Stephanie Andrews is a bestselling author, celebrated for her crime fiction and thriller novels, particularly the Red Riley series. Andrews is driven by the belief that everyone has the potential to become a hero or heroine, and she embodies this philosophy in her lead character, Kay Riley. She aims to infuse her love for classic mysteries and thrillers, as well as her desire to highlight strong women as protagonists, into her Kay Riley novels.
Andrews' roots in Chicago played a significant role in her writing journey. Her debut novel, "Chicago Blue," the first installment in the Red Riley series, is set in the city. She drew inspiration for the character of Kay Riley from her desire to create a "Wrong Man" thriller with a female lead who lacked special skills at the beginning of her journey. As the series progresses, Riley develops and becomes more astute, allowing for a compelling character arc. Andrews' primary goal was to write about a woman finding herself and growing in a humorous and thrilling way, despite not having a background in journalism or law enforcement.
In addition to the Red Riley series, Andrews has written a crime thriller titled "The Grafton Heist," which features a husband and wife team of con artists. She remains committed to her craft, publishing one title per year and expanding her literary universe with each new release.