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A Bexley Squires Mystery #1

The Dead Girl's Stilettos

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Nominated by Best Thrillers as one of 2020's best thrillers!

After a Jane Doe is murdered in journalist Bexley Squires's hometown, she's hired by one of Hollywood’s brightest stars to clear his name as a suspect. But her skills as an amateur sleuth weren’t enough to find her missing sister. Does she have what it takes to find a killer?

When she returns to California, she discovers the elite seaside community of Papaya Springs has become more corrupt than she imagined. All too soon, she stumbles into a web of twisted games played by the rich and famous. Along with the detective in charge of the case, who also happens to be her high school crush, she’ll uncover a level of depravity unlike anything she’s ever known.

The Bexley Squires Series:

The Dead Girl’s Stilettos
The Million Dollar Collar
The Guard’s Last Watch
The Skeleton Key's Secrets
The Notebook's Hidden Truths

312 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 5, 2019

234 people are currently reading
424 people want to read

About the author

Quinn Avery

16 books423 followers
With nearly 50 captivating titles spanning various genres, Quinn Avery honed her talent for crafting intricate puzzles through her smart and quirky Bexley Squires mystery series. Her contemporary suspense thrillers, often set in her beloved locales such as Mankato and Lake Shetek, are nothing short of addictive, leaving readers spellbound with their mind-spinning twists. When Quinn and her husband aren't off on adventures (often with their adult children), they enjoy the tranquility of their Minnesota acreage and lake home.

Quinn also writes romantic suspense as Jennifer Ann and children's picture books as Jennifer Naumann.

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5 stars
136 (40%)
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124 (37%)
3 stars
57 (17%)
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15 (4%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 83 reviews
Profile Image for Bridget.
2,789 reviews131 followers
May 26, 2019
Wow, what a wonderful thriller! This was a fabulous début novel by Quinn Avery. The main character, Bexley, was very engaging and a little quirky and I loved the way the author was able to balance the mystery with the supporting characters so well, even adding a comedic element to the story.

In “The Dead Girl’s Stilettos” I thought the pacing was good and it was rich with action, twists and turns.

I highly recommend this perfect and very solid début thriller which is definitely worthy of its five stars.

I received a complimentary digital copy of this novel at my own request from the publisher via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.
Profile Image for Kate_mrs539.
377 reviews8 followers
April 3, 2019
Superb debut story from new author Quinn Avery! Reminiscent of Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum, Bexley Squires will be a reader favorite with her mad mystery solving skills, fearless personality and endless wit!

What teases at being an ongoing series, Bexley Squires is surrounded by some amazing characters that I hope follow her from story to story!

In this particular story we follow Bexley to sunny SoCal as she is offered the opportunity to clear a suspect of false claims, and what better way to fund the search for her missing sister. Bexley manages to get herself in and out of several mishaps while catching up with old friends and making some new who end up being instrumental in solving the mystery at hand.

This story was well written, it pulled me in from the very beginning and held my attention to the end. I wasn't able to put this down and finished all in one sitting. Just when I thought I had this story figured out, Quinn Avery flipped the script and showed me I need to brush up on my skills!

I can't say enough about this story and these characters. Really looking forward to what comes next for Miss Bexley Squires!

I am giving The Dead Girl's Stilettos 5 stars!
Profile Image for Anissa.
1,000 reviews326 followers
March 16, 2019
The stilettos of the title are gold with diamond heels and are the main clue that Bex Squires has to solve the case and exonerate the man who's hired her, Dean Halliwell. She's still got a bit of name recognition from her last investigative report that garnered her national attention but her funds are running low when she gets a call to help mega-star Dean in her tony, old home town of Papaya Springs, CA. This is right up her alley as she also wants to track down her troubled, missing younger sister, Cineste.

