Dead Girls Don't Tell

by Ashley Brandt

"I had the pleasure of reading this book as an ARC. I loved the suspense and mystery of the book. It had everything you want in a good mystery. Murder, a talking cat with a smart mouth ( my favorite!), werewolves, some romance and a who done it list that could be anyone but you don’t figure out until the very end. And it wasn’t who I thought!! 😳 Highly recommend reading this one!"

"A small town, a shocking murder, and secrets deadly enough to kill—Dead Girls Don’t Tell delivers a suspenseful ride from start to finish."

Secrets don't last forever. Especially in Corinth...
When California television researcher Douglas Finly is discovered dead in an abandoned car wash, the small town of Corinth is gripped by fear. Denali and her loyal sidekick, DaVinci, dive into the investigation, uncovering clues that suggest Finly may have stumbled upon dangerous secrets—secrets that cost him his life. The local sheriff zeroes in on a prime John Boone, a quiet and enigmatic Marine veteran with no alibi.

But when Boone saves Denali from a brazen hit-and-run attempt, the lines between ally and suspect blur. Forced to join forces, Denali and Boone race against time to unmask a relentless killer. As they unravel a sinister web of greed, trafficking, and murder, one thing becomes Denali could be the next target.

If you like mysteries by authors like Charlaine Harris and Joanne Fluke, then you'll love Dead Girls Don't Tell.

221 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 21, 2025

Reviews

[jessicajlovesbooks · Rating 1 out of 5]

I did unfortunately DNF this. I tried so hard to commit to it, but I just couldn’t get in to it.

Thanks to NetGalley and th publisher for the arc.

[Victoria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating: 3.75⭐
Review to come

[Mallory Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A small town, a shocking murder, and secrets deadly enough to kill—Dead Girls Don’t Tell delivers a suspenseful ride from start to finish.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Dead Girls Don’t Tell by Ashley Brandt was a gripping small-town thriller that pulled me in right from the start. The murder of Douglas Finly sets off a tense chain of events, and I loved following Denali and her sidekick DaVinci as they pieced together the mystery.

The dynamic between Denali and John Boone was one of my favorite parts—he’s suspicious, secretive, and yet still manages to save her life. Their uneasy partnership added a lot of tension and kept me guessing about where his loyalties truly lay.

The plot was full of danger, twists, and dark secrets involving greed, trafficking, and murder. The pacing and suspense kept me turning the pages late into the night.

If you like fast-paced mysteries with strong heroines, small-town secrets, and a touch of reluctant allies-to-partners, this one is definitely worth a read!

[Tammy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the pleasure of reading this book as an ARC. I loved the suspense and mystery of the book. It had everything you want in a good mystery. Murder, a talking cat with a smart mouth ( my favorite!), werewolves, some romance and a who done it list that could be anyone but you don’t figure out until the very end. And it wasn’t who I thought!! 😳 Highly recommend reading this one!

[LunarReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you’re on the hunt for the perfect spooky season read this is the book for you.
Murder/ mystery with just the right touch of paranormal and supernatural elements. Oh And did I mention there’s a talking cat?! 🐈‍⬛

If you’re not sold yet let me tell you a bit more about this book.
It mixes element of magical realism with a hint of paranormal or supernatural while still keeping it relatable and a bit like a slice of life. I absolutely loved this author’s writing her descriptions made you feel like you have been there in this town.

Another aspect of this book that I absolutely loved was the veteran representation, the author did a wonderful job portraying that.

Overall, I really liked this book. I definitely hope to see more of the Deadwood’s in the future! As after that ending I want more!

[Emma Budge · Rating 4 out of 5]

The perfect book for spooky season, murder mystery, werewolf’s and a talking cat, what more could you want!

The plot kept me on the edge of my seat the whole way through, with its fast pace, and lots of twists and turns. The paranormal elements for me really lifted this book, making it really unique, and I enjoyed the romance subplot.

The humour complimented the darker themes of this story, as well as grief being handled well.

A solid plot, with great character development. I’d recommend for anyone who enjoys cosy small town mysteries with a paranormal twist.

[Aisha Faisal · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had the pleasure of reading this book as an ARC. I loved the suspense and mystery of the book. It had everything you want in a good mystery.

Ashley Brandt’s Dead Girls Don’t Tell is a deliciously eerie mix of small-town mystery, supernatural suspense, and southern charm, a kind of story that pulls you in with its warmth and humour, then leaves you watching the shadows for what might be lurking there.

