Book Review: Hollywood Ending by Kellye Garrett (Detective by Day #2)

Stars: 5 out of 5

Pros: Great mystery, fantastic characters, fun

Cons: None I could find

The Bottom Line:

After party death

Sets Day back in action in

Fantastic sequel

I Didn’t Want Hollywood Ending to End

Sometimes, when I love a debut, I worry a bit about whether I will enjoy the follow up as much.  That thought was going through my mind as I picked up Hollywood Ending.  I had absolutely nothing to worry about since this book was just as good if not better than the first book.

It’s awards season in Hollywood, and retired actress turned PI Dayna “Day” Anderson is getting into the season since her boyfriend, Omari, has been nominated for a Silver Sphere award.  He’s the breakout star of a TV show in its first season, and a win could be a huge boost for his career.  Of course, to win, he has to be seen at all the right parties in the weeks leading up to the ceremony.

It’s after one of these parties that publicist Lyla Davis is killed when she stops at an ATM, one that Omari had just been at.  When the Silver Sphere organization offers a huge reward for any information leading to Lyla’s killer, Day begins to investigate.  She quickly gets a line on the killer.  Almost too quickly.  Is she making the same mistakes she made before?  Or is there something else going on?

It may have been a year since I read the debut, but it was like no time at all had passed when I picked up the book, and I was right back in Day’s world.  Her friends are fantastic, and I loved seeing them again.  There’s definitely been some growth, at least in some of the characters, and I enjoyed seeing how the relationships have changed as a result.

The mystery itself is fantastic.  There are some wonderful twists that kept me guessing until the end, which was absolutely fantastic.

And, once again, there is an insider’s look at the world that is Hollywood.  It really is a town like no other, fueled by the entertainment industry.  If you love it like I must admit I do, you’ll enjoy this glimpse of what life can really be like behind the scenes.

All of this is wrapped in a delightful sense of humor.  I laughed several times, and was smiling and chuckling the entire way through.

Hollywood Ending ended all too soon, and now comes the very long wait until I can visit Day again.  If you are looking for a smart and fun mystery series, you need to start the Detective by Day series now.

NOTE: I received an ARC of this book.