The set up is good but after Bex meets Dean and gets the details he has for her to begin investigating the momentum of the mystery slows. She runs into Grayson, her high school crush and now, a detective at the Papaya Springs PD. She's attracted to both men and this is where the book started to feel more like romantic suspense and not mainly a mystery. For much of part one of the book, there's a lot of exposition and while things do happen (some on the more extreme end) that are relevant to the actual case, I didn't feel the urgency as a reader. Bex is caught up trying to decide who to trust, which guy she's more attracted to (which shouldn't even be a problem here because one is literally employing her & maintenance of her investigative integrity should be a thing) and who's lying and why. These held varying levels of interest to me and if I'm honest, once Bex missed a really big thing early on that screamed out to me, I had even less interest in reading about her "torn between two hot guys" angst.

As an avid mystery reader, many of the revelations nor the resolution surprised me but I think those things would work well for those who aren't so mystery obsessed. Also, for those who enjoy a bit of romantic angst in their reads, this has got them covered. While I did think it had some usual first-in-a-series foibles, I found that by the end I was still interested enough that I'd read another of Bex's investigations. She had experiences that lead me to believe she's learned (I completely agreed with her self assessments in the final chapter) and will grow and I want to see her get into the private investigations business.

Many thanks to the publisher for the advanced reader copy.
Profile Image for Tracy Broemmer.
Author 124 books104 followers
March 27, 2019
Move over, fictional amateur sleuths, and make way for Bexley Squires!

I have a confession to make…Even though I read a lot of different genres, I don’t read a lot of amateur sleuth mysteries. I’m glad I made an exception for Quinn Avery’s debut, The Dead Girl’s Stilettos.

Quinn Avery creates a great setting; I was in Florida reading about beaches in California, and it was perfect! I loved the glimpses Avery gave of the rich and famous life. But even more than that, I loved how she butted those extravagant scenes right up against the nitty gritty life that might only be a block away. The danger felt as real as the glamour.

As good as the setting and the plot are—yes, she kept me guessing through most of the story—Avery’s real skills show in her character development. She introduces us to some shady characters, as well as those who have good intentions, and does an excellent job of creating uncertainty about who’s a good guy and who’s a bad guy. However, my favorite character was—by far—Bexley Squires. She’s an interesting mix of confidence and vulnerability. Squires keeps her feelings close to the vest as she learns who to trust in her quest to find a murderer, as well as the identity of the victim. She’s driven by memories of her little sister and her need to find that same sister—now missing—and her compassion, her instinct to protect and mother those around her really spoke to me as a reader.

I can’t wait to read the next Bexley Squires book!



~Tracy Broemmer, author of the women’s fiction series, The Williams Legacy
Profile Image for Athena Rupas.
117 reviews7 followers
March 17, 2019
I have to admit, it's the title that drew me to the book. I'm glad I requested it though because it's a fast-paced mystery story that I read in a day. The lead character is a hilarious and strong woman named Bexley Squires. She's an amateur detective who is offered a lot of money to clear the name of a celebrity who has been linked to the murder of a young woman. This puts her life in danger. Bexley is surrounding by some fun, interesting characters throughout the story. The ending is fantastic!

This is the beginning of a new series it seems so it looks like there will be a sequel, but there are no cliffhangers in this book. Everything is tied up with no loose ends. There are just possibilities for the more with the characters to expand the story. I hope the amazing supporting characters follow her from book to book. That would be amazing! I thought the story was well written and pulled you in from the very beginning. Several times I thought I had it all figured out, but then I was proven wrong. Quinn Avery is a master storyteller! I highly recommend this book! Another reviewer likened the book to Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum series and I have to say I agree. It has the same charm and whit.

“I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.”
Profile Image for Polly Barreto.
765 reviews9 followers
March 11, 2019
Darn it if I don’t love a good mystery/thriller read and this debut novel by Quinn Avery kept me on the edge of my seat! I always thought of myself as a “Nancy Drew” when it comes to solving mysteries, but with all the twist and turns, friends and foes, ups and downs, Ms. Avery had me guessing at every page!

Bexley Squires is a journalist who gets hired by the one and only Dean Halliwell, Hollywood’s hottest and brightest actor, to clear his name from an unsolved case in California. With a large payout on the table, she just might be able to search for her missing sister, Cineste, without having her to go broke and living on the streets.