We return to Corinth, a seemingly quiet Tennessee town that’s anything but ordinary. The story follows Denali, a witty, relatable woman with a talking cat named DaVinci (yes, you read that right, and he’s wonderfully snarky). What starts as a murder investigation, the discovery of a man’s body at an old car wash, quickly spirals into something darker, involving werewolves, ghosts, secret identities, and a chilling new drug called Blackout.

Brandt’s strength lies in her world-building. Corinth feels alive — full of gossip, old secrets, and the kind of quirky people you’d expect to find in a Southern gothic tale. Denali’s voice is sharp, funny, and heartbreakingly human. She’s still haunted by past trauma, navigating friendships, love, and her own uneasy connection to the supernatural world around her. The relationship between Denali and DaVinci adds charm and depth, serving as both comic relief and an emotional anchor.

Then there’s the central mystery. A dead TV researcher. A friend’s too-good-to-be-true fiancé. A town that seems to attract darkness. The pacing is steady, building tension through eerie dreams, suspicious newcomers, and quiet dread. By the time Denali begins to suspect her friend’s fiancé isn’t who he claims to be, you’ll be flipping pages with genuine unease.

What makes Dead Girls Don’t Tell stand out is its heart. Yes, it’s a paranormal mystery with teeth literally, but it’s also about grief, resilience, and the ways people hold onto hope after loss. Brandt balances humour and darkness beautifully; one moment you’re laughing at DaVinci’s sarcasm, and the next you’re holding your breath as Denali’s nightmares bleed into reality.

It’s part cozy mystery, part supernatural thriller, and part emotional journey, perfect for fans of Charlaine Harris or Alice Hoffman.

Final verdict:
4.5/5 charming paranormal mystery with bite.
Ashley Brandt’s Dead Girls Don’t Tell is a cosy, southern gothic delight, filled with clever humour, a talking cat, and a heroine you’ll want to follow through many more adventures. Perfect for readers who love Charlaine Harris, Amanda M. Lee, or Juliet Blackwell.

Would I recommend it? Absolutely, especially to fans of cozy mysteries with a paranormal twist, strong female leads, and small-town secrets.

[Tammy · Rating 4 out of 5]

📚Dead Girls Don't Tell
✍🏻Ashley Brandt
Blurb:
"I had the pleasure of reading this book as an ARC. I loved the suspense and mystery of the book. It had everything you want in a good mystery. Murder, a talking cat with a smart mouth ( my favorite!), werewolves, some romance and a who done it list that could be anyone but you don’t figure out until the very end. And it wasn’t who I thought!! 😳 Highly recommend reading this one!"

"A small town, a shocking murder, and secrets deadly enough to kill—Dead Girls Don’t Tell delivers a suspenseful ride from start to finish."

Secrets don't last forever. Especially in Corinth...
When California television researcher Douglas Finly is discovered dead in an abandoned car wash, the small town of Corinth is gripped by fear. Denali and her loyal sidekick, DaVinci, dive into the investigation, uncovering clues that suggest Finly may have stumbled upon dangerous secrets—secrets that cost him his life. The local sheriff zeroes in on a prime John Boone, a quiet and enigmatic Marine veteran with no alibi.

But when Boone saves Denali from a brazen hit-and-run attempt, the lines between ally and suspect blur. Forced to join forces, Denali and Boone race against time to unmask a relentless killer. As they unravel a sinister web of greed, trafficking, and murder, one thing becomes Denali could be the next target.

If you like mysteries by authors like Charlaine Harris and Joanne Fluke, then you'll love Dead Girls Don't Tell.
My Thoughts:
Dead Girls Don’t Tell delivers a suspenseful ride from start to finish.. A small town, a shocking murder, and secrets deadly enough to kill, The murder of Douglas Finly sets off a tense chain of events, The plot was full of danger, twists, and dark secrets involving greed, trafficking, and murder. The pacing and suspense kept me turning the pages late into the night. I highly recommend this book add it to your TBR.
Thanks NetGalley, and Author Ashley Brandt for the advanced copy of "Dead Girls Don't Tell" I am leaving my voluntary review in appreciation.
#NetGalley
#AshleyBrandt
#DeadGirlsDon'tTell
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you to NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for the ebook.

📝 **Short Summary**
Dead Girls Don’t Tell is a small town suspense thriller with murder, secrets, danger, a fast moving investigation, and Denali trying to uncover the truth before she becomes the next target.

Review
This was a solid three star read for me. I always enjoy a small town mystery where everyone feels a little suspicious, and Dead Girls Don’t Tell definitely had that quick, suspenseful energy that kept me turning the pages.

