Dayna is a wisecracking female PI that still likes to use her acting skills to find the answers. This was a book full of twists and surprises that even had me laughing a few times. This is the first time t hat I have read this author and I enjoyed her writing ability. Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to read this book.

Hmmm... it started quite interesting -- a publicist was murdered during a botched robbery attempt , Dayna tried to find out who did it, and instead she found out that the publicist was moonlighting as (view spoiler). But after hitting around half mark, I began to lose interest.

The only explanation I can offer is that maaaaybeee I didn't really care about the victim at all. Or the scandal surrounding the people involved, which included some famous Hollywood names. I guess it's getting old for me quick. Or I prefer mystery that deals with non-famous people...

I also thought that Dayna didn't really learn a lot from the first book; she confronted possible blackmailer slash murderer face-to-face. Like she didn't understand how dangerous the plan was. I don't have enough patience for that kind of stupidity.

I'm still giving it a three because it's not completely a failure for me; it's passable as my 'okay' category. However, I'm not sure I'll be checking out the next book *shrugs*

Hollywood Ending begins with Dayna, now a PI-in-training and the girlfriend of an A-list star, cashing in on her first case (literally picking up her $1,000 reward). She becomes involved in another murder case after her boyfriend, Omari, is almost the victim of an ATM robbery. Lyla Davis, a well-known publicist, is found dead scene. Dayna is able to solve the “open-and-shut” case fairly quickly until she realizes that there’s more to the story then she first believed. It will take delving into the world of Hollywood gossip and secrets to find the true murderer and the real reason behind Lyla’s death.

I’m not gonna lie, I was very excited when I found out I was approved for an ARC of this book because I loved the first so much! I love Dayna’s character and Garrett’s ability to bring her to life. When I read mysteries, I often look for how the author is able to portray characters and how “real” their personalities/relationships appear in the book. It felt as if Dayna was sitting next to me the entire time relaying the story in her own words. Her mannerisms and thoughts were peppered throughout the story and seemed so genuine to the character! I found myself laughing (cackling at times) at some of the things she said because it seemed like something I or my close friends would say. There was one passage that made me laugh out loud when I first read it:

“For some reason, I found it impossible to remember to select the button letting my email keep me logged into the account. I could remember Oprah’s entire ‘All my life I had to fight’ monologue from The Color Purple yet had to fight to remember that.”

Even after continuing with the rest of the book I would laugh to myself when I thought about it. It fit perfectly with Dayna’s character and is something I deal with on a continual basis. I can’t remember important passwords for the life of me but can recite random speeches from movies I love (including Oprah’s monologue!) The excellent character development is seen in other secondary characters as well. Garrett does a great job of providing insight into their personalities without including too many unnecessary details. The tidbits that she did include fit perfectly with the plot of the story.

Speaking of the story….

There were so many side stories that were happening I was nervous about how it was fit together to solve the whodunit. I don’t know how she did it, but Garrett found a way to take the side stories (from Emme’s birthday present to Dayna’s complicated relationship with Omari’s assistant, Nina) and incorporate them into the main mystery. Each story played a role in putting together the puzzle pieces necessary to solve the mystery by keeping the reader guessing as to how each piece fit into the story. I also enjoyed Garrett’s description of Hollywood’s gossip machine. She included so many behind-the-scenes details about how publicists try to keep relationships secret, how words can be manipulated to portray a “truth”, and other tidbits that kept me interested.

If you’re looking for a great cozy mystery with a lot of laughs, great characters, and a story that will keep you intrigued, you may want to try Hollywood Ending!

As for me…well…I will be waiting for the next installment of the series! ;)

I enjoyed this book. I also enjoyed the first book. I would recommend this book. Its a light, quick read.

The first book in this series, Hollywood Homicide, won the author an Agatha for best first novel, and it was well deserved. I really loved Hollywood Ending, as well- Dayna is still a somewhat inept aspiring PI, learning as she goes with help from a disgraced detective and often aided by her super-computer-savvy friend Emmy. I so love what this series is bringing to the cozy mystery genre- not just diversity, but some sassiness and irreverence that a genre like this really could use. I feel like cozy mysteries are getting a bit of a revival these days with some younger heroines and writers who aren't afraid to shake things up a little bit (while still staying true enough to the conventions of the genre, even if it's just to toe the line) in terms of tone and plot. For those interested in trying cozies, this would definitely be one of the series I'd recommend starting.