And….let the mystery begin! Witness after witness, new evidence is brought to light. Which ones are telling the truth….and which ones are telling the lies! Can she trust her gut? Or will her gut get her into trouble?

Readers who enjoy the mystery/thriller genre will not be disappointed in this book!
Profile Image for Book Him Danno.
2,399 reviews78 followers
April 4, 2019
Quinn Avery debut novel is a must read story. The Dead Girl's Stiletto is a fast easy to read mystery that will have readers loving the fearless female lead Bexley Squires. The author creates a story with well placed twist that might have some readers questioning what they think they know.
The story is equal parts the first few novels from Janet Evanovich Stephen Plum and mix of several other authors who have the ability to bring a dark side of mysteries to life with fun, adventures and yes possible romance.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the advance copy of Quinn Avery The Dead Girl's Stilettos
461 reviews5 followers
March 8, 2019
What a fantastic debut mystery from Quinn. I loved everything about this book. The characters were extremely well developed and she kept me guessing until the very end. I read a fair amount of mystery books and usually have a pretty good idea of who did it so to speak, but this time I wasn't sure and then there were so many twists and turns that you really didn't know who to trust and who not to. No wonder Bexley wasn't sure what to do and who to turn to for help. If you enjoy a good mystery, be sure to pick this one up, you won't be disappointed!
Profile Image for Lauren.
1,397 reviews24 followers
October 26, 2021
Interesting mystery set in California. Bexley was hired to go to her hometown and solve a mystery. It’s sort of out of place because she’s a journalist but apparently she solved one before?
Profile Image for Emma Rieker.
65 reviews1 follower
December 16, 2019
Great book! I was hooked from the first couple pages! The characters took me on an emotional roller coaster. I am not a fan of mystery so when I say that I loved this book, I really loved it! If you’re looking for a great mystery with a powerful female lead with a touch of romance, check out this book! The tie in with the shoes at the end was jaw dropping!
Profile Image for Nicole   yaaas or nahs books.
142 reviews37 followers
January 21, 2020

A huge thank you to @authorquinnavery for sending me a copy of this really fun murder mystery! ⁣⁣
⁣⁣
Bexley Squires is a journalist turned sleuth when a celebrity pays her a crap ton of money to prove his innocence. He wants her to investigate a murder he has been accused of when a dead girl he had been spotted with washes up on the shore. ⁣⁣
⁣⁣
Against her better judgement, Bexley accepts the job because she desperately needs the money to find her sister that disappeared. ⁣⁣
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As she investigates the murder and starts uncovering clues, she doesn’t know who to trust. ⁣⁣
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I loved Bexley’s character. She’s smart, witty, and determined to not let anyone get in her way of solving the crime. I honestly suspected every character at one point or another. I picked up this book and before I knew it, just a few hours later, I had finished it! Couldn’t put it down and I needed to know how it all played out!⁣⁣
⁣⁣
The best news is that this is book 1 of a series. I can’t wait to see what Bexley gets into next! ⁣⁣
Profile Image for JANELLE || WHATSHESEEES.
443 reviews42 followers
November 20, 2019
Loved this fast-paced read! ⠀
I was connected to it from the start!!

Author, Quinn Avery made that very easy with her seemingly charming characters and her fiercely, the main star of the book, Bexley Squires. You will love her instantly. ⠀

I love the twist in this one a lot. I did have a small prediction as to what would have been the outcome but overall still was not expecting the certain connected it had overall. ⠀

If you are looking for a read that you will automatically fall in love with the characters and story-line, then this is perfect for you! ⠀

It did not disappoint and now I’m currently impatiently waiting to read her second book in the series, The Million Dollar Collar they released early this September! ⠀
Profile Image for Tasha.
32 reviews2 followers
January 12, 2020
H. O. L. Y. S. H. I. T. What a wild ride that was. First off, thank you so much to Quinn Avery for gifting me a copy of ‘The Dead Girl’s Stilettos’ to read and review.