The story pulled me in pretty quickly, especially with the murder mystery at the center of it. I liked the setup of a small town shaken by a shocking death, because that kind of setting always makes the secrets feel more personal and messy. There is something fun about knowing almost anyone could be hiding something, and this book leaned into that tension well.

Denali was definitely one of the strongest parts of the book for me. I thought she was easy to follow, determined, and interesting enough to keep the investigation moving. I liked watching her piece things together while also dealing with danger closing in around her. She had that curious, stubborn energy that works really well in a mystery.

The pacing was also a big plus. This was a fast read, and I appreciated that it did not drag. The story kept moving, the mystery kept unfolding, and there was enough suspense to make me want to know what was really going on. It had that “just one more chapter” kind of rhythm, which is always a win.

For me, this was enjoyable, but it did not fully blow me away. I liked the suspense, the small town atmosphere, and Denali as a main character, but I wanted a little more emotional depth and connection to really make it hit harder. Still, it was entertaining, quick, and easy to get into.

✅ **Would I Recommend It?**
Yes, especially if you enjoy fast paced small town mysteries, suspenseful investigations, and books where secrets keep piling up until the truth finally comes out.

[Sarah J Callen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Dead Girls Don’t Tell by Ashley Brandt has a really interesting premise with a protagonist that you want to root for. Unfortunately, this book could have benefited from another round or two of editing. There is a lot of exposition at the beginning of the book that is difficult to get through. Once you get into the meat of the book, it’s more enjoyable to read, though there are a number of grammatical errors. I appreciated the creative world created in Dead Girls Don’t Tell, but I struggled to enjoy the book because of the editing. 

[Kanati Adebayo · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a nice quick read.

I enjoyed the murder mystery aspects mingled in with the romantic suspense. I'm not sure if there was a book before this, but I was able read it without feeling like I was missing too much. There was a mystery within a mystery with this book which was pretty cool!

I love DaVinci and his attitude. He was always willing to help Denali but wouldn't tolerate any BS. He was really the main character (JK). I was shocked by the ending and definitely never would have guessed it. The author did a great job misleading me to believe it would go another way!

[Paloma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dead Girls Don't Tell is packed with mystery, intrigue, werewolves and a murder that sets it all off!

I enjoy murder mysteries and when you add the supernatural elements, it sets the right tone for a fun and exciting hunt for the killer. Though it has supernatural beings and paranormal activity, I enjoyed the human part of it. The banter between Denali and DaVinci ( the cat), were so funny and entertaining. The pacing and suspense were perfectly synced with the twists, drama and secrets.
Thank you Netgalley and BooksGoSocial for this eARC. All opinions are entirely my own.

[Emma Austin · Rating 1 out of 5]

wtf i would’ve DNFed if i didn’t spend money on it.
I understand this was an indie author book but this book had a characters name spelled two different ways, MANY grammar mistakes, and it felt like she didn’t know what story she wanted to make the main focus of the book so she just kept adding new plot lines until something stuck. And i feel like random facts and things were added in just for fun??? Not my cup of tea. I loved the idea behind a cozy mystery w a talking cat though. 1 star

[Mirandalikestoread · Rating 4 out of 5]

A TV producer from Los Angeles is found dead in a small town called Corinth. Denali, a resident of the town, is interested in finding out who did it. In the process of asking questions, another body is found and identified as a local of the town. This was a fun little mystery with a talking cat, a werewolf ex-boyfriend and a handsome drifter.

[Bre3924 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won this from a Library Thing giveaway. The book was a quick read and held my attention. The characters were easy to get to know and several unexpected events occurred in the story. This was a fun book to read and will read more of her stories.

[Anne Newman · Rating 4 out of 5]

This a a “dark” book. Lots of very strange things happen in it. The heroine is Denali with her cat Da Vinci who she can communicate with and a kitten a friend left with her. Exciting actually.

[Aliandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was reminiscent of a different series I loved back in the day by Janet Evanovich the “Stephanie Plum Series”. So if you loved this, you’ll love Dead Girls Don’t Tell!

The similarity’s between the two: a strong female lead catching bad guys but with this read, add in werewolves, a talking cat, murder, and a small kind love triangle!

🐈 I was sold on this when it said there was a talking cat! DaVinci has to be my favorite characters in this book! The banter he supplies is too funny and he’s a cat whose favorite singer is Frank Sinatra.

There’s another murder in the small town. A reporter was found dead. The main suspect, a straggler veteran who found the body. Our MFC thinks there’s more to the story and her intuition tells her the veteran is not the culprit. Together they work to clear his name and find out who’s really behind the killing and maybe some sparks between them ignite along the way.

There are some mature themes, so please check your trigger warnings.