There is no sophomore slump in Kellye Garrett’s domain with this delightfully entertaining addition in the “Detective by Day” series. An exciting fast-paced and well written drama that immediately grabbed my attention from the first page never letting go until the last page was read. I really enjoyed the relationship between Dayna and her friends and how they come to her aid as she goes sleuthing for her latest case. This one seemed clear cut, but the author planted a few tidbits here and there and this case takes off on a different level and Dayna is once again utilizing her resources in the pursuit of justice. The author’s writing style and character development shines throughout this mystery filled with plenty of suspects and strategically placed clues that had me immersed in all aspect of the story being told. The narrative was enhanced with visual descriptions of Hollywood and all its trappings and it was fun watching this backdrop play out with the Hollywood elites and their foray into who was behind the murder and it’s Dayna’s dogged pursuit that when all was said and done, only one person was left standing . . . the killer. This was a fun and enjoyable read and I can’t wait to see what new adventures await Dayna and her friends.

I was a bit disappointed in this book. It started out fun with all the modern social media references with texting, blogging, and celebrity lifestyles, but it quickly became old. The mystery was very light as well - the person I suspected early in the book (because of Doylist logic) was actually the guilty party. I’m fine with that if the characters, setting, or other elements of the book hold my interest, but that didn’t happen for this one.

On the plus side, the book seemed well written / edited- there were no errors that pulled me out of the story as there are sometimes.

It wasn’t my cup of tea, so to speak, but I think someone who enjoys following the Hollywood Lifestyle, life on the red carpet, and keeping up with the latest celebrity gossip would love it!

I was so excite to see the sequel to the frequently nominated and so far Agatha time winner Hollywood Homicide. Author Kellye Garrett has a unique style and it is one that works SO well. Hollywood Ending had me rolling with laughter but has an intelligent plot. I can so relate to Dayna which is a bit surprising when you consider how different we are. She is so adorable and but she is also smart enough that she actually takes time to think things through instead of diving into trouble blindly…well, most of the time. I didn’t get as much of a feel for secondary characters as I did in Hollywood Homicide but I still enjoyed the time I spent with them.
Ex-actress Dayna Anderson has passed her 15 minutes of fame as a commercial actress and is not working to earn her private investigator license under an ex-police detective, talk about unique! It would sure help if he had his license, oops. Her first case brought in a nice bit of change but cases that she can handle have been a little thin so when a Hollywood blogger is murdered at an ATM, she figures that this one will be a breeze, witness, camera, what could be easier? Naturally nothing is easy but Dayna is not one to give up; she likes to eat too much.
Thanks to NetGalley and Midnight Ink for the chance to jump into this ARC! I love Dayna and Hollywood Endings and look forward to seeing what she gets into next time.

Hollywood Ending is book 2 of the A Detective by Day Mystery by Kellye Garrett. Award Season has arrived everyone including Dayna Anderson was looking forward to the shows and glamour. However, the murder of Lyla Davis at a local ATM cause the festivities to dampen. Dayna Anderson started to investigate and was surprised what turns up during her investigations. The readers of Hollywood Ending will continue to follow the twists and turns in Dayna Anderson investigations to find out what happens.

Hollywood Ending was the first book I have read of Kellye Garrett, and it was an enjoyable book to read. I am looking forward to reading book one in the A Detective by Day Mystery series. I like Kellye Garrett portrayal of her characters and the way they intertwine with each other. Hollywood Ending is well written, and it ensures that I had a laugh at times with the characters and researched by Kellye Garrett. I like the way Kellye Garrett describes her settings and plot. The readers of Hollywood Ending will understand the consequences of being a gossip blogger. Also, the readers of Hollywood Ending will learn how to be apprentice private investigator. I recommend this book.

Fun mystery with an appealing, sassy, main character and interesting insights into Hollywood. Good choice for fans of Janet Evanovich.

I received an early copy to provide my honest review.


This book is like putting on your favourite comfy sweatshirt. It makes you feel comfy and at home. I came across the first book in the series by Kellye during a book launch party for another author. I read an excerpt which had me laughing and knew I needed that book right away. It jumped to the top of my list and when I found out she had another one and that I had to wait to read it I couldn't believe it. Then I was able to get an advance copy that hadn't been edited and loved every minute of it. The characters were like old friends I was reuniting with like no time had passed. I could still remember what happened in the last book and found the pace matched the previous book. This was a book I wanted to finish because it was so fun to read but at the same time I didn't want it to finish too soon because I loved it that much. If you're looking for a fun read that throws curve balls at you while making you laugh and helps you forget your own bad days then this is the book for you. I have this book in my wish list so when I launches I can buy it in paperback. Sad to say bye for now to Dayna but I know I'll see her again.