From the first couple of pages, I was immediately hooked. And it only got better from there. Bexley Squire is a journalist who just recently cracked a big case. Her name is known. So what happens when a dead girl washes up on the beach shore wearing nothing but stilettos?

A handsome, young actor and celebrity calls Bexley to help crack the case of the unidentifiable dead girl. He was accused of murder but go away yet he still wants to clear his name and offers Bexley half a million dollars up front to do so.

This book took me on a rollercoaster. The emotions I felt regarding the characters is truly amazing. It got to the point where whenever I put it down, I was trying to piece together who might’ve killed this young woman.

Towards the end, when Bexley thought she got the guy made me think the novel was over and there was so many pages left. I was like, “no way! There’s gotta be more to this”. And sure enough, after one went behind bars, the real serial killer took the stage. Talk about dramatic! I loved it.

The tie-in with the shoes at the end was shocking and very unexpected. I did not see that coming but it makes total sense!

Lastly, I loved how this book included a little pinch of romance in it. The romance was a great, heart-felt touch.

Overall, I loved this book and I can’t wait to read more by Quinn Avery!

Bookstagram- @tashaslibrary
Profile Image for Patty.
5,139 reviews56 followers
June 10, 2019
Caught up in this story from the very beginning, Quinn Avery has woven a complex mystery for Bexley Squires to solve. I could not stop listening to this one, the further I got, the more I needed to know. Bexley is hired by a famous actor to clear his name of a murder. Though a journalist, her detective skills are proven. She takes the job because the money will help her to find her missing sister. When she starts the case, her old high school friend Grayson is the detective on the case and these two set out to solve the murder. This story is action packed, and has so many twists that I kept changing my mind about who the murderer was. It's smart, has a little romance and is very entertaining.

Victoria Villarreal does a wonderful job with the narration. It's my first listen by her, and really enjoyed her performance. Well paced, she gives great inflections, adding to the mystery and suspense. Her voices are distinguishable and her voice is easy to listen to.
Profile Image for Debi.
326 reviews
March 15, 2019
I read this one for Net Galley in 2 days. The title caught my attention so I decided to try for it. I'm glad that I did. It's a quick and fairly fast paced story. I enjoyed the characters and the mystery was good as well. Excellent ending. This definitely appears to be a new series or at most there will be a sequel. Nothing is left hanging with the story itself other than possibilities for the characters.
Profile Image for Jen.
325 reviews97 followers
March 22, 2019
My first from NetGalley. I enjoyed how the book was set into multiple parts one from Bex’s point of view, one from her sister’s and then back to Bex’s. I enjoyed the fast pace the beautifully described scenery and look forward to this author’s next book!
Profile Image for Amy Schmid.
48 reviews3 followers
December 17, 2019
The Dead Girl’s Stilettos is such a fun murder mystery! I devoured this book. It is reminiscent of Janet Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum series and I am here for it!! Amazing characters, a no nonsense plot, and fun world building. I enjoyed the mystery and found myself second guessing whether or not I had figured it out.
Profile Image for Julia Stephanie.
2,113 reviews6 followers
May 9, 2019
I feel like I was misled. The blurb oversold the story in my opinion. It’s a decent mystery, but anything related to love triangles makes my blood boil and I struggled to get into this book. I didn’t really like the characters and the writing was bland. Not sure I’d continue the series.
Profile Image for Brianas_best_reads.
516 reviews27 followers
October 11, 2019
✨Review✨

A huge thank you to Quinn Avery for sending me a copy of “The Dead Girl’s Stilettos” to read and review. #partner 📚 This title is available now.

“The Dead Girl’s Stilettos” follows journalist Bexley Squires as she works to solve a murder case while also searching for her own missing sister. Along the way she finds drama, mystery, and even romance! This is the first book in the Bexley Squires series.

This is one good mystery. I had so much fun reading this book and felt like I was working alongside Bexley to solve the case. There were twists, turns, and some seriously dramatic situations. From beginning to end I enjoyed reading and was shocked by the final twist at the very end.

