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chiog's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
mb1520's review against another edition
4.0
The twists-and-turns kept this one interesting. The only problem I had was it was a little difficult to keep track of everyone and everything happening. Overall, a good book with some funny moments. Would definitely recommend to people who enjoy mysteries and crime novels.
henrygravesprince's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
This is a solid mystery and a decently enjoyable book, but you can definitely see the way Garrett’s work has improved since this (her debut) in her more recent work (see Missing White Woman and Like a Sister). The characters here are endearing and flawed, making them relatively lovable for me, and the mystery is compelling enough to keep my attention. There’s definitely issues (the recurring element of unnecessary body shaming being the most notable), but as that appears less and less in her more recent work, I’m still excited to finish her backlog and see what Garrett writes in the future.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fatphobia, Car accident, and Body shaming
Moderate: Sexual harassment and Classism
Minor: Homophobia
Flippant language around eating disorders; Addiction stigma; Blackmailremigves's review against another edition
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
holdenkillfield's review against another edition
3.0
This was a comedy of errors from start to end and amusing throughout. With the flying accusations and the protagonist bumbling through an investigation out of a sheer need for cash, rather than a calling, albeit in leopard stilettos, it brought a fresh look at the accidental detective trope and was entertaining to read. I can see Garrett was influenced by Barbara Neely's Blanche White character.
The characters, especially the main character, Dayna, and her close-knit crew all had distinctive personalities, some larger than others, that brought the story to life.
The running commentary that Dayna had about life, situations, and other characters was hilarious. Kellye Garrett is funny and I found myself chuckling at dialogue or a zinger a character would throw out.
It really was like reading a sitcom as the mystery was forefront but so were the lives of the characters that were just as entertaining, especially when they live in LA.
The characters, especially the main character, Dayna, and her close-knit crew all had distinctive personalities, some larger than others, that brought the story to life.
The running commentary that Dayna had about life, situations, and other characters was hilarious. Kellye Garrett is funny and I found myself chuckling at dialogue or a zinger a character would throw out.
It really was like reading a sitcom as the mystery was forefront but so were the lives of the characters that were just as entertaining, especially when they live in LA.
vkaz's review
4.0
Amateur detective Dayna Anderson, who pursues a killer to win the tip reward, is a lovely creation--funny, smart and very fallible. The mystery is clever and the dialog witty, in the tradition of Hollywood screwball comedies. The romance provides as much suspense as the actual mystery. I would love to see a movie made of this!
princessbilbo's review
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Great mystery but the dialog could've used some work. People from LA don't talk like that. And the movie names were not great. Liked the characters though and wanna keep reading!
mg_in_md_'s review
3.0
Nominated for the 2017 Agatha for Best First Novel and 2017 Lefty for Best Debut Mystery Novel, this is the first installment of the Detective by Day series. If I could've given this one a 3.5 star rating, I would have. This book introduces Dayna Anderson, a semi-famous, mega-broke actress who is trying to find a way to help her parents keep their home. When she sees a billboard offering a reward for information related to a hit-and-run, Dayna realizes that she and her friends likely witnessed the act and she sees an opportunity to make some quick cash to help her parents. However, Dayna soon realizes that not all mysteries are neatly wrapped up in an hour or less, and the killer's identity and motive aren't always easy to deduce.
This initial offering in the series showed a great deal of potential -- lots of humor, fun and likable characters, an opportunity for Dayna and her relationships to evolve as the series progresses, and a well-done mystery. I enjoyed it quite a bit and look forward to reading more of Dayna's and her friends' adventures in Hollywood.
In addition to reading it because of its nominations, I used this book for the 2018 PopSugar Ultimate Reading Challenge prompt "a book with characters who are twins" and the 2018 BookRiot Read Harder Challenge prompt "a mystery by a person of color or LGBTQ+ author."
This initial offering in the series showed a great deal of potential -- lots of humor, fun and likable characters, an opportunity for Dayna and her relationships to evolve as the series progresses, and a well-done mystery. I enjoyed it quite a bit and look forward to reading more of Dayna's and her friends' adventures in Hollywood.
In addition to reading it because of its nominations, I used this book for the 2018 PopSugar Ultimate Reading Challenge prompt "a book with characters who are twins" and the 2018 BookRiot Read Harder Challenge prompt "a mystery by a person of color or LGBTQ+ author."