Eddie Ellison develops an attraction to David Odeson during an undercover operation in Florida after World War II. Together, with OPSO, Captain Reed, they find their current operation fails, sending Eddie and David back to New York. David gets an invitation from his ex-lover, Victor, to come to Hollywood, where David can pursue his dream of being an actor. No longer with army intelligence, David convinces Eddie to go with him. David lands an opportunity to play in Victor's first movie, but before shooting begins, Victor is found dead from a drug overdose. Victor's benefactor, the director Marlan Dumont, has reason to question the manner of Victor's death. Marlan persuades Eddie to find out if Victor was murdered, but Eddie becomes suspicious of Dumont's motivations when Captain Reed shows up accusing Dumont of subversive, communist activities. Despite discovering Eddie and David's closeted secret, Reed appears to be attempting to enlist their help in uncovering a Russian espionage ring in Hollywood.

A photo of Dumont in front of the Andover nightclub leads Eddie to Dolly Blue, a cross-dresser who performs at the Andover. Eddie wonders if the masculine-fatale is part of the Russian spy ring Reed investigates. Dolly has captivated Eddie's attention, causing him to question his understanding of gender identity and how it fits with his love for David.

Holly Avenue is a noir fiction where Eddie Ellison tries to navigate, acceptance of his sexuality, a perverted world of deception, and the dangers of cold war espionage or, as Dolly Blue puts it; "Holly Avenue is the underground for us fairies . . . tinsel towns drag ball, where we imagine ourselves as characters in costumes to delight or hide, and dream of being a fabulous star."