Bexley herself was my favorite character and she could definitely give Nancy Drew a run for her money. Bexley is smart, sassy, and such a fun character to read about. Her determination to track down her sister is admirable and she is fiercely loyal to those she cares about.

Normally I am not one for romance, but I was completely invested in the relationships in this book and found myself constantly rooting for certain characters to end up together.

If you are a mystery and suspense lover and like a little romance thrown in there, then “The Dead Girl’s Stilettos” is the book for you! I know that I am definitely going to keep reading this series and can’t wait to see what mystery Bexley has to work to solve next.

4/5 ⭐️
191 reviews18 followers
March 28, 2020
This was a great book with some good plot twists throughout. I look forward to reading another one by this author.
Profile Image for Tony Parsons.
4,156 reviews101 followers
February 28, 2020
11/26, Papaya Springs, CA (Pacific Ocean). Jogging on the beach Eric O’Neil (21, Papaya Springs College hoops) came across a naked unconscious woman’s body.
She only had on her Stilettos.
Tehya Jensen (Eric’s GF, wealthy, hotel heir) let out a scream.

12/27, Brooklyn, NY. Cineste Squires (21, sister) had sliced her foot open & it was bleeding profusely.
Dean Halliwell (wealthy, Hollywood actor, surfer) hired Bexley Squires (nee Ferguson, Journalist, NYU; journalism) to solve a cold case.
Mr. Stronghold hired Bexley to find his missing sister.
Bexley received a call from Detective Grayson Rivers (NYU), Jane Doe had been ID by the ME as Amanda Classon (Grayson’s ex-wife, Bexley’s ex-BF).
What was Commander Peachtree (US Navy SEALs Alex’s father) up to?

Will Bexley solve the cold case?

Warning: This book contains graphic adult content, violence, or expletive language &/or uncensored sexually explicit material (human sex slavery, prostitution, & trafficking) which is only suitable for mature readers. It may be offensive or have potential adverse psychological effects on the reader.

I did not receive any type of compensation for reading & reviewing this book. While I receive free books from publishers & authors, I am under no obligation to write a positive review. Only an honest one.

A very awesome book cover, great font & writing style. A very well written whodunnit murder mystery book. It was very easy for me to read/follow from start/finish & never a dull moment. There were no grammar/typo errors, nor any repetitive or out of line sequence sentences. Lots of exciting scenarios, with several twists/turns & a great set of unique characters to keep track of. This could also make another great cold case murder mystery movie, or better yet a mini TV series. There is no doubt in my mind this is a very easy rating of 5 stars.

Thank you for the free author; Amazon Digital Services LLC.; book
Tony Parsons MSW (Washburn)
Profile Image for Bella.
439 reviews53 followers
May 3, 2020
Bexley Squires has made a name for herself as a top investigative journalist, but her critical success hasn’t yet translated into a cash windfall. Living in a Brooklyn loft, she finds herself brilliant and beautiful, but also broke. The pitiful state of her bank account is the only thing holding her back from spending all her time solving the mystery of her sister’s disappearance.

Everything changes when Bexley gets an offer she can’t refuse. Hollywood sex symbol Dean Halliwell is accused of murder, and pledges $50,000 for Bexley to start digging into the investigation. If she finds the real killer, she’ll earn another $500,000. While Bexley digs on behalf of Dean Halliwell, she hires a PI named J.J. Stronghold to find her sister.

While both investigations are intriguing enough to demand rapt attention, it’s Bexley herself that stands out in a crowded field of amateur sleuths. Author Quinn Avery has created a heroine that is both accessible and complex. While Bexley didn’t grow up in the lap of luxury, her NYU education and street smarts have prepared her to navigate well-to-do social circles in ways that an undercover law enforcement agent never could. At home, she’s a master of creating a boho chic look on a tight budget, and it’s these little touches that will endear her to readers.

