Like so many others, I discovered Kellye Garrett because of the buzz about her debut: Hollywood Homicide. Once I read the fast, funny adventures of semi-failed actress Dayna Anderson, and her new passion for detecting, I wasn’t surprised when her debut outing won the Agatha, Lefty and Barry awards (among others). This fall, Dayna and her crew returned with Hollywood Ending and the fun goes on. If you don’t know Dayna (and Kellye), you’ve got to catch up – and here’s a chance to hear the story behind the limelight.
How does a book start for you?
It usually starts with an idea for a mystery. For Hollywood Homicide, it 
started with someone trying to solve a murder for the reward money. The Hollywood aspects and making it a hit-and-run my main character Dayna drove past came later.
For Hollywood Ending, it started with my obsession with gossip bloggers and Blind Items, which are tidbits of gossip so scandalous they can’t use real names. They just use clues of the person’s identity.
Who in your latest book has surprised you most – and why?
Definitely the character of Aubrey S. Adams-Parker, who is a former Sheriff’s deputy turned private investigator. Day meets him in book one and she’s his apprentice in Hollywood Ending. I’ve had his backstory of why he’s no longer a Sheriff’s Deputy from before the first book so Hollywood Ending delves into that. I was surprised about Aubrey’s feelings on his new career choice and how that affects Day.
When and/or where is your latest book set and is there a story behind that setting?
It’s set in Hollywood during Awards season, which is a three month stretch at the beginning of the year where it feels like there is a new awards show every weekend. You have the Independent Spirit Awards, the Golden Globes, the Academy Awards and more. It’s a fun time because everyone is dressing up and getting free SWAG at tall the parties.
What are you working on now?
The third book in the Detective by Day series!
Which question didn’t I ask you that I should have?
What’s your least favorite thing to write? I suck at writing description. You will never see an entire page in one of my books describing a room. I actually skim past that stuff in books as well. My mom is the same way so when she read Hollywood Ending, she thought it was perfect!
Her review of my book: “Started your book and now can’t put it down!…As your mom, I was scared to death I would not like it.”
So I am happy to say that Hollywood Ending is Mom-approved!
Kellye Garrett writes the Detective by Day mysteries about a semi-famous, mega-broke black actress who takes on the deadliest role of her life: Homicide Detective. The first, Hollywood Homicide, won the Agatha, Lefty and Independent Publisher “IPPY” awards for best first novel and is nominated for Anthony, Macavity, and Barry awards. The second, Hollywood Ending, will be released on August 8, 2018 from Midnight Ink. Prior to writing novels, Kellye spent eight years working in Hollywood, including a stint writing for Cold Case. She now works for a leading media company and serves on the Board of Directors for Sisters in Crime as the organization’s Publicity Liaison. You can learn more at KellyeGarrett.com.
PS – Please don’t let my earlier typo stop you from finding Kellye – she’s GARRETT not GARRETTE!