I was given an ARC for an honest review
This is the first book I have read by Kellye Garrett. I will probably go back and read the first one in the series but it is not necessary.
Hollywood ending is about finding the killer of a hotshot publicist in the middle of awards season. There is a lot of charm in meeting Dayna's friends and how they go about solving the case.

What an absolute joy of a book. Dayna returns in book 2 of Kellye Garrett's Detective By Day series with a whole new set of Hollywood problems. Day's funny musings and strong cast of supporting characters (both familiar and new) drive this book to an even better conclusion than the first in the series. Day, already a whole six months into her detecting career, gets tapped to investigate the death of a popular publicist. Even when it seems that she's worked everything out in the first fifty pages, the plot thickens. No spoilers here, but this was a fun read (and I dare you to take more than three sittings to finish it).

I love Garrett's voice with these books-- Day is hilarious, a little naive, and Hollywood-smart. These cozies are a real pleasure to read, and I can't wait to see what Garrett pens next.

Dayna Anderson's second attempt at Hollywood crime solving -- finding the killer of a hotshot publicist in the middle of awards season -- is funny, fresh, and immensely appealing. Kellye Garrett has created an amateur sleuth whose savvy, cynical take on the entertainment industry is tempered by her good heart and tenacious nature. The cast of secondary characters are equally charming and distinctive, and the mystery hits the sweet spot of logical and surprising. It will definitely appeal to fans of humorous mysteries, especially those looking for something that stands apart from your typical amateur sleuth.

I loved this humorous cozy, it had all of the elements of a good story and I hated to have it end. Growing up in the shadow of Hollywood in SoCal I can resonate with the cardboard and glitter of the industry.

It sparkled for Dayna when she was drawn into the case as a P.I. (now a retired actress)
The big question?? Who would be willing to kill someone just to squelch down their secret - someone who doesn't want to risk their career?

This romp with Dayna amid celebrities, bright lights and excitement of the awards, she really nails it with this whodunnit.

Find out for yourself and come along for the bumpy ride,
Truly enjoyable from cover to cover.

I did not expect to like this sequel as much as the original but I may have liked it even more. Dayna has come into her own as a heroine and she's funnier than ever. Dayna's life has changed since we last met with her. She's now dating Omari and has taken on some smaller cases since solving her first. But she's growing bored and ready to expand her new business, When Silver Screen Organization publicist Lyla is murdered Dayna decides to take on the case. Solving the case is rather easy or so it appears until Dayna is ready to collect her reward money and join Omari and Sienna at the award ceremony. Dayna is very much the bumbling amateur at times, still continuously making rookie mistakes. However her quick wit is endearing and her colorful cast of associates keep things interesting. There's characters like Nina who you'll despise with a passion, Sienna the sometimes ditzy best friend who always has her back, Emme who is living in her own online world, and the chill and serious Omari among others. For those who like their mysteries with alot of laughs Hollywood Ending is must!

Dayna Anderson, an unemployed actress turned apprentice PI, takes on a case to uncover who killed Lyla Davis, a reputable publicist, during a botched ATM robbery. Finding out the killer doesn't take long, but Dayna quickly realizes that the killer didn't act alone.

Just like in Book 1 of this awesome series, the relationships between Dayna and her friends, Sienna and Emme, are a fun element in this book. But there are many more characters that are equally fun. Gus the Gossip. Dayna's boyfriend's publicist, Nina. Aubrey, the PI she works under. And many more. The whodunnit factor is amazing. The inside view of Hollywood, the music industry, and the award season, make me feel like I'm spending time with a friend in the know which keeps me turning the pages. The author had me guessing literally to the end. Such a great read and already excited for the next Dayna adventure!

A light mystery, chasing around Hollywood and LA. Kelleye Garrett writes with an insider's knowledge of the minor celebrities and those who make a living off them. Danya is an amateur detective solving crimes to earn LAPD's rewards, working with a crew of friends and an eccentric ex=policeman. The social media buzz and parties are entertaining and Danya's actor boyfriend is sweet; a few of the other characters feel less solid. Would recommend starting with the first in the series, Hollywood Homicide, for introductions to Danya's posse.