Don’t let the book’s cheeky title fool you – The Dead Girl’s Stilettos isn’t a cozy mystery. Author Quinn Avery seems on the verge of creating her own sub-genre of crime fiction, delivering a clever protagonist with serious emotional heft that does her best work amongst the playgrounds of the super rich and famous. Fans of Willow Rose will love this novel, but Avery is an original.
Profile Image for Jen.
34 reviews
April 27, 2019
Fresh off an journalistic investigation into a sex trafficking ring, Bexley Spires is contacted by one of the hottest men in Hollywood to clear his name in the death of an unidentified woman found on the beach near his home. Taking on his case will mean Bexley must return to Papaya Springs where she grew up and reunites her with her best friend and her high school crush who is now a detective working on the case. Bex ultimately takes the job because it affords her an opportunity to search for her younger sister who disappeared weeks earlier. It quickly becomes clear that Bex’s life is danger as she gets closer to the truth.

This book is well developed and feels like the second in a series and I was disappointed to realize that I could not go back and read previous Bexley Squires mysteries and I am anxiously awaiting the next release. Quinn Avery has created an engaging heroine who will pursue the truth at all costs and balances the mystery with great supporting characters and humor. This may be the first book I have read by Quinn Avery but it won’t be the last.
Profile Image for Jan Miller.
732 reviews7 followers
June 2, 2019
The Dead Girl's Stilettos by Quinn Avery pulled me in from the very beginning. The author created a great character in Bexely Squires. I loved how she was after more than a story. The unexpected twists in this book was great. I had difficulty trying to figure out who was good and who wasn't. The mystery in this book was really well done and the storyline original. Victoria Villarreal was great performing this book. I could hear exactly who was speaking. I requested this review copy audiobook and have voluntarily written this review. I will definitely listen to more books by this author and narrator!
Profile Image for Jocelyne.
4,920 reviews22 followers
July 12, 2019
This was my first Quinn Avery's book, and won't be my last! The Dead Girl's Stilettos is the first book in A Bexley Squires Mystery. This is a great start to this Series. This mystery is suspenseful, and intriguing. Bexley and Grayson are great characters. Their investigation is captivating, filled with unpredictable twists and turns. The story has also a little romance. The supporting characters are interesting. Victoria Villarreal did a great job with the narration. She has a great voice, well paced and easy to listen to. I highly recommend this audiobook. #AudiobookObsession
Profile Image for Gizel Alvarez.
581 reviews77 followers
December 28, 2019
Audiobook Review

The heroine Bexley is a journalist who finds a better suited career, as she takes on a job to prove a man's innocence.

This has been the PERFECT book to get me over this funk, while for a hot min there is a love triangle of sorts the focus on the story isn't romance but the ongoing investigation on the owner of the stilettos. I was enthrealled on the twists and turns the author threw at me and when I thought it was over a big surprise is brought to light.

audiobook Obsessions 🎧
Profile Image for Suzette.
3,627 reviews23 followers
April 3, 2019
Bexley is a bit of a quirky character. She is an reporter masquerading as a PI. She comes into contact with her high school crush Grayson while working on this case. The story has lots of wit and comical moments. She finds herself in sticky situations as she gets closer to the truth of what she is investigating. She also grows closer to Grayson and has to decide if this will be a relationship that she wants to last. It is a nice and easy read with a happy ending.
Profile Image for Denise Hoover.
823 reviews
April 26, 2020
What a fantastic book!
This is the first book I’ve read of Quinn Avery’s and I could not put it down! I haven’t read a good mystery book in quite a long time. This book kept me on my toes. I wasn’t sure where it was going to go the entire time. The twists, the turns, it was unexpected. When I thought it would go one way, it went another.
This is a great start to a series. I can’t wait to dig into the next book!
I highly recommend this book to readers!
Profile Image for Tonya.
66 reviews9 followers
April 17, 2019
I really love the title and thought by the blurb that this book would be something I would really enjoy. It had a decent mystery but really seemed more like a romantic thriller with a bit of a love triangle (and I really hate those.) It wasn't horrible, but it just want my cup of tea.

*Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.*
Displaying 1 - 30 of 83 reviews

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