chase down leads into Haley's death with the help of her friends Sienna Hayes and Omari Grant at her side, as well as private investigator Aubrey S. Adams-Parker. This is a fun debut mystery novel which provides laughs and insight into the Hollywood celebrity scene.

I received this book for free from Netgalley and Midnight Ink in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

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.

This book is SO FUN. Basically, if you're in the mood for a mystery that's going to make you laugh and be transported to Tinsel Town, pick this up. I'll be following the series!

I liked this book. I hope that it is the beginning of a series. I love that the main character is a Black woman and that it informs her actions and dialogue.

Dayna is a broke failed actress, with co dependant parents. When it looks like her parents may loose there house its up to Dayna to step up. Problem is she isn't working, so how can she get enough money? While out driving she comes across a bill board offering money for a tip resulting in the conviction of a hit and run. As she chases down leads, she ends up putting herself in danger.
Can she solve the case? Pick up a copy to find out. An enjoyable read by a new author.

A murder mystery set in Hollywood, an unlikely heroine....Hollywood Homicide has a great mixture of story themes to keep a reader invested in it's pages.

Very entertaining read. The story includes great characters and has an intriguing plot. I am definitely looking forward to more Detective by Day reads.

I loved this book! It was laugh out loud funny, kept me guessing who the culprit was until the very end and had fun elements of friendship and romance. I'd love to see the author do another book about Dayna, Omari, Sienna and the rest. I can't wait to recommend it to all my friends!

I don’t read a ton of mystery novels, but sometimes it is fun to play connect-the-dots… can I put the clues together before the author reveals the killer/thief/bad guy?

I recently picked Hollywood Homicide by Kellye Garrett for a fun bit of escapism. I liked the main character, Dayna, pretty quickly. Her mix of sarcasm and nervousness spoke to me. I often cover my fear of inadequacy with jokes and smart remarks, so I felt a lot of empathy for her. I thought her past as a recognizable face but not a major celebrity (as in, movie star) was neat. It gave her some Hollywood currency but kept her from being unrelatable to those of us with no connection to the industry.

The mystery itself had plenty of twists and turns. Just as I would think I had it figured out, a new clue would fall into the story. The women in the book seemed to be in the same boat and I loved the mix of passion and ineptitude.

I don’t want to spoil anything about the story, so I am going to leave this short and sweet. If you are looking for a fun mystery, check out Hollywood Homicide by Kellye Garrett.

Fun book with a voicey protagonist, but ultimately not a page-turner.