Kellye Garrett

Kellye Garrett is an American crime fiction author known for writing mystery novels featuring Black female protagonists. Her works include the Detective by Day series and standalone thriller novels. A former television writer who worked on shows like Cold Case, Garrett received widespread recognition for her debut novel Hollywood Homicide, which won multiple awards including the 2018 Anthony Award for Best First Novel and Agatha Award for Best First Novel. Her 2022 thriller Like A Sister examined issues of race, class and family through the lens of a woman investigating her estranged sister's death. Garrett serves on the national Board of Directors for Sisters in Crime and co-founded Crime Writers of Color, an organization supporting diverse voices in crime fiction. Her work consistently addresses themes of justice, identity and privilege while maintaining the core elements of compelling mystery narratives. Prior to her writing career, Garrett worked in both television and advertising in New York and Los Angeles. She holds degrees from Florida A&M University and the University of Southern California's School of Cinema-Television.

Readers praise Garrett's sharp dialogue, complex characters, and ability to blend humor with tension in her mystery novels. On social media and review sites, fans highlight her authentic portrayal of Black women protagonists and contemporary cultural references. For "Like A Sister" and the Detective by Day series, readers connect with the realistic relationships and industry insider details. One Goodreads reviewer noted: "The Hollywood setting feels lived-in rather than glossy." Some readers mention pacing issues in the middle sections of her books and occasional plot threads that don't fully resolve. Average ratings: Like A Sister: 4.0/5 on Goodreads (21,000+ ratings), 4.3/5 on Amazon Hollywood Homicide: 3.8/5 on Goodreads (2,800+ ratings) Hollywood Ending: 3.9/5 on Goodreads (900+ ratings) Most critical reviews focus on wanting more development of secondary characters and tighter editing of subplots rather than fundamental issues with the writing or stories.

Hollywood Homicide (2017) A former actress turned amateur sleuth investigates a hit-and-run case in Los Angeles while trying to earn reward money to help her family keep their home.

Hollywood Ending (2018) Day-time security guard Dayna Anderson becomes entangled in solving the murder of a reality TV producer while navigating the glamorous and dangerous world of Hollywood.

Like a Sister (2022) When her estranged half-sister, a reality TV star, is found dead of an apparent overdose, Lena Scott conducts her own investigation into what she believes is actually murder.

Where Did You Sleep Last Night? (2023) A true crime podcaster searches for answers about a missing Black teenager while uncovering disturbing patterns in similar disappearances across New York City.