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: Private Detective. The first, HOLLYWOOD HOMICIDE, won the Agatha, Anthony, Lefty and Independent Publisher “IPPY” awards for best first novel and was named one of BookBub’s Top 100 Crime Novels of All Time. The second, HOLLYWOOD ENDING, was featured on the TODAY show’s Best Summer Reads of 2019 and was nominated for both Anthony and Lefty awards. 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. She also is a co-founder of Crime Writers of Color. You can learn more at KellyeGarrett.com.

”Even though none of us will be going to a beach anytime soon, now is a perfect time for a beach read. My pick is MIMI LEE GETS A CLUE by Jennifer J. Chow, which came out in March 2020 from Berkley. If you’re like me in that you love mysteries but also can’t read anything too dark, then you already are a fan of amateur detective novels. Jennifer’s book has all the cozy/amateur detective staples: a cute cat (this one even talks!), amazing characters, and a great hook in Mimi as a novice pet grooming shop owner. But what I especially love is that she also takes the cozy tropes and turns them on their head. Instead of a small town, the story takes place in Los Angeles. Instead of dating a cop, Mimi is falling for her neighbor who’s a lawyer—and still just involved in the case. And what makes it even more exciting is that Jennifer’s series is helping usher in Berkley’s wave of diverse #ownvoices millennial focused cozies that will include upcoming books from Abby Collette, Alexis Daria and Mia P. Manansala.”